My first safari rifle

[Bert01]

I’m starting to plan my first safari and after deciding what I wanted to hunt, I’m thinking about rifles. I have plenty of options for a PG rifle but I’m really wanting a .375 I think. I’m hoping Buffalo will be in my future also. I have the ability to do my own machine and barrel work. I’ve built several long range rifle and a few hunting rifles for myself and friends.

I have an early 375 ruger African on the way and a .375 H&H no1. But what I really think I want is a stainless CRF action. Right now my idea is to buy a donor SS Model 70 and convert it to H&H like D’arcy Echols shows on his website. Add a quality barrel, sights, and an accurate innovations stock or maybe a synthetic.

I know this is an open ended question but are there any other complete rifles or actions that I should be looking at for the same $2,500-$3,500 total price? I thought about a ruger Alaskan but the brass availability is getting me on the ruger currently and I already load for the H&H.

 

[FlowHamed18]

I don't know how the availability is in the US but Rößler is building a .375 Ruger

https://www.titan6.com/produkte/titan-3-_-titan-6

 

[IvW]

Look for a Brno ZKK602 375 H&H sorted....some Rugers have issues....customs for a future buffalo as mentioned is over capitilizing.....

 

[Bert01]

Look for a Brno ZKK602 375 H&H sorted....some Rugers have issues....customs for a future buffalo as mentioned is over capitilizing.....

Would you mind explaining what you mean by over capitalizing, I just want to make sure I’m following? Too big of a risk over the known quantity like a 602?

 

[IvW]

Well you say "hoping a buffalo will be in the future"...I dont like Rugers in bolt actiins iverated and they have issues, except the Nr.1.....I have used Brno ZKK rifles all my life...never had a need for any other superbly reliable great value for money....if the safety puts you off fit a 3 position Win type safety....you dont need anything more....

Starting with donor rifles and building customs could end up to be unnecissarily costly....overcapitilizing....

If you can do all the work look for a ZKK602 doner...not a Ruger or a M70 CRF...

I will only ever use Brno ZKK actions for my DG rifles...I own 4 on these actions 500 Jeff, 2 x 375 H&H and now also a 404 Jeff in progress....

 

[Mark R]

Why not just pick up a s/s M70 in 375h&h and do the modifications you want.
I have used M70 and Ruger rifles a lot and just put this 458WM together…
It’s the bottom one in a HS Precision stock.

 

[Bert01]

Why not just pick up a s/s M70 in 375h&h and do the modifications you want.
I have used M70 and Ruger rifles a lot and just put this 458WM together…
It’s the bottom one in a HS Precision stock.View attachment 549237

Mark R, if i could find a SS mod 70 in 375 for less than i could get a donor action, barrel and stock i would definitely start there. i have that same B&C stock on my SS mod 70 7mm-08

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Among currently manufactured rifles, the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .375 Holland & Holland Magnum will be the most suited to your needs and at your budget.

In my humble experience, the BRNO ZKK602 is hands down the finest .375 Holland & Holland Magnum caliber rifle ever to be made. But they have been out of production now for at least 2 decades and are getting increasingly difficult to find.

 

[BeeMaa]

Winchester M70 Safari Express would be a good start for anyone looking to get into their first DG rifle for a reasonable price. I found this one on GB with little effort. With a little work that you could do yourself, it has the potential to be a real beauty with money left over for a scope and some QD mounts.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1002047020

 

[deewayne2003]

I have a ZKK602 that I was considering selling; until I put an AHR QD mount and Trijicon RMR sight one it.

Eventually I’ll add a 3 position safety and AHR trigger and be done.

 

[jbirdwell]

I know MidwayUSA just posted they have the new model 70 Safaris in 375 H&H in stock

 

[Scott CWO]

I’m starting to plan my first safari and after deciding what I wanted to hunt, I’m thinking about rifles. I have plenty of options for a PG rifle but I’m really wanting a .375 I think. I’m hoping Buffalo will be in my future also. I have the ability to do my own machine and barrel work. I’ve built several long range rifle and a few hunting rifles for myself and friends.

I have an early 375 ruger African on the way and a .375 H&H no1. But what I really think I want is a stainless CRF action. Right now my idea is to buy a donor SS Model 70 and convert it to H&H like D’arcy Echols shows on his website. Add a quality barrel, sights, and an accurate innovations stock or maybe a synthetic.

I know this is an open ended question but are there any other complete rifles or actions that I should be looking at for the same $2,500-$3,500 total price? I thought about a ruger Alaskan but the brass availability is getting me on the ruger currently and I already load for the H&H.

Welcome to AH!

As @IvW said, Ruger’s can have reliability issues as a DG rifle. I think you are on the right track with a .375 H&H. A .404 Jeff or a .416 Rigby could also work for both PG & DG.

Most traditional African rifles are blued steel and wood stocked. Moisture or wet weather is not much of a concern in most of Africa. That said, I have taken both SS and blued rifles. I would also definitely recommend a rifle that has iron sights and the ability to be scoped with quick detach scope mounts. The ZKK602 and the CZ550 both have a double square bridge that makes for easy QD scope mounts/rings.

I have two SS M70 rifles that I really like for North American hunting but I prefer something like a ZKK or a slicked up CZ for DG.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

Kimber Caprivi (if you can find one).

