What are my options for a current production crf 375 h&h rifle?

[brym427]

Im looking for the current best options for a crf 375 h&h rifle. I dont really have a budget but would rather save money for more ammo if there is a option that is $3k vs $10k. Im going to use it for deer hunting and general target shooting for the next several years until i feel very comfortable using it, my goal then would be to eventually take a cape buffalo with it

What im currently eyeing up is the winchester 70 safari express as i like the 24" barrel over the 25" of the alaskan.

Is there any other options i should be looking at? I guess i wouldn't be opposed to a used or discontinued model if i was able to find one in good condition

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have a Safari Express and an Alaskan.

The Alaskan is a lighter, handier rifle despite an extra inch of barrel.

The barrel contour is lighter the stock is a little less beefy.

It just feels much more lively in my hands.

 

[cash_tx]

It's hard to go wrong with a clean, preowned Interarms Whitworth Express for $1,000-1,200, and leaves plenty of margin for ammo.

 

[brym427]

I have a Safari Express and an Alaskan.

The Alaskan is a lighter, handier rifle despite an extra inch of barrel.

The barrel contour is lighter the stock is a little less beefy.

It just feels much more lively in my hands.

Then maybe it would be a good idea for me to consider the alaskan instead

 

[375er]

Then maybe it would be a good idea for me to consider the alaskan instead

Mine has a 26 inch barrel and I have never found it to be a problem. 25 will be fine.

 

[375Fox]

Winchester Model 70 or Kimber Caprivi. I think it’s difficult to beat the Model 70 though. I like the safari over the Alaskan because of the barrel length and barrel band.

You could also consider a Ruger in 375 Ruger, but I think ammo choices for that cartridge are going to become increasingly limited in future years. The 375 H&H is here to stay.

 

[brym427]

It's hard to go wrong with a clean, preowned Interarms Whitworth Express for $1,000-1,200, and leaves plenty of margin for ammo.

Where is the best place to find one?

 

[375Fox]

Where is the best place to find one?

Gunbroker. Lots of no longer produced CZs for sale there as well. However, model 70s will have a quality trigger, feed, and eject properly out of the box. I’d spend a few extra dollars to not have to worry about a rifle with flaws that need fixed.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Browning Safari, BRNO, CZ, Interarms, or other Mauser type variants - used, no longer produced can typically be found for $1k - $3k

Win M70 - current production sub $2k (run in small numbers), Pre64 $2k - $10k depending upon configuration condition and year, Post64 $1k - $3k depending on year and CRF vs PF

Ruger M77 - $1500 - $3k

Ruger No. 1 - $1200 - $2k

Sako & Kimbers - $1k - $3k

Blaser R8 - $5k+

You can also find much more expensive options out there. The Whitworth or Interarms Mauser options are probably your cheapest choices and regularly pop-up on gunbroker and other online platforms.

 

[brym427]

Browning Safari, BRNO, CZ, Interarms, or other Mauser type variants - used, no longer produced can typically be found for $1k - $3k

Win M70 - current production sub $2k (run in small numbers), Pre64 $2k - $10k depending upon configuration condition and year, Post64 $1k - $3k depending on year and CRF vs PF

Ruger M77 - $1500 - $3k

Ruger No. 1 - $1200 - $2k

Sako & Kimbers - $1k - $3k

Blaser R8 - $5k+

You can also find much more expensive options out there. The Whitworth or Interarms Mauser options are probably your cheapest choices and regularly pop-up on gunbroker and other online platforms.

Would a blaser r8 be any more/less reliable than a current production m70?

 

[ThreeJacks]

It's hard to go wrong with a clean, preowned Interarms Whitworth Express for $1,000-1,200, and leaves plenty of margin for ammo.

I have two of these, I am planning on listing one of them here in the next few days.

 

[sgt_zim]

Browning Safari, BRNO, CZ, Interarms, or other Mauser type variants - used, no longer produced can typically be found for $1k - $3k

Win M70 - current production sub $2k (run in small numbers), Pre64 $2k - $10k depending upon configuration condition and year, Post64 $1k - $3k depending on year and CRF vs PF

Ruger M77 - $1500 - $3k

Ruger No. 1 - $1200 - $2k

Sako & Kimbers - $1k - $3k

Blaser R8 - $5k+

You can also find much more expensive options out there. The Whitworth or Interarms Mauser options are probably your cheapest choices and regularly pop-up on gunbroker and other online platforms.

You might see the newer version of Whitworth/Interarms - Zastava. I have one in 9.3x62. Like CZ, they need a little TLC from a decent smith to make them into real shooters, but they're solid rifles. I bought mine for $1000 a number of years ago, and have another $1000 or so in upgrades: new stock, Timney trigger, steel bed, replaced the front swivel stud with a barrel band, polished the rails, and took off a high spot on the claw extractor.

I'm pretty sure the missus is eventually going to want a cape buffalo - I'll be getting her a Ruger #1 in 375 H&H since she's a lefty. A can and a scope will get us to 9.5 lbs, give or take a little. Along with downloaded ammo around 2350 or 2400 fps, I'm sure it'll be a pleasure for her to shoot.

