Just can't decide! Winchester or CZ?

[HuntingGuy]

I am looking at the Winchester Model 70 Classic Safari Express .375 H&H, and the CZ 550 Safari Magnum .375 H&H.  I can't choose between the two.  What would you guys do?  I plan on taking it to Africa some day.

Thanks, HuntingGuy

[jgalar]

I have never handled either, but from the CZs that I have handled - you get alot of gun for the money.

[leverfan]

HuntingGuy-

What about the Ruger Magnum Rifle?  It might cost you more than the Winchester, and lots more than CZ, but my customer service experience with Ruger has been far better than my experiences with Winchester and CZ.  Ruger makes reliable guns, and this particular one is controlled round feed, which you seem to favor.  It took a lot of prodding to get Winchester to fix a rifle for me recently, they swiped my action proving dummies, and they failed to send me the promised refund for my shipping costs.  CZ has ignored questions that I sent them about a CZ pistol I own that needed some work.  I had the work done locally, finally, and I still haven't heard back from them.  Ruger treated me better when I had a Redhawk in need of repair, and service means a lot to me, even if I never end up needing it.

[Duke45]

Huntingguy  I just bought a CZ american safari mag in 375 H&H mag. Seems very well made and the action is smooth for a long throw. I could not afford the Ruger even though i like them. The CZ can be bought for around $ 650. NIB.  maybe a little less. I have not shot the CZ yet just been to envolved in other stuff but from the research I did i have no fear that it will not be accurate as most guys tell me theres group moa. at 100 yds. Good luck Duke45

[Rustbucket]

I like them both, I would probably get a USRAC in SS, and restock it, and add a Mercury Recoil Reducer.  I could use the USRAC SS beast in Alaska too.  If I had the $$, I might think about the Ruger (it doesn't come in SS).
One African hunting webpage reviewed all the actions above and gave them generally good marks.  The same webpage really dinged the Remingtons for Safari rifles though.  

[Lawdog]

HuntingGuy,

When in doubt always buy American.  As stated don't over look  the Ruger M77 Magnum.  I went thru this very same decision process a few years back.  I bought the Ruger for the reason of Customer Service.  They have one of the best Customer Service Departments today.  I just prefer the added weight and balance of the Ruger.  Also at the time CZ was having problems with their stocks splitting.  Good luck and let us know what you choose.  Lawdog
 

[Ghoster]

Here is an African Webpage that checks out several rifles:  http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm

[Arizona Jake]

I have taken 14 African animals, 9 (eland, kudu, gemsbok, impala, 2 warthogs, blue wildebeest, red hartbeest and baboon) with my Winchester M-70 in .375 H&H Mag. using 270 gr. Barnes X bullets.

The other 5 (zebra, black wildebeest, nyala, springbok, blesbok) with my Winchester M-70 stainless in .338 Win. Mag. using 210 gr. Barnes X bullets.

NO FAILURES OF ANY KIND, 100% SATISFACTION !!!

I am planning another hunt for sable and cape buffalo within the next 2 years, and, God willing, I'll be taking my tried, tested RELIABLE Winchester Model 70.  Nope, I have NOTHING to do with Winchester or Barnes - just one satisfied customer. :wink:

[pc]

I like the cz's and my own .375 is a cz 550 with hogsback stock, I love it and it shoots well. I also own 4 other cz's and want to own heaps more, that is how much I like them.

[Zachary]

Here is an African Webpage that checks out several rifles:  http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm

It is interesting to note that the article talks about the Remington having ejector problems.  Well, my Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in .375H&H also had the ejector bind-up as well.  As a result, the fired cases would not eject - talk about a disaster waiting to happen if you were hunting big game in Africa.  Thank goodness I was just at the firing range.

I had the gun sent to a gunsmith who fixed the problem.  Of course I also had a lot of other work done - such as:

1)  McMillan Stock.
2)  Pillar bed and glass bed the action.
3)  Trigger job - 3 pound pull.
4)  Free float barrel
5)  polish the action.

Now the action is even smoother than my Tikkas!

If I told you that this .375H&H now can shoot less than 1/4 inch groups at 100 yards - would you believe me?  Well, it does!  And it does it with Factory Federal 300 grain soft-points!

The author is correct, the M70 is a great rifle, and with a little tweaking, it is an awesome rifle!  I highly recommend it.

Zachary