Winchester M70 Alaskan, or M70 Safari Express for Crocodile Hunting.

[Roosterlund]

I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE NEW HAVEN RIFLES.

They are trash. I was on active duty for 20 years. I came back from Iraq in 1999 and while I was on deployment I ordered a M70 Supergrade in 300 Winchester with the David Miller designed stock. Was absolutely a shit show. Looked like it was inletted with a chainsaw with 3 teeth.

Never had another one that wasn't a piece of trash. People get sentimental about New Haven, but the best days of Winchester are now.

CRAZY TALK!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fixfire]

Love my Safari Express!!

 

[Roosterlund]

Love mine too!!!!

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi,

To me, the Alaskan is a .375 H&H as all should be! Most of the 375 H&H rifles are too heavy, mainly at the front because a heavy barrel. The Alaskan has better balance and the "weight between the hands".
Agree about present FN M70s are the finest.

Best

CF

 

[Roosterlund]

Nothing is finer than a Pre 64’!!! It’s not a Winchester if it’s not made in the USA!!

 

[Bob Reed]

Hello, CF,

I agree with you on the current production Model 70s. We have (2) new Super Grades and other than ours arriving with Zero extractor tension, they are fine rifles (I'm an Armorer so fixing them was quick-n-easy enough). The only thing about the current production that I didn't like (excluding the lack of extractor tension) is they have trimmed the stock down a bit from its heavier contour. It's most noticeable around the magazine well.

You make good points on the handling characteristics between the 2 models, and that's about how I see it too, but I think about that Safari Model every other moment.

 

[Roosterlund]

Agree that the South Carolina FN’s came out of the box more accurate. Better bedding and free floating barrels. Triggers were lighter too. New Haven M70’s need a little love to bring out their full potential. But never really seen any fit and finish issues. But Monday’s Happen!!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Just make sure you can shoot it accurately. Practice shooting from sticks. I shot my Croc out of the water. Target was a small area behind the smile to hit the spine/Break the neck. I used my SAKO .375 H&H. 100 yard zero. 300 Grain Barnes TSX.

 

[MS 9x56]

For croc, the most accurate rifle I own regardless of caliber.

 

[Bob Reed]

Thanks for the photos, NIGHTHAWK,

How long was that Monster, and did the bullet stay in the neck or completely pass through?

It's odd, even though I know parts of Africa has hills & mountains - it's still weird seeing them in the background with Crocodiles, where here in Florida, a 10'-foot embankment around a retention pond is considered a Mountain. (I refer to us as Flatlanders)

Thanks again, for everyone's replies.

 

[Green Chile]

Either will work fine...personal preferences. I used a BRNO .375 on mine a couple of years ago. I recommend the neck shot not the head shot...bigger target and won't destroy the trophy.

This is the only .375 300 TSX I have ever recovered on game. It would not exit the croc at less than 40 yards. They are dense!

 

[Bob Reed]

Thanks, Green Chile, - Nice Rifle & Crocodile.

I would've figured a complete pass through at 40 yds., but in the videos, seldom do I ever see any dirt kick-up behind them, and that's usually on head shots.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Thanks for the photos, NIGHTHAWK,

How long was that Monster, and did the bullet stay in the neck or completely pass through?

It's odd, even though I know parts of Africa has hills & mountains - it's still weird seeing them in the background with Crocodiles, where here in Florida, a 10'-foot embankment around a retention pond is considered a Mountain. (I refer to us as Flatlanders)

Thanks again, for everyone's replies.

13’- 6” +/-
Bullet stayed and was recovered. I have it… I also anchored one shot in the heart. Not sure where the bullet was recovered from actually - neck or heart area.

That croc was killed in the Waterberg mountains… I believe it was around 6,500’ elevation. I’ll have to double check that.