ER Shaw mk VII 375 H&H left handed

[B0MBOY]

It’s been a busy few weeks but I finally got a chance to post this. My africa rifle arrived!

It’s an ER Shawk MK VII chambered in 375 H&H magnum, 26 inch barrel, and all polished stainless barrel, action and bolt. I chose a laminate stock because it should be more dimensionally stable in humidity, and the extra weight (compared to walnut) will help tame the recoil. It’s pillar and glass bedded, Shaw says it has a 3/4 MOA guarantee with quality ammunition. I’m looking forward to testing that. I didn’t know a rifle could look this good. Has a great balance too! I shot it once just to make sure it worked and the recoil isn’t bad at all, although my perception might change when I’ve got a scope on it. Don’t mind the red spot just didn’t want the serial number out there

I also have my optic, a Leupold MK3 HD 3-9 picked up on a Black Friday deal. I plan on using a warne QD scope mount. I figure I’ll use this scope for plains game, and get iron sights installed for buffalo.

That leads me to two questions for folks here, what companies make ghost ring iron sights for hunting rifles? Any smiths that are particularly good at sight installation? And what 2 rifle cases hold up to airline travel well? I ask about 2 guns because I’d like to take a number of other firearm accessories in the case with it.

 

[slam8031]

I have a Pelican 1750 that has served me well over 5 trips to RSA and Namibia and quite a few trips in the States. It handles two rifles and accessories quite nicely. I cannot speak to the ghost ring. Love the lefty you have!!!

 

[Jeff 907]

That’s a good looking rifle. I second the 1750 case. Mine has had the crap kicked out of it on many flights. It was dropped on Kodiak and still maintained zero. I do also have a Tuffpak 1050. Mine only has a couple of flights, but many folks on here have used them with great success. They have the ability to store your rifle in a soft case and carry accessories, ammo, and many other items needed on safari.

As for the peep sight I’m a big fan of Skinner sights. It doesn’t look like your receiver is drilled/tapped so skinner may be an option. They do have many different firearm styles available.

Good luck on your search and enjoy the rifle.

 

[B0MBOY]

That’s a good looking rifle. I second the 1750 case. Mine has had the crap kicked out of it on many flights. It was dropped on Kodiak and still maintained zero. I do also have a Tuffpak 1050. Mine only has a couple of flights, but many folks on here have used them with great success. They have the ability to store your rifle in a soft case and carry accessories, ammo, and many other items needed on safari.

As for the peep sight I’m a big fan of Skinner sights. It doesn’t look like your receiver is drilled/tapped so skinner may be an option. They do have many different firearm styles available.

Good luck on your search and enjoy the rifle.

Receiver is drilled and tapped for savage 110 pattern 6-48 screws. Do skinners peep sights hold up to big bores? I always see them on .22lr rifles.

 

[Finprof]

Big Horn Armory puts Skinner sights on their rifles. A 500 Smith and Wesson has lots of recoil.

 

[Jeff 907]

They’re pretty common on lever and single shot rifles. Marlin’s can handle a pretty hot bear load .45-70 and I’ve never seen them budge. I trust them for the high recoil rifles and thinking of putting one on my .458 Lott. The Savage 110 may be an issue. I don’t think they make one specific to that, but there might be an option that works.

 

[B0MBOY]

Scope is mounted and bore sighted and ready for the range. Just need some clear weather to zero her

 

[Lhleggtowner]

That is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I really been considering one. Relatively inexpensive. And look great. How do you like it so far ?

 

[StevenQ718]

how is the accuracy and feeding?

 

[B0MBOY]

Unfortunately I haven’t zeroed it yet we’ve had nothing but windy rainy weekends. I insist on zeroing in broad daylight when I can see clearly and I’m not in a rush. I’m hopeful for this weekend though.

i loaded 3 dummy rounds (dead primers and no powder) and they cycle every time but that doesn’t mean much. my real test for reliability before I go on a dangerous game hunt will be deer season. Something about 40 degrees, rain, winter gloves, and appalachian mountain mud causes malfunctions. So once I’ve learned to run it reliably in those conditions I’ll be satisfied.

the only thing I’d point out is unlike most safari rifles I’ve read about this one you only get 3 rounds (2+1) instead of (3+1). Not a big issue to me but may be an issue to others.

 

[Shootist43]

Is this a CRF or push feed?

 

[Nevada Mike]

A great cartridge. My experience (albeit somewhat limited) is that I prefer shorter barrels for most hunting, and certainly in the Miombo bush... even 23" is a bit long for me.

