So I have two rifles....

[pilotjoe]

I find myself in a situation where I have two bolt action rifles, both in .308 caliber. One is a Winchester Model 70 that I've had for nearly 40 years. It has a same-age Bushnell 3-9 variable scope mounted. It's done its duty during our Wisconsin deer season for both myself and my son in law. It's pretty. Blued and shiny wood. A good looker.

The other is a Remington 700 SPS that I just won in a local gun club raffle. I've never won anything in these raffles in my life! I couldn't believe it when I got the notice. This rifle is brand new, in the box. 24 inch barrel. Crappy SPS stock. No scope or mounts (yet). Hasn't put a round downrange. In fact, I've only had it out of the box twice.

So my dilemma is, which one to keep and which one to sell. I don't need two bolt action 308s. I've got other rifles, in 308 and other calibers, so if I keep both of these one of them will end up a real safe queen. What I'd rather do is sell one to finance a good scope for the other.

So there you have it! I am interested in everyone's input on which one they think would be the better rifle to keep. Every time I think about it I come up with a different answer!

Whaddaya think????

 

[...]

personally ide keep the model 70 and sell the SPS....

 

[IanHusaberg]

Rebarrel it in 6.5 creedmor or 260 rem. Sell the take off barrel and that finance the scope for your new toy. Keep the old rifle as a hunter and heirloom for your family.

 

[Covertnoob5]

If you've had a rifle for 40+ years you've got to keep that and save it to pass down.
I second the re-barrel if that's something possible for you.


Covert is as Covert does.

Plenty of good feedback on the scout site.

 

[MarkLeupold]

Agreed with Covert. Third the rebarrel. I was passed down a little knowledge from my uncle that I'll share with you. "There are two things you never sell: musical instruments, and hunting rifles. You never get what they're worth." The M70 should stay if it's already been there for 40+ years.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[dannySH]

As said before, keep your Model 70, rebarrel the 700 SPS, sell the old stock and barrel take off and get a new stock for it.

 

[pilotjoe]

Ok, y'all have convinced me. I'm going to keep both! (Now I just need to convince my wife that she made the decision!!) Think I'll stick with 308 for both of them, since I'm all set up for that caliber already. Now I just need to start working on getting a decent scope and chassis for the 700.

Thanks so much for all the input. Much appreciated!

Be safe!

 

[JMGlasgow]

As far as stocks, look at Grayboe. Awesome stocks for the price.

 

[Delicatessen]

Keep the model 70 sell the sps

 

[rd_kng]

Good job on deciding to keep both. I will 2nd the Grayboe stock option. They make a great hunting version or a tactical option with the A5 look.

 

[Downtown]

Excellent choice. Did you really expect another answer than "keep both" from the gentlemen on this forum?

 

[sierracharlie338]

Sell or rebarrel that sps buddy. I wouldn't even consider selling that model 70.






I went to Barrett.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Ok, y'all have convinced me. I'm going to keep both! (Now I just need to convince my wife that she made the decision!!) Think I'll stick with 308 for both of them, since I'm all set up for that caliber already. Now I just need to start working on getting a decent scope and chassis for the 700.

Thanks so much for all the input. Much appreciated!

Be safe!

Of saying you should go this route but when my wife wanted me to sell [insert whatever]

wife- you should sell that [insert whatever] you have not used it in blah blah blah amount of time.

Me- I've had that [insert whatever] longer than I've had you.

Wife- (funny look on her face)

 

[Greg Langelius *]

The W70 you have is perfect for what you've used it for, and should stay in the inventory doing that job. Never mess with success.

My W70 is .30-'06 and serves exactly the same purpose since I bought it second hand in the mid 90's. Since I'm 70 now and less of a hunter, it's now in my Son-in-Law's hands where he continued the deer harvesting tradition with it late last year.

Edited to add: But I'm also holding in my hand a trophy for 4th Place in the 1997 NJ State Sniper Championships that was shot with this rifle with simply adding a Harris, a Weaver V-16, and 168gr FGMM.

The other, I'd want to put a nice, long 6.5 barrel on; but really, I'd much rather it was a Savage 11VT 308, and then I'd swap in a Lothar-Walther 28" .260 drop-in. So I'd replace the Remmy with the Savvy and do just that.

I already own the Sav 11VT 308 and that is the current plan for it. But I also have a slew (90) of 178 ELD-X loads built up in .308, and we'll soon be seeing where that trail leads. If it goes nicely, I'll just acquire another 11VT 308 and do the swap on that.

With Saturday's heart attack, plans become slightly lest cast in stone, but they remain as intentions.

Greg

 

[FishDr]

OP, definitely keep the Winnie. They don't build 'em like they did 40 years ago, and you will surely miss a rifle that's been in the family that long.
I also recommend that the SPS be replaced / rebarreled / modified to scratch whatever happens to itch at the moment. These rifles are good, basic shooters, but aren't particularly valuable, and are (1) easily modified into something better suited to your need, (2) easily traded to something different, and (3) easily replaced should you decide you really liked it and wish to replace it with another. You have been given good advice above.

GREG - take care of yourself. I enjoy reading your posts, so make sure you stick around for a good long time to educate us !!!!

 

[lennyo3034]

Sell the SPS. With the headache and cost of rebarreling a 700, it's much easier to sell then buy a Tikka or Bergara all set up and ready to go.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

FishDR; Oh yep, I'm doing very well and hangin' in. Thanks for the encouragement. The Tucson VA hospital managed my case very effectively, and I have what probably amounts to a new lease.

Greg

 

[pilotjoe]

FishDr, and all the others who have chimed in, I much appreciate the advice, and as I mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to keep both rifles. I really couldn't bring myself to sell the Model 70. It's an old friend. And since I've got a total of $20 invested in the 700, no matter what money I end up spending on it, I'll still be ahead of the game. Inexpensive fun, that!

Greg, be well my (new) friend. Much appreciate your input, and hope you are around for a long time to give more good advice to myself and others.