I am thinking about a .375 H&H rifle.
Not really sure how to procede. It must be a Claw extractor or CRF action. (or mabye a single shot) But Im not to sure witch one to buy.
its important to note that I am in no hurry.
I just pulled the scope off my Model 70 classic
7mmSTW. That would be a great action to start with for a build, But the darn thing is so accurate I hate to tear it appart.
But its still an option. Rebarrel add sights and cross bolts an away we go !
The CZ option is not too bad. I would go to MPI stocks & have them order me a barreld action From AHR with the AHR safty and triger installed , and then have MPI stock it for me.
(they build the synthetick stocks for AHR now.)
I would probably be in that set up a couple grand at least, witch puts me near a pre 64 model 70 . or the new Kimbers.
I like Ruger #1s , and i am not overly recoil sensitive. But the pad they put on those is a freaking joke !
Also. In a dangerous game hunt, I am not sure how steady my hand would be reloading a single shot in emergency.
Opinions Please ? am I over looking any good options ?
...thanks ...tj3006

If in no hurry, then I would look for a model 70 already in .375H&H. A good used one is still affordable and should be well under a thousand bucks if your patient in your search. Another great option is the Whitworth express rifles. In my opinion the CZ550 magnum rifles are a bit large for the .375H&H but are a good option. I would keep the one in 7mm STW and look for it's mate in .375H&H, that would be an excellent pair. Rodney.

I have owned 4 or 5 and my present one that I will keep is a Winchester Classic Express in .375. I have a Leupold 1.75x-6x in Leupold QRW rings. It shoots 7/8 inch groups with the Nosler Partition. I took it to Zim in 2003 for plains game and performed perfectly. Not a bad looking rifle either. There are a couple of things that could be better, like the checkering but I like it.

IMHO, the Whitworth is the best bang for the buck. Very little needs to be done. I had mine double cross bolted, glass bedded and a trigger job.

If it was me...

I'd have the STW rebarrelled with a Pac-Nor barrel in their Remington Magnum Sporter profile. Pac-Nors barrels are a shade heavier than anything Remington used and is just perfect for a 375. It also is just heavy enough that it cleans up the factory Winchester sporter barrel channel. Have it bedded, cross bolted if you want and a 1 inch Decellerator pad installed, and you end up with a 9-9 1/2 pound 375. Winchesters 375 are way the hell to heavy to me and this combo comes close to being perfect.

Did one in H&H and another in 375 Weatherby. Probably my favorite rifles.

+1 on finding a used model 70

The Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .375 Ruger.

quote:

the CZ550 magnum rifles are a bit large for the .375H&H

+1 Mine is way too heavy.

LWD

The advice that Rodney gave is about what I would say as well. Look for a Winchester in .375 and there you have it or one in 7 mag or some other mag caliber and have a Pac Nor screwed on it, bed it and cross bolt it and you are there. Save any good shootin rifle from dis assembly (a fate worse than selling it!)
I have a Win M70 Classic stainless in .375 that has had nothing done but the trigger (I adjusted it)it even has the Winchester factory "hot glue" bedding material and shoots Barnes 300 grain TSX with Reloader 15 powder into sub 1" groups very consistantly. Also shoots cheap Federal 270 grain Classics into 1" regularly.
The CZ's feel too big in .375 to me so do the older Rugers (my opinion) The Whitworth would be a very nice option as well but there is something to be said about a Win M70 that is already ready to go.
Good luck with yours!

A CZ is only "heavy" if you carry it around, it weighs just about right with fullhouse DG loads when you shoot it.

I have one and it is a fine rifle. That, and it holds six rounds full up.

Rich
Buff Killer

I was only refering to a CZ in .375 as to being heavy, even there .458Win/Lott is lighter in weight because they share the same barrel profile.
Rodney.

Rodney, let me know when you find a model 70 with CRF in the 375 H&H for well under a grand. Ain't gonna happen anytime soon regardless of how patient you are. They command a premium buck these days.

Thans for sharringf your opinions !
I think the CZs are a little heavy but the stock is bulkier than nessicary and Thats why I would go through MPI.
They are near my home and there stock would take a Pound or 2 off the weight and leave it with a nose heavy feel witch I kind of like.
I model 70 classic is a decnt option, I wonder when i will run into one of those.
I go to lots of gun shows...tj3006

I think the days of $1000 375 H&H M70 is over. If you are really considering building an H&H on your M70 action or trying to fid a used M70 why not find a Whitworth in 7mm, get it opened up from the back (as they all should have been), rebarrel, new trigger, new stock and 3 pos. safety on it. Then you will have a very fine custom rifle with everything on it that you want while only spending 15%-20% more than building your M70 or buying a good used one.

