Picture day - Winchester 70 Classic w/ Ruger 7x57 barrel and Pacific Research stock

[stickhunter]

I purchased this rifle from a dealer a number of years ago, and at the time it was advertised as a Winchester 70 action with a Ruger barrel; I thought that was kind of interesting, so took a chance, and this is what showed up... It's a Winchester 70 Classic late G-prefix serial action nicely bedded in a Pacific Research fiberglass stock, and with what looks/feels like a grey/blue teflon paint finish.

The barrel is what I'm curious about since it was advertised as being a Ruger, although I'm not convinced. I imagine the shank/threads would have to be fairly close to make it worth the effort to use on a Winchester action. The barrel is ~ 21", and I measure the twist at roughly 1:9.75", which is close to the 1:9.5" I've read was used on some Ruger 7x57s. The 7x57 stamp is the only marking on the barrel and perhaps it's close to the factory stamp Ruger used (see last picture) with some shallowness after polishing/re-profiling the barrel.

Addendum: confirmed this is a Ruger barrel as shown in the additional pictures posted on this thread: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...arch-stock?p=18501429&viewfull=1#post18501429

The front sight is another oddity as there is no provision for a rear sight on the barrel, so I imagine the owner/builder was planning to use a receiver sight mounted on, or instead of, the scope base.

Total weight is 6lbs 8.5oz as shown.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, and if anyone could tell me more about this (on the off chance you recognize the rifle?) I'd be interested in learning more.

 

[Buckmastr]

Looks like a great piece. Nicely finished and in mint condition. The metal work reminds me of titanium guncote. Stock paint and webbing is well done. Mitch Kendall?

Probably doesn’t matter who made the barrel as long as it shoots like a Remington.

Thanks for sharing

 

[Slimbo]

That looks like a brown precision stock to me, I think the pacific research stocks had checkering and a bit of a different shape. Either way, that’s a beauty!

I also like how they recut the tang to look like a pre 1939 M70. Classy touch.

 

[Slimbo]

Probably doesn’t matter who made the barrel as long as it shoots like a Remington.

Can’t see how firing on its own accord is a desirable trait but to each his own.

 

[dak47]

Prost!! May you enjoy on many a hunt! Damn fine looking rig......

 

[stickhunter]

That looks like a brown precision stock to me, I think the pacific research stocks had checkering and a bit of a different shape. Either way, that’s a beauty!

I also like how they recut the tang to look like a pre 1939 M70. Classy touch.

Thanks for pointing that out; embarrassed that I didn't notice that before! To be honest, I haven't taken the action out yet to see if everything else is stock (e.g. trigger). I think it's time to do that.

 

[Buckmastr]

That looks like a brown precision stock to me, I think the pacific research stocks had checkering and a bit of a different shape. Either way, that’s a beauty!

I also like how they recut the tang to look like a pre 1939 M70. Classy touch.

Read the buttpad.

 

[tiriaq]

Ruger and Winchester barrel shanks are 1" diameter with 16tpi. Fitting the one to the other can be done, although shank length, breech face and headspace will need to be addressed. The Winchester action pictured has the long extractor which requires a breech face cut.

 

[FLHTCUI]

They look great and trust they shoot as good as they look.
Congrats and thanks for sharing the results of this project.
Rob

 

[Slimbo]

Read the buttpad.

Look at the stock.

Is it inconceivable that the gunsmith who had just fitted a ruger barrel to Winchester action, used whatever recoil pad he had in his drawer to finish the stock blank?

Pacific research


Brown precision

 

[stickhunter]

Look at the stock.

Is it inconceivable that the gunsmith who had just fitted a ruger barrel to Winchester action, used whatever recoil pad he had in his drawer to finish the stock blank?

Yes, I'd say there's a pretty good chance! This could be turning to be a fun mixmaster! When I pop that action out, I'll see if there's any other identifiers in the stock.

 

[Buckmastr]

Possibly. Did all pacific research stocks have checkering? Didn’t they become Rimrock. Not a common butt pad to be floating around in a parts bin.

 

[Slimbo]

Is that a short action? The 3.10 Winchester mag makes a great 7x57 if you’re not shooting 175 RN

 

[Slimbo]

Possibly. Did all pacific research stocks have checkering? Didn’t they become Rimrock. Not a common butt pad to be floating around in a parts bin.

I think the newest iteration of the pacific research/Borden/Rimrock doesn’t have checkering, but it still has the sharp contrasting cheek piece and the deep fluting on the transition to the wrist. Doesn’t explain the pad either.

Whatever it is, it sure is a nice rifle

 

[stickhunter]

Is that a short action? The 3.10 Winchester mag makes a great 7x57 if you’re not shooting 175 RN

I measured the action screw distance and it's just a touch over 7", so I believe that makes it a short action. The magazine box also looks pretty close to 3.10". The bottom metal is the two-piece version.

What's also interesting... I can confirm the barrel is a Ruger as I found the rollmarks underneath when I took the action out of the stock.

The barrel profile looks to be pretty thin, and the bare stock w/ pad weighs 1lb 9.8oz, so a pretty nice setup, indeed.

Here are some pictures of the internals...

 

[Buckmastr]

PR turned to Rimrock in 1994. This is an early Rimrock apparently, picture pulled off 24hr campfire, looks like the Op’s. Notice the long wrist. The browns I have seen don’t have that wrist.

 

[Slimbo]

I will agree to disagree on that one. To me stick hunters stock looks like it has a different cheek piece, wrist, and less drop than the stock you posted….but I’ve been wrong plenty of times.

 

[dan belisle]

Very nice looking rifle in a great cartridge. - dan

 

[hoytcanon]

What makes you believe that is a Ruger barrel? There are a number of things about it that make me believe it is not a Ruger barrel.

 

[stickhunter]

What makes you believe that is a Ruger barrel? There are a number of things about it that make me believe it is not a Ruger barrel.

Hi hoytcanon,

In my original post, I was quite dubious about the claim that the barrel was a Ruger, but I edited it after removing the barrelled action from the stock and finding the original Ruger rollmarks on the underside. I had thought the barrel had been turned down, but the rollmarks are undisturbed, so not sure what factory contour the barrel is.