Gentlemen,

I have ordered a M70 ss .375 H&H but there is a 2 month wait (which does not bother me) I don't need it just yet. It works out $580 dearer than the CZ 550 and due to the wait I can still cancel and have a CZ.

I am petrified I'll get a terrible lemon M 70 like I have been reading about on these forums.

The price difference is significant at $580 and I have shopped around and there is only $100 diff across the country so if you take into account freight I will just buy it locally.

If the CZ has a better stock is the M 70 still the winner over all ??

Thanks all for your patience with my gruelling decision .

PC,

If your 'smith can build a .585 Nyati he can handle anything that'll come up with a Mod. 70!

Throw a little money at him and have him polish up all the little parts and make it feed like oiled glass and you are good to go.

I know of a model 70 stainless 375 that is new in the box. It may be available if you want to save the wait.

PC

My CZ (BRNO) .375hh has never failed to raise a smile - each and every time I squeeze the trigger. Damn thing groups to 1/2" at 100yds, is comfortable to shoot in almost every position due to the stock design - does every thing I want it to.

Simply - I smile when a hole appears wherever the crosshairs were resting when the trigger broke. $580 gives you a fair bit of smoothing room - and you end up with a rifle that is that little bit more special and personal to boot.

But that's just me - value for money and an end result equal or superior to something costing far more - gets me grinning every time!

I remember a story about the man going to a hardware store. He entered and said that he wanted a 1/2" drill bit. The storekeeper polished his glasses and said 'seems to me Sir, what you really need is a 1/2" hole'! That's my way of thinking - all I need is a .375" hole in exactly the right place - every time I do my bit!

In case you haven't worked it out - I'm sold. Go for the CZ, spend the surplus on better glass - I really don't think you will ever be disappointed.

Rgds Ian

PC,
Take my advice... get the CZ, order a m70 safety and a stock that fits you... you'll be all the more happy, and have THE gun, rather than A gun
jeffe

PC, For what it's worth, I just agononized over the same thing (Model 70 Lemons) but because I'm left handed and CZ does not make a LH version, I ordered the Win Model 70 .375 Safari Express anyway. After having it for a week or so and looking it over, I can find nothing wrong with it. The stock is nice, the action is getting smoother the more I work it, it cycles fine and even the scope mount holes are lined up perfectly (I heard this was a problem with some model 70's). I used Talley rings and a Leupold 1.75-6x32mmE scope. I'm working up some loads this week, will test it this weekend and anticipate no problems. If yours shows up with problems, since you're right handed (I assumed this since you did not mention being left handed) yours will be easier then mine to exchange.

You can get a Lemon in any gun, I know a lot of M-70 owners that are very satisfied with their guns...I know a lot of CZ owners who have split stocks and various problems..Get the one you want, can afford, like the best....Buying a new gun is a crapshoot these days...better to buy a used one that the owner will let you try out.

Yes Dennis I am right handed, it must be hard for you lefties !!

Jeffesso, I hear you and I must comment that I have a restocked CZ 550 in .416 Rigby and am happy with it, love it actually. But does the .375 H&H round require the big action of the CZ ??

All opinions greatly appreciated.

FWIW, I own both the CZ in .416 and several variations of Win M70 rifles. I had one problem M70 rifle and Winchester fixed it right and got it back to me in 3 weeks door to door. For the money though, you can't beat the Ruger Safari Rifle. I own one in .375 H&H. It shoots as well as any of the other guns easily grouping about 1-1.5" with open sights! It has a great piece of Cicassion Walnut, an integral quarter rib, a barrel band, CRF, a 3 pos safety, and even came with a decent trigger! Set me back about a grand.

you could always get a ruger 1 in 375 i am left handed two i also have a few other left handed guns for sale if any 1 is interested? email me if ya are

i bought 1 a few weeks ago man dose it shoot good

win brass
cci 250 primer
rel 15 70 grns=2560fps
barns 300 x bullet.

1" groups at 100 yards 3 shots.

[ 12-04-2002, 06:05: Message edited by: black-powder-big-bore ]

PC,

It is not the end of the world if the M-70 turns out to be not like what you have expected. You can always trade it in for something else. For this price, there is nothing to lose here my friend. Since you already got a CZ, you will kick yourself the next time around for not giving the M-70 a chance. My advice would be to wait to get the M-70 and then decide what you would like to do later after getting your own M-70. Good luck and have fun!

If you do get a lemon M-70 (as I did), my advice is to have the rifle fixed by Winchester Product Service rather than replaced. If you elect replacement (as I did with the first lemon I received), you are at the mercy of the same boobs who built your lemon rifle. If you have the rifle repaired (as I did with the lemon replacement), it goes to the same facility where they build their custom rifles, and an actual gunsmith will do the fixing. These guys did a remarkable job. They even replaced the stock.

I have no opinion about CZ rifles, because I am left handed. Friends tell me to get a Ruger #1, and I believe that the #1 is a beautiful, accurate rifle, suitable for some purpose, just not the type of rifle I'd go after dangerous game with.

H. C.

I have noticed quite a few people are truly particular in their selection of stock designs. I have always thought the pear shaped forearm of the M70 as a real treat, it really fits my hand so well.
What is it about the stock that is not attractive besides the standard wood (not on super grades, seen some good for factory wood on those)

Thanks everyone,

I placed $500.00 down on an M70 stainless synthetic today. I have a few day's room to move should I decide to change. I have never owned an M70 before and thats kind of one reason, secondly I think the .375 in the M70 package will be a little trimmer and sleeker than the CZ 550, we will wait and see.