Medium Bore Rifle

[Paulinus]

Well forum readers, after serveral thoughts of purchasing a medium bore rifle I am ready to take the jump up to a medium bore.  I really like my CZ 550 243, and  am considering the CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 or the CZ 550 Safari in 375H&H.  The other option would be a 338 Win Mag. from either Winchester or Ruger.  Any suggestions or recommendations.  It would be used for CX2 and CX3 hunting (for game larger than my .270 Win is designed for).

Thanks.

[Fred Flinstone]

My heart goes to CZ with their not well advertised: .375 H & H in their CZ 550 American Safari Magnum(with its solid express-sights). This is a beefed up Mauser action(not just the magazine box but locking lug of bolt also) with an extremely good reputation(old Brno ZKK-602 equivalent) with an extended magazine which stock has been made to accomodate it. You would have to pay an hefty sum to customise a Mauser action to bring it to the American Safari Magnum. A Fancy grade walnut stock is available which competitors would charge double the amount. Overall a classic which you'll cherish dearly. Install cross bolts and you'll keep it for ever.

In a lighter package I'd go with Winchester for its accuracy reputation(Ruger has'nt got it). The safety mechanism on Win. is much smoother. Available in a whole variety of finish: S.S., blued, etc. Stocks  also come in a great choice: walnut, synthetic, laminated, etc.

Ruger would be a good choice for the dollar if bought as a day in day out working tool.

[Paulinus]

Thanks, Fred for the reply.  About a cross bolt, I have not installed one.  Anything I need to know - or should I trust this to a local gunsmith.  I live close to Kansas City, Kansas, and have corresponded with the firm doing the CZ Custom work.  Maybe I should have them do the cross bolt.

You did not mention the 9.3 in your response.  What do you think of it as a medium bore hunting cartridge in the CZ American?

Thanks again.

[Fred Flinstone]

This cartridge combo(9.3mm/CZ-550 Safari Classic Magnum) is more than excellent, but it all depends where you'll be shooting it. Cartridge availability thruout the world varies, a given cartridge may be easily accessible on the African continent but may be hard as finding a 4-leafed clover. The 9.3 has proven time & time again that it's a super fine cartridge.

Sorry but my personnal philosophy thruout the years has ward me off cartridges which you have a hard time finding anywhere althought the cartridge may be a super performer.

I remember the: .300 H & H, .308 Norma, etc. , all these still may be fine performers but finding ammo easily in wooded areas is a harder task than finding the animal you're trying to hunt.

Hunter & shooter confidence counts for 85% success in hitting your target, if you're at ease with cartridge X, go for it

All the best,
Fred

[Paulinus]

Fred:

I did not know that the 9.3 was available in the CZ 550 Safari Mag.  I was aware only of the CZ 550 American and FS in 9.3 among the current imported models.

[Fred Flinstone]

My mistake but an interesting one, CZ already has the reamers, gauges, and what not. Would'nt it be nice to have it (9.3mm) in the CZ-550  Safari Classic Magnum?

[PCAus]

Paulinus,

I have a cz .375 H&H and a 9.3x62 cz and I feel for all round use the .375 is the better round as it can be loaded up a bit over the 9.3. The 9.3 cz though is a handy package in comparison to the big magnum. Also a couple of blokes have rechambered 9.3x62 cz rifles to 9.3x64 brenneke and have then got full power = to the .375 H&H in the lighter trimmer package. If you only own 1 then I would get the .375 H&H.

There are no flies however on the 9.3 x 62 and woodleigh makes bullets from 250 gr to 320 gr Norma make a light 232 gr among others and nosler have 250 gr ballistic tip as well as a parttition. Barnes X also make a good range as well and lapua brass is the best that can be had IMHO.

My advice though is to buy both

[Paulinus]

I have emailed the CZ Custom Shop for recommendations on this question.  It agrees with Fred that the CZ American Safari needs cross bolts, but the Safari Mag. Lux style stock already has one cross bolt.  It was recommended that either stock model be glass bedded.

If I would go with the 9.3x62, it was recommended to glass bed, add a muzzle brake, and install a recoil reducer.

All of which only makes my decision making a bit more difficult.  I assume that even the Safari Mag. needs a second cross bolt in addition to the glass bedding.  Does any have experience with mounting a scope on the Lux style Safari Mag.?  Does the stock design make it difficult?

Thanks.

[PCAus]

Paulinus,

the 9.3 does defintely NOT need a muzzle break, they do not kicj hard enough and breaks are just shocking for noise.

I only have one rifle with a muzzle break and it is a .585 Nyati which launches a 750 gr woodleigh at 2500 feet per second.

A .375 H&H would also be ruined by a break.

[Paulinus]

PCAus:

Since you have both the 375 and 9.3, I am wondering if you have had any custom work on either?  Did you (or would you) glass bed?  From another thread, I see that your 9.3 is a LUX model, while I would be getting the American (only because the LUX is not available).

Your 375 is it an American safari or the safari mag with the lux style stock?  Is it walnut or laminate?  Did you add any cross bolts?

Are your rifles scoped?  I am thinking of using a Burris low power variable scope with a 30mm tube.

The only other option I am looking at is a Winchester Classic Safari in 375.  It already has two cross bolts and (no offence to CZ) has better wood that most CZ.

[PCAus]

Paulinus,

my 9.3x62 lux came with two cross bolts before and after the mag box, it also has a barrel lug in an F block configuration. I had it bedded and floated to the barrel lug as it's quite a nice bit of wood and I did not want to risk it cracking.

On my .375 H&H I just had it bedded.

On the 9.3x62 I have a leupold 2-7 Vari X11 (old style) in warne fixed rings.....would have liked qd's then I would have quicker access to the irons, but reality is I would not use the irons unless the scope packed it in, and then I just gram the allen key and take it off.

Scope on my .375 H&H is the leupold 1-4x20 Vari X 11.....this is a great scope and very fast to use, I would have been happy with a 2-7 on this as well. I use cz mounts here and they actually work as qd's due the  lug on the rear ring, they return to zero like warne qd's, they just lack a lever. Once again just have the allen key in your pocket.

I would discount the  winchester after the ones I have handled, the M70 crowd will berate me, but the cz's are a more solid feeling rifle have integral scope bases and are a closer copy of the orginal mauser m98 action due to the self locking extracter. They also have one improvement over the m98 and thats the extracter cut is not through the lug.

[Paulinus]

You guys about have me ordering a CZ in 375 H&H.  Which would you recommend?  The American Safari (which does not have cross bolts) or the Safari Mag. with its LUX style stock and one cross bolt?

Thanks,

[Fred Flinstone]

The American Safari is a real beauty just needing 2 cross-bolts. This sweetheart will make you feel like your first gal(which needed more than 2  cross-bolts) when you were a teen, seriously do'nt let this pass thru or you'll regret it.

[Paulinus]

Thanks for the recommendations and conversation everyone.  Fred, a special thanks.  I will be placing an order for the 375 American Safari.  I will be ordering the field grade stock and hoping it looks good.

[PCAus]

Paulinus,

good on you !!

I have the lux stocks on my .375 and on my .458 lott (was a .458 win mag) and I like them it gives them a lively shot gun feel with tha thin schnabel forenend.

I now need to get an American stocked big bore so I have a comparison