New rifle.. what?

[Deerhunter1799]

Looking for a new rifle. It should be a 375 H&H.
I enjoy both shooting and hunting. Maybe 500 rounds a year, and thats with this one rifle that i have i mind.
Been looking at portuguise made M70. But will it hold for the extensive use?

Other suggestions?

 

[PARA45]

Welcome to the forum! I'm sure you are going to get 100 different suggestions. I currently have a CZ 550 375 H&H, and so far so good. But, I do not shoot it that much.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Everything wears out when you use it a lot, women, pickup trucks and rifles. Nice thing is you can buy a new pickup and rebarrel a rifle fairly cheap! The new M70’s are fine guns and will serve you well, barrel life has many variables, heat, pressure and what kind of bullet you throw down the tube are some of them. Good maintenance goes a long way in extended life.
As Para mentioned the CZ 550 is a fine rifle also, see what fits you and buy it, don’t like it, buy another one, I won’t tell on you!

 

[Dr Ray]

Winchester safari model w a good quality but reasonably low power scope.
Modified trigger set for 1.5 pounds.

 

[sestoppelman]

Winchester safari model w a good quality but reasonably low power scope.
Modified trigger set for 1.5 pounds.

1.5#? Mighty light for a hunting rifle don't ya think? Asking for premature ignition.

 

[Deerhunter1799]

Everything wears out when you use it a lot, women, pickup trucks and rifles. Nice thing is you can buy a new pickup and rebarrel a rifle fairly cheap! The new M70’s are fine guns and will serve you well, barrel life has many variables, heat, pressure and what kind of bullet you throw down the tube are some of them. Good maintenance goes a long way in extended life.
As Para mentioned the CZ 550 is a fine rifle also, see what fits you and buy it, don’t like it, buy another one, I won’t tell on you!

Yeah, i wasnt thinking about barrel life, but more so about pitting on locking lugs, worn out trigger, cracked stock and so on..

The barrel, well.. thats no problem.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I have a 375 Winchester safari express made in Portugal. I have had to replace the firing pin spring. I think it was bad from the factory, as I’ve only fired 5-600 rounds. And the little safety broke.
All things considered I absolutely love the rifle.

 

[sestoppelman]

Yeah, i wasnt thinking about barrel life, but more so about pitting on locking lugs, worn out trigger, cracked stock and so on..

The barrel, well.. thats no problem.

Anything can wear out. I suspect most new rifles made today will outlast 5 owners. I must say though, don't think I have ever seen anyone express worry about pitting on the locking lugs? That's a new one on me.

 

[Dr Ray]

1.5#? Mighty light for a hunting rifle don't ya think? Asking for premature ignition.

That’s what I have on my rifles.

 

[Dr Ray]

Anything car wear out. I suspect most new rifles made today will outlast 5 owners. I must say though, don't think I have ever seen anyone express worry about pitting on the locking lugs? That's a new one on me.

No one I know

 

[meigsbucks]

First, welcome to AH.
As Bullthrower 338 said, rifles wear out, but they can be refurbished or replaced for modest money.
Pick the rifle YOU like... M70, Rem 700, Sako, CZ550, Browning X-bolt, Weatherby Vanguard or MkV or whatever. A M70 has a great reputation and I’m sure it would serve you well but you may try a CZ and think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[Deerhunter1799]

I have a 375 Winchester safari express made in Portugal. I have had to replace the firing pin spring. I think it was bad from the factory, as I’ve only fired 5-600 rounds. And the little safety broke.
All things considered I absolutely love the rifle.

Care to elaborate about the safety?

 

[One Day...]

Welcome Deerhunter1799!

There is an extensive discussion of Win 70 vs. CZ 550 at https://www.africahunting.com/threads/375-rifle-options.54281/page-2

I suspect you might find it interesting

PS: pay attention to Wyatt Smith's post, the modern Winchester 70 with a large number of "pot metal" cast parts is not anymore what it used to be... Still a great machined action, but everything else around it (safety, bottom metal, etc.) is focused on saving costs...

I have a 375 Winchester safari express made in Portugal. I have had to replace the firing pin spring. I think it was bad from the factory, as I’ve only fired 5-600 rounds. And the little safety broke.
All things considered I absolutely love the rifle.

 

[Ridgewalker]

First, welcome to AH!
I have an MRC in 375 H&H that I’m sure I have put over 1,000 rounds through that will still cloverleaf some handloads if I do my part. No reason a Winchester Mdl 70 couldn’t do it.
Best of luck!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Care to elaborate about the safety?

Check out the thread Broken win M70 safety lever
It’s under the gunsmithing section. Not much of a story but I’m glad it happened at home

 

[sgt_zim]

1.5#? Mighty light for a hunting rifle don't ya think? Asking for premature ignition.

Working on custom loads for a buddy's TC Encore. Holy snikeys, he's got a light trigger on that thing. I'm used to about 2-3 ounces on my Savage 10 target rifle. REALLY used to it, works for me out to 1000 yards. When I'm proofing loads for his rifle, for heaven's sake, it takes me about 3 rds to get accustomed to his trigger. Nice rifle, but I'd never go that light for my own rifle. Doesn't take much more than a touch to set that thing off. I like a little weight and a little travel. There's neither on his rifle.

 

[sestoppelman]

On guns that may be used under stress, like hunting or self defense, I really don't want a light trigger. Target work, fine.

 

[Deerhunter1799]

Thanks for all the welcome!

I guess what im asking for is a reliable gun in 375 that one could not only take hunting but also shoot alot without the gun breaking down.

Of course i do understand barrel wear, but thats not really the question.

Another way to put it, is the modern model 70 going to withstand 10 k shots, wich i will have done in 10-15 years, diregarded the barrel wear.

Or is there a more suitable large caliber gun for that?

 

[sgt_zim]

Montana Rifle Company has at least 3 to choose from: Colorado Buck, DG African, and DG Alaskan. The African is a traditional wooden stock, the other 2 are synthetic. I'd go with MRC long before I'd go with a new Win 70.

 

[Shootist43]

Deerhunter 1799, why not purchase one of the pre 64(s) in 375 H&H. It might cost you a little more but maybe to you it would be worth it. I seriously doubt that most of the larger caliber guns offered on Gunbroker get 20 rounds a year fired through them. I recently bought a Win. Mod 70 that was made in 1948. One would have to look close to see if it was ever fired.