Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Pre-64 Mod 70 .375 H&H Recoil

I'm a vertically-challenged guy who, due to recent health problems, has lost significant upper body weight and 50% vision in right (dominant) eye. My favorite possession in this world is my Win Mod 70 in .375 H&H built in 1956 and bought in Montana in 1967. Had the gun extensively "slicked up" by Frankonia Jagd gunsmiths in Wurzburg, Germany in 1984. Mods included cutting off barrel to remove front sight/ramp, oil-refinishing the stock and barreled action, a black recoil pad and African Buffalo forend tip. I don't know exactly what it weighs but probably a little more than when it left Winchester as I mounted a steel 30mm Kahles 1.1-4.5X scope on the gun. I don't want to change it any further. Love it the way it is.
My pet has been in storage almost 20 years. My shooting history with 500-600 factory loads and a 1000 or so reloads has been 1" - 2" groups at 100 yds. Yesterday I dug it out, cleaned the barrel & action, tightened all screws and went shooting. The damn thing almost killed me. In the past, 1" 100 yd groups were not uncommon. Yesterday I made a 4-shot 0.72" group at 50 yds with R-P factory 270 gr loads. But I have to control recoil some way if I want to shoot more. So I'm looking for some way to cut down on the fun at the bench without shipping my girl to a gunsmith. My shooting experience for the foreseeable future will probably be 50/100 yd range. I'm leary about putting a long gun in the postal/UPS system.
Does anyone have experience or comments with the strap-on shoulder recoil shield by PAST? Pros/Cons for 1/2" Vs 1" thick? Shield thickness Vs LOP change?
As always, your advise/counsel will be treasured.

Don Boyd

I can highly recommend the PAST recoil shield with the elastic strap to hold it in place. I used mine yesterday with the .375 Ruger. Mine is not real thick, and change to LOP is not noticible, but it sure helps me get in more shooting.

Any pics of your rifle?

Don,

First off, I am soooo sorry to hear of your troubles. You have a VERY fine rifle there! Here are some idea's......

#1, I use the PAST recoil shield, magnum thickness, whenever I am shooting my hot loaded 416 Rigby and it is a Godsend. You are on the right track here, Buy one and use it.

#2, no rule or law that I know of says you have to fire only full power loads through your baby. Try some light for weight Barnes TTSX or TSX bullets with AA5744 or Trail Boss powder. These powders can enable you to load your rifle down to 375 WIN speeds with terrific accuracy. STILL plenty of power for a deer should you desire to go and slay such with your wonderful rifle and the Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets will expand reliably at the lower speeds. You could even use some of the 200gr flat point bullets designed for the 375 Win along with the by design bulky and low energy powders mentioned above for a near zero recoil deer load.

Good luck, God bless, keep shooting and hunt it all you can! MARK

I can shoot some digi-pics and attach them to an email to forward to someone a group smarter than me. You would be welcome to post here on the Fire. Any volunteers.

i'll do it. i'll send a PM with my email

My pre-64 M70 375 was built in 58 so not much newer than yours. The recoil pad didn't do much for recoil I think because the rifle was resting on it for many years. I bought it in 99. I changed it to a Kick-Eez and now I can shoot it with full power loads no problem. I even put 33 rounds through it 6 months after shoulder surgery with no problem.

Limbsaver pads are very good also. I put one on my 45/70 Marlin Guide Gun. What a difference!

+1 on the limbsaver pads, with enthusiasm! Have 'em on my 3.5 inch Benelli 12 ga and others.

Those PAST pads are sweet. They take the "OH CHIT" out of most anything. I have a bad neck and my .300's used to give me a headache. To me, they tone things down to a loud 243.

I also have a slip on Limbsaver. It works magic as well.

I also recommend the PAST recoil shield, as well as reduced loads. No need to alter the rifle at all. Cast bullets and 5744 powder, combined with the recoil shield, would allow you to shoot all day long and not put much wear on either the rifle or yourself.

As always, these are super responses. Thanks to all and I'll fold, spindle and mutilate till it fits.

We ARE a knowledgeable, talented and handsome group, aren't we....

Toad, were you able to access the pics of my .375 on Flickr?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/donboyd/sets/72157623757640203/

NAH...a bunch of puzzies...LOL

My 1949 Mdl 70 375 H&H still has the steel butt plate, and it is a cream puff to shoot. They are heavy enough that recoil is not all that bad. I can shoot it much longer at a session than I can my Ruger 77 MK II 338 in a factory laminated stock with a Limbsaver pad.

I'll own up to not wanting to shoot my 375 with a steel buttplate. My 300 H&H has a steel plate though. Does that count?

pictures of Don Boyd's rifle...

Well some of us are handsome but for all three, I dunno....

Thanks Toad. I took me forever to figure out how to work Flickr. I bought the loudenboomer in Great Falls and shot a small black bear the next season. .375 : 1 Bear : 0.

Limbsaver makes prefit pads for a bunch of different rifles and shotguns. They look nice when they fit right, but if they don't, the slip-ons work just as well, just don't look as good. I use both!

Hunter...close enough...

Toad...I'd curl up with that sweet looking piece, for sure.