Winchester M70 30-06 Blind mag to bottom metal?

Dave.S

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Can you convert a blind mag M70 to take bottom metal?Picked up a nice 30-06.Where can I find the parts if its possible?Dave
 
I have not tried it, but would also like to know if it can be done and how. I am aware there is original two piece bottom metal and aftermarket one piece - and need a filler piece to change one to the other - so likely need to have in hand whichever version of bottom metal that you want to inlet that blind stock to fit?? Not certain if same action screws can be used, but at least with older push feed Model 70, the action screws were Extra Fine Thead 1/4"-32 tpi - I have no clue what later model rifles use for action screw thread size. I have a made-in-1981 (1982?) Model 70 in 22-250 - marked as a "Westerner" - made by USRAC - in subsequent years that rifle sold as a Model 70 "Ranger" - blind magazine - I do not know if a different mag box, different follower or different magazine spring required or not??
 
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Would need bottom floor plate, probably $150, and gunsmith to inlet it nicely, probably $150.
Not sure it's worth it to me.
 
You will likely need a new mag box as well. Existing guard screws will work, bottom metal would be best if it fit the trigger bow inlet. All factory iterations should. But imo a waste of time.
 
Winchester metal is expensive and there is a lot
of differences in trigger guard size

Yes, this is true, depends on year of manufacture, M70's up until 1984 I think were all long action receiver's.
I'm not sure when they stopped making blind mag M70's, I have a 1975 222Rem blind mag long action, and the mag box spacer takes up half the mag lol.
Great shooter though.
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I suspect once USRAC took over making the Winchester rifles, was important to look at more that just the "Model 70" - I had bought a Model 70 XTR in 308 Win in 1976 - "new" from a store - I also have a Model 70 XTR "Sporter Magnum" in 338 Win Mag made about 1981, and now a Model 70 "Westerner" in 22-250, also made in 1981 (I think) - all as per the roll stamps written on the barrels. For a while I owned a Model 70 in 375 H&H - it had the anti-bind slot on the bolt, so must have been early 1968 or so, although I think the serial number shows made in 1967 - the barrel roll stamping said "Winchester - Model 70 - 375 H&H Magnum". Even when WRA was making the "pre-64" rifles, they had a particular earlier version, also called the "Westerner" - so 26" barrel in 264 Win Mag (I've never owned one - just read about them). I also read they marketed a "Model 70 Alaskan" - with 25" barrel chambered in 338 Win Mag. I think USRAC was broke about late 1990's or early 2000's - when FN bought them out? So, for sure, not all "Model 70" the same - even when made in same year. Somewhere in mid-1980's was a Model 70 "Ranger" which had a blind magazine, I think.
 
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