Help me decide on a .375H+H rifle.

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Northern Shooter

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As a follow-up to my other post "sell me on a new cartridge", I have settled on .375H&H for the cartridge i'd like to explore next.

Now that I've got the cartridge figured out, it's time to sort out the rifle options.

I know there are some really bespoke safari rifles that cost 5 figures (Jon Rigby, H&H) etc. but I would like to focus on the models that your average joe can afford, say $2500 or under.

The first option that I have been eyeing is the CZ550 Safari model This model was sadly discontinued but there are still a couple of them kicking around. I am a new CZ fan and love my 527 rifle. I like that this model offers the highest capacity (5+1) but it also comes with one of the longer barrels offered (25") and a european-style stock. Price $2000-2100.

What are your thoughts on the CZ550?

Another option that I have been considering lately would be the Sako 85 line, particularily the Kodiak, Grizzly or Safari models. It sounds like Sako is very highly regarded as a brand but I have read that certain model 85's have some extraction issues? Does anyone know if this has been an issue with their .375 rifles? Price $2,500+

What are your thoughts on the Sako 85 line?

Ruger seems to also offers models in .375 (M77) but I would have to go with the Ruger made .375 Ruger cartridge if I went this route. Does anyone have experience with the new M77 Hawkeye models? have do they compare to the older M77's? I know there is a regular here that often praises the .375 Ruger but is the difference all that noticable between that and the .375H&H? Is availability a concern with that cartridge? I can't seem to find a current price on this on, of any actually in stock for the matter. Price: Sub $2000?

How does the Ruger stack up to the others on this list?

Winchester Model 70 - I see that the venerable Model 70 also comes chambered in .375 (and larger cartridge's). I am a current M70 owner and have been impressed so far. This looks to be the cheapest option on the list at $1800ish, how does it stack up against those above?

What other .375 rifles should I add to the list that are worth considering? I see that both Mossberg and Savage offers rifles in this category but I'm not interested in those. I would like to find a rifle with a premium stock and iron sights, ideally with a "20-22" barrel. Is there an ideal barrel length for .375H&H?

Options?
 
MTM said:
I’ve gotten rid of my .375 and .458. The .416 does it all.
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I was wondering how many people that started out with .375H&H worked their way up the food chain. I feel like 375H&H threads the fine line between NA Big Game and African Big Game.

Currently my 45-70 is my biggest thumper so this will be a noticeable step up.
 
I have a win model 70 in 375hh i like the rifle a lot, shoot well and doesnt have much recoil. Its a little heavy though.

Thumpers can be addictive though, i also have a 500 jeffery and 460 weatherby. I bought the 375 so i could have a cheaper thumper to shoot. Next rifle will be a 416 for sure.
 
You certainly wouldn't go wrong with any of the listed rifles! The CZ550 and Model 70 are about tied for my vote- the Ruger action always seemed clunky to me, and the Sako is a bit pricy and harder to find these days, and it dopesn't have the long ###y full length extractor (not that it really matters...).

Another great option would be the Brno ZKK-602, the predecessor to the CZ 550. It's an absolute workhorse of a rifle with clean lines, and can generally be had for a reasonable price point on the used market. It shares the same backwards safety of the 527 though, which may irk some.

I love my 602 :)
 
I would recommend a low mileage Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. They came with 22" barrels & only weighed 7 lbs.
My one had the optional BOSS barrel tuner that worked very well for my loads and was easy to carry in the field.
 
I began my quest with a Ruger RSM. Loved how it was easy to shoot well, accurate, well built. I got picky and didn't like the short bolt handle snuggled into the fat, somewhat heavy stock.
Then I tried a Sako AV that handled very well, was built well, fit and finish was good. Sold it for no good reason that I can describe. It just didn't speak to me.
Then I bought a Sako M85 Kodiak. Wonderful fit and finish, good accuracy, smooth operation. I did have some concern with ejection angle. Put a new extractor in it and problem went away for $50.
Then I bought the "ultimate" CZ550 restocked and refinished with lots of extras added on by American Hunting Rifles - their #3 upgrade. Very good quality, at a decent price, and wonderful workmanship. But I prefer my Sako Kodiak just because I have a Merkel double in .450-400 3" Nitro express, and a Verney-Carron 9.3x62 Takedown, both in lovely walnut and blued steel. I wanted one big bore rifle in stainless/laminate.
RGSS has my CZ550 rifle for sale on the EE right now. It's a very good rifle at a good price. You'd like it.
So now I have the Sako 85 Kodiak. Perfectly satisfied with it.
In May this year I hunted cape buffalo in Zimbabwe with a rented Win M70 Safari .375. I might have been jsut as happy by choosing that one to begin with. Very nice build quality, fit me well, and a good value for the money.
 
Evanguy said:
I have a win model 70 in 375hh i like the rifle a lot, shoot well and doesnt have much recoil. Its a little heavy though.

Thumpers can be addictive though, i also have a 500 jeffery and 460 weatherby. I bought the 375 so i could have a cheaper thumper to shoot. Next rifle will be a 416 for sure.
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Isn't a bit of weight ideal in these rifles to help mitigate the recoil? Have you done an African hunt? As someone who will likely never hunt African game I feel like the .375 is "sufficient", less overkill in power/recoil/costs than one of the big bores.

I would for sure love to atleast try out one of each of those at the range though.
 
SomebodyTookMyName said:
You certainly wouldn't go wrong with any of the listed rifles! The CZ550 and Model 70 are about tied for my vote- the Ruger action always seemed clunky to me, and the Sako is a bit pricy and harder to find these days, and it dopesn't have the long ###y full length extractor (not that it really matters...).

Another great option would be the Brno ZKK-602, the predecessor to the CZ 550. It's an absolute workhorse of a rifle with clean lines, and can generally be had for a reasonable price point on the used market. It shares the same backwards safety of the 527 though, which may irk some.

I love my 602 :)
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Interesting. I've seen the name BRNO thrown around here quite a bit but wasn't quite sure what they were. So they were CZ has become? I'm currently eyeing up the CZ550 only because that's the only one of the 4 that I'm seeing in stock.
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I would recommend a low mileage Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker. They came with 22" barrels & only weighed 7 lbs.
My one had the optional BOSS barrel tuner that worked very well for my loads and was easy to carry in the field.
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While I would appreciate the 7lbs rifle for bush whacking, how was the recoil out of such a light platform?
 
northern shooter. I had one of those CZ safaris you looking at. it was a solidly built rifle. 25-inch barrel I'm thinking it weighed in at over 9.5 pounds dry if i recall. it was fun to shoot even off the bench. lol .
 
Northern Shooter said:
Isn't a bit of weight ideal in these rifles to help mitigate the recoil? Have you done an African hunt? As someone who will likely never hunt African game I feel like the .375 is "sufficient", less overkill in power/recoil/costs than one of the big bores.

I would for sure love to atleast try out one of each of those at the range though.
Click to expand...

375 H&H/375 Ruger are both not very punishing to shoot, I don't think a modestly light rifle is a bad thing in those chamberings, step up to a 375 RUM or any of the Weatherby cartridges in that caliber and some more weight and a muzzle brake might be welcome additions though.

I consider the recoil in my 375 Ruger Alaskan to be considerable, but hardly objectionable with 270gr and 300gr bullets loaded on the hotter end of things. Not pleasant off the bench when working up a load but really not bad either. I suspect the relatively slower moving projectile makes for a nicer recoil impulse, that long shove that people reference rather than a really jarring impact that I seem to find more often in higher velocity cartridges.
 
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Longwalker said:
I began my quest with a Ruger RSM. Loved how it was easy to shoot well, accurate, well built. I got picky and didn't like the short bolt handle snuggled into the fat, somewhat heavy stock.
Then I tried a Sako AV that handled very well, was built well, fit and finish was good. Sold it for no good reason that I can describe. It just didn't speak to me.
Then I bought a Sako M85 Kodiak. Wonderful fit and finish, good accuracy, smooth operation. I did have some concern with ejection angle. Put a new extractor in it and problem went away for $50.
Then I bought the "ultimate" CZ550 restocked and refinished with lots of extras added on by American Hunting Rifles - their #3 upgrade. Very good quality, at a decent price, and wonderful workmanship. But I prefer my Sako Kodiak just because I have a Merkel double in .450-400 3" Nitro express, and a Verney-Carron 9.3x62 Takedown, both in lovely walnut and blued steel. I wanted one big bore rifle in stainless/laminate.
RGSS has my CZ550 rifle for sale on the EE right now. It's a very good rifle at a good price. You'd like it.
So now I have the Sako 85 Kodiak. Perfectly satisfied with it.
In May this year I hunted cape buffalo in Zimbabwe with a rented Win M70 Safari .375. I might have been jsut as happy by choosing that one to begin with. Very nice build quality, fit me well, and a good value for the money.
Click to expand...

All your comment made me want to do is own one of each, the CZ and Sako. CZ with wood stock and BBL, Sako in SS and laminate stock.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Isn't a bit of weight ideal in these rifles to help mitigate the recoil? Have you done an African hunt? As someone who will likely never hunt African game I feel like the .375 is "sufficient", less overkill in power/recoil/costs than one of the big bores.

I would for sure love to atleast try out one of each of those at the range though.
Click to expand...

a little bit of weight is nice, if it was 8 pounds with a scope id say it was prefect, but its 8.5 pounds with iron sights its heavy to carry once you get a scope on it, right now its iron sights though

I have never hunted with any of my big bores other then my .577 muzzle loader, I carry them in the wood, in the back field and the range to shoot at targets and stuff (shooting stuff is fun),
they aren't expensive rifles at all, I could only dream to hunt Africa. I just love big booming high recoil rifles really, 416 Rigby will be my next build I'm sure.

my 460 Weatherby I built on a Zavasta lkm70 it weighs 8.5 pounds and my 500 Jeffery I build on a surplus P14 action weighs 10 pounds. to keep the costs down I shoot lead out of them at 1800-2000fps quite often although I just bought 50 Barnes 600gr for my 500 Jeffery the other day
 
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