I asked all you guys about calibers a litle while back, and I definitely am going to get a .375 H&H (besides my single shot). I know this is a loaded question as everyone has their pet gun, but if you were me and were looking for a new .375 without going all custom, what would it be?

I have looked at the Sako 85 Kodiak and the Remington custom shop Safari KS, and a few others. I really don't like a 3 position trigger - so what would you get? It needs to be a new gun, as I can get most from the manufacturers on a loaner program, and if I really like the gun, I can buy it out.

Thanks and I appreciate the feedback as always...TH

Take a look at the Browning A-Bolt Stainless Hunter. I bought my first in 1996 and still think it is a great rifle. I am a big fan of the tang safety and the synthetic stock. If you ever go to a DR the tang safety will already be a natural for you. These rifles have traditionally been very accurate out of the box without need of a tune-up. Been shooting them over a dozen years and never had an issue with them. I can't say the same of Winchester, Ruger or Remington during that same time. I have the A-Bolt in .375H&H and .300WM with well over 1000 rounds through the latter.

I like the A-Bolt so much I tried to get Browning to build it in a .416Rem, which I consider a better African cartridge, but was unsuccessful.

i believe i'd go the kimber caprivi route

I have been offered an A-bolt already, so it is in the running.

The Caprivi has a 3 position safety doesn't it?

Tim,

I had Remmie build me one on in through their custom shop on the African Plains style. It is a sweet rifle.

My suggestion to you is to get a gun where the safety is placed, and works the same as your favorite per rifle. Same as the trigger, set it the same. Maybe due to my heritage, Polish, but I like things to work the way my muscle memory knows. When you really need to work fast you don't need to be fumbling around trying to work the safety.

Tim,
Why are you so against a 3 position safety? Do you really want to have the gun on "fire" just to cycle the bolt? If it will open while on safe then do you like having it fall open while you're hiking about in the bush? I've encountered that scenario in the field while walking through brush or other thick cover, as well as having it fall open while on horseback, while it was in the scabbard. Just my 2 cents, but I believe that 3 position safety is the best thing they ever invented and would never own a serious hunting rifle w/o it. That said, I'd suggest buying whatever rifle suits your fancy and shoots well for you.

How do you load the A bolt .375 magazine?

John,

Not against it - just never used one much, and it isn't like I will use this gun 100 days a year. I am used to Rem, Browning and TC type safeties. I grew up deer hunting with a Rem 700. I think the theory of the 3 position is the best as you have described, but I know I would eventually squeeze the trigger when it wasn't on fire, and that could be in a pinch. Like nkonka said, it is what I am used to and what is second nature.

Blaser R 93.

I have owned and shot several different 375 H&H's over the years, The Blaser is my favorite, by far.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Blaser R 93.

Agreed. No other current production factory rifle even comes close, IMHO.

A friend has a Weatherby DGR in 375 and it shoots well and to me seems a well made rifle.

BigB

Something few people appear to focus upon is the relative ease of manipulating bolts for follow-up shots. My experience is that two-lug actions are significantly easier to manipulate from the shoulder -- rifle having fired a round -- than three-lug bolts. Operator has more axial rotation to allow primary extraction to loosen the cartridge. And to obtain easiest bolt manipulation, a cock-on-closing action is significantly easier than cock-on-opening.

During World War II in North Africa, there was a one-minute 200-yard rapid fire competition between American and British shooters. The British competitors, using No. 4 Mark 1s, won the "mad minute" over the Garands.

Among turnbolt actions long enough to chamber 375 H&H cartridges, 1917 Enfields are probably the easiest to manipulate, followed by Mauser 98s, then claw extractor M70s.

I'm not enthusiastic for push-feed turnbolt actions or actions whose safeties do not interpose a block of steel between striker and cartridge head.

I might be sacrificing some theoretical accuracy, but my priorities do not include thumbnail accuracy at 500 yards.

Just some thoughts.

Whitworth Express, it's just the right rifle! My opinion, from one with not DG experience, so take it for what it's worth. The only thing that would make them better would be to have a tang safety, like the MkI Rugers.
Bfly

Big B I have experience with several different Weatherby 375 H&H and several different 458 Win Mag DG rifles. They are good guns. A 458 saved my life. I repeat, they are good rifles, I do however prefer the Blaser R 93.

Black Fly I have had a Whitworth 375 H&H, and a 458. Nice rifles for sure, I still prefer the Blaser R 93.

Naphtali, You need to shoot a Blaser R 93 off of the sticks. Talk about smooth, slick, fast... It is far superior to ANY turn bolt.

why not go to the CZ custom shop, CRF, 2 position safety, great shooters out of the box.

