Gunsmithing Winchester Model 70

[greggrissom]

How well does a Winchester mod 70 action do for a rebuild? Nothing fancy mind you, but have one in .308 that needs a new barrel and stock. This would be for hunting mainly. It has been rebarreled once with a pencil barrel and accuracy is something that suffers tremendously. It may not be worth sticking the money into it but thought I might try. Any suggestions?

 

[LRI]

I sure like em. Bought two M70 classics this weekend for builders in fact... (Ken, you drooling yet???)

C.

 

[flatland1]

I had another gunsmith re-barrel a M70 push feed sporter with a 28" Krieger in 6 Dasher back in 2004, just before I bought my first lathe & started doing my own work. That rifle - bedded in a surplus H-S Prec. Laredo stock - shot neck-and-neck accuracy-wise with another Krieger Dasher done by the same 'smith on my Nesika K action bedded in a Robertson H&H prone stock.

I may be wrong, but IMHO, if the aftermarket parts selection was as good for the M70 as it is for the M700, I'm sure you'd see a whole lot more M70s on the firing line today.

 

[greggrissom]

If I'm not mistaken, the rifle was built around '68 or '69 if that makes any difference. Not sure if they had good, better or best years of manufacture.

 

[flatland1]

When the rifle was built is meaningless compared to when the action was built. Is it a push-feed (post-'64), or ??? Pre-'64's are all controlled feed with the Mauser-style extractor, and then there are the later CRF actions that also have this style extractor. I've seen a lot of guys shoot push feed M70 actions in XC HP matches because they're slick and run real well during the rapid fire stages.

 

[LRI]

At one time more championships at Camp Perry were won on M70 CRF actions than all other manufacturer's combined.

Bottom line is they work and they can work exceptionally well. The CRF versions (be it late/new) have unique features that if properly setup make for a really neat experience when using this as your rifles foundation.

If it's a non rotation claw extractor you didn't make a bad choice. If you disagree, call me. I'll be the first in line to buy the action from you!

Good luck on your build. They are my pet favorite piece to build off of.

 

[greggrissom]

Ok Chad. Maybe we should talk about putting one together. At least a barreled action anyway

 

[HardcoreSlot]

Quick question along the same lines.
I just want to do a barrel swap on my m70 from the sporter barrel I have to a heavy(er) barrel.
Is this something that can be done at home or does it need to be fitted by a pro?

 

[Speedgoat]

Is this something that can be done at home or does it need to be fitted by a pro?

If you have to ask that question, you probably better have a ''pro'' do it...

 

[Asperly Aimless]

The model 70 action is a great action to build off of. The new CRF actions from FN are solid. I have a couple rifles built on them and they run flawlessly, extract without a hitch, and just flat out perform.

 

[RobertB]

I love a M70 CRF. Mine has proven to be tough and accurate

 

[hero's machine]

They tend to be a bit heavier which turns off some of the sporter guys. ....but to not have to dick with a lug is nice and a trigger that can be worked over easily and is pretty much crud proof is also of merit.

 

[Geno C.]

I have both crf and push feed customs and they all shoot.

A side note is they blend big bolt knobs really nice if you're into that.

 

[elevendysixty]

I had a 300wsm built on a model 70. Super happy with it. The only thing I don't like is the availability of aftermarket parts. 700's have that locked up!