Overview of a Winchester Safari Express Rifle in .375 H&H Magnum. .375 H&H is a very versatile round if you reload. I actually use it for deer, it’s very effective
Nice little overview of my all-time favorite hunting cartridge, and one of my all-time favorite hunting rifles. I first acquired both - a mid 1950's M70 "Alaskan" in .375 H&H in the mid 1980's and have never looked back. The rifle is now gone, replaced in the mid '90's with a new M70 when they went back to the original controlled round feed. I've since added an Interarms Mark X Mauser and a Ruger #1. The M70 wears a Leupold 1.5-4x scope, while the Mauser has the wide, shallow "V" express sight and the Ruger a Skinner peep. Just a word about your choice on this rifle - that ocular bell looks dangerously far back for a rifle with this level of recoil. Might be fine off the bench, but out in the field, when we get a bit excited, and maybe shooting a bit uphill or something... be careful... Oh, and my favorite bullet has rattled down to the 300 grain Sierra boat tail, after trying about everything in every weight under the sun. Wonderful accuracy, and a lot tougher than a plain old cup'n'core bullet has any right to be. Give 'em a try if you haven't already. I've killed everything from antelope in Wyoming to moose in Alaska with them with no issues on either.
Thanks for commenting. I'm always experimenting with different projectiles and loads, so I will give the Sierra a try. This is one of my favorite rifles and cartridges too, can do just about anything you ask of it, more so if you handload.
A 4-16 scope? Wow, now I don’t have to worry about my Kahles 1.5-6 being a bit too much, LOL! I’ve got the same rifle, a FN/SC model. And I totally agree with your assessment that it offers a hard shove in the recoil department! I love mine, thanks for posting!
It is possible to sight it in without a bore sight. In fact, I’ve never used one. From what I’ve been told, it only gets you on paper to start with. I always start with a 50 yard zero. That’ll usually put you an inch or two at 100, then you can fine tune from there. BTW, I have one of those in the Alaskan. Really love it as well.
I have one I picked up used; the previous owner must have been short / short arms because the stock had been cut down to about 10" pull. Felt recoil (to me) is about the same as a 12 gauge, nothing sharp and no reason you can't shoot it all day. I had the gun shop ''fix' the existing stock with a custon insert to get the pull back out where I need it (13" pull) so that I'm not crawling the stock trying to get away from the stock. I developed a load using hte Barnes TSX 300 grain at ~2500fps which suits me. I used a laser bore site tool on a paper target in my shop to get on paper. In my experience, depending on the cartridge/ballistics of the round, that will get you on paper reliablely to 25-30 yds, maybe 50yds at the most (for elevation). I've not had the issue you had where windage was that for off. I have what I think is the ideal scope (I was fortunate and was able to try out several at a SCI convention). A Trijicon AccuPower (current version is AccuPoint) 1-8x. The 1x literally works like a red dot which is great for situational awareness/dangerous game up close. Out to 8x is plenty to take advantage of the reach the 375 H&H has. I put around a 100 rds through it just in load development, which is probably more than it had fired through it since it was new. Absolutely love it. The only change I've considered is a McMillan f/g stock - they seem to be one of the few who makes a stock specifically for Model 70 Safari Express line.
I have same rifle except 416 rem mag. I use it for whitetail too lol. I consider it great practice if I ever do get to Africa. Mine has be amazingly accurate. I load the 300-350 gr bullets for whitetail.
@@southernbigbore8785 yep me either. I know the bullets are pretty tough and not designed for deer size game. So I always put one through the shoulder to help with that expansion, none have took a step yet.
I’ve used M70’s forever and the design is rock solid. I’ve owned a number of the New Haven 70’s, a few of the FN/SC 70’s and they’ve always been top quality! I can’t imagine the European 70’s not being great also! One of these days, I’ll have to try one out.
Or get a more appropriate scope for 375 H&H really not a long range gun! Something like a Leopold 2-8 or 1-6 would be perfect on that rifle! Many people are way over scoping themselves for the rifles that they have!
