I agree. Just handled an old Sako that had "300 Mag" printed on the barrel and everyone knew what it meant.
Winchester Model 70 Alaskan- which caliber?
- Thread starter igotta40
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I agree. Just handled an old Sako that had "300 Mag" printed on the barrel and everyone knew what it meant.
Offfhand
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All this discussion of Pre-64 M-70's and magnums has caused me to dig out a few that have been hiding in my gun room and look them over again. At top is a Griffin & Howe Pre-64 in .300 H&H. In middle, another Griffin & Howe Pre-64, in .375 H&H. At bottom is my favorite, a Pre-War M-70 in .375 H&H.
SwampWolf
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Beautiful rifles for sure, Offfhand.
SwampWolf
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That's my understanding too, .308 Norma, and I also have the same 1962 catalog in front of me. If I was choosing a cartridge for "Alaskan game" (I assume the op might be after big bears too, he didn't say), I'd pick the .338 Magnum. I like mine but it's chambered in a Savage Model 116 "Safari" model.
sage5907
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Offhand, those are great rifles and it makes my day to see them. Up until about 1990 every Model 70 that I owned had a steel buttplate. I was shooting my favorite rifle one day when a bad hail storm came up and in a hurry to get in the truck I didn't get the gun case zipped up completely, so when I got home I picked up the case and the rifle slid out onto the garage floor and chipped the toe of the stock. I was sick because the stock was so pretty. I took it to my gunsmith and he shortened the stock an inch and installed a Pachmayr recoil pad. Best thing that ever happened to me. Within two years every rifle that I owned had a recoil pad and my shooting improved considerably. Now I can shoot any rifle in the summertime wearing only a shirt. No regrets.
Vern Humphrey
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Here's a novel idea -- try shooting the rifles and buy the one you shoot best.
There really isn't that much practical difference between the .30-06 and the .300 Win Mag, and recoil is often the determining factor -- I know several dedicated elk hunters who use the 7mm Rem Mag, and their reason, to a man is, "It kicks less."
I wouldn't buy a .375 H&H without shooting it -- many people find this rifle is more than they can handle comfortably.
There really isn't that much practical difference between the .30-06 and the .300 Win Mag, and recoil is often the determining factor -- I know several dedicated elk hunters who use the 7mm Rem Mag, and their reason, to a man is, "It kicks less."
I wouldn't buy a .375 H&H without shooting it -- many people find this rifle is more than they can handle comfortably.
sage5907
Member
One thing about it Vern, if a hunter is having trouble shooting a 30-06 accurately he shouldn't be buying a 300 Magnum or a 375 H&H. You're right in what you're saying, if I ever got really interested in a 300 H&H I would buy a box of ammo and go to a friends house who just happens to own one and has a range on his place and by the time I finished those 20 rounds I'm sure my curiosity would be satisfied.
Pretty rifles Offhand!.
CaliCoastie
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Talked with a good friend up here in Alaska, where I'm stationed. This was a few years back, and he's one for custom guns in different calibers. His words?
A 30-06 will take anything in Alaska. If he feels like he needs a 300 win mag, buy one.
It's not magic, find one your happy with. I would say one you can use day in and out, and work for up here in Alaska.
Ps a guy I know runs a 30-30 for moose with great success(i don't want to hear nay Sayers on that choice) . And once I get my 250 savage running well? Moose in my crosshairs.
A 30-06 will take anything in Alaska. If he feels like he needs a 300 win mag, buy one.
It's not magic, find one your happy with. I would say one you can use day in and out, and work for up here in Alaska.
Ps a guy I know runs a 30-30 for moose with great success(i don't want to hear nay Sayers on that choice) . And once I get my 250 savage running well? Moose in my crosshairs.
SwampWolf
Member
Hey, if bullet weight, velocity and trajectory means little and shot placement is everything for hunting big game in Alaska, I hear you can buy rifles chambered in .38 Special...
SwampWolf
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Yep, my sources show that the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge debuted in 1963.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Replying to the request for elaboration on stock design; the pre-war Model 70s were really stocked for iron sights. Mine, made in 1939. puts my eye right where it belongs if I'm using iron sights, but much too low for a scope. I use Cheek Eez Cheek Protectors -- these are pic-and-stick Sorbothane pads that you stick on the comb of the stock to raise the cheek bone enough to bring the eye to scope level.
