I am looking at a DG rifle based on a Whitwoth MKX action in 375. What is the scoop on these actions? Are they good quality?

quote:

Originally posted by Ezra4570:
I am looking at a DG rifle based on a Whitwoth MKX action in 375. What is the scoop on these actions? Are they good quality?

Mine are!

As are mine!

It may need a bit of tuning.....not at all difficult.... but I'd go that route without hesitation.

The Zastava Mauser action is a licensed copy of the FN design and there are many variants of which the Whitworth is one. Remington now sells them as their Model 798. My 375 H&H is a Mark X that was imported by Interarms. There are sometimes many stampings on the actions and barrels of these rifles, but a true Whitworth will have Whitworth stamped on the top of the foreward bridge. As I understand it the Whitworth has better fit & finish and maybe a better barrel.

The knock on the FN design is that they are opened at the front to make room for the H&H cartridge in a standard length action. That weakens the lower lug shoulder in the breech. That's all I'll say there as there is plenty of technical discussion on that subject if you do a search.

I'm happy with my rifle, but I tend to be conservative on the operating pressures when reloading for it.

This one is ready for Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:
This one is ready for Africa.

That's an exceptional example all right. Too nice for my uses, but if John Ricks did it I'll wager it was opened at the back and not the front.

How would you rate the Whitworth vs the Sako? I currently own a Deluxe 375 that I would need to sell to finance the new one.

I like the Whitworth better because it is a genuine Mauser system, controlled round feed/extractor, etc.

Many concerns have been raised about Mark Xs being opened up at the front for the 375 but I have never heard of one failing. Weatherby, known for high pressure cartridges, built 9500 rifles on similar FN actions, including the 375 Weatherby, and I have never heard of one of those failing either.

you may want to look at a CZ, their 375's hold 5 in the magazine...the action is also offered in 416 Rigby and 458Lott. A little TLC and they are good to go. Most Ph's in Africa look at them as a very good budget DGR.

Rich
DRSS
CZ fan

I don't subscribe to CRF/claw extractor/fixed ejector superiority but I certainly have nothing against them either. I've definitely seen many more jams with CRFs than with push feed actions, mostly due to lack of experience.

My experience with the Sako 75 has been mostly carrying one for work and I've had limited trigger time. I'll say it was a very smooth action. The only malfunction I remember was a pretty serious one. We had several rifles and one bolt handle did break off while cycling a round. The metal inside appeared to be crystalized.

I don't think the Zastava action is a real safety concern for the 375 H&H as long as you keep pressures reasonable - after all, Remington's lawyers are allowing their sale. I don't think I'd put a RUM in that action though. As vapodog says the Whitworth action may be a bit rough, but clean it up during the build and I think you'll be quite happy with it.

I do subscribe to the Mauser control round feed, manual ejector for a dangerous game rifle for the serious shooter. The Mark X Mauser is a good action. Most of the better makers eventually get around to making their rifles that way. It started with Paul Mauser and that lead to Springfield then to Winchester. Ruger used to be non controlled feed manual ejector, now, they have a true Mauser clone with full CRF. Remington started commercial rifles after the war with the enfield and cheapened the entire mess with the 700 and now they are selling both CRF and PF.

I owned and shot one in .375 configuration for over 20 years. I then rebarreled it to a 458 lott and used it on a danerous game hunt in Zim.After that I rebarred it to a 375 ackly improvedfor a bear hunt,but had to reire it when ir developed a crack in the threads of the action.I really like the big ruger magnum action for a DG rifle.