Apparently you haven't shot it yet with that scope. It needs to be moved as far forward as possible. The rear sight will have to be removed.With a leupold 1/2 half to 5 variable the rear sight would not have to be removed. when closing in on Dangerous Game the 1 power will be advantageous. Craig Boddington explains the appropriate scope in his book African Safari Rifles.
@@craigleibbrand7761 Thanks Craig. I've always liked the looks of the Safari Express myself. I think the .375 in this rifle is a classic. Might be a family heirloom one day
That scope is mounted way too far back. Look at the videos where guys get cracked in the head from the scope. I shot 338, 340 Weatherby 375 and 378 weatherby's. I would mount a leupold 1 1/2 to 5 as far forward as I could get them with Buehler mounts. On the 378, the scope was mounted even with the back of the bolt on the mark five. Never got a scope cut commonly called WEATHERBY BROW. The 458 Win and 460 wby is a different animal all together!
I shoot them both quite a bit. The 375 more than the Weatherby, mainly because I have a lot of reloading components for the 375. I had a Trijicon 1x4 power on it, but I shoot longer distances with it now so I put a higher power scope on it. But yes if I was using it for dangerous game I would have stuck with the 1x4 power scope. as for the scope positioning, all I can say is that in the few hundred rounds I've shot since it was put on, I haven't been bit yet
@@southernbigbore8785 Just to give you a heads-up on big caliber guns I have them pillar and glass bedded, the tang relieved and install and epoxy a four-and-a-half inch Hickory dowel rod 5/16 or 3/8 inch through the pistol grip. On real big guns 458 win, 460 Weatherby, 500 Jeffery etc., I have another recoil lug braised on the barrel and glass bedded. In 50 years of gun collecting and shooting I have seen quite a few cracked stocks on the big guns. Weatherby Mark fives are noted for it.
@@southernbigbore8785 With me liking carbines I would have the barrel cut back to 22in and then magnaported. It would be much quicker in the alders or brush in Alaska or on DG in Africa. On a cartridge like the 375 you would lose very little velocity maybe 60 ft per second. Factory ammo advertised 300 gr. bullets at 2500 fps were actually doing 2300 fps chronograph. It still killed the water buffalo in Australia.
Totally wrong scope on that rifle. It was mounted too far back due to interference of the rear sight. A good chance you will be clobbered by the scope. Even though it will reach out 300 yards, being a DG rifle, the distance will be much shorter. Guides and PH's insist on it.
@@calynutzu93 If he takes shots at longer distance on smaller game then its not the wrong scope.....its the wrong rifle. But yes its the wrong scope on that rifle.
@@southernbigbore8785 I have a the old 1992. Model 70 win, in 270,,., special walnut control fed,claw extractor. Love that old gun never will Get rid of it.
I have the same one in .375H&H. Just an absolute dream to carry, good with or without a scope, slick action, an fuckin reliable.
I agree. Great rifle and very versatile
Bore sighting is very simple, did my model 70 in the basement, easy to get on paper by boresighting, got a vortex 4-12 on my 264 mag and I’m loving it
A 264 mag is a nice flat shooting caliber
I bet that 264 mag is a sweet little gun ? 😁 I've been thinking of a weatherby 257 mag ?
Nice little overview of my all-time favorite hunting cartridge, and one of my all-time favorite hunting rifles. I first acquired both - a mid 1950's M70 "Alaskan" in .375 H&H in the mid 1980's and have never looked back. The rifle is now gone, replaced in the mid '90's with a new M70 when they went back to the original controlled round feed. I've since added an Interarms Mark X Mauser and a Ruger #1. The M70 wears a Leupold 1.5-4x scope, while the Mauser has the wide, shallow "V" express sight and the Ruger a Skinner peep. Just a word about your choice on this rifle - that ocular bell looks dangerously far back for a rifle with this level of recoil. Might be fine off the bench, but out in the field, when we get a bit excited, and maybe shooting a bit uphill or something... be careful... Oh, and my favorite bullet has rattled down to the 300 grain Sierra boat tail, after trying about everything in every weight under the sun. Wonderful accuracy, and a lot tougher than a plain old cup'n'core bullet has any right to be. Give 'em a try if you haven't already. I've killed everything from antelope in Wyoming to moose in Alaska with them with no issues on either.