Being an accuracy but, I would not even consider parting your 7 STW. If the Budget was less than $2,000, I would look hard for a used Model 70 or Ruger RSM. The RSM usually comes with a killer stock and features that are usually found in full blown custom jobs.

If Synthetic is fine with you, I would also look at a new Kimber Talkeetna but I think a classic 375 H&H deserves a walnut stock (doesn't every rifle??).

For $400-$500 more than a Talkeetna, you can get a Caprivi and that is one nice looking rifle.

My friend has a classic stainless Win 70 currently in 7mm Rem mag in a McMilan stock with blind floorplate, that was once a 416 Rem. He is selling for around $750 if I remember correctly. This is a good candidate for a 375 as it has the long magazine and follower installed. He can also reinstall the 416 Rem Mag barrel(installation and bedding possibly at an extra charge). He put the 7mm Mag on it to make it easier to sell. The 416 was a build for a guy but was reneged on.

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
The Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .375 Ruger.

+1
My left handed Safari is a beautiful CRF, Claw extracting tool, I know the arguments about ammo availability but I reload and in the world of Big Bores, 375 ammo is light.

then you should have one!
or 20 - whatever you can afford!

Winchester model 70 .375H&H with CRF on gunbroker right now. Check out item number 125828521 it has 2 days left with no reserve and only one bid at $735. It will be interesting to see if this one goes very high.
Rodney.

Lad,

It sounds as if you have your heart set on a bolt gun. Never a bad choice, but other respondants are correct on price/value/availability issues.

If you are NOT hunting dangerous game, consider the Ruger #1 Tropical. True the caboose needs some work, but a competent stock person could easily fix that. Your cost should still be less than most other guns mentioned.

I do have a #1 in 375 H&H, and the most dangerous animal in my neck of the woods would be a riled mother bear (more likely an ornery skunk!!) so I obviously cannot comment on reload speed (note: you can short stroke a bolt with painful results as well).

I have loaded mine down for deer (a 235gr bullet designed for the 375win at Mach-turtle speeds). There was recoil, but I was concentrating on the shot and didn't quantify it. Yes, the deer was dispatched cleanly.

I have fired some heavy (clod-flogging-buffalo-thumping) reloads from both bench and standing positions. Not too bad when you are upright, but needed a second or two for my eyes to realign from the bench. Didn't try speed-reloading (the paper target posed little threat, and I wasn't in a hurry to pull the trigger again!!!).

The 375 H&H is a classic and highly useful round. I hope you can put desire and wallet together to possess the rifle you want.

Mike

being a model 70 groupie of sort I would say like most others go with that route
being a tinkerer and budding riflesmith I would get a hold of that action that airgun1 buddy has and put a pac-nor prefit barrel on it
pac-nor makes a real good barrel
I have also acquired a fascination for Ruger #1's so the choice would be hard
I too have longed for a 375 H&H but have looked long and hard at the 375 Ruger as well...

Loved the Whitworth, but sold it.
Loved the Model 70 but it burned

Have the CZ picked it up used for $650 as a camp gun, thing shoots like it was a handbuilt custom, don't find the weight a problem.

jm2c

I have 2 #1 already,
In 30,06 and 7x57. I made up dummy rounds for each. I am prety darn good at quick reloading them.
The problem that wight arise, would be a shaky right hand if some big ugly creature was charging me.
I mean a lion a bear or PETA member.
I would probably be ok and the #1 is a reasonable option, but I hate to alter one with a decent pad.
I looked at a Ruger RSM yesterday.
I did not find much to complain about there !
It must have been one of the new lighter ones.
At 1700.00 it is a good option.
I have lots of time, so i will just study the market for awhile...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Rodney H.{500Jeffery}:
Winchester model 70 .375H&H with CRF on gunbroker right now. Check out item number 125828521 it has 2 days left with no reserve and only one bid at $735. It will be interesting to see if this one goes very high.
Rodney.

That auction just closed... $960

I like the Whitworth if you can find one that hasn't been butchered. One of the best feeling .375s out there. The extra recoil lug is good insurance for the stock. reflex264

quote:

Originally posted by Woodrow S:
Rodney, let me know when you find a model 70 with CRF in the 375 H&H for well under a grand. Ain't gonna happen anytime soon regardless of how patient you are. They command a premium buck these days.

I just scored one for $550 plus tax. so I have to agree on looking for a used M70

Hang in there Thomas, the model 70s are out there, patience my friend. .
Rodney.