Flatbush Harry
Member
I'd get a .375 H&H but then I put one together as my primary hunting rifle using a Rem 700 XCR II barreled action, glass-bedded into a B&C Sporter stock in the Weatherby configuration with a Timney trigger and Leupy QD scope mounts for my 1.5-6x24 and 3-9x40 scopes. The express sights are sighted in for 50 yards, the scopes for 100- and 200-yards respectively. I decided on this rifle for Alaskan fishing/hunting trips and CO Elk hunting. Had the Win 70 Alaskan been available at the time. I might well have gone for it in .375 H&H instead. BTW, Federal Premiums with 260gr AccuBonds are wonderful North American game getters for the .375 H&H. One in the boiler room and tracking isn't likely to be needed.
Cheers,
Harry
Cheers,
Harry
I like the new model 70's better than the early models. If you get the Alaskan, get it in the .338 Win Mag. You can load it down easily and boy do the shot good groups. JMHO
Fellas,
I've made a decision. A new Winchester Alaskan chambered in 375 Holland & Holland. I currently have Dad's old sporterized Arisaka rechambered for 30-06, that he took Pennsylvania white tails with in the 50's & 60's, a new Remington ADL 200 year commemorative in 30-06, (Gander Mountain going out of business sale), and a Remington 700 Long Range in 300 Win Mag.
I decided I don't want to get to the end of my shooting days without ever having shot a 375, recoil be damned. Sometimes in life you have to just say, hell why not? Life is short, do what you want.
I'll order it this week, photos coming ASAP.
I've made a decision. A new Winchester Alaskan chambered in 375 Holland & Holland. I currently have Dad's old sporterized Arisaka rechambered for 30-06, that he took Pennsylvania white tails with in the 50's & 60's, a new Remington ADL 200 year commemorative in 30-06, (Gander Mountain going out of business sale), and a Remington 700 Long Range in 300 Win Mag.
I decided I don't want to get to the end of my shooting days without ever having shot a 375, recoil be damned. Sometimes in life you have to just say, hell why not? Life is short, do what you want.
I'll order it this week, photos coming ASAP.
I promise you the recoil is not as bad as the internet would lead you to believe. I don't shoot mine off the bench much as the angle is uncomfortable to me. From field positions I can shoot my Safari Express all day long.
Offfhand
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Yep, I like it too, nice touch. The guy who first owned it was quite a shooter and hunter and used it to shoot a moose in Canada. He had its huge head hung in his office. He was the Doc who delivered my wife, and said she was his most beautiful baby and left the rifle to her in his will, along with some other gun stuff. So I can't honestly claim it is mine.
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Vern Humphrey
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Mine, which was made in 1939, also has a peep sight, snuggled up against the rear scope base.
.308 Norma
Member
Excellent!
But now I'm envious, darn it!
I tend to agree with Robert about the recoil. I actually have a pre-64 Model 70 .338 Win Mag, and can say for sure it's recoil doesn't hurt me as bad as the post-94 Model 70 .300 Win Mag I used to have. I know - on paper a 225 gr. bullet at 2,900 fps from a .338 Win Mag has more recoil than a 165 gr. bullet at 3,000 fps from a .300 Win Mag. But it just feels to me like the recoil of a .338 WM is slower than the recoil of a .300 WM, so it hurts less. I suspect that might be the case with the .375 H&H. I've never shot one though, so I don't know for sure.
The 375 is a big shove not a snappy kick. The recoil pad on the Safari Express and Alaskan is very good at absorbing the recoil. I got to handle a pre 64 Alaskan in 338 Win Mag last night. Beautiful rifle but wow was it light.
cdb1
Member
Even though I said many would disagree with you on your earlier post I'm not sure I would. It's because I think there may be something to the idea that recoil doesn't feel as bad when it is slower vs snappy. Which is the only reason I can think of why 25-06 recoil is less pleasant for me than 30-06 when the exact same model rifle is used.
Worst recoil I've ever felt was a light weight 30-06. I've shot 470NE a bunch and that 06 makes me flinch just thinking about it.
.308 Norma
Member
Yeah, my pre 64 338 Win Mag is not an "Alaskan." The fact is, the only thing about it that's actually "pre 64" about it is the action. I had a #3 Douglas premium barrel screwed on, and put it in a custom, laminated wood stock. It's definitely not light, but it's gorgeous, and shoots like a dream come true.
.308 Norma
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I have a buddy who is no stranger to hard kicking rifles, and he swears up and down his .257 Weatherby hurts worse than his .416 Rem Mag.
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