This year I will add a .375 H&H bolt action rifle with controlled round feed to my battery. What new rifle do you recommend and why?

The big debate over a Dangerous Game Rifle is controlled round feed verses push feed. With that in mine I'd recommend the CZ 550 in 375 H&H for several reasons then the new Ruger 375.

First is the cost, you can get a new CZ 375 or 416 Rigby from Whittikers in the 800 buck range and that's an excellent price. As for the New Ruger it gives you all the power of the old 375 H&H in a short action rifle though their a little more money.

Both of these are a controlled round feed guns and though I'm a Remington fan and have killed several big bears with a push feed 700 Remington if given a choice the controlled round feed eliminates one more potential problem.

My 2 cents Byron.

I know Sako makes a number of rifles chambered in 375 H&H, but I'm not sure if they are control feed or push feed. Bob would probably know.

This year I will add a .375 H&H bolt action rifle with controlled round feed to my battery. What new rifle do you recommend and why?

I unloaded my last .375 a while back. Sick of the beating. The loss of the M70 in an affordable, and typically accurate .375 brings tears to my eyes. If you haven't picked up a CZ, you need to, at the VERY least, look at one.

I have a CZ 527 American that I picked up on a whim. It's a featherweight varmit rifle, that I mounted a Leuoplod 3-9X EFR scope on. It is a consistant sub MOA shooter. Always wanted a .20Ga O/U. Picked up a CZ Redhead for 1/2- 1/3 the price of a baretta, etc. What a beautiful peice of work. Ever wanted a 6.5 X 55. Found one on a dealers rack, a CZ 550. In a high stress decision between a 9.3 X 62, for $599, I brought it home. A box of plain vanilla Core-Lokt 140gr bullets tells me it's a shooter. Fit and finish on all of them are really, really, nice.

Take a look at one, they're beautiful,

The new Sako's starting with the 75 I believe are controlled round feed guns. They don't use the big long Mauser type extractor though.

TMan is right they are a beautiful rifle. I built a 375 Weatherby for a friend on a Sako action when he and I lived in Alaska. At that time it was on an L-something action and though not controlled round feed he killed several nice bears with it.

If I were building or buying today I'd probably opt for the 416 Rigby that CZ is building right now on the big Mauser action. Believe I priced on out of Whittekers for well under 900 bucks. It costs the same as a 375 and pushes those 400 grainers along with pretty good authority.

CZ 550. Great rifle for a great price.

Hey Lord Bryon, I just sold my Browning Medilon with a boss system it was a 375 H&H.
I found the rifle to be excellent just real noisy. For 10 years I shot this rifle for all game from Prairie goats to Elk.

I know this thread is a little old, but I just picked up a nice CZ 550 Safara Classic in 375H&H. Mounted a Leupold 2x7 Vari x II in Warne qd mounts. I just tried it out this morning, using some Hornadh 270 spier points I had loaded for a Ruger #1 a couple of years ago, Velocity about 2700FPS per manuel. Recoil not bad, my Featherweiight 30-06 is worse, but this gun with scope is pushing 11 pounds. Nice little one hole cloverleaf groups at 50 yards, did not have time for anything else as I had met a couple of friends and let them try it as well as my 458 Win mag, they had never shot a big bore before today.

FWIW, the Rugers are in the mid 800s and made in the USA.

FWIW, the Rugers are in the mid 800s and made in the USA.

I hear you re Made in USA, but man that Safari Magnum is a beautiful piece of hardware.

I've got the CZ Safari Magnum with the lux stock. Beautiful rifle and a pleasure to shoot. You definitely know you've shot something, but it's more of a push than a painful jab. I got Warne quick disconnect rings in case I want to switch to the express sights.

The .375 is a truly awesome round. I like the X bullet in just about everything and this caliber is no exception.

This first rifle is an African .375 built on a Mauser action by Sterling Davenport. It is beautifull example of English "Classic" design. This rifle could have been made at the original Rigby & Co. In fact Davenport worked for Rigby.

The second is a plain jane M-70 classic in Stainless. The rifle is rigged for Alaska but if I was keeping it, I would have a quarter rib added with three leaves and Talley Mounts. It's hard to beat stainless/composite.

Cheers.

I have a CZ, I had Brockman install a laminated wood stock on the rifle, this rifle will shoot 300 gr North Fork Solids cup point solids and softs into a groop that can be covered with a quarter at 100 yards, that is three shots with each bullet into the same group.

