I have finally got the bug and decided I needed a .375 H&H (.300 win mag is biggest rifle I have now). It will be a few years before Africa, but in the meantime I thought I could practice and use it on pigs (not necessary I know). Who knows, I may also get a chance for elk or bear too.

After doing a bunch of archive searches and lurking here for a while, I think I have narrowed it down to a .375H&H either in a new CZ 550 Safari or a used (excellent condition) Whitworth Express rifle with a FN action.

I can get either for about the same price (or at least close enough so that cost is not an issue).

The question is:
Which would you go with and what are the reasons for picking one over the other?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I like the more traditional look of the Whitworth but would be tickled to have either one. The CZ is noticeably heavier so that could factor into which way you go.

I had the Whitworth in .375 years ago. Good looking rifle, but I felt that one, the butt was a bit too narrow accentuating recoil, and two, they open up the front of a standard magazine to accomodate the longer cartridge, which some people feel weakens the action. That never bothered me, but the up edge of the feed ramp had teeth like a saw which scarred the hell out of my brass. These were quite deep scratches that could compromise the safety of the brass in handloads.
If you can inspect the Whitworth, stick your finger into the breech and feel the area in question. I've always wanted to get another in .375 as the one I had was very accurate, but every one I've checked out has had that very rough edge at the top of the feed ramp.
Paul B.

I have both and love the trimness of the Whitworth (and it shoots very well also) but the CZ550 has the edge in magazine capacity and magazine length when using long X-Bullets.

If it is a late Whitworth with the side button magazine release, this release is prone to release under recoil. Some of the early Whitworths had the more desirable Orberndorf type release in the trigger bow.

If you buy the Whitworth, install a Three position M70 type safety and a real Mauser trigger. And replace the floorplate hinge spring pin with a solid 3/32" pin.

As most know, the CZ550 is plagued by an unecessarily complex trigger mechanism that has been know to have faults. Do a search in the Gunsmithing forum and the Big Big Bore forum on "CZ550 Trigger". There is also a recent discussion about the CZ firing pin spring clip problem.

Some CZ550's do not have a rear crossbolt. If you buy the CZ550, be sure to do a good bedding job, install the rear crossbolt if needed, and be sure to relieve the rear tang to avoid splitting the stock.

I have not handled a whitworth I think there not that common in Australia but I have a cz 550 .375 H&H and I like it, I scored one without the c clip on the fireing pin it has the two nuts camming together. The good points are that it has a 6 shot capacity, I like the trigger it breaks cleanly and if you want to use the set feature for target work well it's thera nd really breaks very lightly when pushed forwards to set mode. It comes standard with a pachymeyer pad, some whinge about the hogs back stock, but I had mine bedded and it is fine for recoil also have a hogs back on a .458 lott and it's fine on that to, it does not suit some but give it a go first before you can it. CZ are bring out an American style stock for the magums but it will be years before they rech Australia I would think. The downside to the cz .375 is that it is probably a little heavy for a .375, I beleive this is mainly due to the barrel as my .458 lott weighs in less than my .375 and this would be as there using the same barrel blank I suspect. But there is not that much difference Winchester lie about the weight of there stainless M70 .375 !! The good thing about that little bit of weight is there a joy to shoot recoil wise. You could recontour the barrel forwards of the integral rear sight base to lighten off, yes they have an integral rear sight base and express style flip up sights and a a banded front ramp style sight. The safety also suits me fine although precision metal make a win m70 style 3 pos saftey if you want.

CZ's and I own 5 of them all seem to shoot really well I am not sure why others may be able to comment on this mine will put 3 Hornady 300 gr under 1" at 100 yards if I do my part. They also come with a test target not to many companies do that !!

I reckon for the price there great value you get a double square bridged forged mauser magnum action at a reasonable price.

If you get it you will be happy with it most cz owners usually are, but I understand about human bias and we all feel our choices are justified and right to some degree.

Any way for me the whitworth is an unknown quantiyt so I would opt for the cz 550.

Hope this helps.

