Just wondering folks, if I were to purchase an M70 in a stainless classic in .375 H&H how much gunsmithing would be involved in getting it to hold 4 in the mag.

A .375 H&H is going to be my next rifle and I have narrowed it down to either a CZ or M70 and I swap between the two every day, one big plus of the CZ is 5 down in the mag

You'd need a new stock, plus new bottom metal and magazine.

If you need 5 or 6 .375H&H cartridges in the gun, the CZ is ready to go.

George

Sometimes you can simply change to another spring and follower and fit a fourth round in the mag.

If you want four in the magazine, don't forget the Sako. They have always held four belted magnums (and their special Safari model with a drop magazine holds 5, I think). They are a little pricier than the Win or CZ, but then they are also a superior rifle.

Usually a drop box magazine (adds 1 round) option on a custom rifle costs about $450 plus your new stock. When you get through modifying your factory M-70 you might as well add a few more bucks and build a rifle.

The CZ certainly seems like the most economical option if you are stuck on the extra magazine capacity.

At the expense of getting death threats from all the many CZ fans on this website let me say the following. IMHO you will like the M-70 better even though the magazine only holds 3 rounds.

The CZ does hold a whole handful of cartridges, the ones I have seen are very accurate and the long barrel rings ever bit of velocity out of 375. On the other hand the rifle is big, bulky, way heavier than necessary for 375 and the long barrel seems unwieldy to me. Remember that you will carry the rifle way more than shoot it.

I know I'm taking another risk here but I feel that the chances of you just emptying your rifle before you can stop firing long enough to reload are remote.

Unless you want a 416 Rigby or are going to build a real dinosaur stomper go with the M-70.

Is it easier to snap the extractor over a chambered round and so have three in the mag and one up the spout with the M70 ??, I know in some rifles there is a bit of mucking about to get them to do this.

Thankyou.

Just to add, how close is the M-70 to holding four rounds ??, what I mean is maybe a thinner follower might solve the problem ??

Mark I agree with what your saying "a cz makes a .375 heavier than it needs to be" I have a CZ in a .416 and also have a .585 built on a 602, and I do not really see the need for that big action for the .375 H&H cartridge.

If I can work that 4th round in I would be completely happy to get the M-70 over the CZ (I like CRF rifles for anything other than Varminters)

Sorry, duplicate post.

[ 10-05-2002, 03:40: Message edited by: GeorgeS ]

PC,

What John has written is true. I'll add that you need the Magazine box Winchester fitted to the 375 just prior to this last change. I think it is referred to as the (E)box check with Brownells, I think they are still available. The spring required is one without the hump on the leg attached to the floor plate. I like the follower and spring from PME.

HBH

Mark:

I feel the same way about the weight.

I am trying to decide what to do about the magazine capacity "problem" with my Mod. 70 in 416 Rem. Even with a McMillan stock it still weighs 8.3 lbs. empty. It is almost impossible to add a drop box.

I think the way I will go is get a CZ, throw away the barrel for a light weight one, and a new stock. The total cost is about the same as a Mod. 70 with a new stock. The weight should be down around 7 lbs. The difference between 7 and 8.3 lbs. is enormous.

There is a significant difference between 3 and 5 rounds in a magazine when hunting dangerous game.

Will

I am quite happy to have 4 down as compared to five, I think a good smith could make a thinner follower or as suggested there might be an after market one available to completely solve the problem.

I just see the .375 as a medium bore not a big bore and the cartridge I feel does probably not require the bigger action of the CZ as some have pointed out.

I suppose one can always chamber a round in the M-70 and snap the extractor over so that you have 3 in mag an one up the spout.

I have a left hand stainless M70 .375 H&H from the Winchester Custom shop that has always held 4 down.

Someone might call Leslee Dengler at the Custom Shop and ask what the difference is that allows this one to hold 4.

'Scuse my naivete, why can't you just have a good 'smith machine a deeper bottom plate ala the Westley-Richards rather than get the "drop-box" mags which give the rifle a bloated look? Save more money.

Rodger,

do you mean a thinner floorplate ??.

This tells me the rifle is on the verge of being able to hold four rounds. I agree that "the drop mag" is something to be avoided if at all possible, especially in a rifle that is to be carried and be sleek.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the original Pre-64 Model 70's in .375 H&H hold four in the magazine and one up the spout? Seems to my, my hunting partner in Nevada had one that did, and supposedly it was all original.
When the Big "W" went to the post 64 model, they narrowed the magazine, which reduced the capacity by one round. I wonder why in hell they did that? Guess it's like Ruger putting unadjustable triggers in their rifles and calling it progress. Damn all bean counters and lawyers. They keep screwing up perfectly good guns..
Paul B.

PC,

No I mean a floorplate that is deeper by about 15mm so you will be able to get in another cartridge.

Like the ZKK-602 floorplates only more-so.

George S: I have never owned a Model 75 Sako. My only experience is with L61R's and TRG-s. In .264, 7mm Rem, 7mmSTW, .300Win, .338 Win, and .375 H & H, all of mine have held four rounds. I've never seen a Sako which would only hold three rounds in a belted magnum, but there may be some.

Thanks Rodger,

I have a good smith who'll be able to get it to hold four no drama's, but I want it to be able to still fit into a standard after Market stock like a houges, McMillan or Bell & Carlson. The tupperware will have to go.

I have a Safari Express, left hand...one of the original ones with the inletted barrel swivel stud. It this the model that can be converted to 4 down by using a new follower and spring? I had heard this in the past, but it only involved turning the follower over to be rid of the ridge in the top of the follower.

Oh, and if this works, who is PME referenced above for the parts??

Thanks !