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Author Topic: Which 375 HH should I buy ?  (Read 1931 times)

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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« on: August 18, 2004, 11:23:58 AM »
Hi

I have finally decided to buy the 375 HH but I really cannot decide on which make. Perhaps some guidance here will help me.

Options are in order of preference:

1. Sako 75 Hunter
2. Winchester 70 classic safari express
3. Ruger m77 mkII

1 and 2 are similar in price but Ruger is priced about $350 higher than the other two.

Which one do you suggest and why ?

Thanks

Lolly
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Offline Camp Cook

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2004, 01:10:04 PM »
I used to own a Sako Hunter in 375 H&H now I don't but if I had to choose from one of the three that you asked about I would definately get the Sako again.
Cam
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Offline Arizona Jake

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2004, 01:43:59 PM »
The Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .375 H&H has a proven track record. I've used one for a few years for plinking and hunting and found mine to feed and function reliably and shoot precisely. All I did was glass-bed it and carve out some space in the stock around the barrel's recoil lug. The rifle shoots better than I can.  :cb2:
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Offline Bill T

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2004, 11:25:55 AM »
I have both the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express, and the Browning A-Bolt with B.O.S.S. in .375 H&H. Of the 2 I like the Browning better. It's more accurate, and the fit and finish is much better. I have a picture of the Browning before I scoped it posted at  http://groups.msn.com/wtill  go to the lower right hand corner of the page and click on "Bill's .460 & Others". The Winchester is nice, and I'm happy with it, but just think the Browning is the better gun.  Bill T.
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Offline Toobroke

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2004, 01:38:45 AM »
Any reason why you don't have a CZ 550 on your list?
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Offline Lawdog

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2004, 10:13:44 AM »
Lolly,

I prefer to buy American whenever I can.  So my choice would be the Winchester if you are short of money and the Ruger if money isn't a problem.  I have both and they each have their good points and bad.  I really like the scope mounting system on the Ruger.  Lawdog
 :D
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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2004, 06:50:06 AM »
The CZ has an excellent reputation and is quite reliable according to African PH's. The reason why I left it out is, despite it's excellent reputation in the African field especially with "student" PH's, the one I looked over in the store had a real sloppy iron sight fixture and the assembly and finnish is a bit crude. IMO it's a reliable workhorse and no more than that.  (In fact, for many years I used and was very proud to own a 1985 CZ 75 9mm pistol that munched through 6,000 rounds without one failure. So I have great respect for products). I am just not that inclined towards their rifles.

Anyway, , I purchased the SAKO 75 Hunter in 375H&H. Now I need to find a scope known to  withstand the recoil of .375 cal and up.

Thank you all for your replies and I appreciate all input - great site indeed !

Lolly
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Offline Lawdog

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2004, 07:12:38 AM »
Lolly,

As far as scopes go to with stand the recoil of a .375 H&H check out the Burris Safari 1.75X-5X-32mm model.  This is the scope I have on all my big bores from .416 Rigby down to .375 H&H(including my un-braked .378 Weatherby whose recoil is somewhat notorious).  Excellent scope, excellent warrantee(equal to Leupold’s) with enough eye relief to keep you from cutting up your eyebrow.  Best part is you save some money with them too.  Lawdog
 :D
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Offline crow_feather

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2004, 07:32:49 PM »
I believe that Winchester and Browning are owned by a French Company so that leaves the Ruger.  However, when bedded and fed the right loads, the Winchester just makes one hole about 1 1/2 calibers with three shots.
The Ruger is a bit heavy for me.  

C F
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Offline Lawdog

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2004, 08:34:17 AM »
C F,

Quote
I believe that Winchester and Browning are owned by a French Company so that leaves the Ruger.


True the owners are foreign but the rifles are still manufactured in America.  This is what I look for.  Ownership of companies change hands at the whim of the owners pocketbook.  A heavier rifle in a .375 H&H has less recoil.  A point in favor of the Ruger M77.  Lawdog
 :D  :D
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Offline Rmouleart

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2004, 08:58:56 AM »
Lawdog, right on the recoil, but as long as it don't have the skeleton stock, looks good but feels bad;) Man want to talk about felt recoil ;) I replaced it with a Hogue over-molded stock, ahh much better now, well at least my fillings are moving anymore LOL. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
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Offline CEJ1895

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2004, 01:32:42 AM »
Lolly - I am also looking for a .375 H&H rifle in either a Ruger,Winchester or CZ. I had a line on a Ruger M77 but when I got to the store to check it out someone had already put a hold on it! This is the 4th rifle I've missed out on! Bummer!  As everyone else has mentioned heavier is better for a .375! I had a chance to fire a custom M70 that weighed about 7 and 1/2 pounds, BOY did that get your attention in a hurry!  :shock: Beautiful rifle but I wouldn't want to shoot it from the bench too many times!! Good luck with your search! CEJ..
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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2004, 09:16:10 AM »
CEJ

Don't exclude the SAKO 75 Hunter in your search, See my previous response.
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Offline Willy63

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Buy winchester
« Reply #13 on: September 05, 2004, 01:29:27 PM »
I have a model 70 with the controled round feed.  It is the best rifle Ive ever owned.  its a classic stainless.  Though not as pretty or light as the other brands I can honestly say in my opinion it is flawless in its performance. Also in my opinion having owned several stay away from Ruger. Theredesigned to accept such a wide variety of rounds that accuracy is non existant.  There a safe reliable rifle but there not in the same catagory as the winchester.
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Offline Lawdog

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2004, 09:55:45 AM »
Willy63,

Quote
Theredesigned to accept such a wide variety of rounds that accuracy is non existant. There a safe reliable rifle but there not in the same catagory as the winchester.