I have a Whitworth .375 and I like its styling.

They do have quality control issues so have a good look over it.

Mine had the barrel thread cut at an angle and the stock was made to fit that angle so I couldn't even get it rebarrelled. Rather than sell it on to someone unsuspecting like that bastard John Saunders of Melbourne did to me I had the scope bases custom made to shoot in line with the barrel rather than the action.

It is extremely accurate and can shoot almost down to a 1/3 of a minute of angle. It is nice and light for carrying but not overly so. Recoil is not a problem in the field and isn't noticable.

The CZ's magazine is larger and the Whitworth also needs to have bullets seated in deeper. I do this anyway as I want as faultless loading and ejection as possible in a .375 and am not looking for target accuracy. But I get target accuracy anyway .

I haven't had any problems with the magazine release.

If I had a choice I would still go for a Whitworth as I like its lighter weight and its not ugly and rough like the CZ.

You'll never know for sure unless you buy both and try them, and sell one later.

The CZ, as PC states, is going to be a little heavier (most manufacturers have a problem with using the same barrel blank and lighter calibers wind up with heavier barrels) but then you can get parts for a CZ. And I like big magazine capacities.

And then if you like the CZ, you can always buy another CZ, maybe one in a bigger caliber. Everyone should have a .375 but there is little need for two of them.

I own a superb customized .375 Whitworth and it will be the last rifle I ever get rid of. On the other hand, I have a .450 Rigby Brno 602 (the ancestor of the CZ) and I like it a lot, too. Contrary to Will, I would have no problems justifying another .375 and unless I happened to fall into another Whitworth (or pre-64 M70!) the next one would definitely be a CZ. I don't think that you can go wrong with either but both will require a little modification. By all means replace the safety on either and, frankly, I like Timney triggers.

Burropacker:

I own a CZ550 Safari in 375 H&H, and all I can say is the rifle has performed superbly.

I have fired 333 jacketed bullet rounds thru it, mostly full power 270 and 300 grain loads, as well as an additional 101 lead bullet loads. The lead bullet loads can be considered, "half power".

No problems whatsoever. Even though my rifle has the "clip" on the firing pin stem. The only fiddling I've had to do with the trigger, was adjust it. Great rifle, better price, and tons of features, you can't lose.

Jerry

Jerry People living in the states can get there c clips fixed by sending the bolt back. It's us Aussies whom have not got that option

I have a Whitworth .458 and absolutely love it. I also have .416 Rigby CZ and would consider getting rid of one of my kids before it. There's an easy way out. Buy them both and truely embrace confusion, 'cause you love 'em both. You can't go wrong with either one.

Tough choice. I don't have much to add to the previous posts which all make valid points. I have owned 2 Whitworths and 1 Brno ZKK-602. The Brnos are beefier, recoil feels less, hold more rounds in the magazine, and look really nice with a little customization. I like my one remaining Whitworth too, however, classic lines, light and trim, accurate, etc. I'm in the process of customizing it: new bolt handle, filing the rough places on the Mark X action, reshaping the tang, adding ebony forend tip, better recoil pad, steel grip cap, M-70 safety, opening up the grip, new finish and better checkering pattern. It's already a pretty nice specimen, an early 70's model with sweated on express sights, inside bow release, pretty wood, etc. A second-hand Interarms Whitworth offers the best value in a Mauser-type 375, IMO, but a ZKK-602 (or CZ550) at the right price is good too.

PC:
Sorry you Aussies can't get the service on your CZ firing pin stems. But, if you read my post, you will see I have fired over 400 rounds of ammunition in my rifle, and have never had a problem with it. In fact, I didn't even check it until one of the guys here said he had a problem with it slipping forward on the stem. My c clip seems to be set in a bevel in the front of the spring retainer, I am not going to worry about it.

Good Luck

Jerry

Jerry,

my .416 and 9.3 c clipped rifles have not moved either it's just that little vice that nags in the back of my head

My .375 & .458 lott both have the two nuts so it's lucky dip wether you get the camming nut or the c-clip.