Beginnings of a custom Model 70

Ardent said:
I have the same build lined up in pieces here (7x57 M70), but with a #5 contour Lothar Walther, NECG sights, barrel mount sling swivel, and an exhibition black walnut blank.

The 7x57 fits just swell into a standard M70 action, as the feed rails are closely spaced on the M70, the bit of extra length makes no difference for feeding. I stagered 7x57 rounds in my mag, one right to the back of the mag, then one to the front, and so forth to a full mag. Got 100% feed reliability, and smooth as greased lightning. Also tried all rounds forward, all back, etc same results. With 175gr bullets especially, there actually isn't much wasted room in the mag. And you'd be able to seat way out too, giving a hefty boost to the 7x57.
Click to expand...

I have also put dummies through mine over 100 times and came up with the same results. Feeds great!
 
Leeper said:
I am another who is fond of the 7x57 but, I have to admit, the idea of all that unused magazine space would bug me as well. Consequently, I would have to go with the 280. Furthermore, I would lengthen the throat to allow the bullets to be seated further out since there is plenty of room to do so.
In a pre-64 (lefties need not apply) the 7x57 is close enough and this will be the chambering I use for my money-pit Model 54 Winchester ( For some reason, every time I make a deal with someone from Logan Lake, I walk away feeling slightly violated. I think there is a clique of horse traders up there who view me as a sheep to be sheared. I've been told the pain will fade with time! ). Just to hedge my bets, the pre-64 action I got at the Kamloops gunshow (I lost my posterior on this trade as well) I barreled in 280.
At the risk of veering off-topic, the Model 70 might be one of the best examples of my trading acumen. First, I traded a darn good shooting, glass-stocked Sako 270 for a well used 1951 Model 70. I planned to re-stock so I traded the stock for about 40 dollars worth of used dies (280 and 7x57). After re-barreling to 280, I found I didn't have time to make another stock so I traded about 120.00 worth of work for a dinged-up stock very similar to the one I had gotten rid of. I then spent a week re-bedding and refinishing the stock. I don't want to think about how much I actually have invested in this 280. The 7x57 will take me even further into the financial red zone.
Most have heard of the guy who started out with a paper clip and ended up with a house (the house was in Saskatchewan, mind you). I would be more likely to go the other way and could probably do it in far fewer trades too! Regards, Bill
Click to expand...

Rest assured Bill, you're not the alone in this fate. I'm frequently, peskily reminded I could buy what I build for less money. But all those individual parts seem so cheap... a $70 front sight here... $45 reamer there... chemicals, $65... donor rifle... and so on. Soon enough before I know it a $675 bargain project rifle turns into a $1,800 custom, that does the same thing it did when I started; drops deer. Typically, I then sell for $1,200, and start again.
 
Chuck, I don't believe one will do anything the other won't do equally well on game. (ballistic minutia aside). It's really a question of your heart or logic winning out!
I do know that if I have to rebarrel my pre 64 280, I will be very tempted to run a 7x57 fwt profile barrel.
 
Pat Brennan said:
Chuck, I don't believe one will do anything the other won't do equally well on game. (ballistic minutia aside). It's really a question of your heart or logic winning out!
I do know that if I have to rebarrel my pre 64 280, I will be very tempted to run a 7x57 fwt profile barrel.
Click to expand...

I'm a wimp and like less recoil.
 
7x57 then for sure. It will kill anything cleanly from the big cervids down, in other words it'll kill anything the .280 will, on less powder. I hope you go 7x57, the club could use new blood. :) It's not a hard reamer to find, but if you need a 7x57 finisher and headspace gauges, I can rent mine out.
 
Leeper said:
I planned to re-stock so I traded the stock for about 40 dollars worth of used dies (280 and 7x57). After re-barreling to 280, I found I didn't have time to make another stock so I traded about 120.00 worth of work for a dinged-up stock very similar to the one I had gotten rid of. Regards, Bill
Click to expand...


In the interest of maintaining your dignity I won't mention whose idea that particular trade was. And it wasn't "that" dinged up... :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom