I have read about a lot about scopes and bases in part, but what exactly are you guys successfully using for open sight/base/mount/scope systems on this model. I am not interested in another model. I would like to see what is really working out there in the field on the M70 CS .375H&H.
I tried a Leupy 2.5X8 but found I needed to creep the stock to get into the appropriate eye relief (was mounted on Leupy QR low bases). So I thought maybe a 1.75X6 or even a 1.5X5 would work better. Then I thought what about an extended front base, so that I could use the 2.5X8 successfully. (Was using Leupy QR bases, none extended). Then what about an open sight system? What about a Brockman Peep Pop-Up (they build it into the Talley
bases). Give me the total package you use optic/open sight and base combinations so I can finish this part of the project off. (I understand that scopes ad nauseum have been discussed but rarely giving the whole story. I need the whole story! Knowing what scope you use doesn't help if I don't what open sights/bases you are using). Hope that helps. I did numerous searches none of which helped answer the big picture. Thanks.

This is all personal preference stuff, and you will never know until you spend (waste?) lots of money trying different stuff.



I used open sights from NECG (no peep holes, please), Leupold QRW bases and rings, 1.5x5 Leupold with heavy duplex.



Every guy that responds will have some different setup, so what is the point until you try them all?

My Model 70 .375 is also the current blued/walnut design, about 3 years old. And although I expect that the dimensions are identical to the stainless version, I can't guarantee that.

My scope is the Leupold VariX III 1.5 x 5 Heavy Duplex. Mounted in low Leupold QD lever rings.
This scope has the usual low light/thick bush/moving target advantages that people talk about. It FEELS like I should use more magnification and a thinner crosshair for greater precision, but the fact is that I can shoot 1" groups off the bench with it, so obviously it is precise enough for most work.

The iron sights on the gun are stock, and just like the iron sights on my Model 70 .308 from twenty years ago, garbage. I very much prefer a post front sight instead of the dot, and a flat rear sight instead of the curved top. Either way, they do not have enough elevation adjustment to be zeroed and that is damn silly. Hopefully, someone will post here about a good set of irons that are easy to install on this gun.

Good luck with yours!

NECG Medium height universal front ramp, fitted, screwed and epoxed with a low 3/32" white bead for the front. I use the factory fold down rear, that I have fileded to a shallow V (Watch doing this or you will screw it up the first time like I did) I then set another factory leaf spring under the sight. This makes the sight hard enough to knock down that you will know it if it should happen.

My rifle is also fitted with Talleys QD bases that have been altered for their peep, this is why I kept the fold down feature of the orginal factory. and gave me an additional option. The peep lives in the grip cap so it is always with the rifle. I figure this to get me off the hill untill I could get to the tent for the extra scope I take along.

If you dont need/want the peep sight, go with the see through rear from NECG the are wonderfull open sights. All of these will allow you to hit most things requiring the 375 under 200 yrds.

HBH

The M70 Classic Safari Express comes with a NECG "Classic" rear sight (and a Williams streamlined dovetail ramp in front). The NECG "Classic" differs from the NEGC "Masterpiece" sight in two respects.

The "Masterpiece" has a screw on the side for windage adjustments, whereas the "Classic" has none. You have to beat on the rear sight to adjust windage.

The "Masterpiece" attaches with a #8 screw, whereas the "Classic" attaches with a #6 screw. NECG told me that USRAC (Winchester) specified a single #6 screw and is now having second thoughts. They are working on an improved "Classic" that attaches with two screws.

Other than that, they are identical.

My gunsmith offered to put on a NECG "Masterpiece" for about $100 (parts and labor) or attach the existing NECG "Classic" with two #8 screws for $40. I now have a NECG "Classic" attached with two #8's, and I don't feel nearly so bad drifting it back and forth with a brass hammer if I need to.

H. C.

Our most popular conversions are EAW bases and rings with the NECG peep. We use the express banded hooded front sight . We conceal the peep in a trap door behind the butt. I am not really a fan of the multiple leaf sights, on good solid fixed blade is all you need.

