The rifle issue....again

[grayghost]

Let's keep it within a narrow focus...please. You've narrowed it down to 3 rifles. Your buying a .375 H&H but which brand of bolt action do you purchase: CZ, Ruger M-77 or Remington 700 and why? Thanks, grayghost

[Aim to maim]

Ruger M77.

Reasons:

1. I have several in other calibers and not one has ever been less than 100% mechanically reliable.

2. The configuration of the Ruger M77 stock works very well to reduce felt recoil for my frame and build . My M77 in .338 Win. Mag. is no more unpleasant for me to shoot than a Remington 700 in 30-06. That's not a slam at Remington, it's just a matter of what works best for my shape and size.

[Dom]

Hey Grayghost, your focus is too narrow. I guess unless you owned and shot them all, your preference is going to be towards what you bought. If I had none, I'd probably go with the Remy 700 (I have one in 30-06 and haven't had any troubles). I hear CZ and Ruger are good, but like I said, probably because that's what was bought.

Anyway, I'll have to go with what I bought, a Steyr Safari ;). Nice weight, shoots like great, and recoil tolerable. My buddy has a Blaser R93 in .375, loves the straight pull. Sauer has a great one also w/their 202. Guess I'm getting partial to the European brands, where I'm at the price is right, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[grayghost]

I own Rems and a Ruger, but never owned a CZ. My .300RUM Sendero kicks the living hell outta me. About 50 lbs of recoil with a 180 grain bullet, and the Sendero is not a light rifle. Feels like toting an M-60. My bullet choice with a .375 will be a 300 grainer, so we're looking at 55 lbs of recoil with a 7 pound gun; 48 lbs w/8 lb gun; 42 lbs with a 9 lb rifle. I want to avoid as much recoil as possible on DG. No muzzle brake for me as I want to avoid denuding the landscape :D so I'll have to look at other options once I decide upon which rifle to buy. Dom: I recently picked up a .350 Norma Mag with a Mauser 98 action and one of the most attractive stocks I've ever owned. It has a high Monte Carlo cheekpiece that allows instant eye to crosshair alignment upon mounting to my shoulder. Wish it were in 375 H&H. Good hunting, grayghost

[MacD37]

The 375 H&H is one of the most versatile chamberings one can own! It is not large by big bore standards, but not small by any standard. This cartridge just seems to do things it's paper ballistics do not indicate! Addtionally, ammo is available in any country where big game hunting takes place. Though What I call big game, dosen't include deer, I've taken many deer, Elk, Caribou, moose, and Bear in North America with this cartridge. It shoots flat enough to use for long shots, on deer size game, and can do a fine job on Cape Buffalo, if the shooter picks his shots, and place his rounds properly. Though many have come up with several "SO-CALLED" improvements in this diameter, none will do anything better than the old 1912 375 H&H on animals.

That's the cartridge, now for the rifles you are asking about so chambered!

IMO, no rifle that is not made on a CRF action should be chambered for a round that has the potentual to be used on bite-Back animals. Right off the bat, that precludes the 700 Rem, and the older Rugers with pushfeed actions. The newer CRF Rugers are fine rifles, as are the CZ rifles chambered for 375 H&H, and up.

NOW! If you are going to use this rifle for Elk, black bear, and Moose hunting, and as well as plains game in Africa, then any of these will do, but My pick would be the CZ, or the CRF Ruger. The CZ is cheaper, and is a fine rifle, the Ruger is more pricey, but is, IMO, a $3000 rifle for $1500, and for my use the Rem 700 doesn't even come into mind, for My type of hunting! I own several mod 700s, but I simply do not use them for hunting dangerous game!

No matter which you choose, they all need to be gone over by a REAL gunsmith who understands how to make a bolt rifle opperate flawlessly, before going into the weeds with anything that may want to kill you, if you make a mistake!. :eek:

[grayghost]

I appreciate the advice and will go with either the CZ or Ruger. I will only use for DG as I have ample calibers for NA game, although if I were to ever go after Brown bear the .375 would most likely be what I would take. Any preferred solids you like? I hear both sides of the story on Buff hunting with solids vs soft points, but I tend to listen before I make a move. I plan on hunting Buff and Lion within a year. Although I'm fine on expandable bullets, I'm lame on who has quality solids. Thanks, grayghost

[Rapier]

Grayghost,
Why did you select a sub 40 caliber for dangerous game? Just curious.
Ed

[grayghost]

Have you priced a box of 20 cartridges for the .416 Rigby or .458 Lott lately? Some of the new premium bullets are running a whopping $160-$180 per box! Aside from that, recoil is a consideration. Try getting off two shots on a charging animal with a heavy recoil rifle. If I could afford a double rifle, I'd buy one, but I still would go over board on caliber. That being said, a .375 will kill any DG living if your shot placement is good. This past summer I used the .223 and .280 on plains game. No problems. Believe me, I'm not asking for trouble in any shape, fashion or form. But I'm not one to get pulled into the "super magnum" genre because I'm afraid my shots will all be bad. I'll strive for well placed shots; listen to my PH, and have confidence in my shooting and the bullet. I keep an open mind however, any advice is appreciated. Good hunting, grayghost

[Bwana White Hunter]

I have to say CZ in South Africa. They are the best value for money, and you can't go wrong. The CZ .375's are VERY accurate. I happen to be lucky enough to be the keeper of a Pre-64 Winchester in .375 H&H, but we have a CZ "company" rifle. There is no diference in the two, other than the Pre-64 being a ounce or two lighter, and the price issue of course!