I load RX 15 in winchester cases with fed 215 for over 2600 fps The cape buff I shot with it went all of 12 yards. It is not how big the gun is, but where you place the premium bullet.

The CZ is probably the best buy on the market. After about 100 rounds through it, the action was extremely smooth.

getting that velocity with a 300gr. and R15, hope it doesn't blow up in your face!

I just saw a couple of the Remington 700 SPS Dangerous Game rifles in .375 H&H for $550, express sights included.

Hi to all,

You will be much happier with the 550 American Safari than the Euro model. The Euro model has too much drop at heel. The American stock is a much better design with its straighter stock. Its a shame they use a 2 position safety.

American Model

http://www.cz-usa.com/data/productimg/main050.png


Euro Model

http://www.cz-usa.com/data/productimg/main023.png

I have the Euro stock and love it. I would say try both and see which one you prefer.

Hi to all,

You will be much happier with the 550 American Safari than the Euro model. The Euro model has too much drop at heel. The American stock is a much better design with its straighter stock. Its a shame they use a 2 position safety.

American Model

http://www.cz-usa.com/data/productimg/main050.png


Euro Model

http://www.cz-usa.com/data/productimg/main023.png
Can these be modified to a 3 position safety?
Dan

I have to agree stock wise I am a long time .375 shooter and while I like to looks of the Euro stock the drop at the comb for some people can be a little nasty felt recoil wise if you shoulder it just a Little wrong

I definitely would recommend the CZ 550 Magnum. I picked one up in 416 Rigby and am very happy with it. Very good fit and finish, nice wood, and accurate. The bolt was a little stiff for the first 50 to 100 rounds then it got very smooth.

There is a 3 position safety made for the CZ if I can find it I'll post it up.

There is a 3 position safety made for the CZ if I can find it I'll post it up.
Thanks for the response. I will be looking for your post if you can find the information on the 3 position safety.

I like the looks of that Euro stock too. :cool:
Dan

If money is no object, try to find a pre 64 Winchester model 70. It not only a great gun but a good investment. There are a few for sale on the gun auction sites.

I remember shooting a friends 375 h&h Colt Sauer off the bench. Had a flinch every time I shot anything for months from that recoil, but what a rifle, bolt just slid back by itself after you opened it.

If money is no object, try to find a pre 64 Winchester model 70. It not only a great gun but a good investment. There are a few for sale on the gun auction sites.If my budget allowed, that's what I would look for. Or an old Browning Safari FN Mauser. They're really nice rifles. Theres one for sale on Guns America.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/949970261/Guns/Rifles/Browning-Rifles/Bolt-Action/Hunting/Blue/Browning_Safari_375_H_H_long_extractor.htm

Concur regarding the old Browning FN Mausers, very nice rifles if you can find one.

Here is that link regarding the 3 position CZ safety.

http://www.hunting-rifles.com/Accessories/accessories.htm

If money is no object, try to find a pre 64 Winchester model 70. It not only a great gun but a good investment. There are a few for sale on the gun auction sites.
I love the Winchesters, but I do not buy my guns for investments but rather for use. I currently have a newer model M70 Classic in 300 Win Mag that I love, but it is too light for Africa DG and I am planning a trip there for buffalo.
Dan

[QUOTE=Frank Whiton;379879]Hi to all,

You will be much happier with the 550 American Safari than the Euro model. The Euro model has too much drop at heel. The American stock is a much better design with its straighter stock. Its a shame they use a 2 position safety.

i disagree with this post. the european model stock is made with the drop at the heel for two reasons. first it allows the shooter to achieve a proper sight plane for use of the iron sights. they'll generally come to the shoulder perfectly for this, similar to a shotgun. if you look closely at the pictures, you'll notice the height difference in both rear and front sight bases between each rifle model. these taller sights are no advantage when you're scrambling through thorn after an elephant or buffalo.
second it acts to release recoil energy upward rather than straight back into the shooters shoulder. for decades continental and english built large bore rifles have been stocked this way.
i would recommend you shoulder both before you make a decision.
as for the safety, my 550 started life as a 30-06 FS and is now a 9.3mm Brenneke. it has an OEM 3 position safety. it also has a factory 'american' stock which is some what less than ideal for using the iron sights.