Hello all!

I am new to this forum and very happy that I found it.

I recently got back from my first African safari (in RSA). I had a great time hunting plains game, even managing to bag all (Black Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok, Blesbok and Springbok) with one shot each from my .300 WSM and 180 gr. TBBCs at distances under 200 yards.

SITUATION:

I am already planning for my next adventure to that wonderful continent for 2005-6 (another plains game trip- Kudu, Zebra, Impala, Warthog etc...) and 2008 for Buffalo/leopard/sable.

I would like to have a Left-hand custom rifle made up in .375 cal for eventual use on dangerous game. Since my budget allows about $3,000-$3,500 max on the rifle I was cosidering these options:


1. Buy a cheap model 70 Classic Safari express LH (to practice with, get a feel for heavy calibers AND use it on my next plains game trip), and save the difference until 2007 at which time I would sell the model 70 and place an order for the custom rifle.

2. Order the custom rifle now (takes 9-16months for delivery of most left-hand models). This way, I will not take a loss on selling the Safari Express and will have what I want in the first place. Also, if I order soon, I may be able to take it with me on my next plains game hunt in 2005-6.

If I choose to order a custom now, I have limited options given my price range.

First choice: Model 70 Custom Extreme Weather Lft-Hand in .375 H&H mag.
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=917&cat=013C

Winchester is willing to supply it with a 24" barrel @.721 inches at muzzle for no extra cost. This will add about .5 pounds of weight for a total of 8 pounds (about 9.25 including scope, bases and sling). They will leave the barrel unfluted.
RETAIL:$2,525

What would you then suggest? I could send it to a gunsmith and have the action trued/blueprinted (if it isn't already), teflon coat it, drill/tap larger scope screws, and flute the barrel and have the magazine enlarged to accept 1 more round (for total 4 +1). For another $600-900?? Maybe have a rechamber to .375 Wea or RUM??

Second Choice:
HS-Precision Semi-custom Left-hand. Just not sure if the claw extractor is similar enough to Control Round feed to warrant it as a DGR.

As to Caliber? I would still think of getting a .375 H&H but maybe you'd suggest a .375 Weatherby right away ?

Thanks for reading this rather long-winded post (which I will try to also place in Gunsmithing and Big Bores) and giving me your thoughts, opinions and recommendations my options.

CL

Buy the standard LH M-70 Safari Express in .375 (~$1150US), and spend the other two thousand (Canadian or USD?) getting all the bugs worked out by a competent DGR gunsmith, handloading components, and trophy fees.

If you HAVE to have a custom, you can put one together for less than what Winchester is going to charge ($2525US).

George

Thanks for the quick reply George. I am talking about USD$.

You make a very good point- I never considered tweaking the Classic Safari Express but that is a third option! I will have to consider it even though I have dreamed about having an "impervious to weather" stainless-synthetic rifle (though not classic safari, it is very practical for there AND North America).

Hmmm...keep the comments and ideas comming...

George, what other custom options are possible for $2525? Ideally, (as stated above), I would like a Stainless Steel Action and barrel -MRC will not have DGR LH Stainless actions out for another 12-18months (and apparently their investment casting process for making the action is not recommended for a DGR??), model 76 Dakota action is expensive ($2,500+?? if I remember correctly) etc...

Thanks.

I have a LH M-70 Classic Stainless in .270, and you could try to locate one and have it built into a .375 (or .416 Remington).

As you know there is a dearth of LH stainless magnum actions, but there is one manufacturer of them that I hesitate to mention: Ruger. I have my own reasons for not buying Ruger rifles, but you may have no such biases.

If they offer it in .300 or .338 Win. Mag., get one of their stainless/laminated Mark II rifles (it is CRF) for about $500, and spend some money on a good barrel (Lothar Walther, Shilen, Pac-Nor, Douglas, et al.), gunsmithing to change the magazine box, 'glass bed and reinforce the stock (or just put a McMillan on it), put on a Decelerator recoil pad, replace the trigger, ensure that it feeds, extracts, and ejects reliably, put on a good set of iron sights (if you want them), and a barrel band (optional).

You can offset some of your costs by selling the factory barrel (and stock, if you replace it).

George

CL, George gives excellent advice.



I have a LH .375 H&H on the drawing board at the moment, and here is what the ins'n'outs are. Any LH CM model 70 action will do, and it will recieve a complete makeover. I have a 70 375 box and steel follower, a Wisner spring steel extractor, and Williams 2pc bottom metal to use. It will wear a McMillan Supergrade stock, custom barrel and custom bases for Talley rings. Bill Leeper will build it, and it should squeeze the top end of your budget.



I suspect that rifle should last me a lifetime.



Chuck

Thanks again Chuck, I got your message on the other forum.

Yes, the idea of using a magnum Mod 70 or Ruger action did not cross my mind as a basis for a .375 H&H or wea.

I guess any 7mm mag, .300 Win mag, H&H, Wea, .338? etc. will do. I will seriously check into this option.

and so will an action based around the 270 or 30-06......

Chuck

If you go the Ruger route -- Dave Scovill had a piece in the January 2004 Rifle about having a Ruger .338 WM converted into a .375. His objective was to build a lighter .375 but the principle is the same -- you can manipulate the weight through barrel contour & stock materials.

Personally I am coming to like the Ruger Mk II safety more than the Model 70 since it can be put on safe without cocking the rifle.

I would get the following

Winchester 70 "Classic Safari Express" .375H&H and get a good 'smith to go over it.

Winchester custom or a Dakota

Dumoulin (Belgium) Magnum Mauser Custom or a Wells Custom

RLI

I found this at Cabelas
A Remington 700 custom left hand by Butch Searcy .375 H&H. with an action conversion to controlled feed and a Winchester-style safety

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/gun/gun-details.jhtml?contentId=248006_remlh&hierarchyId=10473

Cheers,

Andr�

That's a Mauser extractor. Interesting rifle.

Chuck

I just had a look at the rifle. Thanks for finding it.

Couple of concerns:
1. While I have heard of the gunsmith, would you say that the combo of Remington action/Win CRF & safety is as rugged/reliable as a Model 70's? Maybe put another way: What is the reputation of this gunsmith?

2. Muzzle brake- hate it. I guess at 26" I can always have the barrel cut and re-crowned?

What might I need to consider between choosing this and going the custom route?

Well Bwana you are more then welcome I was looking at stuff from Cabelas and found it by accident.

It is a real working horse and Butch does great work with his doubles why should this be different.



Cheers,



Andr�

why dont you buy a action from granite mountain arms and by pass all the crap that winchester /remington offer the quality of work is just appauling and then just put a walther barrel and a good stock and your done for good ...............
a little extra expense at the start turns out to be really cheap in the long run
daniel