Can a push feed Win model 70 bolt be changed to a CRF?

[sgt.rock]

I have been looking for a model 70 for quite some time, and actually have a friends blued synthetic push feed 30-06 that I borrowed in my safe. I was wondering if these are convertable to CRF and what would be involved?
I know that a new bolt is in order and headspacing, but can it be done? Is it so expensive that its easier to just buy a CRF??
I have wondered this for years, and you guys are the ones that can help me get this off my mind. (not that I mind push feeds, most boltguns these days are great, no matter what kind they are, this pushfeed model 70 is quite accurate. I am just wondering. )

 

[duke1]

What is so important that you get a CRF model 70 except that some people believe that they come from an era with higher quality (pre-64)? Model 70 CRF did come back in the 90's (don't know if all calibers were available) but of course we are talking about an era that probably, to some, does not compare to the pre-64.

Some hunters feel more comfortable with CRF when hunting dangerous game but to some people, the CRF feed reliability is somewhat debatable (covered extensively here on GN for some time).

You mention that this pushfeed model is very accurate and to some, it has been claimed that a push feed is a more accurate action than the CRF.

In the end, it's a personal choice and you will probably not be happy unless you have one. If this is how you feel, I would either trade or sell and then buy a M70 with CRF. If your budget is limited, look for one from the 90's and of course, if money is not a big factor, get a pre-64.

And please, don't forget to search the Internet for papers and articles on CRF and PRF including:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_70.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081012224712AAWBwZJ


Duke1

 

[sgt.rock]

Funny you should mention the 90's rifles, I just closed a deal on a late 90's Model 70 early this morning. She looks great (with controlled round feed). I can't wait to take both models (crf and pushfeed) to the range and to a side by side taste test. Same caliber - .30-06. BA BA BA BA BA I'm lovin it!!
The only reason I was asking about conversion of the pushfeed, is the owner of the pushfeed in my locker was curious, (as was I) and I told him I would go to the source of all gun knowledge CGN and find out. Still wondering if it was possible, merely from a curiosity point of view. I have my CRF now, plus a bunch of accurate push feeds, so life is good.

 

[Rembo]

anything is possible...but, is it cost effective?..no.

you'd have to remove the plunger ejector from the bolt face and machine the reciever to hold the blade type standing ejector, as well as modify the bolt to accept the claw extractor.......and probably a couple other tasks that one of the 'smiths on this board will bring up......gunsmithing costs would be more than the rifle is worth.....

a push feed Model 70 is, IMHO, one of the best push feeds out there...good extractor, the good M70 safety and a good , safe hunting trigger.....they also seem to feed smoother than some other popular push feeds...

 

[ckid]

I don't know if it is still available but Brownells did at one point carry a kit to convert the push feed M 70 to CRF. The kit utilized the existing bolt but required a signifcant amount of machining to it to install the kit. I'm not sure how they dealt with the ejector though.