First big bore, Win 70 Classic 375 H&H

[Thebear_78]

After a trip to kodiak this spring I decided I needed to get me a big bore.  I have a Marlin guide gun in 45/70 but thought that something with a little more reach would be nice.  I decided on the venerable 375 H&H, touted as some as the most versatile big bore.  It also helps that it is pretty popular here in alaska, especially in the coastal areas.  I decided to get rid of the 338 that had been giving me fits and traded it in on a Win 70 classic stainless.

I am very impressed with this rifle.  Classic CRF action, decent open sights, and good handling qualities.  About the only thing I'm probably going to change is the synthetic stock, its a little too flimsy for my taste.  A good HS precision or McMillan stock will probably do wonders for it.  

I topped it with a leupold 2-7x33 30mm Euro scope.  These are comparable to the VxII  quality level but when compared to the 2-7x33 1" model it is brighter and gathers a lot more light.  This is probably my new favorite scope, replacing the 1" version, as the most practical hunting scope.  

I took it to the range with a box of 270gr Remington Soft point ammo and was pleasantly pleased with 1 1/2-2" groups at much less recoil than I was expecting.  I think that with a better stock and handloads that this will be a real shooter.  

[oso45-70]

Thebear,

Nice rig, I'm looking for a Pre 64 my self, Had one and let it get away in 1967, You know the old saying.............................or some thing like that.
YOU WILL GET A LOT OF GOOD SHOOTNG OUT OF THIS RIG. Take care and enjoy your new find.........Joe.............

[Redhawk1]

You can't go wrong with a 375H&H. Very accurate round.  

[dave375hh]

TheBear,
I think you've got a solid plan there. IMHO the new Mod70's are better than the pre 64's everyone lusts after. Better steels, not to mention STS, and no butt ugly knot in the barrel. Stick with your plan it's a good one.

[Zachary]

 About the only thing I'm probably going to change is the synthetic stock, its a little too flimsy for my taste.  A good HS precision or McMillan stock will probably do wonders for it.  



I took it to the range with a box of 270gr Remington Soft point ammo and was pleasantly pleased with 1 1/2-2" groups at much less recoil than I was expecting.  I think that with a better stock and handloads that this will be a real shooter.  

I have the exact same gun and I totally agree with you - the factory stock is just too flimsy - as are all plastic injected stocks.  I looked at both HS Precision and McMillan, but the best quality is McMillan and that's what I got.  I wish I had the gun here so that I could post a pic for you.

Your groups seem large compared to mine.  Then again, I never shot the gun with the cheap plastic stock, so I don't know how it originally would have grouped.  Keep in mind that I did more work than just replacing the stock.  I had the action glass bedded, the barrel free floated, and stock pillar bedded with aluminum pillars, a trigger job with the pull set at a crisp 3 pounds, and the bolt and action were polished.  Now my .375H&H action is much smoother and quieter than even my Tikkas! :eek:  

And how does my gun group?  You are not going to believe this, but with cheap Federal 300 grain round nose loads, it groups 1/4" groups at 100 yards! :eek:  Yup, you read right.  It's amazing.   Now, for some reason with 300 grain Nosler Partitions the groups open up to just under an inch at 100 yards, but we are talking about a .375H&H, not a benchrest target rifle.  In fact it's very funny.....when I was shooting at the range, I had one guy shooting Blaser in .375H&H and his groups were about 1.5"  When he saw my groups, he offered me $2,000 on the spot to buy it.  I once had this happen to me with another gun - my Browning Stainless Stalker in .270 Winchester - similar almost one hole groups.  Of course I didn't sell my .375H&H as it has become one of my favorite rifles.

Keep in mind that I can't shoot those tiny groups all day because the recoil gets to me.  In fact, I can shoot 3 groups from a cold barrel.  But after that, my groups open up to almost an inch because of either the hotter barrel or just my poor sore shoulder.

As for my scope, I have an Elite 3200 1.5x-4.5x-30something mm with Firefly reticle.  It has a stated 3.6" of constant eye relief and has held up perfectly under such recoil and I have never gotten scope bit.

As for the recoil, it sure is a thumper, but not as bad as I thought it would be.  People say that the .375 has more of "push" than a "kick."  Well, I can kinda see their point, but let's just say that it has both.

If you put on a good stock and do the same customized work that I did, then I'm sure that your groups will similarly shrink close to mine.  Heck, even if it shoots 1MOA then you STILL have a great shootin .375H&H!

Congrats on the rifle.

Zachary

[Lawdog]

Thebear,

I topped it with a leupold 2-7x33 30mm Euro scope. These are comparable to the VxII quality level but when compared to the 2-7x33 1" model it is brighter and gathers a lot more light. This is probably my new favorite scope, replacing the 1" version, as the most practical hunting scope.

I agree with you on the 30mm scope choice.  I just changed the 1" Burris on my favorite .25-06 for one of the Burris Black Diamond 30mm.  What a difference.  Lawdog
 

[Thebear_78]

Do any of you guys know wich model stock from HS precision the 375 classic takes.  I picked up a Win 70 LA Sporter stock from HS today but it didn't fit.  THe barrel didn't fit in the barrel channel.  What model McMillan is made for it.  Any info is greatly appreciated.

[jro45]

My 375 H&H is a Sako Hunter 75. I put three 270gr bullets thru the same hole at 200yds with it. Those 375s are surely accurate.

[Zachary]

Do any of you guys know wich model stock from HS precision the 375 classic takes.  I picked up a Win 70 LA Sporter stock from HS today but it didn't fit.  THe barrel didn't fit in the barrel channel.  What model McMillan is made for it.  Any info is greatly appreciated.

The best thing to do is call HS Precision and/or McMillan, that's what I did and they helped me fast.

I must say that, given that the .375H&H is a heavy hitter, I would recommend the McMillan - which is what I got.

Zachary

[Thebear_78]

I have been meaning to call HS precisions but with my work schedule and the 4 hour time difference it has been hard to say the least.  A local gunsmith highly recomends the McMillan and will  fit/finish a McMillan, including bedding and fittin stock to me, plus give it a quick action/trigger job for 600 bucks.  Considering that the McMillan stock is upwords of 400 dollars alone I think that this is the way I will probably go.  

Now if brownells will just get the brockmans talley base/ghost ring in stock for my 375 I will be getting somewhere.  

Thanks for the info.