375 H&H

[MacGyver]

Who's got a rifle chambered in 375 H&H?  Winchester Model 70, Ruger 77, Ruger No. 1, Sako, Kimber, CZ, whatever?  I can't remember the last one I saw in the classifieds.

 

I'm thinking of adding one to the lineup, so if you've got one, tell me about it.

[Chris]

Me. I'm all about the the .375 H&H. Great big game cartridge.

I've got a Sako that is quite good, but usually shoot a Merkel double rifle in .375 H&H.

General consensus among the Safari crowd is that the CZ is your best value for the dollar when it comes to dangerous game rifles.

[KahrMan]

What is the entry level point for a decent double rifle?  I believe CZ does not make a double rifle anymore.

[TNWNGR]

The only .375 H&H I owned was a Ruger #1 Tropical Rifle, it was much more comfortable to shoot then the Ruger #1 in 45/70 or Browning M-78 in 45/70 I had. I was all into single shot rifles at one time. The very best .375 I ever had the opputunity to use was a pre-64 Winchester M-70. Yes, there was a noticable difference between the pre-64 and post-64 Winchester M-70's. If I were purchasing another .375 it'd be a CZ.

[Two Dogs]

Have you thought about an Encore? I shot one, it's a handful ( shoulderful?) but not too bad. Add a 45/70 and a 458 win mag and you're all set for the stampede.

[leroy]

Mac.... 

 

I've got an older Remington 700 Safari in 375... It is a beautiful thing to behold... When i was younger, we would shoot it prone with a sissy bag... At 60 yards it would cut a 3 shot cloverleaf if you did your part holdin it (...we used the old "hourglass" targets and aimed at the points...) with iron sights... I never had any factory loads for it... We always used the accuracy load from the Lyman Manual with Sierra either 270 or 300 grain spitzer boat tails... I believe we used IMR 4350 for the powder...

Right here is the latest copy on the bullets we used... https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/3000/375-dia-300-gr-SBT

 

To sum things up; they are a great rifle with a helluva punch and remarkably accurate...

 

I heartily recommend 'em...

 

bawanna leroy...

[MacGyver]

Mac....

I've got an older Remington 700 Safari in 375... It is a beautiful thing to behold... When i was younger, we would shoot it prone with a sissy bag... At 60 yards it would cut a 3 shot cloverleaf if you did your part holdin it (...we used the old "hourglass" targets and aimed at the points...) with iron sights... I never had any factory loads for it... We always used the accuracy load from the Lyman Manual with Sierra either 270 or 300 grain spitzer boat tails... I believe we used IMR 4350 for the powder...
Right here is the latest copy on the bullets we used... https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/3000/375-dia-300-gr-SBT

To sum things up; they are a great rifle with a helluva punch and remarkably accurate...

I heartily recommend 'em...

bawanna leroy...

I forgot about the old 700s. If it's the same finish I'm thinking of, those are gorgeous.

[MacGyver]

Have you thought about an Encore? I shot one, it's a handful ( shoulderful?) but not too bad. Add a 45/70 and a 458 win mag and you're all set for the stampede.

I've long admired the Encores, but fear that owning one would result in an infection similar to black rifle disease.

[MacGyver]

The only .375 H&H I owned was a Ruger #1 Tropical Rifle, it was much more comfortable to shoot then the Ruger #1 in 45/70 or Browning M-78 in 45/70 I had. I was all into single shot rifles at one time. The very best .375 I ever had the opputunity to use was a pre-64 Winchester M-70. Yes, there was a noticable difference between the pre-64 and post-64 Winchester M-70's. If I were purchasing another .375 it'd be a CZ.

I handled a No. 1 Tropical in Cabela's the other day. I couldn't secure it where I was going or I might have walked out of there with it.

[Chris]

A good double is stupid expensive. I'd advise against it unless you are going to take up dangerous game hunting in a serious way.

You can get cheaper ones, but they just... suck. A good bolt action CZ is much more reasonable and will do everything you need.

Seriously, unless you are going to dance with animals with nicknames like "black death" you simply don't need the fast follow up shot that a double provides....It's a specialists tool.

 

I was handling some of the CZ's at Dallas Safari Club last week and each year they seem to get better. Smooth bolt, very pretty wood and every bit as accurate (so I'm told by PH's that do this for a living) as more expensive bolt actions.

 

Check this bad boy out: http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-550-american-safari-magnum-375-hh-5-rd-fixed-mag/ $1250.

This is the bolt action I have and it's a great gun: http://www.sako.fi/rifles/sako-85/85-kodiak - but it's going to run closer to $2k

For the money you are going to have a tough time beating the CZ.

 

I like the Ruger #1, but to my mind .375 is a dangerous game caliber and hunting things that hunt back with a single shot rifle requires bigger stones than I have.

