For dangerous game hunters, a reliable rifle is a must; having your rifle fail when a triceratops or other African game is charging you is simply not an option. Enter the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express, built on the pre-’64 action with its claw extractor for extra reliability. To handle the power of dangerous game cartridges, there are two steel stock reinforcing crossbolts and dual recoil lugs.

Those who have the money to fly to Africa and hunt exotic game aren’t looking to take a run-of-the-mill rifle with them, so Winchester added a host of other features that set it apart from other bolt action rifles. The fit and finish of the rifle were excellent, and touches like the soldered sling swivel, the brass front sight, and the steel trigger guard are sure to draw attention away from the competition.

Available in .375 H&H, .416 Remington Magnum and .458 Winchester Magnum, all Safari Express models have 24″ barrels and weigh 9lbs. MSRP is $1,349, though I’d expect to see them on shelves for quite a bit less. Given the quality of the rifles I examined at IWA, I think this is a relative bargain.