The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Researching .375 H&H rifles.Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Hello, I've decided to purchase a new rifle in 375 H&H and when researching the makers I saw some differences that I'm hoping I can get some explanation on. The first thing is barrel length. Ruger M77 offers it's rifle with a 23" barrel, while Browning offers it's A-bolt with a 26". Can anyone tell me why the diffence, and what is preferred? Second, I want the synthetic stock, but should I special order a blue barrel, or just go with the standard SS? I currently shoot a M77 30.06 stainless. I like the rifle and have taken a few elk with it, but I always feel a bit funny when I head up into the hills with a silver and black rifle...know what I mean? Thanks, Chuck. [ 04-11-2003, 21:03: Message edited by: Chuck M. ] | ||
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you missed the cz550... which is the best bang for the buck there is jeffe | |||
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Not real fond of the styling, and have read some discouraging remarks regarding the 550 action, and the duribility of the wood stock. I was mainly just using the Browning and Ruger as examples in barrel length - which I'm still trying to figure out. | |||
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Another vote for the cz 550, I have both a .375 and .416. They both shoot great and the actions are excellent. A magnum length mauser at a good price, it may need a little tweaking but what off the shelf rifle doesn't ??. I went through the same thing as you in deciding about my .375 and when you look at what you get for the dollars the choice was obvious. When I get my .458 lott it will be a .458 win mag cz 550 reamed out, wouldn't consider anything else ![[Cool]](images/icons/cool.gif){kind=icon} | |||
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don't forget "SIX BULLETS". | |||
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You may also want to look at the New Model 70 with CRF. There is nothing like the Winchester. | |||
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Another vote for the CZ-550 ![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif){kind=icon} | |||
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Howdy. I purchased a new M-70 in .375, then went banana's and put about $1900 more into having it 'all done up'. Whew, what a waste. I've sold it now, but have thought about another, and would have definetly gone for the CZ, or BRNO as they have an excellent reputation. (I got the .376 Steyr instead of the H&H). I do have a CZ in .22LR, and it's a tack driver! Back to the .375... I had my barrel cut down to 20.5 inches, as I wanted a quick draw unit for the Brownies in Alaska. The gunsmith told me that with this length, that I'd only lose 50 fps. Sure enough, I was getting 2947 fps. w/VVN150 & 250 gr Barnes 'X', and Sierra SBT's. Not bad for a stubby little thing! So the moral on barrel length on .375? The powder's used up very efficiently, and early. Going short won't hurt a thing! RC | |||
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Hi Chuck M, Why don't you look into the CZ550 and put it into the McMillan stock. They have a model for the 550 that they make for AHR on their site. That would give you the best of both worlds. 470 Mbogo | |||
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quote:I DID the same thing when I got my Model 70 in .375H&H. Had the bbl cut back to 21" and then added a Bruce McArthur brake on it at the same time he 1-mounted the Griffin & Howe top over quick release scope mount and 2- fit it into a McMillan kevlar stock. The whole package with scope is at 8 pounds and kicks like a .243, or if you shoot it off hand like a pistol, it kicks like a model 19 S&W with hot loads.(used to do that a lot to demo the brake) I reload and shoot a minimum of 200 rounds a year through it and through playing with powders I can run with the longer bbls with no problems. I put extra money in mine also, BUT I feel it was worth every penny over the stock rifle. I have always liked Model 70s but I might have to give one of the CZs a try. | |||
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Frankly I don't see why anyone would waste good money on any of todays production rifles..A Win. pre-64: an old Fabrique Nationale; or a nice English rifle in 375 H&H is the better gun, better buy and does not devalue the minute you shoot it. You can always get you paying price back with one of these old guns...Lots of them around if you know where to look, and if you don't, then give me a call, I'll find one for you. Another great option is a used Custom Rifle at 25 cents on the dollar and their are a lot of them out there. A good example is Kurt has a 404 Jefferys single square bridge Mauser in classified that could be bought for peanuts, about $3000 I suppose, and that is a bloody damn steal...Replacement on this gun would be over $5500 I assure you, and perhaps much more than that...I see these deals in gunlist all the time. Buying this new junk, and spending a fortune on it to get it to feed, shoot and work without coming apart is tossing good money after bad... Been wanting to say that for a long time now its done! ![[Razz]](images/icons/tongue.gif){kind=icon} | |||
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quote:RIGHT ON RAY! Well said. I feel the same way about Double Rifles. | |||
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quote:'A long time' is the period between Mike375's absences on the forums generally. ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif){kind=icon} Sorry mate, couldn't resist Karl. [ 04-14-2003, 13:22: Message edited by: Karl ] | |||
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Stay away from the A-bolt and model 700. | |||
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Thanks for all the advice, even though it wasn't at all what I expected. I've always purchased my guns with a lot emphasis on the dollars. I guess that's why I have ended up with a bunch of Rugers. It's not junk -IMO- but not anything to brag about either. The idea of owning a quality hunting rifle is starting to appeal to me. How do I go about finding these rifles for sale? | |||