Aleko

My .404 wears a Leup. 1.5x5 in Leup. QWR base & rings. The straight tube allows for greater mounting flexability. I would want higher magnification on a .338 but .375-.404, I feel ok /w 5x. The iron sights are NECG banded front & a single leaf express. It works for me.

My classic stainless has a Leupold fixed 4X, mounted on Leupold PRW rings and QRW bases. I intened to have a barrel band front sight added and a NECG masterpiece rear sight.

All my big bore bolt guns have QD Talleys and 1.5x5 Leupolds or 1x4 Leupolds, ( one has a 3x fixed Leupold) and all have iron sights either a shallow V or a peep..I prefer the brockmon pop up peep as its always there and a peep is a bit more accurate and perhaps a bit faster, maybe...I like both set ups just fine.

The standard Weaver bases and a Leopold fixed power 2.5X work just fine for my SS Classic .375. But 99% of the time I use iron sights only: an X-S rear peep sight and a Williams hooded ramp with bead on the front. The ramp that comes with the rifle is a hair too tall, so order a shorter ramp from Williams. The XS and the hooded ramp are light, compact, very fast, and very accurate out to 100 meters.

Ray: I tried to call Jim Brockman to order the pop-up peep, without success. Maybe you can answer the questions I had for him.

1.)Does the pop-up peep rub or push against the bottom of the scope? (say a Leupy 1.5x5 or 2.5x8). Concerned about maring the scope.

2.)What front sight/base are you using with the Brockman?

No it won't rub the scope...

I am using a barrel band front sight and the New England Arms partridge that is spuare and has a gold face..I get the .500 sight height and then I file it down to zero with the peep set at near but not at its lowest setting..that gives me a great sight picture, and when sighted I still have a bit of adjustment up and down.....

Another great option is the NE arms adjustable front sight on a regular ramp...It's a great little sight and has several nice front sight option including the .550 partridge..I really love this sight set up...It takes all the math and guess out of getting everything to POI.....

To all: Thanks for the excellent feedback and specific info. Good stuff! Scott

Scott, I have EAW open sights on my .375 H&H. The variation I have is EAW's fixed single-blade, skeletonized rear sight with fiberoptic bead on an island base that is screwed and soldered to the barrel. This rear sight is adjustable for windage-only.

The front is also a EAW fiberoptic bead on a ramped front base that is also screwed and soldered to the barrel, and is adjustable for elevation only. The front sight hood is ported to allow light to activate the fiberoptic bead.

All parts are of milled-steel, and of the highest quality. The skeletonized rear sight is a true and honest breakthrough. It does not obscure the target, and sight acquisition is instantaneous. A very, very tough and rugged arrangement, and extremely practical. Skeletonized rear sights and fiberoptic beads are anything but traditional, but, like fiberglass stocks, it's another one of those "tradition be damned" concepts that really and truly works and is a solid improvement over some of the older open-sight systems.

I also have a pair of Leupold 1.75-6X scopes for this rifle, each in it's own set of detachable rings from Tom Burgess. One of these scopes has Leupold's standard Duplex reticle, the other Leupold's Heavy-Duplex reticle. Bases were built from scratch to absolutely fit the receiver, and are of heat-treated steel.

Burgess rings are near-impossible to find, so if I wanted an alternative detachable system, I'd go with Talley's, only I'd absolutely insist that a good riflesmith such as Mark Penrod build bases from the blank so that the fit is completely correct.

In case you're wondering, with the scope removed, I can acquire the open sights perfectly over the scope bases. They don't get in the way at all........

AD

Allen: Thanks for the specifics. As usual, you offer excellent, useful info.
FWIW: I have decided to go with a Leupy 1.5X5 in Talley bases with the Brockman peep and a NECG ramp front sight as recommended by Ray. I am looking having Mark Penrod build the bases for a custom look.
Thanks again for the help...it sure beats wasting money on the wrong choices! Scott