Winchester Model 70 Advice

[klb458]

New to forum, recently came across this site after spendings weeks on weeks trying to find some advice/help/direction. My grandfather recently passed away and left me his collection of arms. Before he passed, he wanted to build out this winchester model 70 that he bought from a friend. I recently purchased a deer tag to go hunt south of the border with friends and thought it would be really awesome if I finished this rifle and shot a nice coues deer with it. The search begins of trying to find out what this rifle is. Here's what I know. Its a winchester model 70 .300 wsm, stamped with distributed by olin corp, and currently sits on a shadow style stock. Looking at winchester's past model 70's I am not sure as to if its an Ultimate Shadow or Black Shadow. Regardless, it currently has a custom break on it from a local gunsmith. I have the optics taken care of already. The issue I am having is finding who provides parts for this particular rifle. I have left multiple voicemails with the Winchester historian and haven't heard back. My primary goal is to have a solid hunting rifle that is capable of 700-800 yards, I know 90% of this is the shooter. I would really appreciate some direction or help on who I need to talk with.

 

[PBWalsh]

Try Midwest Gun Works, they have a section for the Win 70s. It would help to know whether its a pre-64, post-64, or the new CRF action.

 

[Pre-64]

Does your rifles stock have rubber inserts in the stock? and what type of parts are you looking for? Also is it stainless and does it have a CRF extractor?

 

[klb458]

It has the controlled round push feed action. It also doesn't have a hinged floor plate. Just a one piece bind mag bottom plate. The barrel is not stainless. Rubber inserts inside the stock? I can check. It has that duracoat rubberized stock. I am mainly looking for a quality stock and finding if I can convert the bottom plate to DBM. I already ordered a trigger from Timney.

 

[klb458]

Does your rifles stock have rubber inserts in the stock? and what type of parts are you looking for? Also is it stainless and does it have a CRF extractor?

It has the controlled round push feed action. It also doesn't have a hinged floor plate. Just a one piece bind mag bottom plate. The barrel is not stainless. Rubber inserts inside the stock? I can check. It has that duracoat rubberized stock. I am mainly looking for a quality stock and finding if I can convert the bottom plate to DBM. I already ordered a trigger from Timney.

 

[Pre-64]

It sounds like you have a black shadow, if it was the ultimate it would have a hinged floorplate, the rubber inserts would be in the wrist of the stock and on the forearm where the checkering would be on a wooden stock. As far as a detachable magazine in 300 wsm I don’t know of any that will work with your rifle. Not saying they don’t exist just that I’ve never seen one. As for a stock McMillan, HS precision, and about 25 more company’s make a stock for your rifle, you can get a regular type bottom medal from several manufacturers, sunny hill, PTG, Duane Wiebe or a factory leftover from Midwest gun parts.

 

[klb458]

It sounds like you have a black shadow, if it was the ultimate it would have a hinged floorplate, the rubber inserts would be in the wrist of the stock and on the forearm where the checkering would be on a wooden stock. As far as a detachable magazine in 300 wsm I don’t know of any that will work with your rifle. Not saying they don’t exist just that I’ve never seen one. As for a stock McMillan, HS precision, and about 25 more company’s make a stock for your rifle, you can get a regular type bottom medal from several manufacturers, sunny hill, PTG, Duane Wiebe or a factory leftover from Midwest gun parts.

Gotcha, this was my assumption I just needed some help assuring. After speaking with a few others, I was advised that I may want to get the action blue printed. Have you had any experience with this or know anyone who has?

 

[Pre-64]

Yes, I’ve built a lot of Winchester rifles. Mark Penrod out of Indiana is top notch, I’ve also used Hart barrels build several with great results, the bad thing is if you want to use it for the 2020 deer season no dice, every top tier rifle smith that I know of is 8-12 months out on custom work. Are you planning on having a new barrel put on it?

 

[klb458]

Yes, I’ve built a lot of Winchester rifles. Mark Penrod out of Indiana is top notch, I’ve also used Hart barrels build several with great results, the bad thing is if you want to use it for the 2020 deer season no dice, every top tier rifle smith that I know of is 8-12 months out on custom work. Are you planning on having a new barrel put on it?

Deer hunt is January 2021. I would consider a new barrel. Any advice or recommendations

 

[Pre-64]

Mark Penrod would be my first choice, super nice guy, metal work is second to none, really well know in the bench rest community. Send him what you already have and he will order up the rest of the stuff you want/need. He is in N Manchester Ind. As for barrel makes, really all of them are good. Krieger is on of my personal favorites, Hart is a close second, not that's one will out shoot the other it's just in my head that Krieger is slightly better. It is like the old chevy, ford debate what's better.

 

[JakeM]

I’d send it to long Rifles Inc. they are a machine shop that specializes in guns and they could probably figure out anything you needed done to it.

 

[klb458]

Mark Penrod would be my first choice, super nice guy, metal work is second to none, really well know in the bench rest community. Send him what you already have and he will order up the rest of the stuff you want/need. He is in N Manchester Ind. As for barrel makes, really all of them are good. Krieger is on of my personal favorites, Hart is a close second, not that's one will out shoot the other it's just in my head that Krieger is slightly better. It is like the old chevy, ford debate what's better.

Fair enough. I will reach out to both and see what I can get sorted out. Really appreciate the help.

 

[klb458]

I’d send it to long Rifles Inc. they are a machine shop that specializes in guns and they could probably figure out anything you needed done to it.

I was also told to check them out as well.

