What 375 H & H rifle would you Purchase and Why

[6MM]

I have a Remington Model 700 XCR. Had a little trigger work done on it. The Barnes Loads stack them at 100 yards straight out of the box. I have a few other 700's which have had quite a bit of work done on them but given how good the .375 shot I left it stock.

 

[enysse]

Until last year I used a CZ 550 in .375 H&H. A good rifle, and certainly worth the money. It served me well on a number of hunts. Then I saw the rifles which Kilimanjaro Rifles put together, and ordered one. It was delivered in June, just in time for a hunt in South Africa in August. I had it built on a Dakota action. The gun shot dead on - with the proper rest, I could drive tacks at 100 yards, which is pretty good for a .375. I picked a great blank for the wood, and with the fleur-de-lis checkering, it looks fantastic. It shoots much better than the CZ, feels better balanced to me (being custom made, it fits me better) and everything is - and feels - tighter, which of course it should, given the difference in price. And on that score, before anyone heaps too much abuse on me for what these things cost, I admit I'm fortunate to be able to buy such a gun. But let me say this - I've looked at a bunch of English bolt action rifles at the various shows, and I can tell you that as much as mine costs, you get a lot more for your money with a made-in-Montana gun like this.

I am glad you like your rifle! It's better to hunt with something you are comfortable with and trust, than a cheap gun you hope, holds its zero. Kilimanjaro Rifles are really nice.

 

[SkipJ]

I have hunted Africa with my Ruger No1 in 375 H&H and IMO its pretty hard to beat. Yes it is a single shot and there are a lot of people who will nay say and tell you not to hunt with a single shot but I own and shoot a lot of rifles to include bolt actions and doubles and with a little practice you can learn to reload pretty fast. Plus the guns length and weight make it easily maneuverable it the bush, it is incredibly reliable, it can take a beating, and it won't break the bank. Besides, the way I look at it, the first shot is the most important and if the animal charges, your PH is going to get a second shot off before you can anyway.

 

[Anjin]

Can you get big bore left hand CZs? The CZ online catalog only shows LH models in small calibers and I have not in recent months seen any big bores on the auction sites. Thanks.

Norm Solberg

I'm buying my oldest son a 375 H&H, he's getting out of the Army in 6 months or so after 3 1/2 years in and 3 years and 3 deployments with the Rangers. He's left handed and likes my CZ 550 so that settles it. I'm ordering it out of the CZ Custom Shop since he wants the Kevlar stock, a stainless barrel, and the whole thing CeraKoted. Also he wants a mercury recoil reducer (which I wholeheartedly endorse) in the stock, it will help the balance since most CZ 375 H&Hs are very muzzle heavy (in my opinion). If Winchester made their Extreme Weather M70 in LH 375 H&H it would be a hard decision. The only question left is barrel length. I'm thinking 24" but he might want 22" and after all it's his rifle. Gonna call Jason at the CZ Custom Shop Tuesday.

 

[Anjin]

Well my son wanted stainless, CZ doesn't make one, so I looked at Dakota and GMA stainless lefht handed actions and almost fainted. Picked up this LH Stainless Winchester Model 70 Classic on gunbroker for the cost of an action (it wasn't cheap) ...

Yes, I took a hard look at that one myself and it was not particularly cheap. .416 Remington Magnum, right?

A very nice rifle with custom features including a very desirable smooth bolt knob, I expect that it will be an excellent shooter. I would not Ceracote it, myself, but leave it just as is.

Had I not just recently picked up a LH stainless 70 in .338 Win Mag, I might have jumped on this. I really like 70s and would have had many more if I were not working in Japan, with limited ability to put them to use.

Norm Solberg

 

[Cone]

Mine is a Ruger #1...fine shooting rifle with a 1 shot, 1 kill history. Rarely have time to get an unnecessary second shot. A little practice makes reloading sufficiently quicl.

 

[Taylor Cummings]

I have to go with 6MM. I also have a Rem 700 chambered for 375 H&H. After a decade of safaris it's still my favorite. Has all of the field proven traits that the M-700 is known for and couldn't be happier. Plus it's a low cost addition to your armory.

God Speed & Good Hunting:
Taylor C

 

[mlg]

Personally I would not buy a Win Model 70. They have lost an ideal opportunity with the New Haven built rifles to profile the 375 barrels like the pre 64. What they have done instead is use one barrel profile for the 375, 416 and 458 and as a result the 458 is not a bad handler but the 375 is like shouldering a truck axle.

