Model 70 stock removal

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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I picked up a new FN/Winchester Model 70 a while back the the basis of a target rifle build.I was trying to remove the stock last night, but could not get the thing off. There are only two screws holding the stock on, one forward and one aft of the rigger guard. and it seems to be stuck forward of the rigger guard.

Some other forums were saying that they use some sort of epoxy when bedding the rifles that really keeps the stock in place. I tried quite a bit from straight up pulling/rocking to using a brass punch to tap the action out. No Go.

Anyone have any tips?
 
With stocks that are hard to take off due to bedding too tight I hold the forend in padded vise jaws and with upwards pressure on the barrel tap the barrel with a leather mallet... the shock helps break it loose.

Then relieve the front sides and bottom of the recoil lug before assembly.
 
Grab the rifle upside down by the forend. Fingers should be under the barrel and your palm around the forend. Holding it loosely drape a towel over the bottom of the barrel and with your free hand whack the towel covered barrel with a wooden mallet or 2x4.
 
I don't own a new FN/Winchester but I had owned several Model 70's - they had three screws holding bottom metal to the action - you mentioned removing only two?? Third screw was in front of the guard, under the floor plate.

EDIT: just checked an on-line schematic - looks like the new ones have one piece bottom metal and only two action screws. Sorry, thought I was being helpful...

If it is really a glue or epoxy holding it, I have separated a botched glass bedding job by setting the unit in a freezer overnight - came right apart!
 
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No one has gotten it right so far.

Take the bolt out. Place your index ringer in the rear of the action where the bolt release is. Grab the wrist of the stock and pull the action out. It will just pop right out. No need to bang anything with a 2x4, use towels, a freezer, grind away any bedding, or flip the rifle all around.
 
Finally got it out, it took the brass punch and a few taps in the right area. Not something I like to do but other then cutting the stock there was no other way.

It was really in there, Trust me, I tried all sorts of pulling, twisting, tapping with by hand, nothing. There is a good amount of epoxy around the recoil lug area. looks like they did not use any release agent, it was glued in there. Bright side, the action slips right in nice and snug so the bedding is probably good.

Thanks for all the input.
 
My M-70 featherweight fits really tight, came that way new. I back the two action bolts out a fair piece and then alternatively tap on them to get the action loose. That front lug is fitting very tight into the epoxy.
Going to give hometownhero's method next time around.
 
hometownhero said:
No one has gotten it right so far.

Take the bolt out. Place your index ringer in the rear of the action where the bolt release is. Grab the wrist of the stock and pull the action out. It will just pop right out. No need to bang anything with a 2x4, use towels, a freezer, grind away any bedding, or flip the rifle all around.
Click to expand...

it could not have been very tight i could not lift mine out from the back of the action even with something stuck in there to grab on. mine i rocked it in the stock for a long time before it started to come up
 
porpoise said:
it could not have been very tight i could not lift mine out from the back of the action even with something stuck in there to grab on. mine i rocked it in the stock for a long time before it started to come up
Click to expand...

Well considering I was banging on the barrel with my hand for half an hour, tried pulling the forend and the barrel apart until I felt like the stock was going to snap, pounding on the bottom of the action breaking countless 1/2" wooden dowels. Finally just gave a slight pull and it came out. Nothing else would budge it. This was on 3 current m70's. Total I think I spent 2 hours on one and 4 hours on the other trying to break it free before finding that trick. The next one I forgot how I got the other 2 apart and then finally clued in.
 
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