You can pick one of these rifles to take to Africa for a Cape Buff, Water Buck, Bushbuck hunt. Which do you choose and why?

1# Remington 700 Custom Safari
2# Winchester Model 70 (new cont. feed. mod.)
3# Ruger Safari Magnum

For me, each has their postives and negatives which I will share later in the thread...I am starting to really like one of these, which I will share later in the thread...Pick one and give me your thoughts, and YES these are the only three choices...Thank you

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
You can pick one of these rifles to take to Africa for a Cape Buff, Water Buck, Bushbuck hunt. Which do you choose and why?

1# Winchester Model 70 (new cont. feed. mod.)
2# Winchester Model 70 (new cont. feed. mod.)
3# Winchester Model 70 (new cont. feed. mod.)
Thank you

There.....I had to simplify the choices a bit.

Reason?....confidence. Period!!!

Make it 3 for 3 so far - Winchester mod. 70.

TerryR

m70 gets my vote.... i have a push feed 375, texas hogs are about as dangerous as i intend to go after... at least till my DR shows up...

You guys are killing me...I only have one gripe with the model 70, but I am not ready to disclose it yet...

you forgot option #4 CZ 550 Safari Magnum in 375H&H.

It's a six-shooter, five+one in the chamber. On deliberate shots you can use that fine set-trigger.

...but only just a little.


Rich
NRA Life Member
DRSS
Old Model 70's and Mausers

Winchester model 70 in 375 H&H. It just works.

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
You guys are killing me...I only have one gripe with the model 70, but I am not ready to disclose it yet...

What?????...you put up a rifle beside two BB guns and expect any other results?

Sell me the Model 70 and take the other two!!!

When you are done hunting, leave those two there and I will sell the real gun back to you...

I would take the Win M70.................I think the Ruger uis to heavy for a .375 IMHO and the rem 700 action IMHO is best suited for varmint guns...............

So...you guys appear to like the M70 so far...

Rem - 0 votes
Ruger - 0 votes
Win - 7 votes

Pot stirer from Idaho - I told you these were your only choices...To be honest CZ WAS my first choice, but it seems it is kind of a crap shoot ordering one on whether you get decent wood and a decent action...I've managed to find the above 3 rifles in a barely used state...After a few more votes, I'll give you guys my opinion (which is fairly meaningless, because I know NOTHING about these BIG guns and the only safari I've been on was a bowhunting safari)

Sorry, make that 8 votes for the M70...

Another vote for the M70.

I like the Ruger alot and had one in 416 Rigby that was (and still is for SBT) EXTREMELY accurate. I think the Ruger is just a bit too big for the 375H&H and prefer the trimmer M70. I do like the Ruger for the recoil level of the 416 Rigby & 458 Lott.

Remington? Well, my mom always said if I can't say anything nice............


Tim

well, I'll give the 700 a vote. I have a remmy in 375 and it works well for me.

Sell'em all and get a Whitworth. Kidding.

Mark another for the 70.

I too have a Win M70 in 375 H&H and wouldn't leave it behind for nuthin'. I guess that means I vote for the M70!
My second choice would be the Ruger but they are a bit heavy.
Now tell us the rest of the story...............

Sorry to bust the stream here, but while I like the Model 70...and am having one turned into a 404, I REALLY like my Ruger Magnum in 375. Yes, it's heavy for caliber....but I prefer tanks to sports cars when it comes to DG rifles. Of course...I have a 470 double and a Heym 404 for the DG...so maybe.....hell, just buy both of 'em.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer

Another vote for the Model 70 Classic Stainless in .375. Heck, I bought one and would not give it up.

M70

CZ 375 with Brockman stock

OK...So far totals:

Rem - 1 vote
Rug - 1 vote
Win - 13 votes

unmentionable CZ 2 votes...I am just about ready to give you guys "the rest of the story"...

the CAbela's here in Boise has one or two, they let you handle them before you pay out that monster $800 bill.

Rich
-just a little bit faster

You did'nt say which variation of the M70 other than a later model with controlled feed {works for me}! Just going on the info you provided I would take the Winchester. So count me in as voting for the model 70. R.

Model 70

P.S. Value, quality, weight and especially handling were my reasons. R.

The one you can shoot without hesitation with on the spot accuracy at a charging buff without breaking a sweat otherwise the Model 70.

Yep, no brainer: M70 Classic is the correct answer to this multiple choice question.

Idaho...If I could've found one to handle, the CZ would've made the list.

