Couple pre 64 Winchester African rifles that I recently acquired

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Gordon

Gordon

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IMG_20190814_190948514.jpg IMG_20190814_191006932.jpg IMG_20190814_191058475.jpg IMG_20190814_191204348_TOP.jpg IMG_20190814_191137862.jpg Finally found a pre 64 Winchester 1955 model 70 .375 H&H I could afford and Lordy if there wasn't a 1959 .458 African super grade that went along with it. These old pards went a few times to Africa in 70 s and 80 s . .the now deceased owner quit using them in 90 s and passed a couple years ago. They were very dry from closet storage for 15 years in widows closet. She passed and I bought them from her daughter who was late 60 s . They didn't look the way they do now. I am too old to use an 8 3/4 pound ..458, and only got a couple years to enjoy the .375 but the beautiful Lyman iron sights would have to be replaced by a scope. I all ready have two .375 H&H s . The .375 weighs 9 pounds, a quarter pound more than the .458. the .458 swings like a dream and there is no doubt the African open sights are perfect for it's work. The .375 is a beauty too they make an ideal classic safari pair very noire nostalgics.
 
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If you need to rehydrate the stocks I have a spot at my local club that would work well, lane 6. Those are fine rifles, and with a bit of TrailBoss you could enjoy both for years to come. Congratulations on a stellar find!
 
oh please don,t make snow flakes out of them, I shoot my two .375,s close to full throttle. I used a CZ 550 in .375 H&H on six hunting trips to africa and one shot kills were the norm.
 

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eastbank said:
oh please don,t make snow flakes out of them, I shoot my two .375,s close to full throttle. I used a CZ 550 in .375 H&H on six hunting trips to africa and one shot kills were the norm.
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If I was fortunate enough to have them, I would throttle them back so I could shoot them. With "frozen shoulder syndrome" in both shoulders, shooting my '06 with 180 gr. bullets can be very painful, not to mention reaching up to scratch the back of my head....

Not all of us are as young as we used to be nor would like to be. I say throttle back if you need to and enjoy the rifles as they were intended.. 'Choot 'em!
 
Gorgeous rifles! Beware that the M-70 in .458 Win had a bad habit of splitting through the pistol stock if not properly bedded. I know you said you’re not going to shoot it much but just beware if you ever do.
 
When I am buying pre 64 Model 70 rifles I have choices between Super Grade and Standard rifles and my preference has been the Standard grade because the stock just feels better in my hands. The Standard grade rifles made in the early years up through 1955 had some really fine Missouri american walnut stocks. I always look to see if the wood is quarter sawed or slab sawed and although I have both types the slab sawed stocks are usually the prettiest. Of course, if you look at the stock from the side and the surface looks like veneer the wood is slab sawed. Your Super Grade stock appears to be slab sawed and the Standard Grade appears to be quarter sawed. It's fitting and proper that the Super Grade have a slab sawed stock but the Standard grade rifles are just as pretty. It's understood that the metal work is near perfect. Really high quality rifles.
 
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The M-70 in .458 was the standard issue parks rifle for many rangers for years in various parts of Africa.
 
H&Hhunter said:
Gorgeous rifles! Beware that the M-70 in .458 Win had a bad habit of splitting through the pistol stock if not properly bedded. I know you said you’re not going to shoot it much but just beware if you ever do.
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Even the double cross bolted "SUPER GRADE AFRICAN" ? I didn't know cross bolted guns have that problem.
 
H&Hhunter said:
The M-70 in .458 was the standard issue parks rifle for many rangers for years in various parts of Africa.
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Like I said, in 19 81 ( I think) I left the push feed Model 70 .458 I bought for my first safari as a tip for the PH as he was complaining about hard to find ammo for his double , which I think was a .400/450 H&H . He said .458 was available and I though I had no further use for it but held on to the German made .300 Weatherby I brought to shoot everything but buff and Hippo.
 
Congratulations on your purchase

Those "African" Pre 64's Model 70's are classics & absolutely beautiful

Just holding one takes you back to a bygone era
 
Gordon said:
Like I said, in 19 81 ( I think) I left the push feed Model 70 .458 I bought for my first safari as a tip for the PH as he was complaining about hard to find ammo for his double , which I think was a .400/450 H&H . He said .458 was available and I though I had no further use for it but held on to the German made .300 Weatherby I brought to shoot everything but buff and Hippo.
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Classy
 
Gordon said:
Even the double cross bolted "SUPER GRADE AFRICAN" ? I didn't know cross bolted guns have that problem.
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Nope just the standard early ones with no cross bolts. However if I was going to be doing any amount of shooting with the .458 I’d glass it anyway just to be sure.
 
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