I would be very thankfull for any thoughts on Winchesters mod. 70 Classic syntethic/stainless in .375 H&H. Dependability, accuracy, overall quality etc.?
How does it compare to Sako's 75 in .375?

I have a win model 70 stainless with black plastic stock.

It shoots 1.25 inch groups consistently. I had it bedded and it did not change the accuracy.

When I got it the rifle suffered from the last round popping up from the magazine. The factory had installed the wrong follower so they replaced it and now the rifle is OK.

I have shot several elk with it and I am satisfied.

If you want better accuracy, get the Sako. If you want controlled feed, get the winchester. Around my area, the Sako costs $200 more.

Kalle:

I have heard from several people and also about several other people having problems with the accuracy of the Winchester M70 Classic. Winchester is allegedly having quality control problems in the computer machining process of the action. The barrel is being screwed in at an angle. Winchester is not helpful if you call them to help solve the problem. Winchester will blame you first for flinching, secondly Winchester will blame the base and ring manufacturer, and last but not least Winchester will blame the scope manufacturer. So, after you have changed base and rings, changed scopes, and shot up expensive ammunition, Winchester will send you to a warranty station that will shim the scope. After about 100 rounds of 375 H&H your scope will break because of the pressue point due to shimming. Now you will blame the scope manufacturer for a faulty product. However, the problem started when Winchester's robotic arm held the action off square and threaded the action on an angle. All manufacturers have problems. Some are better about creating value than others.

Buliwyf

Personally I would opt for the cz 550 (In fact I did, and after advice of those on this board chose the cz) and if you are not happy with the stock and saftey then get them changed. Try them however as I feel the stock and saftey are quite functional.

I persoanlly like CRF rifles so it would be for me.

1.CZ 550
2.M70

[ 01-09-2003, 02:08: Message edited by: PC ]

I had one which I sold. Consistently, shot sub MOA with various handloads. I sold it to get a 9.3x62.

Great rifle in my mind.

[ 01-09-2003, 03:43: Message edited by: Mike Dettorre ]

Can't speak to the .375s, but I had a stainless .300 Win Mag that wouldn't shoot a lick. Tried over 25 different bullet/powder combos...hornadys, nosler partitions, nosler ballistic tips, H4831, R19, H1000, IMR 7828...you name it, it went down the tube. Let the gun get dirty, had it so clean you could have performed surgery in the barrel. the gun AVERAGED 4.5 inches at 100 yards off the bags.

Lots of people thought it was me. When confronted, I would break out my 7mm or my .375 (custom on a model 70 action) and shoot an inch to an inch and a half with either rifle. End of that discussion.

Buy something else...someone said it better than I ever could up above. All manufacturers have problems.

jeff

My Win. 375 Classic Stainless is great. It shot sub 1 inch groups with most factory fodder. I liked it so much I had it rechambered to 375 Ackley Improved, and it still shoots 3/4 inch groups with Swift A-Frame handloads.

I own the same gun but swapped out the stock for a Rimrock synthetic. I don't collect guns or have a lot to choose from. I have only two hunting rifles and my 458 Lott work gun. However If the laws changed today and we could only have one rifle I would keep the 375HH SS Winchester Classic. I have taken quite a lot of game and I have loaned it to quite a few other to use for their bigger game. It's a tack driving dependable and very powerful hunting rifle. Mine is topped with a 2.5-8 VAriXIII with 4A reticles.

Several guys on this site have used it and shot it when hunting with me. If I lost the rifle for any reason I would replace it with an exact duplicate as soon as I could. I have read others complain about the Winchester rifles they have had but I can't complain one bit. It does everything I could ask of it and has been in constant use in salty SE Alaska, Washingtons rainy mountains, and South Africa for well over ten years now.

I think this is a good tool. 3 friends have them and no complaints. CRF, S.S. and a decent synthetic stock... smart choice. Should last a lifetime in .375.

Mine is my favorite rifle. It has over 500 rounds down the barrel and shoots most loads to 1.5 inches or better. I have used it to kill hippo, cape buffalo, 10 species of common plains game, whitetail deer, pigs and various varmints from ranges of 15 yards to 250 yards and it has never failed to function 100%. It is in stock condition except for a better recoil pad and having the trigger adjusted to 3 pounds. It will allow 300 grain Silver Tips, Failsafes and Hornady solids to be shot into the same group and put 270 grain Barnes Xs 1.5 inches higher than that group. The factory stock seemed too flimsey to me but the gun shot good with it so I elected not to change it. After hunting Africa for the past 3 years I wish it was a more traditional appearing rifle, but it sure does the job I bought it to do.

Perry

I'm with you , Perry. I bought mine used from an add in the paper. It was like new. I took it to RSA in Sept 01 and shot plains game from duiker to kudu with Remington factory 300gr SAF's. Kudu dropped at 325 yds, duiker through a termite mound at 50 yards, and various distances in between for the other animals. I like this gun and occasionally shoot deer with it. Also fun just to blast water jugs and concrete blocks, too. Not too crazy about the stock, but it aint broke so I don't fix it.

I have a Sako 75 in 375 topped with Leupold 1.5-6. It will shoot1.25-1.5" at 100 meters consistently ( handloads). Sometimes even better.also love the look and feel of this rifle.

I've had both identical rifles.

The Winshitster Classic Stainless .375 was awful, a real POS. The bolt face and extractor were rough, and shaved brass from the case head and rim every time a case was removed from the action. The bolt throw itself was rough when worked. The very cheaply-made synthetic stock was extremely uncomfortable and completely unbedded, and flexed excessively. The recoil pad was nothing more than a very hard rubber-like end cap which served to actuate the recoil of the rifle. Accuracy was lousy with about 6 different loads, averaging more than 2 MOA, with many groups close to 4 MOA. These same loads shot well in two different Browning A-Bolt .375s.

The Sako M75 .375 I still have. I'm extremely satisfied with it. Free-floated barrel and bedded action. Real recoil pad. Nice smooth bolt action. Accuracy with the very same loads as used in the Winshitster are 1 MOA. Much better balance than the flimsy Winshitster.

The extra cost of the Sako and it's ring/mount system is well worth it over the Winshitster, which lacks quality control. Every Sako of various calibres I've seen has been consistent (about 6), whereas about 3 out of every 4 Winshitsters I've had have been bad pennies.

[ 01-09-2003, 08:43: Message edited by: KuduKing ]