Winchester Model 70 Alaskan vs Safari Express
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Alaskan Ironworker
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Easy! The Alaskan, because im Alaskan, and it goes with my ruger alaskan .454. Although I do prefer the sling mount on the barrel of the safari better.
Garandimal
member
One has a longer lighter Bbl. w/ a Carlo stock - the other has a shorter heavier Bbl. w/ a classic stock.
One would tend to lend itself to scoped shooting at longer ranges and climbs, the other, shorter open shooting in the flat.
Probably not 5% difference b/t'em.
Your rifle - what I like shouldn't concern you.
GR
One would tend to lend itself to scoped shooting at longer ranges and climbs, the other, shorter open shooting in the flat.
Probably not 5% difference b/t'em.
Your rifle - what I like shouldn't concern you.
GR
Seamaster31
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I guess it depends on where you are going to use it. In Africa the classic blued steel with walnut stock of the SE will get more nods of approval from the local fellows there that admire the European rifles. In wet locations the other model makes more sense. I carry a SE chambered in 375 H&H most days in Africa.
Riomouse911
Member
Beautiful rifles, amazingly versatile caliber... pick the one that best suits the hunting you plan to do most and enjoy!
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
I like the model 70 and have a huge amount of respect for the 375 H&H. But sadly I'd pass on either of those. The African would come closest though, I like the stock design and 24" barrel better. So if forced to pick one, the African.
It seems they have it backwards. The longer barrel and stock designed for scope use they have on the Alaskan seems better suited for the versatility of longish shots on plains game in Africa. It just "LOOKS" like the traditional African rifles used in the 1920's-1950's. I'd think a shorter handier rifle with a stock designed for irons would be a better option for Alaskan hunting. Which is on the African. And a SS Synthetic option would make a lot of sense in Alaska. If they made the Extreme Weather in 375 it would be my top pick. They do make it in 338 and for Alaska I might well go that route.
I actually prefer the Winchester rifle most of the time. But if going to Africa or Alaska and needed something bigger than 338 I'd go pick one of the Rugers in 375 or 416 Ruger.
https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/37186.html
Probably this one
https://ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html
It seems they have it backwards. The longer barrel and stock designed for scope use they have on the Alaskan seems better suited for the versatility of longish shots on plains game in Africa. It just "LOOKS" like the traditional African rifles used in the 1920's-1950's. I'd think a shorter handier rifle with a stock designed for irons would be a better option for Alaskan hunting. Which is on the African. And a SS Synthetic option would make a lot of sense in Alaska. If they made the Extreme Weather in 375 it would be my top pick. They do make it in 338 and for Alaska I might well go that route.
I actually prefer the Winchester rifle most of the time. But if going to Africa or Alaska and needed something bigger than 338 I'd go pick one of the Rugers in 375 or 416 Ruger.
https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/37186.html
Probably this one
https://ruger.com/products/guideGun/models.html
Those Winchester rifles are tanks at 8-1/2 to 9lb just for the rifle, but given your choice, I'd pick the Winchester Safari Express with the 24" barrel over the Alaskan for aesthetics if nothing else, but also for the shorter barrel. I certainly wouldn't pick any of the Ruger offerings which to my eye look hideous with those blocky receivers.
With .375 H&H you can have your cake and eat it too and there's no need to suffer an ugly rifle if you don't want to. I think the real sleeper in .375 H&H Mag is the Kimber Talkeetna that ships with what is basically a custom barrel, holds four rounds in the magazine compared to three for Winchester and Ruger, and with a 3-9x40mm scope, stainless steel rings and 1" leather sling weighs in at a measly 9 lb. By the way, 9lb is where the Safari Express starts, and many who hunt regularly in Africa say that the entire rig needs to be under 10lb if you're going to carry it all day.
With .375 H&H you can have your cake and eat it too and there's no need to suffer an ugly rifle if you don't want to. I think the real sleeper in .375 H&H Mag is the Kimber Talkeetna that ships with what is basically a custom barrel, holds four rounds in the magazine compared to three for Winchester and Ruger, and with a 3-9x40mm scope, stainless steel rings and 1" leather sling weighs in at a measly 9 lb. By the way, 9lb is where the Safari Express starts, and many who hunt regularly in Africa say that the entire rig needs to be under 10lb if you're going to carry it all day.
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Alaskan Ironworker
Member
I like the extra weight of the alaskan (for the recoil), and I carry it all day for days and days in a row. A difference of a pound on something that weighs 9 or 10 pounds is a moot argument unless you are somehow handicapped. Most women have carried an extra 10 pounds for 9 months at a time and survived lol. Also, the alaskan comes in classic blue with walnut stock as well.