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Chuck, I've got some expensive rifles, some Pre-64's, and two Rugers. One in particular is a 35 Whelen that functions perfectly and out shoots all of my other rifles with factory Federal Premiums! If you have an inexpensive rifle that feeds, functions, and shoots well then you have every right to brag. It is not a given that the more money you spend, the better rifle you end up with. It should be, but it is not always the case. Sometimes it is just blind luck. I feel the D'arcy Echols and others make excellent rifles. The odds that you are going to get a good one from him are very good. But a dead animal taken with one good clean shot will never know how much you spent on your rifle. | |||
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Chuck, Saeed, our host here at AR shoots those funny looking silver and black guns in Africa , and has over 500 head of game to his credit. I promis you that if you stick around here long enough you will get a PhD in 375's. Because its the best caliber ever you should spend the most money on it. That might get them going a little. | |||
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I vote the cz, especially if you emphasis is on dollars. I have two, one in 375 H&H and one in 416 Rigby. You can't get better for the $. Andy | |||
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quote:Where do I find the tables at the gun shows that have the piles of these fine old rifles with left handed actions? Sorry, that comes off as a smart ass remark and it is really not intended to be that way, but I just need to speak up for the disadvantaged among us. However - Ray, sometime in the not too distant future I would love to look over some of these fine old rifles. Jack Belk is going to build me a couple of "classic" rifles based on LH Montana actions - a .30-06 and a .375 H&H. I know how I want the metal work set up but the stocks are driving me crazy, especially the one for the .375. It will have a Blackburn drop box mag and I need to create a pattern to send to a stockmaker. God forgive me, but the Remington M700 BDL stock fits me about as well as anything I've ever tried, but that design would be a no-no on something that is supposed to resemble a pre-war Model 70 Super Grade or fine Express rifle. Anyway, if it is okay with you then perhaps later on this summer I might call you up or even drive on over (I live in Payette county) and have a chat with you about the features one would need to get a modern rifle fit to my measurements and needs but still look like a fine classic sporter. [ 04-17-2003, 21:39: Message edited by: Jim in Idaho ] | |||
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JIm, Come on over, between Jack, Jim Brockmon and seld we have some of the nicest pattern stocks you'll likely see anywhere...and they will suit you much better than a 700 stock...most stocks have way to much wood left on them when they are finished... | |||
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Chuck, The Ruger or the CZ is your best bet for a factory rifle, other than a pre 64 M-70 used Winchester, but price comes into play with the pre 64......If you like the Ruger then go for it, it is a fine rifle for a factory gun.. | |||
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I would really like to take the time to research, find, and purchase an older or custom rifle. But the reality is the $10k that I need for next July's trip to RSA is not going to let me do that. Much easier to come up with the $700.00 to $1500.00 needed for a CZ or Ruger. So right now, money is the limiting factor, maybe in a few years I can upgrade. Just hope my kids don't want to go off to an Ivy League school ![[Eek!]](images/icons/shocked.gif){kind=icon} Chuck. | |||
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Chuck, In reality pick the rifle you like between a Ruger, CZ, or Model 70, have the trigger adjusted and maybe a bedding job, put a good scope on it and go hunting. As much as we like to argue every detail of rifles to within a knats ass the truth is there are many servicable rifles available and from a pure cost standpoint that is probably your best bet. What Ray is describing is the best VALUE option. Your choice. One thing to consider is the old quote that "quality is a poor mans best friend". Good luck. Jeff | |||
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Chuck M--- I feel the CZ-550 is the VERY best bargain in the gun world right now, with the Montana 99 action running a very tight second. You should be able to alter a CZ to your liking or build one on a Montana for about the same dollars. Either way you'll have twice the rifle you'd have with something else. | ||
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My choices are as follows they are the .375's we have had least problems with these guns in Africa. This is our most popular gun and caliber combonation for Africa: Blaser R 93 .375 H&H Sauer 202 Winchester M 70 pre 64 (old guns) Weatherby DGR ( US Made) The biggest problem we have with ALL long action guns is clients not pulling the bolt all the way back for the second shot. I like the CZ and the new Winchester however you pay $ 850 for the gun and then put another 850 in in to make it serviceable. The stocks and sights are so ugly on the new Winchesters their goes more money into restocking. However I had a new Westley and Richards that had a crooked front sight. The best shooting .375 H&H I have owned is a Blaser R 93 and a very custom Winchester Safari Express. Do not spend too much time on this whole subject buy Quality, buy it once, shoot it. The whole debate over Controlled feed or push feed is way overblown. 99% of the problems I have seen have been CLIENT caused not a mechanical malfuntion. The exception is one 700 rem that I can remember. The most expensive scope is more fragile than the basic design of most push feeds any way! Aleko | |||
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A gun shop up the road has a Kimber of Oregon 375 H&H. It is a Grade 2???? What ever that is. The Quality seams super. Any opinions??? Is it a control feed ?? I didn't notice, mainly because I couldn't get pass the price tag. $2200.00 Thanks Maddog [ 04-19-2003, 09:03: Message edited by: MADDOG ] | |||
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We had two out of a collection. I did not like the comb of the stock. Shooting the gun with iron sights was not pleasant. Accuray was good but not great. The ones we had were Kimber of Oregon and thry were controlled feed. Aleko [ 04-19-2003, 20:06: Message edited by: Heritage Arms ] | |||
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