Winchester’s Model 70 has long been a favorite of hunters all over the world. Introduced in 1936, the rifle has been made in myriad different calibers and configurations. When it comes to the bigger calibers, Winchester offers them in their Model 70 Safari Express configuration.
Now, when I say bigger calibers, how big are we talking? Well, in the March Collection we’re talking about two rifles, one in .416 Remington Magnum and the other in .458 Winchester Magnum. Both are serious big game and dangerous game calibers.
Both of these guns are brand new, “new old stock” rifles. Essentially, they’re exactly as they were when they left Winchester’s factory. Model 70 Safari Express rifles can be hard to come by, so it’s a real treat to see two of them available in one place.
If someone were to ask what you can hunt with the .416 Remington Magnum and the .458 Winchester Magnum, the simple answer is anything you want. There’s not a single big game animal in all of North America that cannot be hunted with these two calibers. If your dream is to head to Africa and pursue dangerous game, then these are both good choices.
.416 Remington Magnum
When Remington introduced the .416 cartridge in 1989, they saw it as a more cost-effective alternative to the tried-and-true .416 Rigby that was, at that time, pushing octogenarian status. Using the 8mm Remington Magnum as the parent case, the goal was to create a cartridge that could emulate the power of the .416 Rigby but in the more size-conscious .375 H&H footprint.
The result was a belted cartridge that had a SAAMI pressure rating of 65,000 psi, which was 13,000 psi more than .416 Rigby. Moreover, the .416 Remington Magnum cartridge is capable of propelling bullets weighing between 350 and 400 grains at speeds of 2,200 to 2,400 fps with anywhere from 4,000 to 5,400 foot-pounds of energy. In short, it’ll get the job done regardless of what animal you’re hunting.
.458 Winchester Magnum
The .458 Winchester Magnum was introduced in 1956 and was immediately paired with a Model 70 rifle configuration known as the African. In this instance, the parent case was the .375 H&H and it was shortened and re-necked for the .458 bullets. The goal was for this new cartridge to compete with the popular .450 Nitro Express and .470 Nitro Express cartridges that were so popular with professional hunters in their double rifles while on safari in Africa.
When loaded with bullets ranging from 300 to 500 grains, they can reach speeds of 2,600 fps for the lightest bullets and 2,200 fps for the heaviest ones. In terms of energy, we’re looking at anywhere between 4,500 and 5,400 foot-pounds.
Before long, the new cartridge had caught the eye of African hunters; many switched in short order. Hunters in North America took notice, too, and the .458 Winchester Magnum remains a big game and dangerous game mainstay on both continents.
Model 70 Safari Express
Today, Winchester chambers these big cartridges in their Model 70 Safari Express rifles. Whether you choose .416 or .458, both of the Safari Express rifles in the March Collection have 24-inch matte-blue barrels mated to matte-blue receivers. Jeweling on the bolt provides a nice contrast to the matte blue. These barreled actions are fitted into black walnut stocks with checkering cut to 20 LPI.
Regardless of the caliber, both guns have a 3+1 capacity and weigh around nine pounds empty. Sure, it’s hefty, but you’ll be glad to have it, along with a Decelerator pad to help soak up some of the recoil.
If you’ve been dying to do some serious hunting on the Dark Continent but have been putting it off, consider this auction to be your sign. Place your bid on the right tool for the job and then go book the safari of your dreams!