Thanks for commenting. I'm always experimenting with different projectiles and loads, so I will give the Sierra a try. This is one of my favorite rifles and cartridges too, can do just about anything you ask of it, more so if you handload.
Great looking rifle.👍
thanks
A 4-16 scope?
Wow, now I don’t have to worry about my Kahles 1.5-6 being a bit too much, LOL!
I’ve got the same rifle, a FN/SC model. And I totally agree with your assessment that it offers a hard shove in the recoil department! I love mine, thanks for posting!
I have since switched to a Vortex Viper 2-10X32. Looks better on the rifle and gives me a good magnification range
It is possible to sight it in without a bore sight. In fact, I’ve never used one. From what I’ve been told, it only gets you on paper to start with.
I always start with a 50 yard zero. That’ll usually put you an inch or two at 100, then you can fine tune from there.
BTW, I have one of those in the Alaskan. Really love it as well.
I have one I picked up used; the previous owner must have been short / short arms because the stock had been cut down to about 10" pull. Felt recoil (to me) is about the same as a 12 gauge, nothing sharp and no reason you can't shoot it all day. I had the gun shop ''fix' the existing stock with a custon insert to get the pull back out where I need it (13" pull) so that I'm not crawling the stock trying to get away from the stock. I developed a load using hte Barnes TSX 300 grain at ~2500fps which suits me.
I used a laser bore site tool on a paper target in my shop to get on paper. In my experience, depending on the cartridge/ballistics of the round, that will get you on paper reliablely to 25-30 yds, maybe 50yds at the most (for elevation). I've not had the issue you had where windage was that for off.
I have what I think is the ideal scope (I was fortunate and was able to try out several at a SCI convention). A Trijicon AccuPower (current version is AccuPoint) 1-8x. The 1x literally works like a red dot which is great for situational awareness/dangerous game up close. Out to 8x is plenty to take advantage of the reach the 375 H&H has. I put around a 100 rds through it just in load development, which is probably more than it had fired through it since it was new. Absolutely love it. The only change I've considered is a McMillan f/g stock - they seem to be one of the few who makes a stock specifically for Model 70 Safari Express line.
I got the model 70 in the 416 mag and I love that gun , such a smooth bolt ! 😁 thinking of trading my cz 375 mag for the model 70 in 375 ?
that's a tough choice. You could always get the Model 70 in .458 Win Mag and keep the CZ in .375
Nice rifle
Thanks. Shoots great too.
I have same rifle except 416 rem mag. I use it for whitetail too lol. I consider it great practice if I ever do get to Africa. Mine has be amazingly accurate. I load the 300-350 gr bullets for whitetail.
It is a great gun. Haven't had to track a deer yet
@@southernbigbore8785 yep me either. I know the bullets are pretty tough and not designed for deer size game. So I always put one through the shoulder to help with that expansion, none have took a step yet.
I just might , I do like the cz because it can hold 6 rounds.
Is this one assembled in Portugal? I just bought one myself. Are you still liking it?
Yes it is. Still loving it. If it ever cools off in the southeast maybe I can get to the range to shoot it some more
I’ve used M70’s forever and the design is rock solid. I’ve owned a number of the New Haven 70’s, a few of the FN/SC 70’s and they’ve always been top quality! I can’t imagine the European 70’s not being great also! One of these days, I’ll have to try one out.
You would have to remove the rear sight to move the scope as far forward as possible.
Or get a more appropriate scope for 375 H&H really not a long range gun! Something like a Leopold 2-8 or 1-6 would be perfect on that rifle! Many people are way over scoping themselves for the rifles that they have!
can you see the iron sights within the scope?
Not with this scope. I used to have a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6 on it and on 1 power you could see the irons in that scope
I'd like to know what scope the rig is wearing.
