Win. 70 Safari or Alaskan model?

[andrewdl007]

I am really interested in getting a brand new FN made Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H. I've narrowed it down to either the Safari express or the Alaskan. My dream is to take it on safari but i would mainly just like it for all around 375 shooting. best I can tell the major difference is the Alaskan barrell is an inch longer, weight and LOP are the same. I'm including both rifle descriptions below. Which would you choose and why? Thanks.

-The Model 70™ Safari Express in a matte blued finish is the perfect choice for your once-in-a-lifetime hunt because it’s built to handle the heavy cartridges necessary to take dangerous game. Important details like the Pre-’64 type claw extractor, Pachmayr® Decelerator® recoil pad, barrel band front swivel base, hooded-blade front sight and express-style rear sight make the Safari Express ideal for any African hunt. The dual recoil lugs and two steel stock reinforcing crossbolts handle the punishment from heavy magnum loads. The time-tested Three-Position Safety has been a hallmark of the Model 70 for decades. The secure hex socket action screws won’t snag on clothing, and the one-piece steel trigger guard helps maintain rigidity and provides added strength. The handsome cheekpiece positions your eye instantly and firmly on target. Flip open the flush-mounted, hinged steel magazine floorplate for fast and easy unloading. Large calibers are available, making the Model 70 Safari Express the finest big game rifle in the world.


-The Alaskan has a satin Finish Monte Carlo Walnut Stock with cut checkering looks exquisite and aligns your eye perfectly with open sights or a scope • Folding Adjustable Rear Sight with Hooded Gold Bead Front for fast and sure target acquisition • Polished Metal Surfaces add style and elegance • Alloy One-Piece Bottom Metal adds solid rigidity for better accuracy • M.O.A. Trigger System for zero take-up, zero creep and zero overtravel • Open Sights are ideal for thick cover and quick shots • Integral Recoil Lug forged and machined as part of receiver for greater accuracy • Pre-’64 Style Controlled Round Feed with Claw Extractor fully controls the cartridge from magazine, to chamber, to ejection • Recessed Target Crown protects the rifling • Cold Hammer-Forged Free-Floating Barrel means pinpoint accuracy • Pachmayr® Decelerator® Recoil Pad for optimal protection against felt recoil.

 

[Slamfire]

Both look wonderful, but having a 375 H&H, I would take the heaviest one.

 

[Speedgoat]

I own a Alaskan model in .300 Win Mag and have nothing but good things to say about that rifle. Put together nicely and a pretty good shooter for a factory rifle. The 'dog knot' barrel contour / open sights is a little sentimental to a guy who likes pre-64's also.

Regardless I bet you'll enjoy your purchase.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

The Alaskan is the one I want for one reason: I believe it will be impervious to weather (it is also a bit heavier and I like the extra inch--we are talking about a magnum after all). It is the gun in my mind that I must lust over. Some more expensive guns may look nicer.

Having said all that: I just noticed that that Montana Rifle Company has a DG rifle (a couple) that are in the same general price point. I am interested in looking at that as well. Between those two are my real thoughts now.

All that being said: I don't think you should get one. They are hard to find out there and I don't want you to get the one that I would other wise get or make the price go up...so get the Safari, it's the better choice.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[ExAgoradzo]

MRC
American Vantage Rifle (AVR) - The AVR is a classic Dangerous Game rifle offered in either matte blued chrome moly steel or 100% stainless steel barreled actions with Marble Replaceable front and Rear Sights. The ASR in chrome moly blued steel is offered in a Glass Bedded field grade American Black Walnut stock and the AVR-SS is a stainless steel barreled action Glass Bedded in a field grade American Black Walnut stock. The AVR line is available in 35 Whelen, 375 H&H, 375 Ruger, 416 Rem Mag, 416 Ruger, 458 Lott, 458 Win Mag cartridges and in right or left hand configurations. MSRP $1279.00

 

[Robert]

I bought a Safari Express last year and love it. The only reason, and it is a minor one, that'd I'd shy away from the Alaskan is the location of that front sling swivel. I really don't want that thing anywhere near my hand under recoil. A standard load out of my SE feels like shooting a 12ga.

