Gunsmithing Winchester Model 70

[clark33]

So, I was recently handed down an old Model 70 .264wm. It was definitely neglected. There is some pretty bad rust on the barrel as well as on the crown. Not sure if it’s beyond repair, it sure looks like it to me but I’m no expert. The good news is the action looks rust free. What would you all do with this? Rebarrel to another caliber? If it’s fixable try to have it repaired? Not worth the trouble and cost at all?

Also, any good m70 smiths around?

 

[mick243]

the rust, whilst it looks terrible, could be entireley cosmetic....

give the bore a good clean and eyeball it - if there are no obvious problems (eg rust pitting that you can see unaided) then go see how it shoots.

yes, any competent gunsmith can put a new barrel on that in whatever cartridge that tickles your fancy (as long as it shares the same bolt face size)

 

[clark33]

Any smiths you’d recommend? I have read Chad at LRI is a m70 guru

 

[RTH1800]

Your action would best be rebarreled to a short, belted magnum.
.264 Win, .257 or 7mm Weatherby. 7mm Rem, 300 win mag, .338 win mag, .458 win mag.
Other calibers will require alterations and raise cost.

 

[clark33]

Yea if I went rebarrel route I was thinking 7rm. I have the 6, 6.5 and 30 cals covered at the moment. Always wanted a 7rm

 

[DIBBS]

As far as the rust, you might get some fine steel wool and Kroil, Sheath, Barricade... and try rubbing the rusty areas. A friend had neglected a RPR or put it in the gun case wet, and it developed some splotches of rust in a couple places. I was mostly able to get them to disappear, and I gave him a can of barricade to use on his other rifles.

The bore I would give a good cleaning, maybe a little JB bore paste on a relatively tight fitting jag to lightly clean/polish the bore if needed. Rebarreling is also an option.

 

[stello1001]

If it's just on the surface and no rust has penetrated, you might be good to do.

I believe GAP & SAC might be able to work on your m70...

Spinners is another one worth looking into...

 

[Clark]

I like rebarreling 98 Mausers and Rem 700s the best with no extractor relief cut.
At least Win M70 claw extractor relief cuts are easy, but require a mill.

Old video of mine showing cutting M70 extractor relief cut in new barrel

 

[moosemeat]

LRI would be(and is) my choice for rebarreling anything, but especially a m70.
Is it a push feed or controlled round feed?
IF you dont want a 264 win mag I would look to 7mm mag or 300prc.

 

[clark33]

LRI would be(and is) my choice for rebarreling anything, but especially a m70.
Is it a push feed or controlled round feed?
IF you dont want a 264 win mag I would look to 7mm mag or 300prc.

It’s a push feed. I already have a 6.5prc and 300PRC so I think I’ll eventually rebarrel to a 7rm... some day lol

 

[blksno]

It’s a push feed. I already have a 6.5prc and 300PRC so I think I’ll eventually rebarrel to a 7rm... some day lol

I'd for sure consider Chad for the M70 work. My first hand-me-down rifle was a long action, push feed .243 Win and I had him turn into a 6x284. Turned out great.
In fact, I have a couple bolts I need to send him for bolt knob installs

 

[Bealzybub]

Got a 264mag out of a pawnshop a while back (2 years) at a pretty good price. No "G" in front of the serial but unfortunately its 729K and ya know what that means. In about two days from now it'll be a 300 winmag. Good luck with yours !!!!!

 

[stello1001]

Got a 264mag out of a pawnshop a while back (2 years) at a pretty good price. No "G" in front of the serial but unfortunately its 729K and ya know what that means. In about two days from now it'll be a 300 winmag. Good luck with yours !!!!!

What does the letter G indicate?

 

[Bealzybub]

Well, specifically, the G some people say, is a way to differentiate pre and post 1964 model 70. Some people believe that anything without a G is pre 64. Anyone that knows looks for the claw. The G only came into existence after the gun control act of 1968 so theres 4-5 years of post 64 push feeds prior to the G.

