375 H&H Factory Rifle or Build Recommendations

[Akhunter9]

I've got an Africa trip for Buffalo coming up (about a year) and want to get a 375 H&H. The gun will also be used on future Kodiak Brown Bear trips as well so don't want it super heavy. Looking into either Fierce rage with a smallish scope to combat the ejection issues known to it or a seekins PH3 that Euro optic has in stock. I like the lighter weight of the fierce but worry about reliability. Seekins is a little heavy but better reputation. Also wondering if there is a build option that wont go over 3-3.5k for the bare rifle. Any other factory options that I missed or any builds recommendations that could work?

 

[RockAndSage]

You could look into a Winchester Model 70, there are a bunch of new and used ones on Gunbroker for less thank $2k. Might be possible to find a CZ550 in .375 H&H, or a Sako, too, under that price point.

 

[Cherokeeguide]

I had a Ruger No.1 Tropical in .375 Holland and Holland that I took to Botswana the first time and didn't bother with taking the second time. On that first trip, I took an inherited Griffin and Howe on a 1903 Springfield action in boring old .30-'06 and shot everything on my license that I wanted to shoot with it, using handloads tipped with Colorado Bullets / Barnes 220 grain "solids" for all of it.

I had a CZ 550 in 9.3 X 62 that was excellent. I can't imagine that a .375 Holland and Holland CZ 550 would be less so.


A Winchester Model 70 would be a good choice, as would a Browning Safari Rifle on the FN Mauser action.

 

[Chase0109]

I’d throw in another vote for a Winchester model 70. But I’m a bit biased as it’s what I use.

I’ve done Buffalo and elephant multiple times in Africa with my model 70 375 Safari express. If you’re looking to drag it through extreme weather in Alaska I’d probably get the extreme weather model with the stainless barrel and composite stock.

I’d also look at having the barrel cut down to 20 inches. Stock length is 24-25 inches depending on the model. I cut my barrel to 20 inches and had it threaded for a suppressor. Really happy with that length.

Chase

 

[FOS373]

I have a CZ550 in 375 H&H. Mines been cut down to 21” and I have it in a B&C synthetic stock

It’s not the lightest gun for sure. Also, with the larger magazine well, it’s a little wider.

However, it’s reliable, accurate, control fed and holds 5 in the box.

 

[omicron1792]

Check this Montana rifle company offering.

Montana Rifle Co. Highline

Set in a McMillan carbon fiber game hunter stock, the Highline rifle features adaptive CRF, adjustable trigger, 3-position safety, and more!

montanarifleco.com

Did a lot of work with some heavy hunters over on Africa hunting site. All the reviews seem to be good. The company really seems to listen to guys that actually hunt a lot…..like they did with the @Formidilosus collaboration.

 

[omicron1792]

Blaser r8 a good option too. Probably can get into one around the 3500 mark. It’s what I have in 375 Ruger and 416 Ruger.

 

[Formidilosus]

I've got an Africa trip for Buffalo coming up (about a year) and want to get a 375 H&H. The gun will also be used on future Kodiak Brown Bear trips as well so don't want it super heavy. Looking into either Fierce rage with a smallish scope to combat the ejection issues known to it or a seekins PH3 that Euro optic has in stock. I like the lighter weight of the fierce but worry about reliability. Seekins is a little heavy but better reputation.

A 375 for buff, but two of the least reliable rifles possible?

Also wondering if there is a build option that wont go over 3-3.5k for the bare rifle. Any other factory options that I missed or any builds recommendations that could work?

A Pre64 M70 worked over to ensure proper feed and CRF, nitrided for absolute corrosion resistance would be about the best rifle in the sub $3,000 range you could get. MRC’s African rifle- at least the one I shot, would probably be the best factory option on the market. No R700 pattern is even in the same conversation.

 

[hardincobucks]

That’s interesting that Euro optic has PH3s in 375 H&H. Seekins website doesn’t even show that cartridge as offered I had no idea they made them. Pretty cool and a unique stock shape for the cartidge most 375s are more your classic spotter style stock. I wouldn’t even consider the fierce. There are countless stories of issues with that brand and they are way over priced. You can definitely build one for your budget but consider a 375 ruger too.

 

[omicron1792]

A 375 for buff, but two of the least reliable rifles possible?




A Pre64 M70 worked over to ensure proper feed and CRF, nitrided for absolute corrosion resistance would be about the best rifle in the sub $3,000 range you could get. MRC’s African rifle- at least the one I shot, would probably be the best factory option on the market. No R700 pattern is even in the same conversation.

Why I tagged you to enter the convo!

Fierce rifle and buffalo sounds like recipe for death.

 

[Formidilosus]

Why I tagged you to enter the convo!

Fierce rifle and buffalo sounds like recipe for death.

Haha.

 

[Choupique]

Model 70 stainless classic is the holy grail IMO. They pop up used regularly, often a little more money than its worth but they are great.

Current BACO model 70 alaskan would be a great choice. They balance better than the safaris. The safaris are too muzzle heavy and just too heavy in general. I had a model 70 express classic and it was awesome to shoot, but the barrel profile was heavier than necessary and it kinda sucked to tote around. If you want a new rifle that you can actually trust, youre limited to win model 70, sako, or higher end stuff like echols, parkwest (dakota), blaser etc.

Push feed model 70 express can be had for an absolute steal and I wouldnt have any heartburn about using one of those.

 

[1000yards]

Here's the specs for my custom 375:

Interarms Mark X action
25" Krieger Barrel
Jim Kobe 3 position safety
Murphy Precision rail with upgraded 8-40 screws
Bell and Carlson stock
Fully cerakoted

The action was inherited and the barrel a gift. Everything else all together was ~$1500. Maybe you could find an old Mark X on gunbroker?

I'd love to visit Africa someday, but for now I just use this rifle to flatten a hog every now and then. The 200 grain Sierra at 3200 fps hits like a freight train.

 

[Choupique]

The 200 grain Sierra at 3200 fps hits like a freight train.

And the 200 gr sierra over a starting load of trail boss is about the most giggles per shot that any man could ever ask for.

 

[Amathanda]

The CZ 550 is highly thought of by many african PH’s. When sitting around various campfires discussing dangerous game rifles its one of the first to be mentioned. I think its a combination of cost, availability, and general reliability. I have one in a 375H&H and used it on many cape buffalo, several lion, hippo, etc. Interestingly, my best friend is a long time african ph and was one of the first to cut and thread a suppressor on his DG rifle. Now, its fairly commonplace to see. He says clients shoot it much better than unsuppressed. Btw, muzzle breaks are considered bad manners for a variety of reasons.

 

[Amathanda]

Btw, be very careful about using loaned rifles when hunting dangerous game in africa. In fact, if you look closely under my right hand, you will see duct tape holding the stock and barrel together. We were in a jam and this was the only gun they had available. Makes for quite an interesting experience on a lion charge. Form is correct that a pre 64 CRF or a mrc is the way to go, but don’t expect to see that in Africa unless you bring it with you.

 

[rickyw]

M70 classic stainless or pre 64