Gents - I am planning an Alaskan brown bear hunt for the fall of 2013. I am considering purchasing a Win Model 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H. I know its on the heavy side and wood stocked. My plan would be to have the gun cerakoted graphite black and possibly add a McMillan stock.
Does McMillan make a stock for this rifle?
Would you guys recommend the Safari Express in 375 HH for such a hunt?
My preference is the Model 70 action, extractor, etc...hence the base for the gun.
I would check with D'Arcy Echols for his version of the McM stock. I just like the way they look. It will take some work to fit, open up the barrel channel and cut the bolt slot. I don't know how much of that type work you do yourself.
Go on line and see what you think. Also, McM has a site, but, IMHO, it's not the easiest to navigate.
You may want to call Rick Bin from this site. He has stroke with McM and knows a bunch about such things.
Good luck to you. The .375 H&H is great Brown Bear round from what I've heard. Never killed one, although I do have that very gun (New Hampshire, pre SC) and can speak for how slick it is right out of the box. It's sorta heavy, but shoot it before you lighten it too much. Mine is slightly over 10# with QD rings and 1.5-5 VX-III. It seems a tad barrel heavy and taking the 24" down to 21-22", reportedly, makes a good bit of difference in the way it handles. Mine is still at 24".
DF
I just bought one in 375 H&H last week. I am a die hard Remington 700 shooter but I am very impressed with this new model 70s coming out of SC. The Safari Express is a fine rifle. First time at the range took 4 shots to get zero at 50, then 2 shots to get dead on at 100, I cleaned between each of those and then started on groups of 3. I cleaned and fired a fouling shot after each 3 shot group. I shot 3 different loads of RL-15 with a 260 Nosler Accubond and all were under 1 inch. I am very pleased with the results so far. I do not think the weight is too bad at all. Handled very well too!!!
If you call McMillan they will make a stock for that rifle and it should drop right in and bolt up. If I ever get back to Alaska for a brownie I'll probally do the ceracote and McMillan route too. 163bc
where did you purchase yours?
Clarks Gun Shop in Warrenton Va. Ordered it and had it in hand in 3 weeks.
I have a New Haven Safari Express in 375 H&H and it has been nothing but superb in every aspect.
I would recommend a Safari Express in .375 for Brown Bear. My preference would be for a New Haven built Classic with the old trigger design, but you'd probably be OK with the new trigger if you looked after the rifle. I've got a NH Safari Express in both .375 H&H and .416 Rem. I've also got a SS/Synthetic Classic in .375 H&H. All have shot really well and handle well for me. I've hunted Brown Bear several times also and for me, the big thing about rifles for Brown Bear is that they are weather proof. Most brown bear hunts are in really nasty places where it rains all the time and everything is wet. It can get cold, as well. Thus my concern for the new enclosed trigger that Winchester puts on the SC rifles and the potential for the trigger to freeze up or cause you other problems. Your idea about ceracoating it and putting a synthetic stock on it is a good one. In any case, if you get one of thest rifles, I have no doubt you'd be happy with it.