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Blaser R 93.

Agreed. No other current production factory rifle even comes close, IMHO.

x3

IMO, the finest, most versatile production rifle available.

Good luck,

Tim,

I like Black Flys suggestion. There are always Whitworth/MK10's avaiable on the internet and Remington has one called the 7 something. They are controlled round feed but have that sliding safety to the right of the bolt shroud. Any of these rifles with a litte tweaking will make you a great DG rifle without breaking the bank.

Mark

Tim,
Going striclty with currrent new factory rifles, I would choose a Kimber Caprivi first, Remington 700, followed by CZ.
I would also consider the Remington 798, but the ones I have handled are awfully rough.

I too, grew up hunting with Remingtons and take them in the field and hunt every year. But the last few years I have gravitated towards towards Kimbers and Mausers with 3 pos safeties. I have not had any problems adjusting to them and I don't think you would either.

I owned a CZ in 375 and it was a fantastic gun, but just too heavy for a 375 all around hunting rifle.

Yes, those Whitworths are hard to beat...didn't know Remington made a CRF rifle...

I have probably owned most makes of the H&H over the past forty years. I think you need to define the usage to make the choice. If you are not going DG hunting, then just get the one you like and can afford.

If DG is going to be in the picture, even several years down the road; then it is best to get a CRF and get used to shooting it. Muscle Memory is the key.

That said, and $$ rearing it's ugly head; I would do what I have already done, buy a CZ. The warts are mostly a matter of preference, I see no problems with them "as issue" as long as they are crossbolted and bedded properly. That holds true for all of them. I went to Zimbabwe Cape Buffalo hunting in December, and took a stock CZ in 450 Dakota. It killed my buffalo, and I have had no issues with any of the six I own/have owned the past seven years. My nephew is almost 23, and he picked the Browning Stainless A-Bolt Stalker for his 375 H&H. He is learning to cast good bullets for it, and has likely fired about 300 rounds of a cast 310gr GC bullet over 2200fps.
If someone else were buying it for me, then I would ask for a Super Grade pre-64 Model 70. Since I have to buy my own, the CZ is the best around, IMHO.

If you would step down a tiny step in power, I would suggest the CZ, in the 9,3x62. Think of it as a .366 Whelen. Really neat rifle, and the FS (full stock 20"bbl Mannlicher stocked carbine)is a dandy lightweight good for anything in this continent.

Rich
Buff Killer

quote:

Originally posted by mrlexma:

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Blaser R 93.

Agreed. No other current production factory rifle even comes close, IMHO.

+1 and a personal favorite, although I cannot afford one.

A-bolt good as well....A lot of my clients have turned up with one...and they are in my top three....The other one out there would be winchester Mod 70...man they are good, handy, easy shooting rifles....

That said. I have a Pre-64 H&H and that is by far my most favorite rifle that I own...

I can just add that I used to own a Brno.....it is the most accurate factory big bore I ever shot, but to heavy to carry around.

Good luck tim

A lot depends on your budget and how long you want to wait for it, but with the exchange rate the way it is, I'd look seriously at having Sabi Rifles in South Africa custom build you one. They'll use the action of your choice and you can lay down whatever exact specification you want.

Sure you'd probably spend a bit more than if you bought an off the shelf rifle in your home town, but probably not a hell of a lot more and you'd end up with a rifle that fits you properly and is exactly what you want rather than something that someone else thinks what you want.

You'll find their site at www.sabirifles.co.za and a quote is free.

Another for Blaser R93. I do not know of a better or safer fully loaded rifle to carry. It's either cocked or not, if it's not cocked it ain't gonna fire. Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Thanks for the feedback - I am getting some great info...btw...it will be used for DG and PG, but if I were just going to shoot PG, I would stick with a .300 Win. I plan on taking it leopard and PG this July, and to Zim for sable and DG next year, and on and on...hopefully...

I'll make another vote for the CZ 550, I just got mine a few months ago, but it's becoming my favorite rifle to shoot! It is a little heavy, but I figure it's just good practice for getting ready to carry a double in Africa!

A second choice of mine would be a Model 700 of about any flavor, I was a long time Remington supporter, but after 2 CZs, I think I may be changing that.

I don't like any of the available new models. If I couldn't get a nice used M-70 I would get a 375 Ruger.

No one has mentioned the older Ruger with tang safety.

quote:

It needs to be a new gun, as I can get most from the manufacturers on a loaner program, and if I really like the gun, I can but (sic?) it out.

I'd like more info about manufacturers' loaner programs, please.