[Rapier]

I have not bought a box of factory ammo in so long I have no idea about cost. Come to think of it, that time line might be about 30 years.

I had the same decision to make and decided on a 458 Lott which I built on a Montana 1999 Action. So I was just curious why you decided to go with the 375. I also considered the 375, 375 AI and the 416. We make choices, none of the big bores are wrong, just a choice.

After my trip to RSA in May, I am not yet to the point of booking a return flight. I had back surgery a year before I left and the return flight became a real trial, due bad weather and a rough ride.
Ed

[grayghost]

I appreciate the imput guys, thanks. I know what you mean about the ride Ed. Going over the excitement keeps the ride tolerable, but with any kind of back pain or problems, I can imagine the issue. We were held up about 5 hours going over. We landed in Dakar to refuel. Sat on the ground for 2 hours before they decided they had no fuel for us. We took off and flew back out to sea, landing on Sol. That flight took an hour. It took an hour to refuel, and then we were an additional hour getting back over land. As of now, SAA is saying they are flying direct from the US to J'burg: 15 hours 45 minute flight. The flight home is the one I didn't enjoy. I was tired after 10 days of hunting. I would have been very content to lie in the floor and sleep, instead of sitting in those darn "school chairs." I have to say that was the only discomfort during the entire trip but it was well worth it. The way things are looking, I may be returning in March, ahead of my already booked June return. Opportunities seldom knock twice, so I may go twice next year if all goes well. I most likely will go with the CZ in .375 H&H sighted in at 100 yards. Shouldn't be a problem getting used to the point of impact at 50 yards out to 200 yards. Hopefully the holdover won't be too much at 200 but I'll see. Ed, I hope your back is doing much better. Anything that interferes with hunting can't be any fun. Good hunting, grayghost

[pomoxis]

One of the problems I have seen with the CZ that I have handled is that the action tended to bind when the bolt is cycled while mounted on the shoulder. I have a Remmington .375 stainless steel it has served me well.

Ruger makes a very good rifle but their open sights seems a little whimpy. If you are going to use only a scope that is not a problem.

The best advice is to handle all 3 side by side. Pick a spot on the opposite wall mount the rifle with your eyes closed and see which rifle gives you the best feel is the one to buy.

[grayghost]

Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it.

[pistolchamp]

Although I don't have a good reason I also choose a 375 H&H over other calibers, even here in the states. I have many other rifles, but, my old Ruger #1 is quite accurate and easy on my shoulder and years of practice (I'm on the third barrel) has taught me to reload quickly and efficienctly.

Ammo is everywhere, recoil is not bad at all and fairly priced, as if that matters, I reload all of my ammo, but, if it got lost it would be nice to have some available and I do love my 416 Rigby, ammo can be hard to find and probably expensive.

With 235 grain Barnes "X" bullets over H-414 this is one fine deer, elk, moose rifle and has held its own against the likes of a good size brown bear using 270 grain "X"s.

For Tanzania (I go there because I own a business there) I will load the 300 grain Barnes "X" bullets and be happy as a clam. I carry two rounds loaded with Barnes 300 grain solids in my off hand just in case things get hairy.

Good hunting, let's keep Africa a happy place to go.

[grayghost]

Good points that work for me PC. Recoil was another major consideration for me. It won't matter how big the caliber if you can't get that second shot off, and my desire is not to need the second shot. Murphy's Law will come into play sooner or later and I want to be able to recover from the first shot and be confident in the second shot if needed. Barnes X bullets have a great reputation in Africa as well as a few other bullets, so armed with good constructed bullets, I believe the .375 will handle anything I'm going to go after. I'm not into risky shots, and like you, I have business in a number of African countries now, so if I fail to get an animal on one hunt, maybe I'll have better luck another time. I've been well satisfied with my .280 on plains game, even the .223, but for my Zimbabwe trip in February I'll take the .280 and .300 RUM or .308 Norma Mag. Zim is getting a lot of rain where I'll be going so aside from the normal thick bush, it will most likely be heavier than usual. You guys have me convinced I need to invest in a reloading kit :D Merry Christmas to all and good hunting, grayghost