I'VE DECIDED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS THAT I AM IN NEED (WANT) OF A 375 H&H. I CURRENTLY
OWN RIFLES IN -- .270 WIN, 30/06, 35 WHELEN, AND 300 WIN. AND FEEL A 375 WOULD FINISH
OF MY COLLECTION NICELY. I HAVE TAKEN ONE BIG GAME HUNTING TRIP ANUALLY FOR THE PAST
SEVEN YEARS AND HOPE TO CONTINUE TO DO SO. MY PRIMARY USE FOR THIS RIFLE WOULD BE
ON ELK, MOOSE AND BEAR ON MY YEARLY TRIPS (NOT MUCH USE HERE IN GEORGIA) SO THIS RIFLE
IS NOT ONE THAT WOULD GET A GREAT DEAL OF USE SO I DONT WANT TO SPEND A FOURTUNE
ON IT (DAKOTA, SAKO, RUGER). IVE FOUND A COUPLE OF CHOICES AT GUN SHOPS IN MY AREA
WHICH ARE ROUGHLY IN THE SAME PRICE RANGE. 1) WEATHERBY MK V SYNTHETIC/ BLUE
2) REMINGTON 700 STAINLESS SYNTHETIC AND 3) WINCHESTER 70 SAFARI EXPRESS. I AM LEANING
TOWARDS THE WINCHESTER BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO HAVE MORE DESIRABLE FEATURES FOR THIS
TYPE OF RIFLE AT A DECENT PRICE. ANY FEEDBACK YOU GUYS HAVE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

I'd go with a CZ 550 Safari magnum personally. I have one 375 H&H and its dead accurate and the price was great.

[ 10-30-2002, 08:17: Message edited by: CZ 550 ]

I agree with Andy, buy a CZ if you don't want to spring for a Ruger RSM. Personally I'd get the Ruger. I have a .416Rigby Ruger M77. You'll pay more for the Ruger, but it's a better looking gun.

Looking good is better than feeling good, baby!

Of the guns you mention, I would go for the M70 Winchester, but as others have said, the CZ550 is a lot of rifle for the money, and like the Winchester is a controlled-round feed gun. If you like the style, you would also do well to look at the Ruger No. 1H. I had one and am sorry I ever sold it.

I would eliminate Weatherby and Remington fora 375. A 375 needs to be CRF just it all seems right. Even if you only shoot tin cans and mice, CRF goes with the 375.

One plus the CZ has over the Model 70 is a much longer magazine. I don't too much about your American prices but in Australia a blued/walnut Model 70 in 375 is about 50% more expensive than the CZ 550.

Another plus with CZ over Model 70 blue/walnu is that Model 70s often have stuffed up barrel because of the way they attach the barrel recoil lug. This does not apply to the Stainless/Synthetic Model 70s as they do not havea barrel mounted recoil lug.

Mike

I would choose either the M70 stainless classic or the CZ 550. This is what I am deciding out of for my .375 H&H.

Another advantage of the CZ is that it holds more rounds in the magazine and you can get five in the magazine plus one up the spout for a six shot .375!

(I am assuming the Cz550 is the same as the ZKK-602 on this issue - I've looked at the 550s but not actually shot one. Both of my 602s are six shot rifles.)

I agonized over this exact same decision for months. I considered the Ruger, the M70's (Blued and Stainless) and the cz550. I chose the cz550 and I am more impressed with it each time I pick it up. It's well fitted and finished, heavy enough to control recoil, stock fits me well, holds 5 rounds in the mag., all steel, set trigger option in addition to a conventional pull (adjustable), three leaf rear sight, removable front sight, integral scope mount. Only things I'd like to see are m70 type safety and a barrel band swivel, but these are minor. Do a search and you'll find J. Belk's favorable review. Unlike me, he actually knows something about rifles.

Buy the cz550 and don't look back! Just my $.02.

Best values today are CZ-550, Win M-70, Charles Daly (Interarms), Ruger 1-H, all good guns.

Win Mod 70 or CZ550.

The Rem 700 or Wby would be a waste of your money.

