Winchester Alaskan .375 question

[coreydb]

Sako 85 is phased out, but can still be found in old stocks around.
New rifle is Sako 90, some say is push feed (I am not sure)

You're right! my bad. The 90 is a great rifle

 

[Longwalker]

I have a m70 Alaskan .375, and have hunted with a rented m70 Safari Express .375. Both are OK rifles if you’ve checked them out for proper function.
My Alaskan was a great disappointment for a while because it was shipped from the factory with a defective striker spring and misfired about one in three shots because of light primer strikes. It took nearly a year for warranty work.
I prefer the handling qualities of the Alaskan stock and the long barrel does not bother me, I even like the weight forward balance. My rifle has two cross bolts, but the bedding was some casually applied thermoplastic under the recoil lug, not proper epoxy. I paid a gunsmith $300 to cut that stuff out and do a proper epoxy / pillar bedding job and I’m glad I did.
The rented Safari express didn’t kick much, which was nice, but it handled like a log.
I also have a Sako m85 Kodak, but it also had problems as shipped from the factory. After tuning up the extractor to improve the angle of ejection and glass bedding the recoil plate, it has become my favourite .375 rifle. Slick feeding and ejection, accurate, and lively handling.
My comment on your being nervous about buying used rifles in dangerous game chamberings: To get a fully functional, “take it out of the box and go hunting dangerous game” rifle you may get lucky with a new rifle in the m70 price range. That hasn’t been my experience with five different moderately priced .375s. One of them was a highly recommended CZ550 AHR #2 custom that cost quite a lot but still had problems.
If doing it over again I’d buy a well proven used rifle that I could actually try before I buy, or pay 5x that price and buy a Heym Express, Rigby, or Original Mauser. Or a Blaser for somewhat less.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi Longwalker,

In my experience, the original Winchester 70 pre-64 375 H&H, made before 1960 are good candidates to function without flaws from the start, except the bedding issue almost all those H&H magnums have. Simple to fix. All other things are flawless: Feed, eject and and their accuracy.
Mine, once fixed the bedding problem, feeds-extracts and ejects live cartridges and/or fired cases as if there were none in the rifle! And I don´t know any other rifle easier to manipulate the bolt from the shoulder. Period. The same could be said for the original African M70 in 458 Winchester.
My 375 H&H made in 1954.

Best regards and Merry Christmas!

 

[DrBob]

I wish that they would bring back the stainless version in 375 H&H. That said, the lines of the Alaskan are great. I have the stainless and put it in a Bell and Carlson as the factory one was not stiff enough.

 

[Longwalker]

Hola Clodo! Your original M70 .375 is a very fine rifle. And I agree with you about the high quality of old Winchester rifles. The new ones, in my opinion are not always so good. I also think the "ease of manipulation from the shoulder" of those old rifles could quite possibly be surpassed by the current models like Heym Express, Rigby Big Game, Mauser 98, Blaser R8, Sako M85, Sauer 202, and a few others. That's what makes this discussion so much fun. It is wonderful to have such a variety of designs to choose from depending on one's circumstances, local market and supply opportunities - and means. I'd love to sit at a campfire with you some time discussing these finer points. For now, I'm grateful for the opportunity that AH forums provides.

 

[375Ruger416]

I strongly considered the model 70s and Ruger guide guns in 375 before going with a Blaser R8 for a traveling rifle. Of all the reasonably priced controlled round feed rifles in 375, I liked the Kimbers the best though they are very difficult to find as they are out of production in 375

I had a chance to buy a matching set of Winchester model 70s in 375 and 416 BNIB. Still kind of regret not buying them.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Don't know why the barrel is that long, the optimal barrel length for the 375 is considered between 22"-24". You could get is shortened by a gunsmith if you want.

The Pre 64 Alaskans had 25” barrels. Perhaps they were feeling nostalgic.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi longwalker,

I feel the same, "I'd love to sit at a campfire with you some time discussing these finer points. For now, I'm grateful for the opportunity that AH forums provides." Would be a pleasure!
Of the fine rifles you mention, I have tried the SAKO 85 and a Sauer 404, both very, very well made rifles, and very smooth to work the bolt on the shoulder! A way I always practice from the standing position, firing live cartridges, dry firing, and with my BRNO Nro 2 LR as well.
I never have had in my hands any of the others. I would like to try specially the Heym Martini Express and the Rigby-Mausers.
Best Regards!

CF

 

[Roosterlund]

There is a web sight called Pre-64. They sell beautiful Winchesters all pre64 obviously. They are checked out by expert gunsmiths. From $2500 - $4000 you can have a real Winchester!!!! CRF

 

[Joker12]

There is a web sight called Pre-64. They sell beautiful Winchesters all pre64 obviously. They are checked out by expert gunsmiths. From $2500 - $4000 you can have a real Winchester!!!! CRF

They are also a great source for parts.

 

[LimbNoMo]

The Alaskan is a great rifle. The only thing I can say is that it doesn’t nearly hold its value or sell as quick as a Safari.