First there is a big difference in the Ruger M77 Magnum in .375 H&H and the same rifle in .416 Rigby.  I own both.  Second to get the best accuracy from a Ruger one needs to replace that totally dumb "lawyer trigger" with an adjustable one from Timney.  I have yet to see any .375 H&H that with a little effort that wouldn't shoot MOA.  The cartridge is inherently accurate.  I have two .375 H&H’s(1 Winchester pre-64 M70 - 1 Ruger M77 Magnum) and which has the best accuracy depends on which load we’re shooting at the time.  Except for cost there is very little difference(not looks) in the two.  Both are excellent rifles.  Lawdog
 :D
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Offline vhunter

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #15 on: September 07, 2004, 10:01:24 AM »
This is a different rifle, but I have one in a Thompson Encore that shoots great! I like the sako, winchester, then Ruger. Good luck! :D
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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #16 on: September 14, 2004, 01:30:41 PM »
Received my SAKO 75 375HH. WHat a beauty ! Bolt is ultra smooth and quite solid being it's #v ACTION. Free heavy duty SAKO tappered bases and rings are included in all 2004+ models. Stock fits me perfectly too- I was a bit concerned since this becomes an issue in heavier calibers. Swollen grip is perfect for my hand since I have smallish hands. The Finns make A+ rifles

Will fire it as soon as can get to the range.  :D

Lolly
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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #17 on: September 26, 2004, 01:52:33 PM »
Fired this baby at the range. Seated bechrest was a little jaring on the shoulder (as I Expected because body could not absorb the rcoil the way it should). Shooting standing was an absolute delight. With the butt snug in the shoulder, my body just rolled back slightly with every shot.

Seated benchrest grouping at 100 yards (iron sights only since I don't have a scope yet) with 235gr @ 2710 fps was not too great at about 1.5 inches. Standing - about 2.5 to 3 inches. I have never shot anything standing except my 22LR which is no comparison.

So I plan on installing a scope and practicing standing shots with 285gr and 300gr. I now have a decent challange ahead of me !! :lol:

Nice rifle indeed.
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Offline while99

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2005, 09:00:27 AM »
I would buy a Model 70 Classic Stainless Synthetic.  Reasons are 1) controlled round feed, 2) backup iron sights, 3) nearly minimum maintenance given the plastic handle and stainless metal.  The Safari Express is blued-steel and walnut.  4)  Costs less than the Safari Express.
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Offline crow_feather

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #19 on: January 02, 2005, 07:01:21 AM »
Plastic Handle ??

C F
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Offline Ramrod

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #20 on: January 11, 2005, 12:14:07 PM »
while99, after a few rounds in that lightweight, you will wish you spent the extra bucks for the Safari. (unless you are an Alaskan bear guide, and hardly ever have to shoot it.) When you go to sell it, you will REALLY wish you spent the extra bucks for the Safari.
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Offline magnum308

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #21 on: January 14, 2005, 12:00:27 PM »
Lolly,

If you're still in the market for a scope for your .375 H&H look seriously as a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5X 20. See http://www.leupold.com/products/products_highlights.asp

I have had a Vari-XIII 1.5-5X20 on my .375 Chatfield-Taylor (375/338WM) for the past 10 years. It's the best dangerous game rifle scope you can get. That's not just my opinion, but that of some of the more prominent writers too.

It won't move from year to year or hunt to hunt. Needs less time at the bench sighting (re-sighting) in. My .375 Chatfield-Taylor is not a pleasant experience from the bench with full (hunting) loads.

Regards,
Magnum308
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Offline while99

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #22 on: January 16, 2005, 05:36:26 PM »
I had a Model 70 Classic synthetic matte in .375 H&H and sold it so I could buy a Model 70 Super Express in .416 Remington magnum.  I like the .416 better than the .375 but the .416 is more expensive to operate.  As far as recoil goes, I once owned a .378 Weatherby which raised my awareness of Newton's laws to a whole new level.
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Offline Lolly

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Which 375 HH should I buy ?
« Reply #23 on: January 17, 2005, 05:56:38 AM »
Magnum 308,

Thanks for the info re: Leupold VXIII for the 375, but I chose the Zeiss 3-9x for various reasons. ( See my other posts - ). In addition, I am not really a leupold fan anyway. I think it's a bit overrated and over-marketed.  :-)

Lolly
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