 

[steve white]

Browning Safari, BRNO, CZ, Interarms, or other Mauser type variants - used, no longer produced can typically be found for $1k - $3k

Win M70 - current production sub $2k (run in small numbers), Pre64 $2k - $10k depending upon configuration condition and year, Post64 $1k - $3k depending on year and CRF vs PF

Ruger M77 - $1500 - $3k

Ruger No. 1 - $1200 - $2k

Sako & Kimbers - $1k - $3k

Blaser R8 - $5k+

You can also find much more expensive options out there. The Whitworth or Interarms Mauser options are probably your cheapest choices and regularly pop-up on gunbroker and other online platforms.

The Browning safari is a good FN gun--my first PH in Zimbabwe swore by his, and he was a person who could actually afford a range of choices.

 

[375Fox]

Would a blaser r8 be any more/less reliable than a current production m70?

Both have a lot of fans. I’d say No. They are both good rifles but very different. I own both, but haven’t fully warmed up to Blaser the way some have. If you are interested in buying a quality rifle at a reasonable cost model 70 is way to go. If you are interested in replacing rifles with multiple Blaser barrels it’s a good option but it’s considerably more cost. The Blaser does have a far superior trigger though.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Why don't you have a rifle built? I built this 404 Jeffery on a Czech 98 Mauser. I have a bit more than $2500 in it. Barrel by Lija, affixed by Dennis Olsen, iron sights are used Winchester Safari Express from ebay, Timney trigger, Parkwest 3-position Model 70 style safety, Swift-Blackburn bottom metal, Warne QD rings, new 1-4 Bushnell scope, and a used commercial Mauser stock that I refinished and restored. I did everything but put on the barrel and open the bolt face. I would guess a good gunsmith could do my labor for maybe an additional $1500.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Would a blaser r8 be any more/less reliable than a current production m70?

That’s subjective. I personally think the reason many like the R8 is because of its ability to take down a little smaller than a normal rifle making travel a bit easier and less obvious, and it’s ability to change barrels/calibers. For Hunter in certain countries who are limited to a specific number of firearms this can skirt that since it’s 1 serial number and multiple barrels, whereas here in the US we just buy a new gun when we want a new caliber.

At the end of the day, you can get a current production M70 in 375 + one in whatever other caliber you want with 100rds of ammo for each, for less than you’ll spend on an R8 in just 375.

If money is your concern find a M70 new production, or post64 CRF, or a used Interarms/Whitworth gun for under $2k. If you don’t care about CRF you can probably find a Rem700 even cheaper

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Only two come to mind-
Winchester Model 70 Safari Express (more economical)
Mauser Model 98 Magnum (more high end)

 

[rookhawk]

Im looking for the current best options for a crf 375 h&h rifle. I dont really have a budget but would rather save money for more ammo if there is a option that is $3k vs $10k. Im going to use it for deer hunting and general target shooting for the next several years until i feel very comfortable using it, my goal then would be to eventually take a cape buffalo with it

What im currently eyeing up is the winchester 70 safari express as i like the 24" barrel over the 25" of the alaskan.

Is there any other options i should be looking at? I guess i wouldn't be opposed to a used or discontinued model if i was able to find one in good condition

In your budget, I’d recommend a Mauser of some sort. Modifications you may want are easy to do on a 98 mauser, parts are plentiful, every gunsmith knows how to work on them. The “others” out there are proprietary renditions of a Mauser and that means proprietary repair parts.

The one part of the plot that modern “American” rifles have missed, is the need for a rapid shot from a standing position. Almost all American CRF rifles have high-combed Monte Carlo stocks. These stocks are designed to shoot higher magnification optics from a bench position or shooting prone. Safari hunts aren’t conducted from shooting benches or laying prone.

So for those reasons, leaning more towards British Mausers or bespoke American mausers with their low profile combs is preferred for safaris. A straight tubed scope in extra low rings gets your optical sight picture to be in line with your iron sight picture, exactly what you want for a prompt and effective shot off shooting sticks or free hand.

My conclusion: In your budget range, I’d be looking for a British style low comb stock built on a 98 Mauser action. Options are many, with prices from $5000 to $500,000 to suit the need.

One more thing to ponder is taking the most extreme example. If you had infinite money and you wanted the finest 375HH safari rifle money could possibly buy, where would it be made, to what aesthetic style, and on what action? Look no further than the finest auction houses in the world for your answer. 99.99% of them would be a 98 mauser built in either Britain or Germany and it would be stocked in British low-comb style. (Honorable mention at the lower-end $50k price point would be American Griffin & Howe, Ramirez, or Smithson in the English style)

So if that’s the half million dollar gun answer for those with infinite resources, its probably the right answer to look for that genre of rifle in a more basic grade even if your budget is a fraction of that amount.

 

[HWL]

Would a blaser r8 be any more/less reliable than a current production m70?

Good question.....
I think, nowadays more R8 than M70 go to Africa....
R8 seems to be having a quite good reputation down there...

HWL

 

[CZDiesel]

Just buy a 1990’s or early 2000’s New Haven Winchester in 375 and don’t look back! It will be a great rifle that will never depreciate!
Do not buy a new Winchester as they are just FN’s with the Winchester logo and they got rid of the Winchester trigger!