My new .375 H&H setup

[shuter]

Hi guys, first post. I got some good info by lurking, however, especially in regards to mounting my scope. Don't know when/if I'll hunt Africa, though I'd dearly love to; but I came across a gorgeous new Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .375 H&H that I just couldn't pass up. I've never owned a .375 before, but always wanted to. Anyway, I haven't yet fired it (next week, probably), but I just got the Leupold 1.5-5x VX-III mounted up in Warne rings and bases. I initially went with the .854" extended front base but swapped it out for the .554", as it is a better fit for this scope and doesn't protrude into the ejection port area as much. The rings are Warne Maxima Low QD. Pics below, and thanks for all of the good info on this site!

 

[peras]

Welcome, you have a very nice rifle and set up there!

 

[TokkieM]

Welcome to AH! Nice setup, classy looking rifle in a classic caliber

 

[CAustin]

Very nice rifle. Did you buy n a private sale or gun store?

 

[shuter]

Thanks all. CAustin, I purchased it from my local gun shop. They'd ordered it in for a guy who sustained a severe shoulder injury in the meantime and couldn't shoot it. The trigger is fantastic, by the way.

 

[Royal27]

Welcome to the forum!

Nice rifle...

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Welcome toAH. Nice rifle and caliber. You will be pleased.
Witold

 

[BRICKBURN]

You have the rifle now, so you are on your way.
Thanks for sharing your new purchase.

 

[spike.t]

welcome aboard , now you have a nice african spec rifle better get over sooner than later

 

[gizmo]

Nice

 

[PaulT]

Welcome to the forums Shuter and congrats on a first class set-up in that .375 of yours.

My only personal criticism of the current mod 70 is that they may be slightly heavy for caliber in .375, but this is only my individual perspective of an otherwise fine production rifle housed in an excellent action.

Your rifle/scope/mounts set-up is as ideal and perfect as you can get in a factory production firearm chambered in a cartridge that is extremely versatile and effective.

You should get a lifetime of enjoyment and satisfaction from this piece.

Good shooting and hunting to you.

Paul.

 

[Rob404]

Nice set-up let us know how it shoots

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Congrats, love my 375HH M70. If you're a handloader, let me know as I'd be happy to share my loads with you.

 

[ActionBob]

Welcome shuter! Great way to pop up on the site.

You have the perfect setup to get started... As soon as I decided I was going to Africa, I went right out and bought that same gun. You are going to love it! The little bit of extra weight makes it very reasonable to shoot.

You can't get a better gun in a more classic African caliber that looks better or more classic for the money.

I would suggest you carefully check the tightness of the screws including the cross bolts before you sight it in. Very nice trigger but I actually pulled my action off the stock and lower the pull weight to 3.5 pounds, should have backed the screw all then way out to 3 pounds. But figure that out for your preference.

If your not a handloader, mine loves Hornady Superformance 270 grain SPRP ammo, Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and Hydro solids. And it is fine with Remingtom Premium A Frames but a tad looser groups.

And if you end up liking the medium bores, that same gun in a 416 Rem Mag feels lighter and livelier.

 

[colorado]

I like your rifle a lot! Congrats. I have the same scope on my 500 Jeffery, it's held up well. I really like your sling too.

 

[shuter]

Congrats, love my 375HH M70. If you're a handloader, let me know as I'd be happy to share my loads with you.

Yes, Phil; please do share! Thanks for the offer.

 

[shuter]

Thanks for all the welcomes and kind words, gents!

 

[shuter]

Welcome shuter! Great way to pop up on the site.

You have the perfect setup to get started... As soon as I decided I was going to Africa, I went right out and bought that same gun. You are going to love it! The little bit of extra weight makes it very reasonable to shoot.

You can't get a better gun in a more classic African caliber that looks better or more classic for the money.

I would suggest you carefully check the tightness of the screws including the cross bolts before you sight it in. Very nice trigger but I actually pulled my action off the stock and lower the pull weight to 3.5 pounds, should have backed the screw all then way out to 3 pounds. But figure that out for your preference.

If your not a handloader, mine loves Hornady Superformance 270 grain SPRP ammo, Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claws and Hydro solids. And it is fine with Remingtom Premium A Frames but a tad looser groups.

And if you end up liking the medium bores, that same gun in a 416 Rem Mag feels lighter and livelier.

Great Info Bob. I have removed the action and scrubbed it well, tightening action screws in the process. But I haven't yet checked the cross bolts. Will definitely do that. I picked up 2 boxes of the 270 grain Superformance SPRP DGS ammo when I bought the rifle. I'm hoping it shoots well in mine, too.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Yes, Phil; please do share! Thanks for the offer.

Disclaimer: Work up to these loads from 4 grains below what I listed to ensure they're safe in your rifle.

All loads use Remington brass with Federal 215M primers. COAL set to SAAMI length except for the A-Frame load. A-Frames were set to crimp in the cannelure which makes them shorter than SAAMI. All loads are crimped.

250gr North Fork Bonded Core: 72.8gr of H4895, good for approximately 2830fps
300gr North Fork Bonded Core: 76gr of IMR4350, good for approximately 2550fps

300gr Swift A-Frame: 78gr of IMR43250, good for approximately 2550 fps again

250gr Barnes TTSX: got great accuracy and about 2900fps with H4895
300gr Barnes TSX: got great accuracy using IMR4350

If you notice H4895 for the lighter bullets and IMR4350 for the heavies. Varget also works well in my rifle for the 250's, just not quite as well as the H4895. For the Barnes bullets, I don't have the weight of powder in my notes. The Barnes bullets are very accurate too, but they have a habit of dropping copper quickly in my barrel. Once it gets about 10 rounds give or take through the barrel, accuracy drops off quickly.

Again work up to these loads, paying close attention for pressure signs.

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello Shuter,

You have selected a perfect rifle/caliber/scope for Africa (the same for parts of Canada and Alaska as well - due to the occasional grumpy bear.)

I know I am the odd man out (very odd some will say).
But, my favorite load in the .375 H&H (also my favorite hunting cartridge) is the 300 grain round nose at 2400 Feet Per Second.

Hornady and Woodleigh are excellent bullets for this load.
Likewise, I have shot a few critters with the 300 grain Nosler Partition (it's a semi-spitzer) at 2400 fps and would happily do so again.

The accuracy has been excellent and recoil is reduced enough below factory ballistics (about 150 fps difference) to be noticeable.
The many and varying sized animals I have shot with this combination have tipped over very soon after being struck by it.
In some cases, they have dropped to the shot, and of course stayed there.

I will however say that the above projectiles are not my recommendation for cape buffalo.
Rather I would recommend the 300 grain Swift A-Frame for buffaloes.
And, although I have only one buffalo scalp to my credit, I will guess that 2400 fps is plenty for them with this incredibly reliable bullet.

Always consult your PH on all equipment, especially the above ones mentioned.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.