I finally bit the bullet and purchased my first "big bore" rifle yesterday. I bought this rifle from Rodney H. here on the forum:

Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless 375 H&H
http://forums.accuratereloadin...2711043/m/7021034461

It seems to be a great beginner rifle for me....but I'm not a fan of the tupperware stocks. So I am entertaining the idea of putting a Winchester factory wood stock on this rifle.

I am new to all this.....so my question is:

Can I take a standard factory wood stock from a Model 70 Safari Classic (New Haven) and drop my Model 70 Classic Stainless (also New Haven) action/barrel into it without any modifications?

According to Winchester's website....the Safari Classic has two recoil lugs, whereas my rifle only has one.

Seen here....


Is the rear lug on the Safari Classic located in the exact same position as every other Model 70?

Also, do the cross-bolts interfere with stock fit at all?

Thanks....and sorry for all the novice questions. I just want to make sure I understand all of this before buying anything.

Don't see any reason why not. What does the bottom of your rifle look like? I would think it would be like plugging in an old electric plug without the ground...still fits in the socket just doesn't have the 3rd prong.

I'm down the street in Spring. If you wanna shooting buddy.

BTW-nice looking rifle.

I have a new Safari Classic in 416 Rem and have researched the stocks because I want a synthetic with aluminum bedding plate. Your action is a long action and is the same as all the other actions in this class. You cannot use a Pre-64 stock from what I am reading and must use a post-64 long action stock. The 3rd recoil lug will not matter whether the new stock has a cutout for it or not. It is a great feature to have on heavy recoil calibers but you should not need it with the 375 H&H. The cross bolts will line up perfectly with your action so no worries there. I would highly suggest doing a full length bedding job on the new stock you put it in.

I saw the safari express stock on CDNN's website for around $100 as best I can remeber. My stock feels good but is not impressive like a nice custom and that's why it costs so little. You might want to check out Accurate Innovations line of stocks. If you like wood and aluminum bedding plates then they are the top of the line albeit at a higher cost. You have a very nice gun there and cannot get a 375 in stainless anymore so hold on to this one. I wish I had one like it.

Eland

Your New Haven gun will fit in the long action safari classics for New Haven guns. They have only one lug. The two lug thing is on the new South Carolina guns, I think. None of my New Haven guns have two lugs, only one.

Sid is correct on many counts, you can find some of these at CDNN. Very cheap. I am not sure if they have the ones with the cross bolts, if so, that is what you want, do not get anything else without the cross bolts in the standard Win stock. Best option is to also check out Accurate Innovations, not only are they nice stocks, but come standard with an aluminum chassis that the rifle action sits in. This chassis absorbs recoil that would normally be transmitted to the wood. The finest big bore wood stock ever conceived, no need for cross bolts, no need to ever worry about it cracking or busting! I have some AI stocks, and a page about AI on my website, along with links to AI website. If you want go have a look see.

http://www.b-mriflesandcartrid...ate-Innovations.html


Michael

Barrel contour is different between a stainless/plastic 375 and the "normal" Safari Classics (blue/walnut).

Your 375 also has a two piece bottom metal, unless it has been changed, while all the Safari Classics had either Williams or lately, PTG one piece bottom metal. Stock inletting is different between one piece and two.

But anything can be made to work...if you throw enough money at a gunsmith...

One thing I might add is to call Winchester and inquire about the torque specifications for the bedding screws, front and rear, when removing the barreled action from the stock and replacing. It makes a big difference in accuracy when replacing the stock.

I had no trouble "dropping in" my .375 H&H Classic Stainless in a Safari Classic stock, barrel channel was perfect everything perfect except the bottom metal.
My Classsic Stainless was 2 piece and the stock was one piece bottom metal. I bought new bottom metal.
I switched back because the Safari Classic stock was too thick in the wrist and "clubby" feeling for my tastes.
I now have a Super Grade stock that I am inletting the Stainless Classic into, feels much more like the synthetic stocks dimensions.
Good luck with your project!

I have a NH 416 Rem and bought the CDNN unfinished Safari stock for $50 and the two crossbolts and rear stock swivel base from Winchester for ~$25. The stock is inletted for the barrel lug which my rifle has. I asked for "a pretty one" when I ordered it and they delivered, really nice figure on both sides of the butt. Much nicer than the original. It will get the cheekpiece reshaped ala "pancake", slimmed and shortened in the pistol grip for a steel Fisher grip cap, ebony forend tip added and the crossbolts epoxied inside and externally capped with same. A nice finish and simple checkering and will be good to go. Also, CDNN includes an adapter, albeit plastic, to allow the two piece bottom metal to fit in the stock they supply which is inletted for the later Williams one piece unit as my gun has. A nice little project.

I have a new Win. mod. 70 control feed stock that came off a .338, I suspect you would have to cut out the barrel recoil lug and glass that, otherwise it would fit..

I have a new .338 Win. barrel, the bottom metal and the stock..I used the action on a custom rifle..I would sell the whole unit if anyone needs it. All it needs is the action.

I grabbed a take-off Safari Express stock off Gunbroker a while back when I was thinking about restocking a Classic Super Express and the inletting looks like this:



larger version

As mentioned above, CDNN did have some but I have not checked their latest catalog.