Its a Vortex Diamondback 4-16 Milrad. Probably going to switch to a 1-8 strike eagle for a more compact package
Apparently you haven't shot it yet with that scope. It needs to be moved as far forward as possible. The rear sight will have to be removed.With a leupold 1/2 half to 5 variable the rear sight would not have to be removed. when closing in on Dangerous Game the 1 power will be
advantageous. Craig Boddington explains the appropriate scope in his book African Safari Rifles.
I shoot it quite a bit. I had a lower power scope on it, but wanted a little more magnification
@@southernbigbore8785 It's a good-looking rifle. I have always liked the looks of the POST 64 model 70s. looks like it's working out for you.
@@craigleibbrand7761 Thanks Craig. I've always liked the looks of the Safari Express myself. I think the .375 in this rifle is a classic. Might be a family heirloom one day
I've used mine on deer and elk, I doesn't bloodshot the animal, it's a cz safari
Its a great cartridge that can do just about anything
That scope is mounted way too far back. Look at the videos where guys get cracked in the head from the scope. I shot 338, 340 Weatherby 375 and 378 weatherby's. I would mount a leupold 1 1/2 to 5 as far forward as I could get them with Buehler mounts. On the 378, the scope was mounted even with the back of the bolt on the mark five. Never got a scope cut commonly called WEATHERBY BROW. The 458 Win and 460 wby is a different animal all together!
I shoot them both quite a bit. The 375 more than the Weatherby, mainly because I have a lot of reloading components for the 375. I had a Trijicon 1x4 power on it, but I shoot longer distances with it now so I put a higher power scope on it. But yes if I was using it for dangerous game I would have stuck with the 1x4 power scope. as for the scope positioning, all I can say is that in the few hundred rounds I've shot since it was put on, I haven't been bit yet
@@southernbigbore8785 I'm glad it's working out for you. A model 70 is a nice rifle. It's been called the rifleman's rifle!
Thanks, and thanks for looking at the channel.
@@southernbigbore8785 Just to give you a heads-up on big caliber guns I have them pillar and glass bedded, the tang relieved and install and epoxy a four-and-a-half inch Hickory dowel rod 5/16 or 3/8 inch through the pistol grip. On real big guns 458 win, 460 Weatherby, 500 Jeffery etc., I have another recoil lug braised on the barrel and glass bedded. In 50 years of gun collecting and shooting I have seen quite a few cracked stocks on the big guns. Weatherby Mark fives are noted for it.
@@southernbigbore8785 With me liking carbines I would have the barrel cut back to 22in and then magnaported. It would be much quicker in the alders or brush in Alaska or on DG in Africa. On a cartridge like the 375 you would lose very little velocity maybe 60 ft per second. Factory ammo advertised 300 gr. bullets at 2500 fps were actually doing 2300 fps chronograph. It still killed the water buffalo in Australia.
Wrong scope for that rifle
I had a LPVO on it, but needed a stronger scope with more magnification
Totally wrong scope on that rifle. It was mounted too far back due to interference of the rear sight. A good chance you will be clobbered by the scope. Even though it will reach out 300 yards, being a DG rifle, the distance will be much shorter. Guides and PH's insist on it.
Why do you say it's a wrong scope?
Maybe he goes stalking game or take shots at longer distance on smaller game :)
You're right. My dangerous game guns have a one-and-a-half to 5 leupold.
I've never lost an animal because I didn't have enough magnification.
@@calynutzu93 If he takes shots at longer distance on smaller game then its not the wrong scope.....its the wrong rifle. But yes its the wrong scope on that rifle.
God I wished I’d have bought one b4 Winchester evidently quit making them (that’s how it seems)…
They are still in production, just a little hard to find.
FN bought Winchester out they make this in 270. With maple stock. Same Control feed. But they ain't cheap.
Great rifles all around. I think it is a pretty good value for the quality/cost ratio
@@southernbigbore8785 I have a the old 1992. Model 70 win, in 270,,., special walnut control fed,claw extractor.
Love that old gun never will Get rid of it.