My New "go to" gun!

K

KO

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Here is my new go to hunting rig. M70 Featherwieght! I love the wood on this thing. Had to have one when I seen one. I've had it out to the range a couple of times and it shoots alright. No 3 shot groups under an inch, but within acceptable hunting margins I would say(around 1.75" for most, a couple of wanderers later in the day but that could easly be the trigger mans problem). Anyway, I've been trying to replace the CZ 550 I sold a couple of years ago and I think this is the one to keep. If anyone knows of some reasonably cost efficient mods to get a bit more accuracy, please share.
Thanks KO.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/Komax/WinM70001.jpg
 
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you always have to remember that when you go to the big "magnum" calibers, it gets very EXPENSIVE- in terms of the gun,powder, etc- about the only thing that stays the same is the price of the bullets, unless you go premuim even then you still typically give up a couple of rounds due to the case dimensions- not that we all don't make one shot kills
 
Glad you asked KO! What a fine rifle.

2 things to get better accuracy: go down to the store and get a GI issue leather military sling and learn how to use one. They are fast to use and cheap to buy.

The other is to get off the bench and practice! Too many guys get hung up on sub MOA groups shot off the bench and sand bags, and don't practice the basics. The benchrest is for evaluating loads, sighting in, specialized bench rest competitions and that's it.

That is also the best calibre going IMO too. That rig will dump any animal that walks the earth in North America, out to 300 yards with one well placed shot!

That is my scholarly advice for what it's worth. Good luck in the upcoming season to you all.
 
Is that a post-2008 production FWT? If so, it is already free floated, and has an excellent trigger (which can be easily lightened if you so desire). It is also glass bedded from the factory, but the ones I've seen could use some additional bedding IMO.

Are you doing your accuracy testing from a proper rest or set of bags?

As for hunting accuracy, as mentioned above, a GI sling works well, but the best shooting sling out there is the Safari Ching Sling, made by Galco.

Also, you don't mention what ammo you're using, but the fastest way to improve the accuracy of an otherwise good rifle is by handloading your ammunition, or finding someone experienced who is willing to load some for you.
 
t-star said:
you always have to remember that when you go to the big "magnum" calibers, it gets very EXPENSIVE- in terms of the gun,powder, etc- about the only thing that stays the same is the price of the bullets, unless you go premuim even then you still typically give up a couple of rounds due to the case dimensions- not that we all don't make one shot kills
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well reloading helps but at 69.7grns of powder that gives me 100 rounds/Lb :D
and yes when reloading why not go with a nice premuim bullet its only a few cents more, I use accubonds and have had some great experience using them on moose :D

but yes 30-06 will do everything a 308 will but there is an advantead with the 30-06 if you are a reloader and can use that extra case capacity.
 
t-star said:
you always have to remember that when you go to the big "magnum" calibers, it gets very EXPENSIVE- in terms of the gun,powder, etc-
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Usually a .300WM rifle is only $25-$50 more than an '06 in the same model, and the powder difference is only about $0.06 per shot. Hardly anything to worry about...;)
 
Silverado said:
Is that a post-2008 production FWT? If so, it is already free floated, and has an excellent trigger (which can be easily lightened if you so desire). It is also glass bedded from the factory, but the ones I've seen could use some additional bedding IMO.

Are you doing your accuracy testing from a proper rest or set of bags?

As for hunting accuracy, as mentioned above, a GI sling works well, but the best shooting sling out there is the Safari Ching Sling, made by Galco.

