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 4,000’ elevation. I’ll have to double check that.

 

[WyoBull]

Shot my Crocodile at 65 yards using my Winchester Model 70 375 H&H Magnum (no barrel band sling stud) using Barnes 300 gr TSX. Rifle was manufactured in 1966.
Shot him out of the water sunning with his mouth open at 65 yards 4 inches behind the smile and 3 inches down. That anchored him but I quickly followed up with a shot right behind his front leg. Had some tail flashing but that was it.
It was awesome sneaking up on him and slowly getting into position to make the shot.

 

[Green Chile]

Shot my Crocodile at 65 yards using my Winchester Model 70 375 H&H Magnum (no barrel band sling stud) using Barnes 300 gr TSX. Rifle was manufactured in 1966.
Shot him out of the water sunning with his mouth open at 65 yards 4 inches behind the smile and 3 inches down. That anchored him but I quickly followed up with a shot right behind his front leg. Had some tail flashing but that was it.
It was awesome sneaking up on him and slowly getting into position to make the shot.

View attachment 668432

Any exit on that 300 TSX?

 

[WyoBull]

Any exit on that 300 TSX?

Yes, both shots went through the Croc. Did not recover the bullets.

 

[Andrew62]

The croc will never know the difference between those 2 choices! I took mine with a Kimber Talkeetna, .375H&H, Barnes 300 grain TSX bullets.

 

[fourfive8]

For crocs it’s all about accuracy/shot placement precision, period.

Which M 70 variant? … the late New Haven M 70s get my vote. They incorporate all the best M 70 features like the best trigger ever designed for a hunting rifle and the anti-bind feature that ensures hiccup free full throw bolt cycling. Whichever M 70 you decide on, all will benefit from a CORRECT, pillar bedding job. M 70s can be blue printed, but most gunsmiths won’t or don’t know how on the M 70.

Practice prone and various rested positions at distance your PH says will be most likely. Study croc anatomy, their brain is pretty small, no larger than a tennis ball

 

[Green Chile]

You can certainly shoot the brain and shatter the skull...or you can shoot the larger softball sized spine, right behind the smile. It's an easier target to visualize with better results.

 

[WyoBull]

For crocs it’s all about accuracy/shot placement precision, period.

Which M 70 variant? … the late New Haven M 70s get my vote. They incorporate all the best M 70 features like the best trigger ever designed for a hunting rifle and the anti-bind feature that ensures hiccup free full throw bolt cycling. Whichever M 70 you decide on, all will benefit from a CORRECT, pillar bedding job. M 70s can be blue printed, but most gunsmiths won’t or don’t know how on the M 70.

Practice prone and various rested positions at distance your PH says will be most likely. Study croc anatomy, their brain is pretty small, no larger than a tennis ball

You are correct in that accuracy is very important with Crocodile. 100 yards on a Croc is a long shot, mine was 65. With a brain shot, hitting a golf ball size target when your adrenaline is going and nerves are on high is not a slam dunk and many have lost them due to missing the brain.
Even a spine shot, behind the smile is not a guarantee as if you don't sever the spine and just shock them, they can still easily get into the water and disappear. That is why, even if you take out their spine, you want to put a bullet right behind their front shoulder and through the lungs. This way, if you did miss the spine, they will not be able to stay under water very long if you put one through their lungs making recovery easier.