Anybody have any experances with the new browning x bolts in 375 h&h or the the Sako brown bear 375.
I know this is kind of a stale subject but narrowing my choices for purchasing.
Thanks guys..
Matt

My experience, having only shot them at the SHOT show "range day" is that both are basically good guns.

458, thanks for the info, do you recall if there was anything about either gun that would make you think twice before purchasing.

Price ?

I have had clients bring both rifles and think the Sake appears to be abit more carefully built.

I've handled but not shot the X-Bolts. Compared to the A-Bolt, which fits me very well, the X-Bolt seems to have a very low comb. So low I couldn't get comfortable on it. YMMV.

LWD

458.. I had that coming..lol

I found the these two rifles appealing due to the overall weight, Since it will be carried some distances in the future. At 7 lbs it made the thought of the wichesters which are 9 lbs quickly go away.

LWD..I have always been use to the higer combs of the remingtons. A low comb for me is just asking for a rough day..thanx for the info

I prefer CRF but that is just a personal preference as push feed has proven to be reliable as well, else there would be no Weatherby or Remmington's in dangerous game calibers, right?

Between these two rifles you listed, if the Sako is a model 85, it has their new "Round Control Feed" system. I have one of these in 270 Win but it is not a true CRF system. It doesn't grab the cartridge on the forward stroke. However, once the bolt is pushed all the way forward on a round, the bolt face grabs it without having to turn the bolt handle. At this point, the round is controlled and will be held by the bolt face if you retract the bolt, even without rotating the bolt handle. My opinion of the Sako is that it's a top quality weapon!

Going back to the Winchester however, I have a 375 H&H in a Synthetic Stainless Model 70 with quick detach rings and the Leupold Vari X VII, 1.5X6. I've hunted extensively with this rifle in Russia for Brown Bear and Africa for a wide variety of game. I haven't weighed it but I can honestly say that it has never seemed obtrusive to me. I've never noticed it's weight. That being said, I believe there is a reason they call the M-70 the rifleman's rifle. It feeds exceptionally smooth and is a really nice rifle overall. Recoil is a non-issue even off the bench.

Given the choice, I would go with the Winchester. But that's just me.

I actually bought one of the first x-bolts out in 375 because I was so impressed by rhe weight, the feeding from the clip and the fact that you could really screw the scope mounts down solidly (four screws per mount). What I wasn't prepared for was the incredibly mild recoil from a sub 7 pound rifle. The stock design and their proprietary recoil pad really makes it easy to shoot. even from the bench. I have more than a moderate number of medium and large bores, and this one is the winner of the recoil/lightweight sweepstakes. It is really nice that it shoots sub MOA.

I haven't had any problems due to scope alignment, and that is generally a pet peeve of mine. I detest large scopes on rifles and avoid them like the plague. IMHO, you really never need a scope over 6x to 7x on a medium or large bore. The current trend to double digit magnifications makes it necessary to have large objectives to get an exit pupil of 5mm or more, which is the number necessary for low light conditions. This then requires the scope to be mounted very high, making the comb too low, and throwing the balance of the rig off. A low power variable weighs much less and can be mounted in a low set of rings, which look better and yield a good sight geometry.

Todd, thanks for all the great information i did see the control round feed on the Sakos website and it was one of the many aspects i found appealing.
I do Agree bang for your buck the winchester would be my first choice though 9 lbs without an optic, For my senario it will get taxing. This is going to be my go to gun for elk and any future big game hunts. I am looking for the entire package which is not easy, alot of thump and light in hand.

Art, Thank you for your insight about the the browning, I am still concerned with the low comb due to the fact the gun will be topped with a varible power scope more than 7x, I am leaning towards a 4-10 or 4.5-12.
Do you feel this is going to be any issue.

Also the sako and the browning are two diffrent barrel lenghs, is the the 3 inche lost in barrel lengh going to affect velocity greatly with the 375 h&h cartrige