Winchester model 70 long action

[devster55]

Hello all, I have a older Winchester model 70 long action chambered in 243 currently. I was thinking of doing a barrel change and stock change to make a somewhat affordable target rifle. Not looking for ultra precision but hitting steel out to 800 or so. What would the estimated cost be for a rebarrel at a gun Smith if I provide the barrel. Kinda thinking of 6.5cm or 308win.

[Dark Hunt]

The 243 will do it as is. With the 1:10" twist that Winchester used in their barrels, it will shoot the 95 grain SMK's past 800 yards.

Chambering, threading and fitting a blank will be about $250 - $350 depending on what else you have done to the action, get the front of the action trued at least. Another thing that you have to consider is if your M70 is a controlled round feed action it will need an extractor cut in the back of the barrel. Some gunsmiths will charge extra for that.

[RNE228]

I would do this...

http://texasbrigadearmory.com/m70.htm

If it was good for Hathcock...

[Thanatos2203]

Not sure on the barrel charge, but I picked up a deal on a McMillan for my M70 Stealth here:

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/winchester-model-70.html#/filter:hierarchy:Gun$2520Parts$253EWinchester$253ERifle$2520Parts$253EWinchester$2520Model$252070$253EStocks

[devster55]

The 243 will do it as is. With the 1:10" twist that Winchester used in their barrels, it will shoot the 95 grain SMK's past 800 yards.

Chambering, threading and fitting a blank will be about $250 - $350 depending on what else you have done to the action, get the front of the action trued at least. Another thing that you have to consider is if your M70 is a controlled round feed action it will need an extractor cut in the back of the barrel. Some gunsmiths will charge extra for that.

I will have to try those. It would key hole Hornady 105 amax bullets.

[Catch]

Pre 64' m70?

I would get a new one to rework as they're made in Portugal now.

[devster55]

Pre 64' m70?

I would get a new one to rework as they're made in Portugal now.

No not pre 64. I believe mid 80’s but will have to run the S/N to be 100% sure.

[sigstroker]

Mid 80's is push feed.

When you say "target rifle", do you mean something for formal competition? Or just something to clang steel?

What's wrong with your stock that you want a different one? Is the gun inaccurate now?

[kendog4570]

Black eye time, but push feeds are better actions that the pre 64's. If the serial has a "G" prefix it's either a push feed short, or a standard length. They put the 243 in either length action. They did not make a "long" action either pre 64 or push feed. The bolt stops and mag boxes were different to accommodate the caliber it was fit up in, as well as the bridge length, mount hole spacing, and profile for target and H&H magnum actions. From 1936 up until the Ranger short push feeds, they were all the same length, no matter the chambering.


6.5 CM or 308 will work fine in either action. The 243 mag and bolt stop will work for either caliber.

Push feeds run about the same labor cost as a Rem 700 to cut a barrel, which includes squaring the ring, clean up all threads, lap lugs,crown and polish, engrave caliber. Controlled round Springfield/Winchester jobs are more because of the extra work for the extractor cut.

[sigstroker]

Yeah, I like the push feed better. I had a Model 70 Featherweight that I bought in the mid 80's. The Mauser type bolts that I played with were a lot sloppier, and my push feed was smoother.

I figured when I was about to go on a lion hunt I would worry about getting a controlled feed.

[devster55]

Mid 80's is push feed.

When you say "target rifle", do you mean something for formal competition? Or just something to clang steel?

What's wrong with your stock that you want a different one? Is the gun inaccurate now?

It was my first deer rifle and it was then passed down to my younger brother who has a much smaller frame so the stock was cut down sadly. I am mainly gonna clang steel but would like to be able to join in on a few local competitions if possible I just need to figure out who to talk to once I get the rifle done.

I tried to shoot some heavier bullets and it key holes and makes the bullet tumble for some reason. Once I saw what it was doing with the 105gr amax it went back into the safe and hasn’t moved since.

[devster55]

I am gonna take it out and clean it and maybe put some more rounds through it. Was mainly curious if it’s worth tossing a new barrel on it or let it sit. My father in law just picked up a RPR 6.5 and it gave me a few ideas for this gun. I was looking at M1A’s but started thinking that it may be cheaper to just rebarrel this gun and shoot it. I wouldn’t mind leaving it in 243 Rem but I just want to be able to shoot the heavier bullets. I’m gonna stop and get some 95gr smk and see if I can get those to group. But the stock has to go. Was looking at the hogue stocks. I appreciate all the feedback.

[kendog4570]

When I was taught barreling the M70 was THE rifle used in NM course as well as hunting. Both push and pre 64 types. I cut my teeth on them, and have all the necessary tools and skills to get yours where you need it.
Let me know if I can help.
Ken

[NorCalFocus]

Personally I'd rebarrel it before I bought a new rifle. A premium aftermarket barrel installed by a good smith (like Kendog) is going to be miles ahead of a factory barrel.

[sigstroker]

You can either get spacers and a recoil pad, or maybe even an adjustable gadget, to bring the length of pull back into line, if the stock is otherwise good. A modern synthetic or chassis would probably make it shoot better though.

Traditional twist rates for .243's are too slow for long target bullets like that. There's nothing wrong with putting a new barrel on if you don't mind spending the money, but it's probably not necessary. If you want a certain amount of ammo commonality with your father in law, nothing wrong with 6.5 CM. If you're going to have shooting contests with him, you'll be walking uphill against that RPR.