 

[B0MBOY]

Is this a CRF or push feed?

This is push feed.

 

[B0MBOY]

All set for deer season this weekend, rifle is sighted in at 1.5” high at 100 yards and 3” low at 200 yards. I’m loading speer 270 grain soft points with 71 grains of H4350.

What is everyone’s experience with speer soft points on game? Im assuming at proper shot angles i should have no issue, but i know full well these aren’t 300 grain tsx bullets either.

 

[B0MBOY]

I pronounce her field-worthy! Got this doe the second day of rifle season at last light. In one shoulder and out through the other.

 

[HankBuck]

Unfortunately I haven’t zeroed it yet we’ve had nothing but windy rainy weekends. I insist on zeroing in broad daylight when I can see clearly and I’m not in a rush. I’m hopeful for this weekend though.

i loaded 3 dummy rounds (dead primers and no powder) and they cycle every time but that doesn’t mean much. my real test for reliability before I go on a dangerous game hunt will be deer season. Something about 40 degrees, rain, winter gloves, and appalachian mountain mud causes malfunctions. So once I’ve learned to run it reliably in those conditions I’ll be satisfied.

the only thing I’d point out is unlike most safari rifles I’ve read about this one you only get 3 rounds (2+1) instead of (3+1). Not a big issue to me but may be an issue to others.

Bomboy, I have the same “3 round capacity” in my custom .375 H&H - built on a Winchester CRF action (a 7mag converted to .375) hinged floor plate. I found that I could load a round into the chamber “then” drop floorplate and carefully put another found into the mag. It cycled fine in all practice sessions and but was always a pain to load. On my only hunt with it (Griz/Alaska) it jammed.....lucky I dropped & killed Griz on 1st Shot. Having only a 3 round capacity (2+1) is a slight drawback and nothing is slower to load then a hinged floorplate magazine. Many don’t care for a detachable mag for DG hunting but I’ve found the ones on Browning & Sako are very secure and would’ve preferred them.

 

[B0MBOY]

I got to take her to a long range this weekend. Used my handloads, I got out to 450 yards on a 12” steel plate. I never expect to take game at such a distance but it’s nice to know. Turned my shoulder into mincemeat to do it though. 17 rounds of 375 h&h in one shooting session is a lot.

I would love the forums input on the next feature for this rifle. Instead of iron sights, i was thinking about adding a piggybacked red dot on top of the scope like some of the three gun guys use. It would have the dual benefit of giving me quick target acquisition on a cape Buffalo without having to remove my scope and the ability to use this rifle with night vision. What red dots hold up to magnum rifle recoil?

 

[HankBuck]

View attachment 610876

I got to take her to a long range this weekend. Used my handloads, I got out to 450 yards on a 12” steel plate. I never expect to take game at such a distance but it’s nice to know. Turned my shoulder into mincemeat to do it though. 17 rounds of 375 h&h in one shooting session is a lot.

I would love the forums input on the next feature for this rifle. Instead of iron sights, i was thinking about adding a piggybacked red dot on top of the scope like some of the three gun guys use. It would have the dual benefit of giving me quick target acquisition on a cape Buffalo without having to remove my scope and the ability to use this rifle with night vision. What red dots hold up to magnum rifle recoil?

@BOMBOY: How “hot” are those .375 loads? If 17 rounds beat up your shoulder that bad Maybe try a PAST recoil pad (for those sighting in sessions) the angle shooting off a bench is different then shooting off hand, the rifle butt contacts your shoulder in different area. I don’t like padded shooting shirts or vests but did use PAST pads for sighting in magnum rifles and they helped. For practice I didn’t need them - shooting off sticks, sitting, off hand etc.. but on the Bench they were helpful.

 

[Uxas]

Nice looking rifle

 

[B0MBOY]

@BOMBOY: How “hot” are those .375 loads? If 17 rounds beat up your shoulder that bad Maybe try a PAST recoil pad (for those sighting in sessions) the angle shooting off a bench is different then shooting off hand, the rifle butt contacts your shoulder in different area. I don’t like padded shooting shirts or vests but did use PAST pads for sighting in magnum rifles and they helped. For practice I didn’t need them - shooting off sticks, sitting, off hand etc.. but on the Bench they were helpful.

This was shooting prone off of a backpack. So doing that the gun isn’t in my pec like I prefer. My shirt has a “padded” shooting shoulder but I’m convinced it’s all for style and not actual padding. My ammo is strictly middle of the road for 375 h&h.

I’ll probably pick up one of those PAST recoil pads at some point.