I have a cz550 and wont trade it for anything it is also the best combination if want to go custom later but i just love mine.

I had a Browning A Bolt until I bought my CZ. I decided to give my Browning away.

My CZ is now my favorite rifle.

I own two Browning A-Bolt Medallions (left handed). I also own two Browning shotguns (Citori and BPS).

They have everything I wanted, a tang safety.

The rifles are very accurate however you have to be very careful with the detachable box magazine. If it comes loose inside the weapon (happened to me on safari once in my .338 Win Mag), the next round may not feed.

As much as I really like these rifles, they would not qualify as a DGR because of the above and I believe also they are not a CFR.

I don't own a .375 yet, but I'm very casually working around for one. I spent a couple hours at a local gunshop shouldering and fondling a few rifles. Here are my thoughts:

Ruger RSM - Just didn't like it. It was heavy, felt more than a bit club-like, and I really, really didn't like the front sight on it - just too thin for my (rather bad) eyes to pick up quickly. On the other hand, the action felt great and smooth and the rifle had a certain feeling or perception of quality for price that's not particularly common.

CZ - I just don't like the triggers on the CZ's. Never have. They feel flimsy to me. The action felt fough. But then again, it was not a particulary expensive rifle. Stock fit to my shoulder and build was very good though.

Browning A-Bolt - ummm, no. I cycled the action once and just handed it back to the guy. It felt rough, tinny, and very unrefined. It may be a great rifle but it just wasn't confidence inspiring at all to me.

Sako A85 - Ok, this one went straight into my "final running" category. I was really impressed with this thing - but it must be said that this rifle was set for scope only, no sights. It was the lightest of the five rifles or so that I tried and the trigger was simply fantastic - crisp and super clean. 26" pipe, very thin forearm - this rifle felt more like a .270 than a .375! I don't like thick, meaty rifles - I prefer something that's slender and gets high handling marks. The Sako sure hit the marks. On the other hand, no Iron Sights for backups (dunno how important that is since I'd scope it anyway). And not a CRF rifle. But for plains game, is that really necessary?

Ruger Hawkeye African in .375 Ruger: I gotta say, I really, really like this rifle. For me, it had the best iron sights of all. Big, bold white dot front, wide, shallow v-notch works great for fast aquisition and is good enough for 100 yards. I loved the short action .375 Ruger, the trigger was very decent (not as good as the Sako), and the rifle felt "Right Sized". Pro's - CRF, nice weight, good looks, good trigger. Con's - ammo availability still not very good.

Rifles I still want to handle: Rem 700 APG and a Kimber Caprivi (although at it's going price, I don't think that it's a real option for me)

So, in the end it looks like Sako 85 in first ($1600) and the Ruger .375 African ($900).

Gotta go play with them...

If I qualified for the Sauer 'loaner program' their model 202 would be my choice in 375 H&H. Since I didn't, and never will, I bought my own. I have no idea if they still chamber this caliber.

I use and like my safari grade Ruger 375 H&H


I am just a poor basterd-so the ruger gets my vote, besides, a lot PH's use and swear by them.

My personal favorite is a pre 64 Model 70. Failing that there are several good choices, frankly, there aren't very many bad rifles being made today. In most cases a trigger job and perhaps bedding and it's fine. I would suggest that you make sure that all your rifles operate the same way. I almost missed a tsessebe last summer because I brought a Model 700 which required a slightly different thumb movement to release the safety than my usual model 70.
Actually the Blaser is a good choice, but only if you are willing to buy enough barrels so that it is the only gun that you use. If you are willing to do that you will be well satisified, regardless of what Saeed says.

I am shooting a Kimber Caprivi and it shoots fine and will be coming on a lion hunt in August to the Selous...

Mike

I have the Browning A-Bolt in left hand and love it. I know some do not like it because it is push feed and not CRF. But frankly I have never had any problems with it.

I vote CZ!

I've used a browning a bolt, a sako 85(not so sure on model number) and a cz 550 and also the older CZ 602.... frankly they are all fine rifles in .375 H&H,I don't like the sako cos its seems to kick hard. my hunting pals managed to buy 6 NIB 602s that they found in the back of some gun dealers vault for a song. So i like the CZs best...good value, strong CRF action.

You may want to get the cz550 as its safety is the right way round for american hunters, but once you are used to the older brno 602 safety they don't seem to be any harder to use that a conventional one.

good luck on whatever you decide.
cheers, TM

One more for the Whitworth.
Three position safeties are not my favorite as well.

quote:

Originally posted by BEGNO:
One more for the Whitworth.
Three position safeties are not my favorite as well.