I've been thinking I need a .375h&h. I have my .404jeffery for DG, but I am thinking I need a DG capable rifle for trips across the pond or possibly Alaska. So w/ the M70 going way up in price, which way would you go?
Find a M70
Buy a Ruger RSM
Buy a CZ550 & tweek it
Buy a M798 & tweek it

I own a Sako AV in 375 H&H...love it. The RSM is impressive in balance, as well as the barrel rib and recoil lug on it are first class. Stainless (or something better than blueing) would be worth thinking of for Alaska.

Cheers,

Dan

Not on your list but I would and did find a Whitworth. While I have a RSM in 458 Lott it is too heavy for a 375 IMO. Win 70 too $$$$$
M798 still an unknown. The CZ would be my pick of your list and Have a little stock work done.

Ruger RSM..........................JJ

I'm making mine from a M-70 action.....there's a lot of them out there.

CZ550 and tweak it.
But, don't forget, guns seldom die. There's a huge used market. Rifles like the Mark X-based Whitworth are well worth consideration.

Depends on the budget available ... either the CZ and tweek or the M70. I like'm both.

My DG bolt gun is/has been a M70 in 416 Rem Mag. Been an excellent performer with 3/4 inch accuracy.

But...... , after handling a CZ 550 Safari in 375, well, the devil made me do it. A little bedding work, playing with some loads, I love the rifle. Especially the lack of recoil.

Thanks guys. I love my .404j, but everyone needs a .375h&h in a good bolt action. Decisions, decisions.

I'm real partial to the CZ's..but I put new stocks on mine...actually, I put on new barrels as well....guess that means I like the action!

I like 375's. Currently own 4, did own 5 but sold my Heym Double. I have a custom Mauser,a custom Mdl 70 SS,a Ruger No.1 and my favorite a customized Brno ZKK 602 that belonged to Jon Speed. I don't know what it would be like without a 375. My Brno is in the original stock but has been modified. Really a pleasant rifle to shoot. Barrel cut to 21", barrel band front swivel,Masterpiece banded front ramp with flip up nite sight, FULLY glassed,dual crossbolts,Decellerator, Leupold 2x7 in CZ rings. Quick and accurate. And it didn't cost a fortune.

In 375, I've owned 2 Whitworths, a Brno ZKK602 & a pre-64 M70. All are splendid choices but I especially like the Whitworth.

Just bought a Whitworth myself

I own a few .375's myself and enjoy the flexibility of the cartridge. I too own a Sako AV in .375 and just shot it the other day for the first time and it's a blast!
I have a little experience with the CZ 550 Safari in .375H&H, that might be the way to go. It's a good rifle, especially on a budget, and they're fairly easy to tweak to your liking.

Just depends on what you like because they are all just a starting point, but I personally think the Winchester is closer to finished as it comes. Of course this coming from someone who likes the Mdl. 70. I have a cz 416 in the works now and basicaly altering it to 3 position safety, changing trigger, changing stock. floor plate ect. removing bill board from left side receiver, changing bolt ect. Oh it will be nice when done but it adds up to mucho $$. This be what happens when you get picky and try and turn a cz into a mdl 70/mauser want to be. I proably shhould have just bought 416 Rem. on the Mdl.70, but it wouldn't be so much fun.

HBH

Thw Whitworth is my choice.I have 2.Well balanced,good workmanship,+ reasonably priced.You can find them at the gun shows usually in the $550.00 to $800.00 range.The Mod. 70 is excellant,but as the pre-64's are all I'm personally interested in the price is rather steep.I have a friend who has a CZ and likes it,although personally I'm not really fond of the overall appearance.Personal preferance really.

I would handle as many as possible. Then go with your instinct. You probably won't go wrong.

You can of course spend as much as you like on ANY gun but you really don't have to. My 416Rigby CZ 550 has a Brockman laminate (about $300+) a Decellerator (about $70 installed) a N.E.C.G. front ramp with red fiber optic bead (about $100). I believe the 550 was selling for about $650 when I got mine ( won it in an NRA raffle) That's a total of $1120. Not really much. Barrel was cut to 21" but that is just my preference and really isn't necessary. It fullfills all my requirements. Over the years I have had many more expensive 375's but my Mdl 70 required NO modifications and my Brno 602 was used in Africa just as I recieved it with NO modifications. Both still have had only cosmetic changes to them and are totally adequate for any use in Africa you could put them to. There is one gun that I have absolutely zero experience with that I don't understand why it gets absolutely no mention on these forums. Either for or against and that is the Savage bolt gun.

My 375 is an Interarms Mark X, that had a lot of work done to it so that it would pass for a Whitworth. Excellent gun and it has become my favorite hunting rifle, although some folks think it is a trifle large for whitetail deer.

I recently purchased a CZ550 Safari Magnum in 458, but from what I see with that gun, I would buy one in 375 in a heart beat. JMO

I had the folks at Serengeti Arms put me one together on a LH stainless Montana Rifle Co action, with 22" #4 MRC barrel (stainless) and NECG open sights. It's my first big bore, and I have to say, seeing those four monsters in the magazine is really a new and impressive experience for me. I'm thinking of taking it on a caribou/griz hunt this Fall, but the whole rig weighs over 10lbs, and I have several .30 cals both mag and non-mag that I could take in the 8.5lb or less range. Decisions, decisions......
Don

Anybody think the CZ550 in .375H&H is alittle heavy/blocky for this round? I have a CZ550 in 9.3x62mm and I was surprised just how much bigger/heavier the .375H&H is due to the magnum action..Personally I think that action is better suited to the .416Rigby..

On of the chaps who posts here has a lovely custom .375 H&H built on a standard length mauser action that had been opened up..I've always wondered if such a thing could be done with a standard length CZ550 action??

Regards,

Pete

Yep, most are made like Big Berthas. The African version ('Etoscha') of plate 741 in 'Mauser Original Oberndorf Sporting Rifles' would be my top pic. It's a WELL BALANCED 8&3/4 lb piece that looks like a typical .30-06.
It's quite impressive: beautifully inletted very dense walnut stock, nicely tapered hammer forged 'Krupp-Special Laufstahl' barrel, Timney trigger, ERA sights/swivels, and custom qd mounts,...They were sighted in with 300gr VM RWS ammo.
Bad news, finding one for sale will be quite difficult.

I have a 375 RSM which is really a lovely gun. IMHO it is too heavy for that caliber. I fell in love with this one because of wood and because of weight it is a safe queen. Check out Champlin Firearms web site. He has an unfired Whitworth in 375. It is a little high but still a lot less than the RSM. I recently bought a CZ form JJS that has been properly "tweaked". I believe you could get a CZ with proper tuning for about $1100. The CZ becomes a real working safari rifle with a little tuning plus it holds one more shell than the RSM. If you can find an older Sako Safari, they are a well made 375. You will get the push feed argument but they really shoot!

Yes, those older Yugo "Safari" Mausers are easy to carry knockabout bush rifles.
Champlin Firearms have been DG (especially DR) experts for years, with extensive clientele, so don't expect to get best deal there.

I love my Whitworth for a 375,but SDhunter is right. I would shoulder as many different ones as you can and see which one feels best to you. For me, between the Winchester safari, Ruger Safari, and the CZ safari, the CZ was hands down the best fit/feel. Every body is shaped differently and even though the others were more expensive, the CZ shouldered better for me. Good luck with your search, Dave

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I'm making mine from a M-70 action.....there's a lot of them out there.

What are some of the details of what you are doing to it?