I've pretty much decided to buy a 375H&H; but I can't decide which one. I keep hearing the CZ is a good start; but that it needs some work. I'm thinking of mostly using it with iron sights and having a low power scope set up with QD mounts. I'd like to keep the basic rifle (starting) price under $1000.oo.

I don't have a hunt scheduled yet. My plan is to get very comfortable with the rifle. I'll use it on East coast Whitetails and Wild Boar, even if I do get a few strange looks. Atleast then It'll feel like a friend, when I need to count on it.

Any thoughts or wisdoms or the rifle, modifications or accessories.

No wisdom, but CDNN has Winchester Model 70 Classic Safari rifles in .375 H&H on sale for $899.00. This year's production has gotten pretty good reviews.

IMO, the CZ's are too heavy and bulky for the 375 H&H chambering.

lawndart

There seems to be a lot of bashing on CZ's. I have a .375 H&H, Lux and love it. The bedding was very good, so I put a 3X9 Leupold on it, headed for the range. Wow, what an accurate rifle. I didn't glass bed it like I do most rifles, but then again I don't fix what isn't broke. I took the rifle on a plains game hunt on the Limpopo last year and it performed flawlessly. Now two years later, about 400 full power loads everything is still great. No change of impact. That is my experience.

There are two well proven rifles that meet your requirements. the CZ that you mentioned and the Win M-70. I have and use both and like you stated they both can use a bit of tweeking and tuning but are basically sound designs. I like the smaller, slimmer action of the M-70 and the fact that it can be had in stainless with a good synthetic stock. Many folks bad mouth the "tupperware" stocks but in my experience they make wonderful handles for a serious using rifle. Either rifle can be upgraded as your situation requires.

Since CZ doesn't make their 550 in left-hand configuration, I have no experience with them. They are well-regarded here, as is the Model 70.
It's likely that neither will be 'perfect' from the factory, but they don't need much to make them right.

I've had a Model 70 .375H&H for eight years, and never had any trouble. It feeds well, shoots very well, and has worked on all manner of African game, from jackals and buchbucks to kudu, wildebeest, and Cape buffalo.

If you can, try shouldering each of them; one of them may feel just right to you.

George

If I was to buy a .375 H&H I look up the M-70 and buy it.....no looking back.

I agree with GeorgeS - I don't have my 375 as of yet but I decided on the CZ over the Model 70 because of the way it fit when put to my shoulder.

Either is a good choice.

I just received my Left Handed 70 375H&H. I have never shouldered a rifle that fit me better (I am 5'10). The stock iron sights line up absolutely perfect. Now should I or shouldnt I change it into a Lott..........hmmmmmmm.

I agree with vapodog get the winchester model 70 and don't look back.

You can't go wrong with either the CZ 550 or Win M70 really.

FWIW, I have a CZ 550 Safari Magnum (hogsback stock) and it's easy on the shoulder, albeit just a wee bit heavy.

I also heard that the CZ is the way to go. I used to have a 375H&H in a Remington 700 BDL (I got it for $550). I only shot a box of shells through it and then traded it for a couple other guns that were better designed for North American game. I wish I had never traded that big gun.

Model 70.jorge

quote:

Originally posted by EDELWEISS:
I keep hearing the CZ is a good start; but that it needs some work.

It's not the CZ that needs work exclusively - they ALL need work!

I have the cz 550 in .375 and like it but it is a bit heavier, it does hold 6 rounds though and it shoots 3 shots under 1" at 100 yards (hornady 300 gr RN's infront of 78 gr of AR2209 in a win case with wlr primer). I have had mine bedded and floated to the barrel lug. It has a leupold 1-4 on it my testing was doen with a leupodl 2-7. It also shot the speer 235 gr bullets well.

EDELWEISS

Almost every factory rifle needs some adjustment. Bedding, trigger adjustment, function & feed check.

I would replace the extractor on the current Winchester to an aftermarket, made of "spring steel". My choice would the CZ 550.

Cheers
/JOHAN

Used ZKK 602.

Whichever rifle feels the best to YOU, and YOU are comfortable with. I think a correct fitting rifle is more important that CR or PF. Remington, Winchester, Ruger, CZ etc.

I had a CZ 550 Lux and got rid of it. Too heavy but it was a great shooter. I just couldn't get comfortable with the CR feed after being a 700 shooter for over 23 years.

I am currently having one made on a Remington 700 limited action/stock. This gun just feels right and fits me very well. Like I said, it is currently getting a new barrel and being caressed the way they all should by a competent gunsmith.

I am 700 fan, and that is what I felt comfortable with. I know the strengths and weakness of the action. And I am very comfortable with.

All the above posts have good info/advice. Pick the one that feels the best and is the most comfortable for YOU. The CZ is heavier, shoots softer, carries more rounds in the mag and_might_be the more accurate (in my small sample!). The Win is trimmer and carries just like a "regular" rifle, which I like in a 375. In my 416s and Lotts I much prefer a bigger, heavier rifle but thats not needed in a 375. The CZ 2 pos safety does the job but I prefer the 3 pos safety of the M70.

As mentioned, any rifle will need some work, such as bedding for stock longevity and consistency and feed work to make sure it performs reliably ALL the time with different bullet configurations.

My best advice is to just buy the 375 rifle you like the best and shoot the crap out of it. You will love this cartridge (guaranteed!) and in the process you will learn what your particular rifles needs to be 100%.

John

John---I'm with you ,I have a Mod.70 375H&H and a CZ American(straight stock )in 416 Rigby. Also A Ruger #1 in 458Lott.

The CZ and the Mod. 70 are both good and both bad, as others have noted. You'll just have to buy one or both and decide yourself. Both are too heavy.

The M70 is inherently lighter because of the lighter weight action, but doesn't have the magazine capacity.

My "improvements" to each (it just depends on what you want in a 375):

Mod. 70 SS 375: lightest weight SS barrel I could get from Douglas.

CZ 375: Lightest weight 416 Rem barrel I could get from Douglas.

I would shop in the gunlist and buy me a nice custom Mauser at 50 cents on the dollar or a nice clean pre 64 M-70 Win.