 

[FCS]

7 SAUM, set up for 180s

 

[blksno]

Been meaning to snap some pictures. Here's my four M70s. All pretty different tools for different tasks. Not to hijack, but may give you some ideas

1) my first rifle from my dad was a push feed LA chambered in .243. Barrel was pretty much toast by the time I got it, and decided to make it better.
Built into a match rifle by LRI and chambered in 6x284 shooting 115 Dtac bullets. Manners TF4 folding stock, hydrodipped in a distressed wood pattern.

2) My first fully custom from the ground up. Bought a bare M70 LA CRF and had my boy at TS Customs turn it into a 7mm Rem Mag Match with a fast twist for heavy bullets. This rifle is a pig, but it's been to 2400 yds with 180 Berger hybrids at 3100fps.
Manners T5A stock, hydrodipped in Kryptek Highlander. (Google "Forging the 7M4 HAMR" to see it being built)

3) The most recent. I've always wanted an FN SPR in a short action magnum, but this came up for sale and I had to have it. A Win M70 SA CRF, chambered in 6.5 SAUM with a 27" carbon fiber barrel. Fast twist for 150+ class bullets. Dropped in a MST ESS folding chassis.

4) This one has the least sentinel value, just found a good deal on a used M70 push feed, long action at a pawn shop a few years ago, so I poached the action. Had TS Customs chamber it in a 16", 8 twist .308 and I'll be gassing up 220-230 class subsonic bullets for close range for hunting. The LA mags let me load 230s to an oal far longer than normal .308 and still run full power if I want to.

 

[stello1001]

Been meaning to snap some pictures. Here's my four M70s. All pretty different tools for different tasks. Not to hijack, but may give you some ideas

1) my first rifle from my dad was a push feed LA chambered in .243. Barrel was pretty much toast by the time I got it, and decided to make it better.
Built into a match rifle by LRI and chambered in 6x284 shooting 115 Dtac bullets. Manners TF4 folding stock, hydrodipped in a distressed wood pattern.

View attachment 7529180
View attachment 7529181

2) My first fully custom from the ground up. Bought a bare M70 LA CRF and had my boy at TS Customs turn it into a 7mm Rem Mag Match with a fast twist for heavy bullets. This rifle is a pig, but it's been to 2400 yds with 180 Berger hybrids at 3100fps.
Manners T5A stock, hydrodipped in Kryptek Highlander. (Google "Forging the 7M4 HAMR" to see it being built)

View attachment 7529182
View attachment 7529183

3) The most recent. I've always wanted an FN SPR in a short action magnum, but this came up for sale and I had to have it. A Win M70 SA CRF, chambered in 6.5 SAUM with a 27" carbon fiber barrel. Fast twist for 150+ class bullets. Dropped in a MST ESS folding chassis.

View attachment 7529184
View attachment 7529185

4) This one has the least sentinel value, just found a good deal on a used M70 push feed, long action at a pawn shop a few years ago, so I poached the action. Had TS Customs chamber it in a 16", 8 twist .308 and I'll be gassing up 220-230 class subsonic bullets for close range for hunting. The LA mags let me load 230s to an oal far longer than normal .308 and still run full power if I want to.View attachment 7529186

View attachment 7529187

You have some really nice rifles. I have an FN SPR which I've always wanted to either put into a thumbhole stock or go with the MDT ESS as you have. Supposedly, you can run AI style mags without opening up the action if you use MDT branded mags in their chassis. For that very reason, I may end up going that route.

 

[blksno]

You have some really nice rifles. I have an FN SPR which I've always wanted to either put into a thumbhole stock or go with the MDT ESS as you have. Supposedly, you can run AI style mags without opening up the action if you use MDT branded mags in their chassis. For that very reason, I may end up going that route.

You are correct. For the MDT ESS, there is a little tweak in the rear of the mag to make...but it's nothing serious. Basically just a little notch to allow it to ride high enough that the mag catch engages the step on the back of the mag itself.
IMO, a small relief on the feed ramp is no big deal, but to others, it's sacrilegious. The mag mod is easier and it doesn't change it's use for any other AICS fed action.

Gotta take into consideration, we're making very minor mods to allow parts compatibility for things that weren't designed as a complete system.

The 7mm and the 6x284 both have cuts in the front of the mags, but neither one actually required modifications to the feed ramp itself. (something most recommend)