I was wondering if any have bought recently a M70 stainless in 375 H&H? I was wondering about the quality around the locking lugs, floor plate, screw holes/alignment and so on...
I was thinking of converting it for a new 458 lott.
Thoughts my friends?

Not a stainless or a 375 but I have just picked up a Classic Sporter and it is a nice gun, with the exception of some machine marks on the bottom of the safety shroud.

I have not shot it yet but will as soon as a scope arrives in the mail.

John

smallfry,
I purchased classic model 70 in 375 H&H approximately a year and half ago. I used it in Africa last August on buffalo. I found it to be quite satisfactory except for the stock. I replaced the factory stock with a McMillian and bedded it myself. One other item needed a small amount of file work was the floor plate latch which I fixed in about 15 minutes with a small round file. Adjust the trigger, work up a load and go hunt.
I consider the rifle a bargin considering the price and if I could only keep one to shoot, that would be the one.
Best of luck.

Jeff

I've done three .458lott conversions on Stainless .375's. Or I should say I've had them done. They are a fantastic platform for the Lott.

Newer .375 Stainless guns are not the best as far as quality control but they are useable and usually there is nothing so wrong with them that they can't be fixed.

whats the bottom metal like... alum.?

smallfry,

The floor plate and trigger guard on my rifle are the same color as the barrel and receiver. It appears to be some type of casting and it is ferrous as opposed to aluminum as a magnet will stick to it, the same as the rest of the rifle. I had no trouble using a hand file on it to deepen the notch that holds it closed. I hope this helps.

Jeff

I bought mine in 02 and the hardware is all the same satin finish stainless steel. Everything was machined and finished surprisingly well I thought. I few very minor tool marks around the head of the bolt. Yoy will want to replace the stock its OK for the .375 IF you replace the recoil pad, but I wouldn't want to use it for anything bigger.