Here's the story, bear with me...I am primarily a bowhunter that loves guns...I hunted Africa in 2006 with a bow and had a great Safari...So great I've booked a return trip for Cape Buffalo...The Buff hunt will be with a rifle...Big Bores are hard to find in this State so my choices were limited to Weatherby Mark V Fibermark, Remington 700 Custom, the Win. Safari Express Model 70 and the Ruger...Of the 4, I purchased the Remington and the Winchester to get a "feel" for the .375 H&H (initially I had my mind made up that I was going with the Weatherby, but cannot bring myself to take a "plastic" rifle to Africa)...I would've bought the Ruger as well, but it cost as much as the Remington and Winchester together!

Here's my personal findings thus far: The Remington feels much better in my hands, the Winchester almost feels "clunky"...In fact of all 4, the Winchester was dead last in the "feel" department...The wood on the Remington is beautiful, the wood on the Winchester is marginal...I haven't really sat at the bench with either rifle for accuracy, but both perform equally well in operation. (though I know the Win controlled feed is a HUGE advantage here)

I basically purchased the Remington because it was a great deal and I thought it would be nice to have choices...In all honesty prior to handling the rifles I would've said the M70 will be my choice hands down, however after handling the rifles everyday for a couple weeks, I would say that if I was leaving tommorrow, the Remington would be going with me...And this coming from a guy that isn't a big Remington fan (of the 20 something rifles I own, it is the ONLY Remington)...By the way both of these rifles have a pathetic recoil pad, in fact I am not so sure the Remington isn't made of granite...Once I make a final decision, the recoil pad will be the first to go on either rifle...I have not ruled out the M70 or even the Ruger at this point, luckily I have plenty of time to make the decision...Keep the votes coming, this is interesting...

Vote update (with me abstaining)
Rem - 1 Vote
Ruger - 1 Vote
CZ - 2 votes and they aren't on the list!
Win. Safari Express Model 70 - 17 VOTES!!!!

/

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
My next gun is a Sauer 202 Take Down with two barrels, 300 Win mag and 375 H&H. With a S&B scope and EAW mounts.

I have made up my mind.... this after seeing the ease of having this combo as travelling rig for world wide hunting..... my hunting partner now solely hunts the world with this combo.

It clips apart, fits into a shotgun sized case, no worries about having airline slobs drop the case and stock fractures at the neck. The size of the case makes it very easy to handle and pack.

Above all it is very very accurate, in fact likely the most accurate factory gun I have ever shot and with that combo ammo is the least likely to be a hassle wherever you go.

What the hell does this post have to do with the thread.

Learn to read Alf!

You could always sell the Ruger and Remmy and have a custom stock built for the 70. A really good stock would probably cost more than both of those rifles but it would be worth it in terms of having a reliable rifle that you feel comfortable with.

McMillan may also be able to get that Safari express into one of their winchester super grade stocks which is slimmer and would probably handle better. Of course its synthetic, which you may not like, and could take a while.

I wouldn't hesitate to take any of those with you, but if I had to choose, I'd take the M70. The RSM is really, really nice, but the classic lines and just proven performance of an M70 is the way to go. That, and if you break any parts while over there, the odds of finding a donor M70 375 H&H are in your favor.

Congratulations on being smart enough not to try to hunt a cape buffalo with a bow. Nice to run in to a bow hunter with a little common sense. I would take the Mod 70 hands down. If I have a choice, I would always select a controlled round feed action.

465H&H

No one wants to suggest a Blaser?

The M70 seems to be the popular choice (and is a good choice) but I do have the Ruger, did bring it across the pond and would not trade it for the M70 or M700. It has never once failed to fire, failed to feed, failed to extract or failed to hit what I aimed at. Heavy? Yes, a bit, but it sure makes recoil a puff.

Don't know where you are, but if we have three dealers here in the Boise, Idaho, area who have CZ's on the rack; it can't be too hard for you to find one. Check out CZ's website and ask for a dealer near you with one in stock. I really like mine in 416 Rigby, and the 375 would be very close in weight and feel.

Rich

Chalk up another one for the M70.

Idaho...I am in North Dakota...I would be willing to bet there is not a .375 H&H CZ on the shelf in ANY store in the whole state...Honestly, I've called every place I know that sells guns and have come up with the 4 listed...

VOTE UPDATE:

Rem 1 Vote
Ruger 1 Vote
Others 4 votes

Model 70 - 22 Votes!