 

[Long Range 338]

LRI is going to have your quickest turn around time I would imagine. They can take care of the whole deal from top to bottom (stock, inletting, bottom metal, etc.). If you are looking to put some of it together yourself Mcmillan and Manners make stocks from fiberglass. CDI used to do the bottom metal but the Owner died and nobody seems to know if they are still in business. Wyatts does some bottom metal stuff and Pacific Tool & Gauge as well (PTG doesn't have a very good reputation of late for parts delivery). Winchesters are awesome rifles the aftermarket support just isn't there so you are stuck doing the custom rifle thing.

 

[DJL2]

Unless you're not happy with the rifle's configuration and you're planning on making changes regardless, it's worth shooting what you've got before you send it off. There are no shortage of rifles that will shoot well straight from the factory - yours may be one. It might be that a new stock and a bedded action are all that you need to put you right where you want to be. I'd see what yours is capable of before pulling the factory barrel, at least.

 

[klb458]

LRI is going to have your quickest turn around time I would imagine. They can take care of the whole deal from top to bottom (stock, inletting, bottom metal, etc.). If you are looking to put some of it together yourself Mcmillan and Manners make stocks from fiberglass. CDI used to do the bottom metal but the Owner died and nobody seems to know if they are still in business. Wyatts does some bottom metal stuff and Pacific Tool & Gauge as well (PTG doesn't have a very good reputation of late for parts delivery). Winchesters are awesome rifles the aftermarket support just isn't there so you are stuck doing the custom rifle thing.

This is what I am starting to understand. I know they are great rifles, just not the same type of support you can find for something like a M-700.

 

[klb458]

Unless you're not happy with the rifle's configuration and you're planning on making changes regardless, it's worth shooting what you've got before you send it off. There are no shortage of rifles that will shoot well straight from the factory - yours may be one. It might be that a new stock and a bedded action are all that you need to put you right where you want to be. I'd see what yours is capable of before pulling the factory barrel, at least.

Hands down, I agree. I was just struggling to find a comparable stock because I kept getting conflicting information on which stocks will fit. My plan is to order a stock this week, install and bed. Shoot it and see where we go from there.

 

[mick243]

about 20 years ago I put a HS Precision stock on my mod70 (post64, non crf). its still going strong (but time for new barrel). they still sell the same stock. the inletting on the stock is for the 2 piece floorplate/trigger guard not the 1 piece (mine originaly had a wooden stock and no floor plate/ blind mag as you say yours is - I just did a dodgy fix and still using it as a blind mag) but I have been told (have yet to see) that there is a bottom metal available for it that accepts detachable mags.


edit link to ptg website that may/may not be of use?

Winchester Detach Mag Metal - Pacific Tool and Gauge

pacifictoolandgauge.com

 

[klb458]

about 20 years ago I put a HS Precision stock on my mod70 (post64, non crf). its still going strong (but time for new barrel). they still sell the same stock. the inletting on the stock is for the 2 piece floorplate/trigger guard not the 1 piece (mine originaly had a wooden stock and no floor plate/ blind mag as you say yours is - I just did a dodgy fix and still using it as a blind mag) but I have been told (have yet to see) that there is a bottom metal available for it that accepts detachable mags.


edit link to ptg website that may/may not be of use?

Winchester Detach Mag Metal - Pacific Tool and Gauge

pacifictoolandgauge.com

Awesome, thank you for the input.

 

[Average guy]

I was also told to check them out as well.

I will second Long Rifles.

 

[wadebrown]

Before doing anything I would take the gun to the range with three or four different flavors of factory ammo, if you reload go with rounds loaded with a few different hunting bullets. Shoot the gun and see if it provides adequate accuracy and comfort of shooting and handling. Spend the money you would have put into "upgrading" the gun into range time and maybe a rifle shooting course if the accuracy is adequate and you like how it handles. Remember that you do not need 1/2 MOA accuracy for most hunting applications, yes it is nice to carry a rifle that you know will deliver that level of accuracy it is not needed for most hunting applications.

Just my two cents,
wade

 

[mick243]

Awesome, thank you for the input.

whichever path you end up taking, we want to see the results and hear the stories from the hunt...

 

[klb458]

whichever path you end up taking, we want to see the results and hear the stories from the hunt...

I can promise I will share the story. I went this last january with friends. I’ve been a hunter for the better part of my life and at a young age of 26 I’ve been able to experience and help others on hunts of a lifetime. But, hunting coues deer in Sonora, Mexico is like nothing I’ve seen or experienced. I’ll get this rifle dialed in and share the experience along the way.

 

[klb458]

It sounds like you have a black shadow, if it was the ultimate it would have a hinged floorplate, the rubber inserts would be in the wrist of the stock and on the forearm where the checkering would be on a wooden stock. As far as a detachable magazine in 300 wsm I don’t know of any that will work with your rifle. Not saying they don’t exist just that I’ve never seen one. As for a stock McMillan, HS precision, and about 25 more company’s make a stock for your rifle, you can get a regular type bottom medal from several manufacturers, sunny hill, PTG, Duane Wiebe or a factory leftover from Midwest gun parts.

I stand corrected on the bottom piece. It’s a two piece bottom, just doesn’t have a hinges floor plate. Does this change anything? Are the only compatable stocks ones built for a 2 piece?

 

[Pre-64]

I stand corrected on the bottom piece. It’s a two piece bottom, just doesn’t have a hinges floor plate. Does this change anything? Are the only compatable stocks ones built for a 2 piece?

No, the stocks will still fit, you will just need to get a hinged floorplate, Midwest parts had some last time I looked

 

[jakelly]

I have a MCS-T with CDI bottom metal I’ll sell you. I sent you a pm with my number.

 

[jetmd]

CDI DBM is the way to go.

Several smith's have the program to both inlet the stock and/or receiver.

If you can purchase used or NOS bottom medal do it!