Best .270 hunting rifle under $1500

Like many others I too would (did) choose a pre 64 model 70 fwt. Some of the suggestions astound me, but everyone is entitled to an opinion!
 
Xbolt
Tikka
Rem

In that order

I’ve have/had variations of the Tikka and Rem in the past with no issues. I’d like to give the X-Bolt (LR, McMill etc) or even the Bergara versions a go, but really don’t see anyone in here mention them or post about them really.
 
Like many others I too would (did) choose a pre 64 model 70 fwt. Some of the suggestions astound me, but everyone is entitled to an opinion!

Which ones are so astounding?

I’ve have/had variations of the Tikka and Rem in the past with no issues. I’d like to give the X-Bolt (LR, McMill etc) or even the Bergara versions a go, but really don’t see anyone in here mention them or post about them really.

The two Bergaras I had that I shot were real shooters. B14 in wood and "hunter" stocks.
 
Being a 700 clone doesn’t hurt them in the aftermarket sector either. Unlike the X-Bolts…

Heck no, that's true. Lots of parts/stocks etc available. The trigger thats in them was good enough that I wouldn't have replaced it but if someone wanted to...

Like em more since they addressed the soft bolt threads/soft bolt shroud issues and started getting the firing pin holes in the bolt to a size that don't need bushing. Mine had no probs there at least...no cratering beyond what plenty of Remingtons do haha.
 
I’ve have/had variations of the Tikka and Rem in the past with no issues. I’d like to give the X-Bolt (LR, McMill etc) or even the Bergara versions a go, but really don’t see anyone in here mention them or post about them really.
Ive been using an Xbolt SS stalker chambered in 7 RM for the last few moose seasons.
Sub MOA , excellent trigger and stock.
Action is smooth.
Really nice handling gun.
I don’t feel that it needs any upgrades, unlike the others.
Well maybe one upgrade would be a little bit bigger bolt knob.

Last moose was taken at 250 yards with Hornady 150 g ELD-X hand loads.
A 800 lb Bull and it didn’t take a step , just flopped over in its tracks.
 
Question for the Pre '64 Model 70 fans please?

How has yours held up over how many years and round count? Ever take it on some pretty rough hunts?

Never had one for longer than a year or two or done much with them. My harder use rifles were newer.

I mean, we know the legends. Doubt they'd be in places like Africa if they were troublesome but...Hows yours been?
 
Great links thanks for posting those.
I have a copy of Capsticks book on Johnson.
Ironically enough there are pre 64 purests who who say his 375 has no collector value as the recoil pad isn’t original!
 
Loved the Capstick book about Wally Johnson too

Very interesting to see the rifle. At least he wasn't putting nail polish in the chamber of that one to fill in all the pitting and not jam up on him as much while shooting elephants.
 
Lol. Sounds about right. Here is another pair that make an interesting study.

aSsDfj8.jpg
 
Also very cool! Think Prince Pahlavi used to use a Model 70 as well, in 7x57.

Now that these rifles have quite a few decades on them, I wonder what happens to go on them first? And is there still a lot of good replacement parts or better to try having new replacements made, like say mag springs, etc?
 
Loved the Capstick book about Wally Johnson too

Very interesting to see the rifle. At least he wasn't putting nail polish in the chamber of that one to fill in all the pitting and not jam up on him as much while shooting elephants.

you may or may not know that wally used a lot some 9.3s as he did not have any enough 375 ammo for a while ... but it is funny everybody focused on the 375 ...
 
you may or may not know that wally used a lot some 9.3s as he did not have any enough 375 ammo for a while ... but it is funny everybody focused on the 375 ...

Thats one of the ones with the nail polished chamber lol. Think he bought it from a place that had a housefire.
 
Also very cool! Think Prince Pahlavi used to use a Model 70 as well, in 7x57.

Now that these rifles have quite a few decades on them, I wonder what happens to go on them first? And is there still a lot of good replacement parts or better to try having new replacements made, like say mag springs, etc?

They are made of steel. What might be wearing out on them? Magazine springs are easy to come by. None of my post 64 Model 70’s use the factory magazine springs anyway. But if it’s a worry, here is a source for parts.

https://pre64win.com

Prince abdorreza pahlavi hunted with more than one Model 70. All custom made with Biesen and Miller rifles in that mix.
 
Right on, thanks! I mean things must fail on them, steel or not?

What kind of springs do you use?
 
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