For those that own this rifle what is the weight all up with scope ?? Are you happy with it ?? what issues have you had ?? would you buy it again ??

the winchester website states 7 1/4 pounds , it's lighter than the .338 SS classic if true sort of refutes the argument the .338 owners have about "it weighs less than a .375 H&H"

I am getting very close to purchasing my .375 in either cz 550 or the stainless classic winchester M70. And still gathering all information/opinions I can possible get so I make a choice I am truly happy about. I do not want to buy the win m70 and have a horror run with it as some have had.

I handled a new .300 wsm M70 the other day and it seemed very well finished .

Thanks Gents.

[ 11-04-2002, 16:19: Message edited by: PC ]

PC,

Mine equiped with a 1.5 X 5 VXIII and a leather sling weighs 10.5 pounds.

Perry

Mine with a 2x7 leupold and a Macmillan stock weighs 9 1/2 pounds. I wish it only weighed 7 1/2lbs. The only thing that has ever caused me grief was the bolt stop spring breaking. A two dollar part but it is embarassing to have the bolt come out in your hand when you are trying to shoot. The shell stayed on the bolt though. Other than that no worries and it shoots very well. It has spent most of its life in Alaska and never a problem with rust etc.

Are the really that much heavier over the .338 win mag rifles ??

Gator the 2-7 x sounds like a good combo for the trajectory of the .375 H&H, I have one on my .416. (good eye releif & field of view) I think when I get my .375 that will get the 2-7 and I will put a 2.5x compact on my .416.

PC

I like the 2x7 alot on 30-06 trajectories. Light and plenty of magnification. Looking forward to seeing the new version.

I guess the barrel is quite a bit heavier on the .375.

[ 11-05-2002, 05:46: Message edited by: Gator1 ]

I had one for awhile and although it shot reasonably well, it carried and handled like a long, lead pipe. The weight made it easy to shoot off the bench but it was, for me, a real bitch to carry and shoot quickly.

DB Bill,

how would you compare the M70 stainless classic with the CZ 550 in .375 H&H ??

People say the .338 win mag in the M70 is that much lighter to carry How so ?? it has 2" more barrel and are they not really all 30/06 length actions re-modlled in one fashoon or another to accept what ever length cartridge ??

Gator if you can tell me anymore about your rifle I would like to hear, would love a picture of your rig if you have one. Thanks PC.

PC

My rifle has been treated some how to blacken the action by Olympic Arms in Nisqually WA. I added a grey and black McMillan Stock. Steel bedded to where the taper ends on the barrel. (is it obvious I am not a gun crank yet?)

I had the barrel and action blackened because on a moose hunt a few years ago I was told by my buddies that they couldn't see me but the silver barrel stood out like a neon sign.

The QD Leupold mounts that have the post seem very good and have been on it for 5 years. The scope has been off and on a dozen times and the action in and out of the stock as many. I take it apart to travel. No worries and always within an inch when put back together.

I think it feels and handles much better than my pre 64 Alaskan, I like the thinner forend.

It has spent many happy miles in a Supercub, boat and four wheeler and never been a disappointment.

I don't have a digital camera but will try and round one up as you are the second person today requesting a picture of one of my rifles.

Looking forward to that picture Gator !!.

Have you tried woodleigh bullets in it yet ?? I reckon the woodleigh 270 gr Protected Point Or Soft Noses would make an excellent flat shooting bullet for the 375 H&H for your elks, mooses & bears what do you think.

How do you think the CZ stacks up against your M70 stainless classic ??

I have one. It's fine. It popped out the last round from the magazine until I sent it back to be fixed.

The stock is made from used plastic coke bottles and is a bit slippery. The recoil pad is crap.

500,

would you have bought it again or would you buy the CZ if your were after a .375 H&H

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Brad:
The reason the 375 is SUBSTANTIALLY heavier is the barrel contour it carries... like described above, basically a lead pipe. Forget what the mfg's catalog say's... their weight's are completely wrong. The 375 will finish up 3/4 lbs heavier than the 338 WM. IMO the barrel on the 375 is entirely too heavy. I'd never want to carry that beast on an elk mountain here in the western U.S. The 338 carries a "standard" magnum contour bbl... I've cut my last two back to 22" which mic's .620" at that length."

Best Regards,

Brad
__________________________________________________

I don't agree that the .375 H&H barrel is too heavy. It's lighter than what it was on the Pre-64 M70's and if a .375 get's any lighter it's going to hurt so bad that the rifle will fall from it's most valuable benefit being the most powerful round one can shoot well.

The .375 H&H is not at it's best for mountain climbing after thin skinned game anyway. Use it for big bears and in Africa and then it's perfect.

I agree with Don on the M70 375 barrel contour.

Actually they look bigger in the Stainless because the synthetic stock is very thin in the forend.

Mike

Yes gents in either case CZ or M70 I feel the stocks are not great.

I suppose one could get the barrel fluted on the winchester if you wanted to shave 3/4 pound off would this help ??

PC,

I think you need to own at least one Model 70 regardless. Good luck.

I've had one for about four and a half years now and am very happy with it. Mine weighs 9.6 pounds with a Leupold 1.75-6E, and a Brown Precision stock. I've only used two bullets in it, the 250gr Swift-A-Frame and the 270gr Barnes XLC, both shoot great. I'd but one again in a heart-beat, though I would change the stock on it again also.

JMeier

Thanks JMeier,

If I decide to get the M70 I just hope I do not get a lemon as some have with there M70's of late.

My M70 SS in 375 weighed 8.3 lbs. Too heavy, and needs a new recoil pad.

Will

Will is that scoped up and loaded ??

Could you turn the barrel to a thinner contour??

PC,

It is not really the best idea in the world to re profile a barrel, but yes you could do it. It would save shaving out the stock to free float it

As to fluting, I would be very wary of that with the combination of that contour and 375 bore. Tobler had trouble with his number 5s when they were fluted in 338 calibre.

Personally, I can't see why the weight is a problem for the shooting we do and if go to Africa you will also be driving around on flat ground.

Mike

Yeah your right Mike.

Mike did you exclusively shoot only 220 grain hornady flat points in your 375's ?? Did you give the woodleigh 270 gr soft noses or protected points a go ??.

I used a Model 70 Winchester for years and found it to be extremely reliable. I had the Leopold Vari X III with quick release bases and rings on it. By the way it was very accurate for a semi-big bore too. I preferred 200 grain flat noses for whitetail deer and elk (took a 7X7 in New Mexico at 315 yards and found the bullet in between two ribs on the opposite side when quartering the bull). He never moved a step after the shot. The deer-shot 9 of them with it (200 grain flat noses) and contrary to what some might think, were not torn up at all. This possibly is because the bullet must go clear through them pretty fast. But exit hole was small. As far as the weight goes, the more it (the gun) weighs the less you feel the kick. And when shooting at game one hardly notices the recoil anyway. I had to practice for the big African safari on something!

Four tails did you hit bone with those 200 gr bullets ?? Being made for the lever .375 cals I though that .375 velocities would definitely be to much.

Mike375....driving around on flat ground????

I don't know how many miles we walked tracking buffalo before I finally shot one but over the course of 4 days of tracking it was more than a stroll thru the park.

One other thing....weight and balance concerns are not universally shared by all. When I was stationed in Alaska in the late-60's I had a Model 70 in .375 H&H (with a barrel bobbed to 20")that I carried over half the state and it rarely bothered me.....but now that I'm a lot older and less full of whatever it was I was full of back then, I like my rifles lighter and handier.