I have recently bought a Winchester Model 70 Classic Safari Express rifle, and I'd like to put on a forward-mounted scope to facilitate bolt manipulation and rapid single loading.

Would this work?

I'm thinking of using the front scope mounting screws for a rear scope mount and the rear sight screw to attach a front scope mount. Alternatively, I'd attach a rail bridging the two screw hole locations. In either case, I'd like to put a peep sight on the rear receiver bridge where the rear scope mount screw holes are.

Would this setup give me the correct eye relief for a low power extended eye relief scope? A handgun scope?

Would the recoil from a 375 H&H be too severe for a scope held in by three screws instead of four? (are there two screws through the rear sight?)

Would I (or someone who is actually qualified to do the job) have to build an island over the rear sight screw hole to make the front scope mount tall enough?

The screw hole spacing on the rear receiver bridge of a Safari Express is closer than standard rear scope mount hole spacing. Who sells a peep sight that will mount on the receiver of this rifle?

Any other recommendations on procedures and parts would be appreciated.

Thanks alot,

H. C.

A scout scope on a big bore is an excellent idea and deserves to be done correctly! I have one I built on a Rem 700 in 270Win utilizing the old rear sight holes as well as the receiver bridge. The scope mount on the barrel was done by welding a Warne steel base onto a reversed Remington sight rail and both bases were machined to be exactly level. I had to use extended bases and weaver rings, but it fits perfectly with the rear scope bell exactly in line with the rear of the receiver and NMT 1/4 inch over the receiver. This gun handles and shoots extremely well.
Unfortunately, one screw hole on a .375 H&H will not be sufficient. I'd send the gun to John Ricks and have him make you a custom barrel mount. Do this right and you will be very pleased with the results. Do it wrong and it will get very expensive very fast. I used a Burris 2-7X pistol scope and the eyerelief is perfect.-Good luck-Rob

Burris, Simmons, and Leupold make scout scopes. I am working on a similar project with a 6.5 Swede, using Weaver universal base material and the existing military rear sight mount. For the project you have in mind, look at the book Gunsmithing: Rifles, by Patrick Sweentey. He has a chapter on the scout scope subject, addresses several methods of mounting.

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Originally posted by HenryC470:
I have recently bought a Winchester Model 70 Classic Safari Express rifle, and I'd like to put on a forward-mounted scope to facilitate bolt manipulation and rapid single loading.

Would this work?

I'm thinking of using the front scope mounting screws for a rear scope mount and the rear sight screw to attach a front scope mount. Alternatively, I'd attach a rail bridging the two screw hole locations. In either case, I'd like to put a peep sight on the rear receiver bridge where the rear scope mount screw holes are.

Would this setup give me the correct eye relief for a low power extended eye relief scope? A handgun scope?

Would the recoil from a 375 H&H be too severe for a scope held in by three screws instead of four? (are there two screws through the rear sight?)

Would I (or someone who is actually qualified to do the job) have to build an island over the rear sight screw hole to make the front scope mount tall enough?

The screw hole spacing on the rear receiver bridge of a Safari Express is closer than standard rear scope mount hole spacing. Who sells a peep sight that will mount on the receiver of this rifle?

Any other recommendations on procedures and parts would be appreciated.

Thanks alot,

H. C.

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I used a modified Burris mount (it fits into recesses milled in the barrel) to mount a Leupold EER 2x scope on my 9,3x62 Mauser. So far, it withstood several hundred shots without problem.

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Andr�

[This message has been edited by Andr� Mertens (edited 03-28-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Andr� Mertens (edited 03-28-2002).]