I would rather have a good Witworth if CRF is more desirable or a Sako 85 Brown Bear if push feed is accepatable. The Sako 85 action is meant to be CRF but its really more of a pushfeed action imo.

CZs I have seen recently have been really rough - if I bought one its first port of call would be a good gunsmith to give it a once over.

 

[teenhunter]

I am looking at purchasing a 375 H & H in either a Sako or Montana Rifle.

I am open to suggestions on what rifle you would suggest and why you would pick that maker.

thank you

i would say sako.
if you have enough money and if you want something AMAZING buy a blaser R8 they are betwen $3000 and $15000

 

[Bobpuckett]

There is nothing wrong with the CZ rifles. In fact for the asking price you can then spend a little more to personalise and improve them for a lot less than the sticker price of a Sako or Montana.

Of the two you list the Montana with its CRF is the prefered option. Be aware however that they are made with tighter tolerances than the Mauser '98 design ( and possibly it's clones such as the CZ or Zastava ). These looser tolerances are a design feature, not a manufacturing flaw and allow some increase in reliability should you end up with dust and mud in/on your rifle.

Good point Code4 a lot of people would not even think of that, I mean who would hunt Buffalo wet and muddy area?

 

[jepetto62]

I'd buy a Blaser R8 and then I could shoot another caliber with just a barrel change.

Ed

Agree, I have started with Blaser two years ago and am now changing all my guns to this brand (apart keeping a Krieghoof double rifle 458 WM).
The Blaser is great, very, very safe. Because of its safety system, which does not allow percussion unless you take safety out, it is to my knowledge the only gun the PH will let carry loaded...
As mentioned by 505ED, you can change caliber at will, in a couple of minutes... I have mine with 375HH and 300 WM. The price is a tiny bit stiff at first (count around 3500 US$) but then buying a new barrel brings you a new gun for a thousand bucks..
I would highly recommend the "Success" model, which gives you incredible stability both free standing and lying down.

 

[jepetto62]

Agree, I have started with Blaser two years ago and am now changing all my guns to this brand (apart keeping a Krieghoof double rifle 458 WM).
The Blaser is great, very, very safe. Because of its safety system, which does not allow percussion unless you take safety out, it is to my knowledge the only gun the PH will let carry loaded...
As mentioned by 505ED, you can change caliber at will, in a couple of minutes... I have mine with 375HH and 300 WM. The price is a tiny bit stiff at first (count around 3500 US$) but then buying a new barrel brings you a new gun for a thousand bucks..
I would highly recommend the "Success" model, which gives you incredible stability both free standing and lying down.

Oh,forgot. With its longitudinal reloading, it is probably the fastest gun to reload, which means a safety cushion for big game hunting.

 

[.416 Rigby]

Winchester model 70
A rifle purchase is definatly a personel choice. I handled a Ruger, CZ, remington and the winchester. The model 70 has it all. Controlled round feed, pacmeyer decelarator, express sights and its heavy enough to help soak up that recoil. The trigger is pretty sweet also. Not to mention its made in america. I liked it the best so thats what i bought.

I only beleive about half what i read about rifles on the net. I am sure that there are alot better shots than me out there. Personely i have never shot a rifle of any kind that wasnt accurate enough for hunting, straight from the factory.

Agree. The new Model 70 Safari is a great rifle right out of the box. You won't go wrong with one and the price is right.

I have a Kimber Caprivi I like a lot, but it is more than twice the price of a Model 70. It is very well made, but is not twice the rifle the M70 is.

For more money still, a Dakota Safari is top of the line in every respect for a DG rifle.

If you want a bespoke rifle, have Stuart Satterlee of Satterlee Arms make you a .375 from scratch to your specifications. Stuart starts with a solid block of steel and machines it into a Magnum Mauser Double Square Bridge Action that he uses as the heart of his rifle. He makes each rifle personally by hand and makes sure each one feeds, shoots and extracts perfectly before it ever leaves his shop. You'd be surprised how many custom gunmakers don't shoot their rifles. I am privileged to own two rifles Stuart has built and cannot recommend him highly enough.

Hope this helps.