Also, you don't mention what ammo you're using, but the fastest way to improve the accuracy of an otherwise good rifle is by handloading your ammunition, or finding someone experienced who is willing to load some for you.
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Yes it is a post 2008 m70. Trigger is nice, as for the bedding,I don't have much experience with that. The barrell sems to float alright. For sighting in I was using allan front and rear bags, which I know do not get rid of all human error but I can consistantly shoot better groups with my Rem LTR in .308 so that's what I think I was expecting with this gun. Ammo may be a big factor as I was mainly shooting win super x (cheap stuff) 150's and then some left over Rem core-lockts I had from a few yeas back. I have everything still to do my own reloading, but have not in the last 16 years since we sold the farm. I will be in need of some refreshing I would think. I do shoot off hand, but to be honest find myself useually able to find a bit of a rest on any shots taken over 75 yards where I hunt(tree,fence post, trigger stick). I have no experience with the different slings available so that maybe something to look at. I have every confidence in this rifle for hunting and think I was just thinking it would shoot like an LTR. How ever there is no comparison to the rem 798 I have in .270. It has a trigger like a sponge. Creep...creep...creep...cre.bang! Wi all that being said, the mod 70 is a keeper for sure.
Thanks for looking
KO
 
That's a nice looking rifle!
As for better accuracy, try working up some loads.
When new, my 30-06 was not grouping great with cheap factory ammo.
Later on, my hand-loads started grouping under 1" at 100m with the odd 1" 3 shot group at 200m.
Being an inexpensive Savage, I don't think I can expect better than that.

edit: Double check the scope mounts and bases. I've had all of them getting loose at times.
 
Congrats on acquiring a great rifle. When I think of a bolt action sporting rifle, it's a M-70 that comes to mind.

What conditions do you intend to use it in? Here today the wind is blowing 50K and there is a mix of snow and rain, and near the coast one is exposed to salt spray. Given arduous conditions, it might make sense to keep the wood stock for admiring and target shooting on nice days and get a good quality fiberglass stock properly glass bedded to your rifle for more demanding conditions.

I'm a firm believer in shooting with a sling from supported positions, and the Safari Ching Sling is the best answer to that question when the rifle is to be used in the field.

Perhaps not so much as an accuracy enhancement, I like redundancy built into my rifles, so I would install a ghost ring a post for the day that your scope breaks or when conditions favor irons.

Choose a good bullet and work up a few loads for your rifle. This is the surest road to good accuracy, provided you don't allow your quest for accuracy to overcome those things that are necessary in a hunting rifle and hunting ammo. Once you've found a load that will shoot close to MOA over the range you intend to shoot, its time to concern yourself more with field marksmanship that tweaking the load.

I assume your rifle has a decent adjustable trigger, and if it needs to be adjusted concern yourself more with creep and over travel than with the weight required to break the shot. Provided the trigger breaks cleanly without excessive effort that causes tremors in the rifle all is good. I like 2-3 pound triggers, and find that 4 is the upper limit for good shooting.
 
I have the same rifle bud. Mines not a tack driver either but it's sure nice to carry through the sticks and hills. And as you said, it's plenty good enough. Don't get too caught up in the tightest group wins thing and take that girl hunting. Congrats. :)
 
I've had mine for about a month now, but in .308 Win flavor. Very nice looking rifles and mine is even lighter than yours, which is what I was looking for.

Accuracy wise, mine is just like yours. With cheap Super-X it shot over 2" at 100M, getting progressively worse as the shooting advanced. No shooter's fault at all, they just have very rough barrels and accuracy deteriorates fast as copper builds up in the bore. You would not believe how much copper I pulled out of that barrel on my first shooting session, using CR-10 and household ammonia. But after that trip to the range, I attacked the barrel with Barnes CR-10, JB Bore Cleaner and JB Bore Bright. On the second trip to the range, it easily kept 3 shots inside 1.5” at 100M. But again, I shoveled a ton of copper out of the barrel after that trip, although a bit less than the first time. So I went back at it with more CR-10/JB Bore Cleaner/JB Bore Bright. Hopefully I’ve been successful in polishing the bore a little, so I get less copper fowling next time.

The trigger is indeed adjustable, that is if you want to have it heavier than it comes, because I completely pulled the adjusting screw out of mine and the weight didn’t go down at all, it just stayed put at 3.25lb. However, after a ton of dry firing, it is presently down to almost 3lb. Now, if only I could get it another ½ lb lighter, I’d be very happy.

