Hello All,

Last weekend I got a postcard in the mail from Cabela's, offering "Employee Discount Pricing" on all items in their store. Since I have 2 stores in my area, one 35 minutes north, the other 60 minutes south, I decided to "road-trip" to see if there was anything in their Gun Libraries that could interest me.

Well, there was one. I ran across this little beauty. Its the little known "Winchester Model 70 Custom African Express". (not to be confused with their lesser Safari Express) I believe this may be somewhat of a sleeper, (at least to me) having been introduced in the late 1990s through the Winchester Custom Shop, and then being discontinued within only 5 - 6 years. I was told most of the orders for this model came at Safari Club Shows.

This one is chambered in 416 Remington Mag, and falls nicely midway between my 375 H&H, and my 458 Win Mag. Well, I used this self-justification for the purchase. (as well as the additional 15%+ employee discount pricing I received)

The first picture shows an advertisement I found. The subsequent pictures show the rifle I purchased. It came with a Leopold 1-1/2-5 scope on Talley lever-rings. The rifle appears to be unfired. I have contacted Winchester's Historical Department to obtain specific history on the rifle's configuration / purchase. Apparently stock dimensions, recoil pads, scopes and mounts, could all be specified when ordering the rifle. One reference I located told of ordering a rifle in September of 2000, and receiving it 13 months later in October, 2001.

By the way, this one is no longer "unfired", having ventured out in sub zero temperatures to test fire it. 5 shots produced a nice one-hole group at 100 yds with some handloads that were made by reforming 375 H&H brass. I'm anxious to see what it will do when the real brass arrives.

I'd be interested to hear if there are others out there that own this model, and their opinions about it.

100 yards
5 shots = 1" group
400g Horn RN
67g IMR 4895
F215
2050 fps