Winchester M70, help with dream build?

I believe you're best option is an original pre-64 M70 300 H&H in good condition, with an excellent bore. .

A 30-06 can be adapted for 300 H&H. . aside from the chamber, the front of the receiver will need to be notched to allow for extra length and the magazine will need to be changed to H&H or lengthened. . The standard rifle 30-06 barrel is only 24" where the 300 H&H is 26". . This is not your best option as re-sale I doubt will return your investment . . Finding an original 300 H&H is still your best bet. .

Another thought is; stay with a 30-06 as modern loadings come very close to original 300 H&H loadings from years back (1925). The original 30-06 loadings were much lower back in the day but with modern powders and current loadings do very well.

I remember reading an article in the American Rifleman, a few years back, talking about two calibers in two rifles that would do everything he needed in North America . . the 338 WM and 308 Win. . I use both those rifles and find a lot of truth in those words. . I prefer my 300 H&H but could make do. . I like to use my 338 for loading heavier bullets as it'll take a heavier powder charge compared to 300 H&H. .

 
I'm also in "need" of a 300 H&H and here's what I have discovered. As a lefty, choices are very limited, as a righty you have a much better selection. Most long actions can be made to work, its only a matter of how much money you got... Zastava makes a 375 H&H, Mauser based action, all metal, CRF, adjustable trigger. Spend a bit on tuning the the action itself, change the bbl, install whatever stock you like and good to go. From what I have read and been told the 300 "lives" for the heavier bullets i.e. 200+. The problem is you need the 1-10" twist for this...the lightest bullets perform better with a 1-14" type twist. Overall the 1-10" should...work fine. But....as mentioned you really need two rifles for the type of shooting you are want to do.
I settled for a MRC LH action as its designed for COL's lengths up to 3.650", the 300 is spec'd at 3.160. My second choice was the Zastava, no pre-64's in LH.
 
flying pig said:
Would a 7mm Rem mag action be long enough? I know guys have talked about using both 7rem mag and 300h&h to make 280 Ross brass...
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In a Model 70 all "Magnum" actions (300WM, 7RM) are long enough to become a 300 or 375 H&H. The difference is that the 300WM/7RM have a block in the rear of the mag box, commensurately shorter follower and a different ejector. The modifications can be handled by a reasonably competent person, including opening the rear of the feed rails to allow the case head of the cartridges to ride up to the proper height. Not sure if the same can be said about Remington, but someone like c-fbmi or Rembo could say for sure.
 
I can't argue with going with an original 70 .300H&H. They are out there. I've owned several standard grade's over the years with this being my latest. I liked it as it has the optional pad and Monte-Carlo stock which works well for me. All my others were the straight comb stock. If you look you should be able to find a clean standard grade for eitherside of $1,500.00. I'd look hard at a Super-Grade if it were in the 2K range.

For comparison sake this is a 2000era Super-Grade .338WM "BOSS" (oooough!) that I had Gunco re-barrel to .300H&H. Including the cost of the used rifle I had close to $2,000.00 into it.

 
Any Rem 700 long action can be rebarreled to 300H&H. Something that gets lost in all the standard vs. magnum action chatter is that the 700 long action is the same length whether it leaves the factory as a 257 Roberts, a 270 Win or a 375 H&H or a 300 RUM. The mag boxes are about 3.70", which is about .10" longer than a Model 70 made for a 300 H&H, 300 Wby, 7 STW, 375 H&H or any of the RUM's. Post '64 push feed long actions and M70 Classic long actions have a 3.60" mag box but they have about a .20" block in the rear to shorten them for 270/30-06 etc. and magnums on the nominal 2.50" case like the 264, 7 Rem Mag and the slightly longer 300 Win Mag. Remove this block and modify the bolt stop and you have a "Magnum" action. I recently did this when my son had a M70 Classic 7 Mag rebarreled to 416 Rem.
Converting a standard Pre'64 Model 70 from 270/30-06 to a 3.60" box is more involved requiring machining the receiver and replacing the mag box.
 
Re-chambering a 30-06 , pre-64 M70, to 300 H&H . . aside from the other modifications mentioned . . you'll need to have the bolt re-faced to accept magnum case heads. . Not a big deal but needs to be done correctly.
 
I have a M70 270 WSM built on the newer FN action
#2 Benchmark. 24 inches, fluted. Had the smith go with a short barrel shank to save some weight.
McMillan hunter edge with lightweight recoil pad.
PTG bottom metal
Fluted and drilled some of the action.

 
RG79 said:
I have a M70 270 WSM built on the newer FN action
#2 Benchmark. 24 inches, fluted. Had the smith go with a short barrel shank to save some weight.
McMillan hunter edge with lightweight recoil pad.
PTG bottom metal
Fluted and drilled some of the action.
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Nice

Is the PT&G bottom metal aluminum?

What's it weigh without scope. How about some pics of the action lightening?

I could like that in 7 WSM if it's light enough.
 
Rembo said:
Nice

Is the PT&G bottom metal aluminum?

What's it weigh without scope. How about some pics of the action lightening?

Rembo
I think it weighs 6 lb 5 oz without scope. The PTG is all aluminum bottom metal.
You're spot on with the 7 shorty, I like that round.
I killed a nice 5 by bull elk this yr with it. 150 Berger is potent!
My hunting partner killed a nice 6 at a ranged 450yds last year same combo, elk drt.
I like the setup!
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