This seems like it might not be a bad buy depending on who did the work. Wish I had the money. What do you guys think?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=56110131

If only the barrel had not been bobbed to 21" and then Magna Ported (to add insult to injury), I could go for it at that price ($1500). The Leupold scope (1.75-6x) and the HS Precision stock are a real plus for the deal.

I formerly could pick up a new M70 Classic Stainless in .300 RUM for $500. Lately I have seen a used one sitting in the rack at Gander Mountain for $1500, and it is straight factory with Tupperware stock and no sights.

If you can live with a 21" ported barrel it is a good deal. I would have to rebarrel it.

For some applications I like a short bbl. I had a SAKO Handy rifle, in 375 H&H with a 20" bbl and a McMillian stock. It handled like a fine quail gun. My brother has it now.
I have a Blaser Tracker 19 3/4" bbl in 375 H&H.
They are very handy especially when hunting in thick rugged country.

In fact those are the 2 rifles my brother and I will use on our elk, black bear hunt in Idaho starting Sept 15th.

I have shot both of those 375's at 200 and 300 yards and they shoot just as accurate as longer bbled 375's.

You could load that 416 down, with 300 gr bullets to @2200fps and have a great deer pig gun, and with full power loads it will take anything. It would be a great brown bear gun in the alders.
It shorter length would be great for any game humnted in a blind over bait.
As it is stainless steel it would be a great foul weather gun.

I have 2 rifles with Magna-Port, I like it.

My 416 Howell is built on a Mauser action, but has a 21" barrel in #5 contour. It handles very well, and is a nice DG rifle. I'd take off the scope and use express sights for DG. I don't have any experience with magna porting, but I wouldn't let that nix the deal if I liked the rifle. Kudude

I bought a .375 H&H M70 SS Classic from a member of this forum who had put mounted an HS Precision stock with aluminum bedding block as is described in the add.

My rifle has a full barrel and standard Winchester sights. A barrel band front sling mount had also been added to the rifle.

I paid $800 for it just after the Winchester announced the closing of the CT plant and dropping of the M70 line.

I got a good deal.

At $1500 my penurious nature would begin to feel nervous.

If you like short rifles for heavy cover, you really like .416 Rem, and can tolerate the additional side blast that the Magna-Port will provide, the rifle should definitely work for you.

I really do like the M70 SS Classic.