[Chris]

If you can't resist the sirens song of a double rifle, I'd recommend joining Dallas Safari Club or SCI... quality used doubles come up for sale in their newsletters on a regular basis... or just let me know and I'll keep an eye out for you. Merkel is the lowest end double I can recommend... from there you want to look at Heym, Kreighoff or Verney-Carron. Whatever you do, do not invest your money in Sabatti or any other low end double... they are terrible, terrible rifles. 

[leroy]

I forgot about the old 700s. If it's the same finish I'm thinking of, those are gorgeous.

Mac...

They are, indeed, very beautiful... Satin finish beautiful wood, rosewood fore end cap (...i think...)... The prettiest gun in the gun case; and that includes a couple of first issue Ruger #1's.... The only thing i think would be better is the old style mauser claw extractor rifles...

 

Havin said all that, Chris has a great idea... The double rifle is where it's at... The ultimate bawanna rifle... My checkbook just wont stand the strain of one; and im too old ta use it now...

 

leroy

[Caster]

Bolt action? Double rifle?

Why choose when you can have both.....at the same time!

http://www.szecseidoubleboltrepeater.ca/home.html#

[KahrMan]

Bolt action? Double rifle?

Why choose when you can have both.....at the same time!

http://www.szecseidoubleboltrepeater.ca/home.html#

 

 

That is pretty cool.  Pull the bolt back and eject two shells.  Push the bolt forward and load each barrel at the same time.  

[Chris]

Interesting. I hadn't heard about this. Can't imagine how much that would cost. I expect something close to the GNP of a mid sized South American country.

[79troublehead]

I had a Sako Alll: Good rifle till it cracked the stock through the wrist. I would load the .375  soft point hornady's  made for the Winchester .375 with 4064 for a decent whitetail load. A .375 (.36 muzzle loader) round ball with a little Unique under a bit of cotton ball filler shot very well also.

[MP5_Rizzo]

Bolt action? Double rifle?

Why choose when you can have both.....at the same time!

http://www.szecseidoubleboltrepeater.ca/home.html#

 

Well ain't that sumpt'n?  You can have it in stack barrel or side by each too.  Come on powerball numbers. Only way I will own one, or two.

 

[Caster]

These have actually been around for many years.  I saw one in person [under a lexan case] at Knob Creek about 15 years ago.  I was told when I asked, the cost was just over 6 figures and the wait was LONG.  

Edited January 13, 2016 by Caster

[Hozzie]

My buddy has taken all of his African game with a CZ as Chris mentions, but his is in 416 Rigby.  He also takes a Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H as a backup gun.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the CZ for pure value.  I did watch a recent show on Outdoor channel where the guys was using a Winchester Lever action in 45-70 Turnbull if I remember correctly.  I think a good lever action may also be a viable option for dangerous game.  You can get follow up shots off very quick.

 

There has been a Dakota in 416 Rigby on GOC for a while now.  I was considering it to have as a dangerous game rifle in case I ever do go to Africa.  Not cheap, but beautiful rifle.

Edited January 13, 2016 by Hozzie

[MacGyver]

If I had $100K to blow on a double rifle, I think I'd go with the Holland & Holland.  I remember seeing one as a kid all engraved and polished and thinking it was amazing.

 

Of course, if I had $100K to spend on a rifle, I suppose I would need to get a nice shotgun to match.

 

Edit to add:  I had no idea the had a gun room in Manhattan.  I'm totally checking that out next time I'm in the city.

[Garufa]

Edit to add:  I had no idea the had a gun room in Manhattan.  I'm totally checking that out next time I'm in the city.

 

Looks like they have ties if you're not properly attired to discuss their finest offerings:

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by Garufa

[MacGyver]

Looks like they have ties if you're not properly attired:

 

 

Yeah, you know, the funny thing is that I generally believe that for my hourly rate, you deserve to see me in a suit and tie.  Even so, with the trend towards business casual attire, I can count on two hands the number of days I put on a tie last year.  It just freaks people out - especially IT guys.

 

I bet those ties are 'spensive.

[Chris]

Well, since we are on the topic, several dangerous game guns are currently available in the Dallas Safari Club newsletter:

 

Blaser Double w/ two sets of barrels (470 NE and 30-06) - $10k

CZ 550 in .416 Rigby - $1k

Merkel Double in .470 NE - $13k

Custom .375 H&H built on a pre-64 Winchester action - $1,750

Searcy Double in 500 NE - $8k

 

Let me know if you need contact info. Also, if anybody needs info about hunting Africa, let me know... I got a guy.

[MacGyver]

Didn't the offer some of the pre-64 Model 70's in 375 H&H? That would be a neat find!

[nightrunner]

Didn't the offer some of the pre-64 Model 70's in 375 H&H? That would be a neat find!

Likely be near astronomical in price. I saw a mint condition pre '64 Model 70 Super Grade African in .458WinMag sell for $8k