All,

Thinking of a stainless/synthetic 375 for an "insurance" rifle/use when it's really wet, etc. CRF is a requirement in addition to the stainless construction. Would consider a laminant but synthetic is probably preferred.

Have considered the classic Win70 but have heard the various bad things about current Win 70's. I sure like the price though.

Any opinions on other options in that relative price range, i.e. under $1000?

Thanks in advance.

Reed

Hi Reed:

IMHO I would just go with the Winne Mod 70 SS Classic. You got everything you asked for including price.

Granted there are some quality issues with all of the major rifle manufactures, but you should still get a decent rifle from Winchester.

I have a 375 H&H Classic SS, it had the tubberware black stock on it, but I changed it to a Boyd wich was customized by by gunsmith.

You can always hand the rifle over to a good gunsmith and have the bolt trued, and have the action pillar and glass bedded.

Regards... Jim P.

Reed

Here is another option for an "insurance" rifle. It is not stainless steel, but the finish they put on it may be even more rust resistant than stainless. This rifle ALWAYS feeds, the magazine controls the round until it is inside the chamber,[single collum feed]. This rifle is very accurate. You can take the scope on and off with NO loss of zero, so you can put the scope in a more protected place. This rifle is also a takedown, so it is very easy to transport. You can also have other barrels so you could have, say a spare 7MM or 300 mag barrel for those trips when a flat shooter would be more suitabls as a spare rifle.

Take a look at the Synthetic Blaser R-93.



Just be aware that you might like it so much that it becomes your "primary" rifle.

You can also get a 28ga. shotgun bbl to use on those trips that have Grouse and other small game for the pot.

I built a couple of 375 for my son and his friend by putting a laminated stock on two M-70 classics SS rifles and neither one failed in any way to perform...

I suspect that failures are the exception rather than the rule with all our factory rifles..I know a lot of folks around the sure do like their M-70s.....

remember, you never hear a word about the good ones, only the failed ones get print....

I have a m-70 stainless synthetic in 375 and I love mine. it's accurate and reliable and I havent done anything to it except mount a leupold vari x 3 1.5-5x

I have a M-70 Classic Stainless. The tupperware stock was poor and so I've replaced it with a McMillan Griffin and Howe. You could have all this done for around a $1000. It is a good rifle.
Sako 75's are also available in stainless 375's. I don't believe that the Sako comes with sites. By the time you added sites you would end up a little over $1000. I have a blued Sako 75 in 375 H&H and it is extremely accurate - has shot 3/8" spread groups at 100yds with Barnes 300gr X bullets. I would imagine that the Stainless rifles would be equally as accurate.
If you can afford a little more I would buy the Sako, If not buy the Winchester, sort it out and you will have a very good rifle.......DJ

Let me throw my two cents in; I bought a used M70 375 H&H because I wanted stainless. It feeds as well or better than any other rifle I have; however, I have tested it, and all 3 of my Remington rifles will feed upside down . If you want stainless and CRF, your only other option is one of the Montana Rifle Co. barrelled actions. If not CRF, then another option to those listed is the stainless/synthetic Weatherby Mk5. A friend of mine has one and is very happy and you can sometime find them used very reasonable.

I've just gotten a trigger job done on mine, $25, Leupold QR mounts and rings (when I get the right size) and a 2x7 Leupold VX-II shotgun scope are next, and I plan on a Boyd's laminate stock with a good recoil pad. I'll probably have a bit more than a grand in when I'm done, but not by much.

Can the stainless receiver/action be blued? I like the M70, but prefer blue. I have found a stainless M70.

I kind of regret not buying the Win70 that was up for sale here a few months ago. Seems like it even had a muzzle brake...

The Sako 75 is an interesting option. I sure like the integral scope bases. I would definitely appreciate any further comments on that particular rifle.

The MRC is an intriguing option as I could then stock it as I see fit although the price would appear to eclipse that of the Win 70 considerably and considering I saw one ad for a Sako at $800 it would then be cheaper than the MRC barreled action.

dogcat,



According to John Noveske , yes it can. I have thought about one day sending him mine, but I think I'll try the Boyds pepper laminate stock and see how that looks. John posts here as jnrifleworks . He is very responsive to e-mails and his work appears to be quite good. Watch it though, he is one of those WSM wildcatters .



Reed,



I bought that .375 H&H. It's mine, I tell you, mine, mine, mine

Hi Guys:



Here is what my semi custom 375 H&H Winne looks like. I bought it used with the tubberware stock from a board member.



I ordered the stock from Boyds, added the custom Black Ebony pistol grip cap and forend, had it pillar and glass bedded, had double cross bolts put in, custom barrel band installed and added a new recoild pad.



The rifle all ready had a good trigger job and the custom removable muzzlebreak on it when I bought it. It tips the scales at 10# even.











I put on a Leupold 3X10 vari XIII... no Iron Sights... This is NOT meant to be a close encounter stopper.









I figure I have about $1750.00 all up all in, with this project, including the scope and mounts..







This rifle has a very compact 21 in. barrel ... I also cut down the forearm two inches shorter to make it look better.







Hope it sparked your interest.....



Regards... Jim P.

Damn, dude, you sure know how to hurt a guy with those pics.

Hi 475Guy:

Glad you like it, I am putting together a twin, same stock, same scope, same SS Win Mod 70 CRF action and barrel in 270 WSM. No muzzlebreak and no cross bolts though.

The finish on the stocks is some clear acrylic stuff that they use on the bottom of boats, about 10 coats. It is damn near indestructable.

This should also make a great foul weather Alaskan Brown Bear Rifle.

Regards.... Jim P.

Are you saying that it is a good enough finish to put on the inside of stock? How thick is the finished coat(s) after it dries? I guess that the action would be very snug when re-inserting it into the wood.

PAHunter,

Did you have Boyd's do the forend tip, grip cap, and cross bolts? Great looking gun BTW.

Hi 475Guy:

There are not 10 coats on the inside of the stock, but close to it. There are probably 12 or 13 coats on the outside. I had my gunsmith open up the stock a little more when I got it from Boyds.

Now the Gulp part... for the finish, forened, pistolgrip, Pillars, glass bedding, two cross bolts added, Pachmyr Recoil Pad and custom made SS barrel band was.... $500.00 and change.

Hi Redlander:

Nope... I had my Gunsmith add the ebony pistol grip, finish and forend.

Very nice gun, it may not be traditional, but I bet it will carry the mail. I like it.

Boyd stocks are good buy for the money and plenty good for a working gun.