Winchester Model 70 Safari Express .375 H&H Magnum Bolt Action Rifle - Blue/Black, 24" Barrel, 3 Rounds, Wood

The action was very smooth and the caliber is legendary.

Metalwork is flawless, everything fits and works together tightly and smoothly. Excellent trigger too. Chamber is cut towards the minimum, which is a rare thing, especially on a hammer-forged barrel. Recessed crown and jeweled bolt is a nice touch. Sights were spot-on. Can't testify to the accuracy, as I don't have a scope mounted yet. Only have about 50 rounds threw it so far, but brass re-sized easily, no sooty case necks and no flattened primers. Only problem is with some of the wood fitting. Lug areas are good, fore end is floated well. But the wood under the magazine plate is too "proud", causing the floorplate to gouge it when opened. Same with the rear sling plate; can't fit a sling into it without having to radius some of the stock. Under the bolt handle, and inside the receiver & fore end is unfinished. It seems like the stock wasn't completed before they put the finished action into it. All this can be remedied easily enough by myself, but wished the factory would have completed it in the first place.

I was so excited to get this rifle. Unfortunately the fit and finish are not there. The screw on the rear site was damaged from using a standard screwdriver rather than a hollow ground screwdriver. The barrel band sling stud was damaged with the finish scratched off and a rough edge that needed to be sanded. One of the four scope mount holes on the receiver was not appropriately tapped and I had to tap it myself to mount a scope. Gun fires fine and is heavy enough to moderate recoil. It needed some adjustment of tge magaxine spring to reliably feed 300 grain ammo. There is very little clearance for loading the magazine and loading is finicky with the belted magnum. I wish I could write this off as a lemon example of a fine rifle but my only other Winchester was purchased last year. It was a model 70 supergrade in 270. The scope mounts on it were drilled so crooked that 70moa of windage adjustment would not get on the paper. Winchester service was good, replacing it with a new rifle with no questions asked, but it did take two months. I guess the world is moving to cheap and disposable but I don't feel I should have to get warranty work out of the box on a 1300 dollar rifle. I gave Winchester another try and it appears I was fooled again. Overall a disappointment

if you are looking for a solid performing dangerous game rifle, look no further. the pre-64 control round feed, coupled with the proven .375H&H make for an great performing rifle. the rifle, while rather conservative in looks, is impeccably finished. the bolt is nicely jeweled and there are no blemishes to be found anywhere on the action, barrel, or stock. the stock is rather plainly figured, however the action is well bedded, and with the magnum cross bolts, i have no doubts as to the durability of the stock. the checkering is well cut and is great at maintaining control of the rifle in the field. the action is buttery smooth and with the controlled round feed, i have not had a single issue. the trigger is simply amazing, it is perfectly light and crisp, and hard to believe it comes on a factory rifle. for the price, this is simply a hard rifle to beat.