New Handle on an Old Favorite

[Jeff Higgins]

So, after 20 some odd years of hunting with my trusty Model 70 in .375 H&H magnum, I've decided it was time to ditch its factory issue fiberglass stock and replace it with something with a bit more class. I had originally purchased it for some real foul weather hunting and, at the time, fiberglass was the best option.

Modern laminated stocks have now come a long ways. I've always preferred wood, but with the kind of duty this thing gets, it's really not an option. A laminate seems like a good compromise. Quieter and "warmer" than a fiberglass stock, but equally weather resistant. A little heavier, but that's o.k. - it was kind of light for a .375 anyway.

The new stock is from Boyd's. I ordered it with some fancy checkering, ebony fore end and grip caps, and a Pachmeyer Decelerator recoil pad. I'm pretty darn happy with it, after spending an afternoon inletting the barrel channel to fit the heavy contour of the barrel.

Before:



After:

[fanaudical]

Very nice!

[URY914]

Pretty!

[id10t]

I like Boyds - they make good stuff at a fair and reasonable price. LOVE their thumbole stocks for the Savage bolt guns and Ruger 10/22 - the grip angle is near the same as the FAL

[Jeff Higgins]

The new M1A Scout Squad I bought a couple of years ago came with a Boyd's stock. It's very well made, so well made that it's what made me decide to go with this one. I would recommend Boyd's to anyone.

[tabs]

I just sold my 70 in 375hh.

[Bill Douglas]

Can always swap the plastic one back in for a weekend of smashing through the bush.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Can always swap the plastic one back in for a weekend of smashing through the bush.

True. Plastic really excels at pushing your way through an alder or willow thicket.

I bet the zero shifts with the new stock. I'll find out in the next couple of days. I've got a hundred loaded rounds with the Sierra 300 grain boat tail over a stiff charge of W-W 760, good for about 2,550 fps, ready to go. Should be another "fun" day at the range.

[vash]

My .22 POA didn’t move when I installed my Boyd’s stock. I just got a crappy black one tho.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I've got a hundred loaded rounds with the Sierra 300 grain boat tail over a stiff charge of W-W 760, good for about 2,550 fps, ready to go. Should be another "fun" day at the range.

Have fun, and good luck with your shoulder LOL.

The only heavy duty gun I've fired is my Sako 7mm RemMag and after a dozen shots I've had enough And I'm guessing it would be a kitten compaired with your gun.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Have fun, and good luck with your shoulder LOL.

The only heavy duty gun I've fired is my Sako 7mm RemMag and after a dozen shots I've had enough And I'm guessing it would be a kitten compaired with your gun.

Yeah, that's really the only downside to a rifle in this caliber. Recoil is pretty heavy. I used to handle it better when I was younger but, these days, it seems to hurt more. I wear a thick strap on recoil pad when at the range, which helps a great deal, but it still gets kind of tiring. Funny, though, when you are out in the field and hunting the kind of critter that justifies a rifle like this, it can feel pretty small and underpowered...