What to do with my '50 M70...?

Curt

Curt

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I have a '50 M70 in .30-06. It shoots into 3/4" with 180 NAB's in front of 55.5 grains of H414. Stock has had a Decelerator pad installed and someone did a sand down job and refinish and a poor attempt to recut the checkering. I have enough .30-06's. Should I sell, should I rebarrel in 280AI or maybe 338-06AI?
Thoughts? Opinions? (there should be enough opinions out there... ;) )
 
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A 338-06 Asquare would be my choice, or 7x64 Brenneke if you want a nice 7mm !
I am rebarreling my model 54 22 Hornet as some idiot reamed to K-hornet, and sanded the piss out of the stock and cut her down, what a waist!
I love old model 70's, and hate the 30-06 for being so mundane and good all around cartridge , hahaha:)
Hey you could make a 9x57 Mauser or 9.3x62 one of my favorite calibre's?

It's a hard decision , good luck friend!

Dale Z
 
I am having the same thoughts with my Model 70 243. It too is a 57 vintage standard rifle. Seen a 243 Featherweight a month ago and it has been on my mind since. It would be nice to have the pair.
Just don't know what to do. I would like to have have a pre64 in 270 or possibly a 257 but then again that 243 is also a classic.

WHAT TO DO....

David
 
If it was me, I'd leave it - you don't find many consistent 3/4" rifles, even today. If I HAD to re-barrel it, it would be chambered for the 9.3x62.
 
I'd grab a McMillan Legend Edge and call it a day.
FWIW the .338-06AI (and the Whelen version) are borderline retarded.
You go through the work of fire forming to get less improvement than you will see by changing primers in any cartridge.

I'm a fan of the .338's but the 35 Whelen would be a better choice on a standard bolt face.
 
jaycee said:
If it was me, I'd leave it - you don't find many consistent 3/4" rifles, even today. If I HAD to re-barrel it, it would be chambered for the 9.3x62.
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I'd be inclined to leave it too, but your rebore to 9.3 would play cricket too. I halfway want to trade him for my 1954 257 Weatherby but I'm sure I'd regret not turning it into a 375 H&H. A sweet shooting Pre-64 30-06 would be hard to find fault with for all but the staunchest contrarians.
 
Curt said:
I have a '50 M70 in .30-06. It shoots into 3/4" with 180 NAB's in front of 55.5 grains of H414. Stock has had a Decelerator pad installed and someone did a sand down job and refinish and a poor attempt to recut the checkering. I have enough .30-06's. Should I sell, should I rebarrel in 280AI or maybe 338-06AI?
Thoughts? Opinions? (there should be enough opinions out there... ;) )
Click to expand...

If it shoots that well, consistently, don't 'kick the sleeping dog', keep it and leave it as is. If you're inclined to rechamber for something a little more exotic, do it to one of your other '06's that doesn't shoot as well.

I inherited an '06 when my Dad passed away and when I no longer have need to use it, I'll pass it on to my Granddaughter. She's the only other up & coming next generation 'gunnut' in the family that's right handed.



I can get decent accuracy out of it now, but it did take a little work. Now, with the twist rate and in changing over to Barnes, some suprising results with their 130gr TTSX.

 
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Curt said:
I have a '50 M70 in .30-06. It shoots into 3/4" with 180 NAB's in front of 55.5 grains of H414. Stock has had a Decelerator pad installed and someone did a sand down job and refinish and a poor attempt to recut the checkering. I have enough .30-06's. Should I sell, should I rebarrel in 280AI or maybe 338-06AI?
Thoughts? Opinions? (there should be enough opinions out there... ;) )
Click to expand...

Build something with the action.

I've had three built now on Pre'64's.

First was a 308 Norma, 24" Shilen and McMillan Supergrade stock...sold it.

Now have two, a '49 action with 23" Shilen in 35 Whelen with a McMillan Edge and a '46 transition action with cloverleaf tang, 23" stainless McGowan barrel in 280 Rem

and one of Stuart's lightweight stocks in the modern Featherweight pattern, as of yet it's unpainted.

Pre'64 Model 70's are great for a build. If you can get into an action for $600 or less it's a good way to go.


 
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My vote is to leave it as is. If the rifle is important to you, perhaps you can find someone who specializes in stock restoration to see if the original stock can be saved. But if in your case the .30/06 is redundant, and the rifle has no special sentimental importance to you, swap it for one chambered for something you're more excited about.
 
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