DCRA Trophy Rifle

ArmedGinger

ArmedGinger

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Just placed an order for this from a gunstore. Winchester Model 70 in 308 that has an interesting plaque sunk into the stock that reads:

Walter M. Stewart
Memorial Trophy
DCRA - 1971

Figure it will make an interesting "Vietnam M70 Tribute" rifle with a hilux 3-9 on it to go along with my M70 with the Malcolm USMC 8x in 30-06 that I have in the safe.

Walter M. Stewart was, for many years, a foremost member of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association. As President of the Macdonald Stewart Tobacco Company and a devote marksman, he was a major benefactor of the Association. He sponsored the Macdonald Stewart Grand Aggregate, the major Aggregate within the DCRA Annual Prize Meeting, and he initiated the tradition of the Macdonald Stewart Dinner at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa to honour the winner of the Grand Aggregate. Walter Stewart loved the Canadian Pavilion at Bisley and dedicated much time, effort and financial support to the DCRA home in England. Walter Stewart passed away on July 20th, 1967.
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There was a time when Winchester knew how to make reliable accurate rifles. There was also a time when the Palma Trophy was fired by large teams with the same rifle and sights. In the UK, they'd have 150 or 200 No.4 conversions made up and the teams would test fire their 20 or 25 to find the best 12 or 15 - whatever the match dictated. The also rans were held aside and later sold off. In Australia, they'd be Sportcos. In South Africa, Musgraves. In Canada other No.4 conversions or Sportcos or Carl Gustavs. I was too young to know the differences. They were a special batch for 1967. In 1976, the US Bicentennial year the Palma was at Camp Perry and the standard rifle was ^^^ a single shot Model 70 heavy barrel with Redfield or somebody's sights. They weren't outstanding rifles compared to a Musgrave or even a Sportco, but God Bless Winchester they tried hard and that was what was provided. Your trophy rifle looks very similar, except on the left side of the stock there would have been a big colourful US NRA Bicentennial Palma Match sticker.
 
A real piece of DCRA history right there!
I have a Palma Team Musgrave 308 that was rebarreled in .223, amongst other fullbore rifles, but sadly most young long range shooters these days don't know much about Palma , TR, or even ICFRA for that matter. TR is a dying discipline , whether we like it or not☹️
Cat
 
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When searching for info about the Walter M. Stewart trophy plaque I came across a post from another member here back in 2022 asking about their rifle that was the trophy for the year after, 1972. It is the rifle pictured on the top.

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I just purchased a No4 based target rifle in 308 from the same store a few days ago. Wonder if it belonged to the same guy. (3rd image is store photo)
 

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Converted, mostly single shot, heavy barrel (many fitted with Shultz & Larsen barrels) P14's and M1917's also were very popular and wide spread back in the day, especially so in the UK for long range full bore .308/7.62mm target shooting.


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also the rem 700 was popular the 700 was king when it came to target shooting of any time the sportco was a variant it also was poplar
at one time in the 60's to about the mid 90's full bore was very popular
 
may as well show off some of Jim's work.
He built and bedded the stock for this Sportco that was once owned by DCRA great Clint Dalhstrom, and the adapter for the .223 barrel as the lugs for the original Omark44's were integral with the barrel.
I have his original notes on it as well.
The rifle was originally in 7.62X51
This is an example of a World Class bedding block/pillar set up !
Cat
https://imgur.com/aDiiozX
https://imgur.com/swqde34
https://imgur.com/gNfAEM7
https://imgur.com/87G9JAm
 
iron cat said:
This guy on my right ( Jim Dugan) did a lot of the early #4 conversions for the DCRA.
He came up for a match a few years back.
https://imgur.com/ZZg5km4
In the pic we are holding two of his conversions, one in 308 and one in .223.
Cat
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Jim had a No.7 he converted to 5.56 with the original chamber reamed out. I've told this story to other shooters and the common reaction is absolute shocks that he'd put himself at risk with gasp a receiver made for a .22LR. Well, he didn't die that day or every since, so whose story is right?
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Jim had a No.7 he converted to 5.56 with the original chamber reamed out. I've told this story to other shooters and the common reaction is absolute shocks that he'd put himself at risk with gasp a receiver made for a .22LR. Well, he didn't die that day or every since, so whose story is right?
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Many/most of the early C.No.7 receivers were No 4 receivers that failed QC and were set aside for future use - those would have probably been fully heat treated.
There is some debate as to whether all receivers manufactured and intended to be C. No7 .22lr rifles were fully heat treated.
 
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