 

[fourfive8]

Get online and start beating the bushes for a Win 70 in 375HH or 416 Rem Mag. Search both the new and used market. Many or most of these on the used market will not have been shot enough to wear out the throat or bore. The current prices seem to hover around $1500 +/-. If you stumble into a BRNO 602 you may discover an iffy single stage trigger or set trigger along with a funky, backwards safety. Correcting those issues will require specialized gunsmith work, time and money. Some gunsmiths simply do not have the experience or ability to work on these. The safety and trigger on the Win 70, especially the late New Haven CRF guns, are good to go from the factory. Most any decent gunsmith can adjust a pre-2006 Win 70 trigger to DG rifle specs.

 

[fourfive8]

One thing about standard Win M70s is they are standard long rifle length (30-06) that require some mods to handle 375 HH length if converting from something like a standard 30-06 or 270 donor action. The bolt stop and ejector need trimming- both jobs straight forward and easy. The bolt face will need milling to magnum diameter and a magnum radius extractor added. The magazine follower will need changing out to a magnum length follower and the magazine box spacer removed or the magazine box changed out to magnum length. All in all these mods are pretty easy and not difficult with basic tools. The only half way demanding one is the bolt face enlargement that requires a mill or lathe.

So if rebarreling and converting a donor action like a stainless CRF Win 70 to something like a 375 HH, no reason the cost should exceed 2000-2500 if DIY most of the work. HS Precision would also be a good stock choice.

 

[Bert01]

One thing about standard Win M70s is they are standard long rifle length (30-06) that require some mods to handle 375 HH length if converting from something like a standard 30-06 or 270 donor action. The bolt stop and ejector need trimming- both jobs straight forward and easy. The bolt face will need milling to magnum diameter and a magnum radius extractor added. The magazine follower will need changing out to a magnum length follower and the magazine box spacer removed or the magazine box changed out to magnum length. All in all these mods are pretty easy and not difficult with basic tools. The only half way demanding one is the bolt face enlargement that requires a mill or lathe.

So if rebarreling and converting a donor action like a stainless CRF Win 70 to something like a 375 HH, no reason the cost should exceed 2000-2500 if DIY most of the work. HS Precision would also be a good stock choice.

This is what I was thinking, except start with a magnum bolt face. I have the ability to open that up from a standard, but it is too easy to just start with a 7, 300, or 338 magnum donor. There are a couple of 1999 rifles I’ve seen and plenty of model 70 magnums for <$1000. The only stainless 375 I’ve found is more than $800 over the donor actions. So the cost savings there would pay for a nice barrel blank, reamer and synthetic stock if I go that way.

How do you guys feel about the 1999 vs model 70 as a base?

I realize this is all personal preference and getting to be more about wants vs needs, but then isn’t it all lol

 

[fourfive8]

I have and have had many Win 70s in all the varieties but only experience with building one rifle on the Montana ‘99 action. I assume you are referring to the MRC action? The MRC is a good action. Very similar to the Win 70 with same trigger and safety designs. But the 99 does not have the bolt alignment, anti-bind design feature. IMO, that feature is a much underrated plus of the post-‘86, IIRC, M70s. Comparing the two actions, my personal preference remains with the late New Haven Win M70. If on the other hand you find a magnum length 99 action that would simplify any magnum build.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

One thing about standard Win M70s is they are standard long rifle length (30-06) that require some mods to handle 375 HH length if converting from something like a standard 30-06 or 270 donor action. The bolt stop and ejector need trimming- both jobs straight forward and easy. The bolt face will need milling to magnum diameter and a magnum radius extractor added. The magazine follower will need changing out to a magnum length follower and the magazine box spacer removed or the magazine box changed out to magnum length. All in all these mods are pretty easy and not difficult with basic tools. The only half way demanding one is the bolt face enlargement that requires a mill or lathe.

So if rebarreling and converting a donor action like a stainless CRF Win 70 to something like a 375 HH, no reason the cost should exceed 2000-2500 if DIY most of the work. HS Precision would also be a good stock choice.

About right on the price. I just converted a BRNO vz.24 8mm Mauser 98 to 404 Jeffery (same case length as 375 H&H). Last night I roughly added up the cost in my head at $2200 (mostly US dollars). That included $1,000 US alone for barrel and installation. Bottom metal was $470, action $250, Timney trigger $90, 3-position side safety/bolt shroud $200, opening bolt face $75, used (like new) express sights $150, no-frills walnut semi-finished stock about $100. Only thing left is bluing. Most of the work I did myself including installing trigger and safety, fitting the stock, and modifying follower, extractor, rails and loading ramp to accept larger 404 cartridges.

 

[Bert01]

About right on the price. I just converted a BRNO vz.24 8mm Mauser 98 to 404 Jeffery (same case length as 375 H&H). Last night I roughly added up the cost in my head at $2200 (mostly US dollars). That included $1,000 US alone for barrel and installation. Bottom metal was $470, action $250, Timney trigger $90, 3-position side safety/bolt shroud $200, opening bolt face $75, used (like new) express sights $150, no-frills walnut semi-finished stock about $100. Only thing left is bluing. Most of the work I did myself including installing trigger and safety, fitting the stock, and modifying follower, extractor, rails and loading ramp to accept larger 404 cartridges.View attachment 549760

That looks great! I have a GEW98 that was chopped and sporterized. I’m saving it for a 9.3x62 or a 30-06. I also have a nice VZ24, but it’s in full military garb and matching numbers so I’m going to sell it as is.

 

[Bert01]

Well I just did a thing. One of the actions I’ve been watching, a stainless Montana 1999 XWR. Upon reading the description again I realized that it was a 3.6” action already. So it just needs a new barrel and maybe some feed lip and barrel channel work. I will post pics once I get started.