I agree with 500grains and others that neither the Weatherby nor the Remington should even be in the running. I own a .416 Rem Mag in a model 70 and love the gun. I prefer the three position safety of the Winchester to that which is available on the CZ but the CZ is a fine weapon for the money. The reality is, I think, that either of these two weapons will require a bit of gunsmithing to be proper DGR's for field use.
Since you are considering the .375 and not the .416, I think the stainless Model 70 would be the most logical choice.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

HWH,

Going to throw in the Browning Stainles Stalker.
I've got one in 375 simply because it came left-handed. It has the Boss and brake. Shoots great and shucks empties with ease. It's NOT a controlled feed action.

For the rest of you 375 owners, what's your opinion of the Browning? Tell it like it is, it won't hurt my feelings. I don't see much written about the Stalker, so your thoughts would be welcome.

Roger QSL

I have a pre-64 Win M70 in 338 and a Weatherby Mark V in 375 H&H. The M70 has a Krieger barrel and lots of neat custom stuff. The Weatherby is a Japanese made Mark V WeatherMark Alaskan.

The M70 shoots sub minute groups but it has very finiky taste in ammunition.

The Weatherby shoots sub half minute groups and seems to like just about anything I feed it.

Even without controlled round feeding and the three position safely the Weatherby seems to be a darned viable firearm for the chase.

Why has everyone indicated that Weatherby's should not be on the list? No CRF?

Thanks,

CZ, Mauser, M-70, Ruger SAfari, all good choices...

The Ruger Safari model is the best gun for the money IMO...

I chose the pre-64 M-70 Win. and an old FN Mauser for myself....but will sell them both ( sold the M-70 ) when my Holland and Holland gets back from Doug Turnbull...but I sure like that old FN, it feeds, shoots great and just works.

I looked at a Win 375 in a local shop. Guy wanted
600 for it, with a cracked stock, and, the stock was two inches short, cut down for him.

For 550 I bought a CZ, and love it. However, the cz has a very nice stock, since it was a display model,but no firing pin. Took awhile, but it kicks my butt very nicely everytime I shoot factory hot loads with it. Put a Kickez pad on it, and it works pretty well.

Buy a 452 CZ 22lr while you are at it, and put the same scope on both rifles. Good training gun, and anti-flinching practice for the 375.
22 cost 209 dollars, plus scope and rings.

Shoots one hole.

They make great guns, for very little money.

s

Just to play devils' advocate. If you hunt big bears, you might consider either a 416 or 458 Lott Ruger.

The whelan is real close to the 375, IIRC in bullet weight.
I believe you can shoot 250 grain bullets in 35, at around the magic 2400 fps.

While 375 is a great round, it's still at it's best with 270 to 300 grain bullets, or, even lighter 220 grain speer boat tails.

I'd like a bigger bullet weight jump, to either the 416 Rigby, with 400 grain bullets, or the 458, that can be loaded down to 300 grains, or, up to 500 grains...

For big bear, it seems griz can absorb a LOTT of lead, and the bigger hole of the 458 seems to let the air out of em much faster then the 375 does.

Seems like every 1600 pound or bigger bear took 10 shots to drop, at least around this area, and, most of the time, the guys are using 375's for the bear.
s

[ 11-02-2002, 14:29: Message edited by: Socrates ]

I have a .375 H&H in a Ruger #1 and like it. I shot a 62" moose with it this year. I find that I stopped firing one or two warning shots after I started using the #1. Actually I'm considering selling it and getting something bigger built on a #1.

i have a ruger 470 nitro sst 26" barrel lupould varyxlll 1.5x5 for sale email me if you interested.

i have a identical rig but in 577 nitro so i am selling my smaller caliber since i like my 577 more

Hot weather hunter,

what way are you leaning in your decision for your .375 H&H ???

HI,

I will be looking at cz550 in a 416 Rigby.All I hear about them is that they are very good for the money. Thanks,Kev

since my first use for this rifle will probably be bears in alaska, I am leaning towards the stainless model 70. This rifle is also considerably lighter than the others I've considered, while
I realize that some weight is desirable in a rifle of this caliber, I know from experience that you carry a rifle a lot more than you shoot it, so I will probably go the stainless synthetic route. I really appreciate the input you guys have given. Your opinions are valued.
thanks

Hotweatherhunter,
If you are not recoil sensitive the the M-70 Win. SS in 375 is quite shootable..Recoil is a personal thing...

My tolerance is fine with a 404 or 416 Rem, but gets a bit shakey beyound that, although I have filed in the sights on many a 458 Lott and 505 Gibbs...Sometimes that can be a demon and when filing in sights there is little room for a flinch, one flinch can ruin the sight and has on several ocassions...