375 H&H rifle question for JJ

[Dictator]

JJ
I'm wanting to add a 375 H&H to my battery and have narrow the field to the Rem 700 XCR, Ruger 77 Magnum, or the CZ American Safari in the new factory laminate stock. I'm leaning heavily toward the CZ but am concerned with the 10 lb. weight plus the Leupold 2x8 scope in Warne QD rings. This will all add up to around 11 lbs. This would end up the weight of both the Ruger and the CZ. The Remington is less at around 8 lbs. but I don't favor the action design.

My question is would you worry about this weight on the CZ or is not as big an issue? I like the laminate stock on the CZ for looks, functoin, and less chance of splitting, but it is heavier. What's your thoughts on the rifle, its weight issue, and how to lighten it if too heavy.

Thanks,
Joe

[JJHACK]

I don't know what the total cost is of this project of yours but I would suggest this. First go look up the website for Montana Rifle barrels. They will sell you a fully custom hand lapped barrel maybe the best made today with an exact duplicate of the model 70 winchester in SS of Blued. This action is a Modle 70 copy, with several enhanced features that actually out perform the Old standard a bit.

Then Find yourself a laminated wood stock from Accurate innovations, they build lots of stocks for the montana actions and these are very well made beautiful stocks. Do a search for both compaines on the web. You will be well impressed by both. The Montana custom barreled action is under 1000.00 bucks, the accurate innovations stocks complete will be under 400 bucks. So you have about 1400 bucks into this but it will be a fully custom built to your specs rifle that will shoot 1/2" groups easy. Plus the beauty of having the known and well respected function of a CRF winchester action.

Short of that The Ruger is not a true CRF design, it's a push feed for the first 50% of it's range and then the shell locks into the bolt face. Unlike a true CRF which takes control of the shell the instant it pops up from the magazine. However the Ruger wins hands down for ssring design and inegral bases.

If I were going to do this I would Probably get the ruger as a second choice after the Montana rifle. You could save a few bucks getting the Ruger or the CZ, but that Montana rifle will be a lifelong piece of artwork and pride you will remember long after the price is forgotten. Just go look at that website before you decide, then call Ben at Accurate innovations gun stocks and he will build you a spectacular stock in about 6 weeks for that gun.

[Dictator]

Many thanks JJ,
 I am checking into both companies and will let you know as it goes. Price wise, this is a good looking option. I am checking w/ Montana Rifles as to barrel length and contour thoughts as well as twist rates. I would like to keep the weight in the 9 lb range if possible including sights. Anything you want to add to the thought if you were building it? I'm consentrating on the Swift 270 & 300 grn bullets, although I might also try the Woodleigh 350 grns as well. As to sights, I'm thinking a large appeture rear or express. I personally like appeture sights.

[JJHACK]

I like the Woodlieghs but they are often hard to find, for that reason when I loaded the swifts and they perform like magic I have never searched further. I would most likely add a 300grain TSX before the Woodlieghs.

As far as bullet use, I would not use the 300 grain bullet on anything thin skinned. The 270 Aframe is like a magic wand of death at 2800fps. I've never seen another cartridge bullet combination so consistantly effective on game then this is.

For rifle weight and sights, I guess the best way to say what I think is to tell what I use. I have about a 9 pound rifle with the scope.

For sights, I have folding lief rear sights, and a hooded front. I use Kimber/warne QD rings that use a base which Ashley outdoors also uses for thier rear Ghost ring peep sight. So with my rifle I have standard open sights, a rear peep sight, and a 2.8-8 VXIII with german 4a reticle. All interchangeable without tools.

I have used this system of over 10 years now with not even a tiny little reason to even consider a change. I'll also add that my rifle is a Stainless steel gun with a Pacific research stock and a magnum decelerator recoil pad.

[EsoxLucius]

You might be tempted to replace the trigger if you decide on the Ruger.

[RAC]

I have one of the CZ American in 375 and yes they are heavy.  I have even considered buying a new stock or sending it to a gunsmith to lighten it.  However, before I took it to Africa I walked with it nearly every day on our farm for a couple of months.  After the walk I would shoot it 3 times off of field positions at my gongs.  Funny thing, when I got ready to go on my hunt  it did not seem so heavy.