Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Where Can I Get a Decent .375 H&H?

"In my opinion Sako has two negatives. One is the mounts and the other is the lego set recoil lug system of a stud on the ction and a little recoil plate."

Mike,

Sako have developed this rifle thoroughly!

If you want a LIGHT 375 out of the box, the Sako is bloody accurate, despite those design faults.

Ah. I've heard of a S-M but never saw a picture of one. Thanks for teaching this old dog something new today.

RH

I for one have no need for a 7-lb .375H&H caliber rifle! It is just to light for my liking. I do have a model 70 Winchester (pre-64 action) and model 70 Classic in the .375-Wby caliber. Now both weigh in with scope at 9.1/4 and 9 pounds.

Also depends on the Sako. There's plenty of AV's floating around. It has a full recoil lug that is machined into the action. As for the mounts, well, they can be a pain, particularly since the Optilocks are so heavy, but they work. I still think the Leupold QR mounts for Sako (they look like the bottoms of the Optilocks, but they're much more trim) are the way to go.

Seven pounds may be a bit on the light side, but the near 11lb weight of the Ruger RSM is much too heavy for a .375 H&H. I think 8.5 to 9 lbs all up is about right.

I have one of the Win Safari Express in .375 H&H in the older push feed version, but it feeds very well and is accurate to boot. They make a nice rifle and I see them for sale from time to time on some of the sale sites. Worth checking out, because sometimes they are a bit less money than the CRF.

AGW: Nope....the conversation is just too circuitous to really bother with....just burns up a ton of brain protein

I started this drill for a light(er)375 back in the 80's and the problem was easliy solved.I found pre 64 M70 action in 375 H&H,had an Atkinson barrel in a (app)#4 contour fitted,and had it bedded in a Brown Precision Synthetic stock.About 6 years ago I had a Krieger 410 24" stainless barrel of similar contour fitted.

The rifle weighs 8 pounds with a 4X leupold on board,and is very accurate and reliable.Recoil is entirely manageable in the Brown stock which seems to flex and absorb recoil nicely.....for whatever other reason it is comfy to shoot.

I also have a M70 Classic SS in an Echols Legend stock that is a bit heavier due almost entirely to a heavier, factory barrel contour.I suspect it goes 9 pounds all up with a 3X Leupold.It would be no trick to get it to 8-8.5 pounds if I replaced the factory barrel with a lighter contour.The factory contour is heavier than it needs to be.

Also have a pre 64 M70 that is factory original; it'll stay that way except get a bedding and stock reinforcement job,tune trigger,etc. I suspect it will be about 9 pounds but is easy enough to lug around.

The difference in recoil and shootability between the 3 rifles is pretty moot.Same/same.

The Whitworth is a great rifle for the money.

Edited to Add: I got curious so broke out the scale and weighed these 3 rifles.The SS Classic with Ecols stock and 3X Leup went 9.5 pounds. I guessed wrong

The pre 64 M70 with no scope weighed 8.5 pounds.

The pre 64/Brown stock and Krieger barrel,with 4X Leup weighed exactly 8 pounds.

Sounds like you haev some nice .375's. Good luck to you with it.

JW

hatari,
The 9# weight wasn't any pre-conceived limit from me, I was just stating what the package weighs. Clearly a heavier rifle will recoil less given the same stock design.

Good points HS.

And the Leupy QR mounts do solve that problem...............

INdy,
YOu have a PM

Indy , I sent you a pm Thx Malo

Hi Guys,
I'm not sure if it's appropriate to mention this here but I do have a Whitworth in 375 H&H that may fill the bill here for what Indyca35 is looking for. It sports a 20" barrel with grey teflon finish, 3 leaf express sights, synthetic stock, fully glass bedded with 3-9 scope all in exc. condition for $900 obo and postage.
I can send pics if you want them. I have the same thing in .458 for $800 obo too.
Thanks Nap
napgci.net

I have just one .375; it is an old pre-64 Model 70 all original, other than a synthetic stock. I used it a few times in recent years with light loads and the 220 grain bullet made for the 375 Winchester. The original stock is a bit worn, but this would make it a valuable collector rifle.

Today, I use mostly short action cartridges.

All's well that ends well. I just picked up a Model 70 .375 H&H CRF, new in the box. It's one of the last ones made in New Haven. It's identical to the ones Winchester is going to introduce in the near future, if they ever do. The metal is matte finished. The wood is dull, plain, and very dark. But who cares? It's a hunting rifle.

Now to see about glass bedding it, dies, cases, bullets, working up loads, a sling, Talley QDs, and a 1.5-5 VX3.

Indy: you won't need to do any of that to that Rifle. Mine is a 1/4" shooter all day long. When you are ready, I'll give you some great loads. jorge