Which .375?

RangerPark said:
Hello everyone!

I'm looking to join the .375 club for mostly two reasons:
1- Because I want to (the real reason).
2- Because I plan on participating in the Alberta Spring bear hunt (Also a real reason, and the one I'm telling my wife).

I've pretty much settled my mind on the .375 H&H for a cartridge. I reload and brass seems easier to come by. Many sponsors seem to have a steady supply of Hornady and Nosler brass so I'm good with that. Factory ammo seems easier to find with the H&H also. Hornady's H&H factory offerings are attractive.

For the rifle, current contenders seem to be the CZ 550 and the Sako 85 in various incarnations. I really like the Sako 85 Kodiak and the Synthetic Stainless. So far I'm more inclined towards Sako mostly for the stainless options as well as the standard detachable magazine. Push feed vs controlled feed doesn't make much of a difference to me.

The Sako 85 Synthetic Stainless in .375 H&H is currently my top choice, but I can't find any for sale anywhere. In close second is the Sako 85 Kodiak. Does anyone have any experience with them? The stock on the synthetic seems to be plastic instead of composite, that would be a huge downside for me. I'm fine with not having iron sights as I plan on using a low magnification scope, something like 1-6 or 2-8.

So I'd like unbiased opinions from those of you who have had experiences with .375 caliber rifles. Without opening up a Pandora's box or endless arguing I'd like to know what your thoughts are on .375 Ruger vs H&H, CZ 550 vs Sako 85 vs any other viable option and push feed vs controlled feed. The Winchester M70 comes to mind as a valid contender, I've seen the Remington 700 come in .375 H&H too, but never new ones. Thoughts on optics and iron sights would be appreciated too.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

That's what my Dad used on my mom, if you substitute "BC" and "Grizzly".

My money would be going to a Winchester M70 Safari Express. I prefer a barrel mounted swivel on a rifle like this. I'm not sure that there's a real need for a stainless rifle for non-coastal hunting, but if I just had to have stainless I would be after a Kimber Talkeetna. Tastes good, good for you...no downside.
 
I have a CZ. It's big, long, heavy, soaks up recoil. I also have a Mossberg Patriot in 375 Ruger. Both loaded to the top end of the table the Mossberg's lighter weight requires a sound position not to be painful. CZ less so. I wanted a detachable mag, it the CZ has cured me of that "need". Mostly a budget decision I guess. The Howa 20" stainless 375 was unobtainium when I looked. I would have gone that way for the $$.
 
Thanks to everyone who responded! I finally settled on a Sako 85 Greywolf. Thanks to the very helpful staff at P&D I picked one up in .375 H&H this morning. What a nice rifle it Is! They also had the Kodiak so I was able to compare them side by side. Same stock, the one with the reinforcing cross bolts. Same barrel profile, except the Kodiak is cut 3" shorter. The Greywolf has no barrel band or iron sights which I preferred. I will put up some pictures tomorrow. Set up and bore sighted the scope, next step is a range trip.
 
Slamfire said:
Nice find! Sako rifles are mechanical artwork. :cool:

What scope mounts did you get?
Click to expand...

I went with the basic Leupold. I think it was a mistake. I mounted the scope as far back as I could and still would like to take it back about 1/4" more. It's ok as is but not quite how i want it. They said Sako mounts allowed a bit more rear placement but i didnt listen. It should be an easy fix later on.
 
I prefer the Leupold Ring Mounts. The Sako Optilock system is heavier. For proper grip, the front Leupold ring mount isn't supposed to be moved back past mid point on the dovetail.

SAKO%20-%202_zpsnxyi46pq.jpg
 
There she is! Medium rings were the right height but it's definitely a close fit, the scope is a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40. I'll forego the lens caps on that one. I initially felt the scope was too far forward but when leaning into the shot, as one should do with a magnum like that, the scope is perfectly positioned. Same as for prone, but I'm not sure I want to shoot this thing prone... I just love the stock. I was worried laminate would feel cheap, it doesn't. And as for the scope, the gap isn't so small in person, the photo makes it worse.

IMG_20170115_080141607_zpssjtwzlpr.jpg


IMG_20170115_080057539_zpsvsk5aosj.jpg


IMG_20170115_080043718_zpsqaies0o3.jpg
 
Looks great! I sure like my Grey Wolf and Kodiak. You will get about 60 to 80 fps more bullet speed with the 24.6" barrel vs. a 21.25" barrel on a Kodiak. Any thoughts on what your hunting load will be?
 
Slamfire said:
Looks great! I sure like my Grey Wolf and Kodiak. You will get about 60 to 80 fps more bullet speed with the 24.6" barrel vs. a 21.25" barrel on a Kodiak. Any thoughts on what your hunting load will be?
Click to expand...

Too early to tell. I picked up some 270 gr Federal blue box stuff, $80 for 20. This will get me started and I'll keep the brass to reload later on. The price of brass alone was between $3 to $5 per casing. 270 gr at 2690 fps has a drop that's very similar to .308 which is what I'm used to. I have no idea what powder I'm going to use. Funny enough, Hodgdon lists IMR 4064 as a suitable powder for .375 H&H, I have a lot of that on hand. 4350 and 4831 seem more appropriate.
 
I was on the ball and picked up 100 PRVI cases for about 80 bucks a while ago. That should do me for quite a while.

I load the 300gr Woodleigh RN SN with H4350 at about 2400 fps MV as I usually hunt in timber and need brush-bucking capability (yeah I know, here we go again...:p).

Nice thing about the .375 H&H mag. is that it can shoot fairly flat with the right bullet and makes a reasonable Grizzly, Elk and Mountain Sheep rifle.
 
Last edited:
RangerPark said:
Too early to tell. I picked up some 270 gr Federal blue box stuff, $80 for 20. This will get me started and I'll keep the brass to reload later on. The price of brass alone was between $3 to $5 per casing. 270 gr at 2690 fps has a drop that's very similar to .308 which is what I'm used to. I have no idea what powder I'm going to use. Funny enough, Hodgdon lists IMR 4064 as a suitable powder for .375 H&H, I have a lot of that on hand. 4350 and 4831 seem more appropriate.
Click to expand...

3-5$ for H&H brass? Hornady or Rem brass is available for just under 2$ tax in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom