I'm not familiar with this rifle at all, but saw one today in the pawn shop. I'd say it was hardly used, and it has never seen a scope mounted on it. My main question is are they supposed to have matte blue receivers and high gloss barrels?

It isn't a supergrade as the wood was pretty plain but it still looked like a good rifle. It really does look like it spent most of its life in a safe as there was some minor handling marks. What is a rifle like this worth as I'm not going to pay what the pawn shop was asking for this rilfe?

BTW I shoot the .375 Ruger but it just doesn't seem to have the same class as the H&H.

Does it have the CRF bolt? Is it pre-64, pushfeed or Classic action?

It is a classic action, sorry I didn't mention that.

I just bought a new M70 Safari Express several months ago for $1141. It is a Columbia, SC rifle and was made with a lot of quality control. The fit and finish was excellent so there is no way I would pay more than that for an older classic unless it had nice extras on it.

The reciever and barrel should have been all matte. Without any prior knowledge of the swapped barrel it's hard to judge a value. It could be a match grade barrel or a shot out take off. The action is definately the good one but you did not give us the asking price so it may be to high cost for a donor. If your first instinct is that the price is to high then without a doubt trust your instincts. Pawn Shops are out to make 200-300% profit on everything they get.

If you are looking for a specific rifle and caliber try the classifieds on this forum. You will see many Good Guy recommendations that will lead you to much better deals than any pawn shop could ever offer. If you have any doubts about a seller then send a PM to a moderator. If there is someone with a tainted reputation or selling bogus items here then they will be on it immediately. Likewise they can vouch for a sellers reputation or point you to the right seller in some cases. In a community like this if something goes wrong then everyone will know about it. Good luck with your hunt.

Sid- I've bought many of fine rifles right off of this forum and others just like it. I'm not even sure I'll buy this rifle, but I've bought plenty of rifles frow pawn shops in the past. Some need some work and some don't, the only rifles I tend to shy away from are varmint assualt rifles since I'm in a military town and the soldiers run them hard. I really doubt if there is anything wrong with this rifle.

I have a 375 H&H Safari Express that I bought new when Winchester started making the CRF rifles again. The receiver is matte and the barrel is polished blue Dave

You could get an idea of the market value for that rifle by checking Gunbroker, Gunsamerica and Gunsinternational. I think you are looking at the right make of rifle for that caliber because I prefer the M70 myself.

I have noticed that factory barrels have a lot more info stamped onto the barrel(legal thing) so that might help a little. Mine is matte but Dave said his is polished so I would go by his rifle since mine came from SC. The New Haven, CT guns were made from 1990-2006 I believe. The Columbia, SC guns are 2008-present(please correct me if I'm wrong). I Duracoated my 416 so that is an option as well.

You also said you have a 375 Ruger which is a better cartridge IMO. I understand the following the 375 H&H has but I would choose the Ruger over the H&H. I wish Winchester would offer it in their Safari Express line and in a Stainless.

Depending on condition the bring $1100 to as much as $1500...I would pay $1200 for a nice one if I needed a .375 H&H..IMO if you like a rifle and intend to keep it a couple of hundred dollars one way or the other should not be a determining factor in your purchase.