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Alaskan Ironworker said:
Well, the difference isn't necessarily just a pound. Add in the scope, rings and sling and see where you're at ... probably close to 11lb with the Safari. I carry my Talkeetna slung over my shoulder when hunting, but from what I gather from those who hunt in Africa, many carry the rifle in their hands much of the time because there's a reasonable chance of being on the menu. What does your Alaskan weight all in?
Alaskan Ironworker said:
Yeah, but how many have said that they enjoyed lugging the extra weight around?
Alaskan Ironworker
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Riomouse911
Member
Another thought..., a CZ 550 in .375 H&H to go kinda retro-classic?
Just ssyin’....
Just ssyin’....
I LOVE my Safari Express. Mine is right at 10lbs with a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 scope. I'm fluffy, have asthma and still carry it all day on hunts in the mountains here in Colorado. So, if I can do it so can anyone else.
Now, if I had my way, I'd put it in a McMillan stock and maybe the Sunny Hill Bott metal that gets me another round in the mag. I carry four now, three in the mag, one in the chamber with the safety on.
I had to have mine bedded and get the crown cleaned up, but it will hold min of elk out to any range I feel confident with.
Now, if I had my way, I'd put it in a McMillan stock and maybe the Sunny Hill Bott metal that gets me another round in the mag. I carry four now, three in the mag, one in the chamber with the safety on.
I had to have mine bedded and get the crown cleaned up, but it will hold min of elk out to any range I feel confident with.
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Neither. I would buy self-loading rifle in .338 WinMag or 9,3x62.
cdb1
Member
What am I missing? According to the Winchester website the Safari is a half pound heavier than the Alaskan. Unless you are comparing the Alaskan to a Talkeetna.
cdb1
Member
I’d take the Safari because I’m a sucker for barrel mounted sling swivels.
I live and Hawaii and have a .375! Common join the club!
I'd go with the Alaskan, but it's got all the features I like in a rifle. If perhaps a little heavy.
About year ago I looked over at what I thought was a Benelli. Close examination revealed to be Merkel in 9, 3x62. It was nice handling light semi-auto with plastic stock and ERA-Recknagel battue sight system. I should have bought that rifle. Nice light gun and one does not need to work the stupid manual bolt. Assuming local laws allow semi-auto for hunting that is what I would examine before buying Model 70.
To me buying Mauser-style bolt action is like buying luxury sedan with maual transmission.
To me buying Mauser-style bolt action is like buying luxury sedan with maual transmission.
And buying a semi 9.3x62 is like buying an automatic Volkswagen JettaAbout year ago I looked over at what I thought was a Benelli. Close examination revealed to be Merkel in 9, 3x62. It was nice handling light semi-auto with plastic stock and ERA-Recknagel battue sight system. I should have bought that rifle. Nice light gun and one does not need to work the stupid manual bolt. Assuming local laws allow semi-auto for hunting that is what I would examine before buying Model 70.
To me buying Mauser-style bolt action is like buying luxury sedan with maual transmission.
I tease, as I quite happily build a 7400 in 9.3x62, or a BAR in .375 ruger, and may at some point.
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And buying a semi 9.3x62 is like buying an automatic Volkswagen Jetta
I tease, as I quite happily build a 7400 in 9.3x62, or a BAR in .375 ruger, and may at some point.
You are bigger rifle looney than I....
H&Hhunter said:
I made that point many months back that the Alaskan really wasn't much of an "all-weather" rifle compared to others that use stainless and synthetic, but it upset more than a few folks. Along the same lines of what companies should be doing … Kimber needs to offer a guide gun in .375 H&H and .458 Lott with typical Kimber elegance, a much nicer stock like the one on the Talkeetna, and no muzzle brake to deafen anyone within 50 feet. Add in an 84L guide gun with iron sights in .35 Whelen and you'd have two really good rifles that I would buy in a heartbeat.
Here's a video of my Talkeetna feeding empty cases. Not an essential feature but it shows how well the 8400 Mag feeds which is an essential feature when something has the intention of stomping you into oblivion or using your head as a hat.
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Riomouse911
Member
I thought about converting a .338 Win Mag BAR to .416 Taylor back when I had dreams of dangerous game hunts across the globe... three little kids in the home sorta ended those .
Stay safe.
. Stay safe.
That's saying something...You are bigger rifle looney than I....
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