Which rifle to get in 375 H&H?

[JerryHN]

Please help me pick my next rifle in 375 H&H. Here are the options:

• Sako 85 Kodiak
• Winchester 70 Safari Express
• CZ 550 Safari

Here are the criterias from high to low priority:

• Reliability/Durability (quality parts)
• Accuracy
• Resale value (future collectability)

Thanks for your opinions guys!

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

Because of what I would do with a .375 I would want a stainless model.. The CZ is a great rifle as is the model 70.. But out of what you listed it would be the SAKO...

[egor20]

swcr

I've never shot the Sako

I'll have to say
Winchester
CZ

Also consider the Ruger #1 Tropical 375 H&H Mag

[Buzzcook]

* Reliability/Durability (quality parts)
* Accuracy
* Resale value (future collectability)

All three have great quality, and accuracy. The Model 70 will have an advantage when it comes to resale.

[sc928porsche]

Of the choices listed, I would opt for the Sako. It is a well made firearm, accurate, and holds its value well.

[HiBC]

Have you handled them?Which feels/fits best?

[Scorch]

Winchester Model 70 is the old school standard, that's what you compare other rifles to in order to see if they measure up. That said, a CZ550 is pretty nice, too! Go handle them and then make up your mind.

[TX Hunter]

I would go with either the Winchester Model 70 or the CZ.

[DoctorXring]

.

Three winners for sure. Take your pick. You can't loose.

All have controlled round feed, if you think you need that.

All are dead nuts accurate and reliable.

.

[Chief Engineer]

The action on my 20" Sako Mannlicher is smooth as glass. Never worked the other two in 375.

[JerryHN]

Interesting, i thought the Sako 85 did NOT have controlled round feed. This was the main reason I am leaning towards the winchester 70. I currently hunt with a model 70 super grade so Im used to winchester rifles.

Thanks everyone for your opinion.

[JerryHN]

Why does Winchester use the word "express" in their Model 70 Safari Express line? What are they trying to convey here?

For some reason, when I think "express", I think "low quality" or "cheap."

[Pukindog]

I own a CZ 550 magnum in .416 Rigby. It is a heavy duty rifle. The workman ship is fantastic. acciuracy is excellent ( for as well as I can shoot it ). Single set trigger if you actually want to use it. If you are going to hunt with the rifle the CZ has a magazine capacity 0f 5 rounds in .375. Nice to have if ever needed.

Jeff

[NWCP]

Go with the CZ 550. They make a rock solid rifle and action. The single set trigger is nice when shooting from the bench.

[BusGunner007]

I like that SAKO...

[kraigwy]

If you look up 375 H&H in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of a Model 70 Winchester.

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

Why does Winchester use the word "express" in their Model 70 Safari Express line? What are they trying to convey here?

For some reason, when I think "express", I think "low quality" or "cheap."

If you google "express rifle," you will see that its a type of rifle equipped with open sights, "express" does not imply cheap... In fact, there are many "express rifles" that top the $100K mark... Just because remington has a budget line of shotguns using this name it does not mean everything using this term is cheap..

The Model 70 Safari Express.. Broken down, "safari rifles" in winchester speak are rifle of calibers of .375 H&H and up.. Express means it has open sights..

[JerryHN]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Youre correct; I was thinking about the Remington Express shotguns.

[JerryHN]

So the decision is made....I will go with the winchester 70 safari express. No one seems to be able to find any negatives about this rifle and it appears to be somewhat of a classic.

If anyone has anything that might change my mind, please post as i will not get this rifle until january.

many thanks everyone!

[Water-Man]

Sako!

[PetahW]

FWIW, when I was shopping for a .375 boltgun, I narrowed my choices down to the .375H&H Ruger 77 Magnum (long B 4 the .375 Ruger was born) @ $1500 (at the time, now $2K); the .375H&H Winchester M70 Safari @ $925 (at the time); and the .375 CZ550 American Safari @ $710 (at the time).

I ruled out the Ruger Magnum, strictly because it cost 50% more than the Winchester & twice as much as the CZ - BUT, if I could have afforded it at the time, it was my first choice, AND had as good a resale/collector value as an M70.

Although I wanted a Model 70 Safari next - I found that one in .375H&H was unobtainium - so, after trying to get a .375 for 6 mos, I "settled" for a .458 M70 Safari.

I found the .458 less then flexible, so then sold it.

I ended up with a .375 H&H CZ550 American Safari, and after I got it, was very glad I had finally drilled down to it.

The fit/finish was suberb, the stock wood of excellent quality, as was the chechering - AND it was issued with a 2nd recoil lug, under the barrel, about 4" ahead of the main lug.
Being basically a Mauser 98 with scope dovetails cut into the tops of the receiver rings (Burris makes nicely-finished rings @ 1/2 cost of CZ rings), a shooter knows exactly what they're getting.

My CZ was issued with only two things I didn't like:

The forward Q.D. sling swivel eye was mounted in the forend wood, where it could batter the forward hand under recoil - I removed it & installed a barrel band Q.D. swivel eye ahead of the forend tip.

The safety works in reverse, from what I had been used to - it was : "forward = safe, back = fire"; but with practice I became accustomed to it.

Did I say it was accurate ?

.

[HiBC]

You do what you want.They are all great choices.I still suggest hold,fondle,shoulder,squeeze.gaze upon,I think,now,to keep the mods happy,I will say etc,etc,etc,
See which one trips your trigger.I can't pick you a bird dog,either.

[seant]

Another vote for the model 70

[Sgt.Fathead]

Just to throw some sand in the gears, no interest in a Ruger No.1 single shot? I have an old, unfortunately battered hand me down in .300 Win that shoots well.

[JerryHN]

So I checked the nearby Cabelas and they didnt have the Winchester Safari Express in stock. Is this rifle hard to find? How long have you waited for this rifle to ship?

Thanks guys!