Want to make it weather proof? Add a McMillan or Manners stock to the rifle and you are ready for anything from the Artic Circle to Africa.

Now the bad news. When I bought my SE it would not group at all. Took it to the local heavy rifle smith and discovered that the factory bedding was made of play doh and that the crown was messed up from the factory. Neither issue is an "issue" as far as Winchester is concerned. But the smith got her shooting straight and now I ring the range gong at 300y every shot no problem.

 

[GooseGestapo]

My .375 is the Ruger Hawkeye MkII "African". It had originally the stock with the sling swivels on the stock. I moved it to the front of the stock. I then sent it back for sight replacement and ended up with a new barrel with sling band on barrel (long story, original owner had a gunsmith "butcher" the barrel...(welded up the screw holes for original sights..).

Both are essentially the same gun. I'd go with the S.E. personally, or plan on moving the swivel stud. It won't be a problem in the field (mine wasn't) but shooting from the bench, it'll eat up your foward hand if not placed in front of the stud.

I put a Pachmayer "Old English" Decelerator pad on mine, and it's very tolerable for recoil, even with loads a tad above that of the .375H&H. (think 12ga w/ duck loads).

It doesn't specify for the S.E., but it does list a Decelerator for the Alaskan....
btw, my Ruger with scope weighs less than 9lbs making it a decent weight hunting rifle... One I don't mind carrying. My .300RUM (Savage) runs closer to 10lbs and isn't so desirable to carry all day...
I much prefer the .375... But the game animals HATE it...think large wound cavities and short, double blood trails, if not "dead, right there"!

 

[bannockburn]

I suppose if it came down to it, I would go with the Safari Express primarily for the aesthetics.

 

[Willie Sutton]

The knowing buyer would likely look for a .375 Whitworth Mauser as imported by Interarms, save a few bucks, and get a real classic. Just my two cents, worth what you paid for the opinion. Why buy a "copy of a copy of a Mauser" (new Model 70 is copied from the pre-64 Model 70, which is copied from the 98 Mauser) when you can buy a real Mauser? ;-)


With that said, the choice above is "scoped or open sights"? Safari if shooting close with open, Alaskan if shooting scoped at distance. The .375 does both well. And either would be fine.



Willie

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[amflyer]

If you can look at the rifles in person, I would do so. I have a M70 in the Cabelas commem. version, which is basically a nicer grade of wood, but otherwise and Alaskan in 300 WM. The barrel profile is pretty light. Not a bad thing, but I would prefer a little more weight in the 375. My CZ 375 is a heavy rifle, but I carried it in the Hochlands of Namibia without too much problem. It is a nicer rifle to shoot, fully loaded with sling and scope at 11+ pounds.

 

[Robert]

I run a Leupold 2.5-8x36 VX3 on my SE with absolutely no issues what so ever.

 

[a-sheepdog]

I have the Winchester Model 70 Safari in 375 H&H and love it, very accurate. Mine shoots 300 grain Nosler Partitions at under an inch at 100 yards when I do my part (factory Federal Ammo), next I want to try it out with some Swift A-Frames (factory ammo). I cant praise the rifle enough. I can't comment on the Alaskan as I have never handled or shot one. I think you would be happy with the Safari, but it is a little heavy. I also have one in 416 Rem Mag that is also a nice shooter but I am not as accurate with it.

One difference I like about the Safari over the Alaskan is the location of the front sling stud (barrel mounted on Safari) and the fact that the Safari sights are adjustable. Like I mentioned though, I have not handled an Alaskan, just comparing it in the pics.

 

[Fleetman]

I'm partial to the Safari myself.

 

[SGW42]

I would get the Safari Express (in .458 myself), then take it down to Briley (down the stree from me) to have a red recoil pad fitted and trimmed to my LOP. Then put a Montana Sling on it and call it good.

I happened to be day-dreaming about safaris lately and I that's what I would do.