I should also say that mine came with part of the rear bedding block missing, so I had to put some JB Weld steel epoxy in there. Maybe that is what improved the groups a little, I don’t know. But these rifles are so well made, that I’m almost sure mine is capable of much better accuracy than it’s shown so far, and I think I’m about to find out. I’ve had a bunch of reloads ready to try for 2 weeks now, but weather hasn’t cooperated. Maybe today will be the lucky day, we’ll see!
 
blargon said:
Usually a .300WM rifle is only $25-$50 more than an '06 in the same model, and the powder difference is only about $0.06 per shot. Hardly anything to worry about...;)
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hey, that counts in my books- i've got a 338 win mag- now that thing COSTS money when you shoot- ever noticed when you buy ammo for a "standard" rifle , like an 308 or an 06, the guy selling pays no mind, but when you mention the word magnum, (even the lowly 357s and 44s) their eyes light up like you just paid for their kids college?
 
Thanks guys. I really like this rifle, so I'm sure it will be with me for a long time. Boomer, most of my hunting is done in the Parkland and Foothills WMU's in Alberta, no salt water and mostly mild conditions(with the exception of a few cold days and rain/snow). I've never really had an issue with the wood on any of my rifles aside from the usual bumps and bruises in the trees fences and so on. It'll be a shame to get her marked up, but maybe it'll build some character. I like the trigger where it's set, no real creep or over travel, maybe lighten it up a bit.
I will try cleaning it again real good. I did not realize the bores were that rough on these things. I have allways used Hoppes, so maybe I should pick up some clean bore and give it a shot.
As for ammo, I have all the equipment for loading .30-06 sitting in my garage, but have not set it up or done any reloading in years. That may make a good project for me this winter(funds are low so wonèt be travelling:))
Those Ching Slings look good, who carries themÉ I guess I can search online.
Thanks again,
KO
 
Glenfilthie said:
Glad you asked KO! What a fine rifle.

2 things to get better accuracy: go down to the store and get a GI issue leather military sling and learn how to use one. They are fast to use and cheap to buy.

The other is to get off the bench and practice! Too many guys get hung up on sub MOA groups shot off the bench and sand bags, and don't practice the basics. The benchrest is for evaluating loads, sighting in, specialized bench rest competitions and that's it.

That is also the best calibre going IMO too. That rig will dump any animal that walks the earth in North America, out to 300 yards with one well placed shot!

That is my scholarly advice for what it's worth. Good luck in the upcoming season to you all.
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Really great fatherly advice, every item you mentioned!!
 
H4831 said:
Really great fatherly advice, every item you mentioned!!
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Absolutly great advice, thanks again to everyone. As I mentioned earlier, I haven't had much "sling" experience, so I'm going out to try and find either a GI issue or a ching sling this coming week to give it a try. I May have a hard time around Red Deer though, not sure.
KO
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
 
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KO said:
Absolutly great advice, thanks again to everyone. As I mentioned earlier, I haven't had much "sling" experience, so I'm going out to try and find either a GI issue or a ching sling this coming week to give it a try. I May have a hard time around Red Deer though, not sure.
KO
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
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Col. Jeff Cooper's "The Art of the Rifle" has great descriptive instruction of how to properly use a sling as a shooting aid. He illustrates the use of a GI type sling, as well as the "Ching Sling" which was designed by M. Ching based on Cooper's advice.

Something to note is that the original Ching Sling requires a 3rd sling swivel be installed just forward of the magazine on the stock, much like the arm strap and shooting sling Palma shooters utilize; the "Safari Ching Sling" is a redesign that eliminates that issue. It sacrifices a little of the stability, but is likely a better sling for hunting use.

I'll scan the relevant pages and e-mail them to you if you like, although the material may be available to read someplace on the internets...
 
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