Eastbank-
I know the magazine is internal. Was the M-70 .375 ever made with a detachable magazine?
What I'm wondering is: where's the forward sling swivel! You gonna put it on the barrel, London-made style? I thought that USRAC/Winchester installed swivels?
If this gun was made in 1974, it does not have controlled round feeding. I don't let that bother me too much as the extractor is still pretty large, more so in proportion than that on the SMLE .303, which proved very reliable in battle.
Just don't short-stroke the bolt! W.D.M. Bell mentioned the possibility of doing that on a long-action rifle as being one reason why he preferred the 7X57mm (.275 Rigby) and the .318. He was very enthused by the .308 when it arrived, but that was long after his African days. He may have still hunted in Scotland.
FITA: If I wanted a .375 today, I'd get a Model 70, with the CZ and the Sako Safari Grade Classic (probably now discontinued on the Finnish rifle) running pretty close. Current Sakos in other models should be okay, but they don't have controlled round feeding. The present M-70 and the CZ do. The Winchester probably handles recoil best and has the best liklihood of local repair in the US. Don't know about Canada. Quebec may have a smaller selection than other provinces. I think the gun laws are worse there. Beretta owns Sako, so Beretta dealers should have the rifles.
Between the rifles cited, I'd get the Sako. I'd use factory ammo. And that's what you'll need if you have to buy more ammo in Africa or elsewhere. If you can find factory ammo loaded with Nosler Partition bullets in this caliber, it should be ideal for any game shot with softnose ammo. The Winchester Power Point should be good for most plains game, especially for side-on shots. I'd a bit rather have the Nosler on "raking" shots on quartering game, if you have to take such a shot. And I'd prefer the Nosler for frontal shots on lions.
Have you decided on a FMJ (solid) bullet? Which animals do you plan to hunt?
Remember, some may hunt YOU on short notice! I'd sure study the frontal brain shot on elephant and study where to hit a Cape buffalo at all angles. I presume that you know not to shoot at a lions' head, as the bullet will likely glance off and there's no skull where the mane is. I wonder where to hit a charging hippo? They are often very dangerous and with crocs, kill more people in Africa than any other animal.
Which make is your .470? Can you post pics?
Are polar bear hunts still legal? That's another very dangerous animal that may hunt you, as will crocodiles. I agree with the late Jeff Cooper that ALL polar bears and crocodiles should be regarded as potential man-eaters.