 

[spike.t]

Agree, I have started with Blaser two years ago and am now changing all my guns to this brand (apart keeping a Krieghoof double rifle 458 WM).
The Blaser is great, very, very safe. Because of its safety system, which does not allow percussion unless you take safety out, it is to my knowledge the only gun the PH will let carry loaded...
As mentioned by 505ED, you can change caliber at will, in a couple of minutes... I have mine with 375HH and 300 WM. The price is a tiny bit stiff at first (count around 3500 US$) but then buying a new barrel brings you a new gun for a thousand bucks..
I would highly recommend the "Success" model, which gives you incredible stability both free standing and lying down.

going to upset all you blaser fans out there, but i wouldnt have one even if it was given to me, i think they are one of the ugliest rifles going. only my opinion of course. go for a sako, cz, winchester, ruger, could keep going..............

 

[Bobpuckett]

Well if you can afford it more power to you when it comes to Blaser's, Montana or Dakota's and the like. I have to look at it from a blue collar working mans side I'm not getting a rifle to drool over I'm getting a rifle to hunt with next time your in Africa take a look at what the average PH is packing my PH had a Ruger Hawkeye, now I like Ruger but if you get one be sure to have your gunsmith tweak it for you put a better trigger system on it, the money saved on this one will damn near pay for you next Safari.

 

[browningbbr]

I guess I'd go with the Montana Rifle, has a real classic look to it .

But I really love my CZ 550 in a 375 H&H too! What not to like, control feed, nice wood, heavy...really a lot of gun for the money!

Took your advice enysse - ordered a custom 375 H&H built on a Montana 1999 receiver with a McGowan bbl and AA walnut stock last fall. Due in two weeks. Can't wait.

browningbbr

 

[B9.3]

I was going to get another CZ550 because I am so pleased with my 9.3, but I went with the new Winchester Model 70 Safari Express. I replaced the barrel with a 26" 375 Ruger & fitted a Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x42 #4 in Warne quick detach rings. I sold my Zeiss Victory Diavari 1.5-6 x42#8 as I don't like seeing barrel in my scope, so I never used it below 3 power. The Model 70 Safari has a lot to like. It really is close to perfect to me & the scope is amazing in poor light. 270gr North Forks & A-Frames do anything I need them to do. I also like & trust the 300gr Woodleigh PPSN.. The only rifles in my safe these days are Weatherby MkV, CZ550, & Winchester Model 70. All with Zeiss in Warne Mounts. I sold everything else because they were not getting used. I like Sakos & Kimber & a few more traditional rifles. I have no liking for Blasers & switch barrels & have no need for them. A good CRF or my favorite Push Feed Turn Bolt like the Wby Mkv is all this guy needs. No gimmicks, no cheesecake just real honest proven hunting rifles. Anyone of these rifles in .375 H&H, Dakota or Ruger is an excellent choice. I think the 375 Ultra & 378 Weatherby is too big & too fast. If that power was needed I would go up to .416.

 

[kingcorona]

Great choice....FN is raising the bar on Winchester firearms.....almost too pretty to hunt with.....another reason I liked CZ's....like a pair of good boots...built for the long haul thru the worst you can throw at em....and scratches are character lines...not reasons for tears!....I have a model 70 375 that is a working mans gun and a pre64 super express that if damaged would make me reach for the Booker's......that ugly 70 is a tack driver though......all that really matters.........and yes it shoulders like an "axle" but that extra weight really mitigates the recoil.......been on the fence about the CRP vs PF debate...took a CRF out last year and had to swap out a round.......really a hastle.....needed more reach........noise spooked the game off....a PF is easy to swap rouds in the chamber...don't need to be stripped off the magazine......

 

[35bore]

James you created an Energizer bunny here. I think you know where I would go for my next 375, oh wait, just ordered it a few day ago. A Remington 700, custom shop. wow, you didn't see that one coming

 

[huntingbigun]

I am looking at purchasing a 375 H & H in either a Sako or Montana Rifle.

I am open to suggestions on what rifle you would suggest and why you would pick that maker.

thank you

If you have the time start with a CF action (gun shows/pawn shop are great for donor) you like, add Douglas or shilen barrel, Jewell trigger, square the action, rework the bolt and Mcmillan stock fit to you off to the teflon or blueing (Williams Gun Sight Co does good work). Then about 9 months you have a custom rifle for lot less than you think. I stripping the Rem 700 375 down as we speak to get it the way I like them shorter barrell more mass etc.