New Bartlein Barrel - Model 70

[Gus McCrae]

After 8 weeks, the gunsmith finally called and said my rifle ready to go. It started as a Model 70 Featherweight BOSS in 280 Rem, but after a new Boyds Prairie Hunter Stock and a Bartlein #3 Contour, this is the final product.

Before:

After:

I had the gunsmith re-contour the blank to lighten it up a tad and contemplated having the barrel and action duracoated black, but decided to leave it for now. I've never been a big fan of a stainless barrel, but I kind of like the blued-on-stainless look.

 

[.30US]

Looks great. I'm a big Model 70 fan. My only recommendation would be to use something besides Duracoat. I've applied it quite a bit over the last eight years and it just doesn't wear well.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Looks great. I'm a big Model 70 fan. My only recommendation would be to use something besides Duracoat. I've applied it quite a bit over the last eight years and it just doesn't wear well.

Thanks...I'm fan too.

That's good to know about the duracoat. I think I'm gonna leave it as is for awhile. It's growing on me.

 

[Shortmagman]

Gus,

It looks great! How does it shoot?

My Model 70 in 270WSM is at Bartlein now having a new barrel installed. I hope it shoots great.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Gus,

It looks great! How does it shoot?

My Model 70 in 270WSM is at Bartlein now having a new barrel installed. I hope it shoots great.

I haven't had the chance to get it to the range...I'm hoping I can get out there Sunday morning.

 

[benchracer]

That's a beautiful rifle. Is it still chambered for .280? The new stock really turned out nice. I am a sucker for the lines of the original Featherweight stock, though. I think they are pretty, too. Is that an SWFA SS scope?

I agree with what was said about Duracoat. I have used it and it is OK. I like Brownells Gunkote better. I am currently having three rifles finished in Cerakote. I suspect I will like that even more than I like Gunkote. Of course, that's all academic for as long as you are happy with the stainless look!

I hope you will share your results when you start putting rounds downrange. I have a Bartlein barrel on order for my .300 WM. It will be my first Bartlein barrel and I am looking forward to putting it through its paces.

I am a fan of the Model 70 and similar actions. Thanks for posting pics!

 

[Gus McCrae]

That's a beautiful rifle. Is it still chambered for .280? The new stock really turned out nice. I am a sucker for the lines of the original Featherweight stock, though. I think they are pretty, too. Is that an SWFA SS scope?

I agree with what was said about Duracoat. I have used it and it is OK. I like Brownells Gunkote better. I am currently having three rifles finished in Cerakote. I suspect I will like that even more than I like Gunkote. Of course, that's all academic for as long as you are happy with the stainless look!

I hope you will share your results when you start putting rounds downrange. I have a Bartlein barrel on order for my .300 WM. It will be my first Bartlein barrel and I am looking forward to putting it through its paces.

I am a fan of the Model 70 and similar actions. Thanks for posting pics!

It's still a 280 Rem. I seriously thought about going the AI route, but I decided to keep it simple and stay with the 280 Rem. Some time down the road, I may get it rechambered...we'll see.

I really liked the Featherweight stock, but it didn't accept my bi-pod very well which I use a lot, so I had to pick functionality over looks.

Yep...it's a SWFA SS 3-15x42. It's a great scope. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Thanks for the complements fellas. I'm excited to get it the range...hopefully this weekend. I'll make sure to report back.

 

[benchracer]

It's still a 280 Rem. I seriously thought about going the AI route, but I decided to keep it simple and stay with the 280 Rem. Some time down the road, I may get it rechambered...we'll see.

I really liked the Featherweight stock, but it didn't accept my bi-pod very well which I use a lot, so I had to pick functionality over looks.

Yep...it's a SWFA SS 3-15x42. It's a great scope. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Thanks for the complements fellas. I'm excited to get it the range...hopefully this weekend. I'll make sure to report back.

I am a fan of the SWFA SS scopes myself. I have a 10x fixed model on my F-T/R rifle. The 3-15x42 looks like a very nice scope. I have several rifles that I would like to put one on. It is good to know that you like yours and would recommend it.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Re: New Bartlein Barrel - Model 70 *Range Report*

Got to the range this morning to run some rounds through the new barrel. I loaded up 20 rds with a medium charge of R22 (54.5 gr.) with some TSX's to sight in the scope. It only took 5 rounds and I was dead on at 100 yds. I put 5 rounds through the same target of my test loads to check for pressure (TTSX's & 54-56 gr. of R-22). After seeing what the first 10 rounds did...I was pretty happy with the new toy.

The next 6 pictures are test loads shot at 200 yards from a sandbag. There are 1 or 2 loads that show a little promise, but nothing to write home about. I think this barrel will be a shooter once I get a load dialed in and barrel broke in more. I was starting to get a little twitchy towards the end, so that might've had a little to do with the not-so-great groups.

 

[mountainman56]

That is a purdy rifle for sure. I kinda like the stainless on blue look. I use duracoat quite a bit and have good luck with it. Preparation is important and it helps if you put a clear coat on.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Got a 28" Bartlien in No. 2 contour coming for my 308 Savage Lightweight Hunter that Pierce is putting together for me with a Manners lightweight stock.

I hear great things about Bartlien so I ordered one. Wanted a MacMillan graphite but no luck on that.

 

[Gus McCrae]

That is a purdy rifle for sure. I kinda like the stainless on blue look. I use duracoat quite a bit and have good luck with it. Preparation is important and it helps if you put a clear coat on.

The more I look at it...the more I like it. It's different. Think I'll leave it for now.

I sent you a PM by the way.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Got a 28" Bartlien in No. 2 contour coming for my 308 Savage Lightweight Hunter that Pierce is putting together for me with a Manners lightweight stock.

I hear great things about Bartlien so I ordered one. Wanted a MacMillan graphite but no luck on that.

I think you'll be happy with it.

I'm already thinking about putting one my 25-06, but that'll probably have to wait until next year.

 

[steeltraps]

Nice rifle! I like M70s as well. My go to treestand rifle is a M70 blackshadow 300wsm with 2.5x10x56 S&B. I catch lots of hell from friends for having 2000 dollar scope on 300 dollar gun but its a real shooter! My other favorite M70 is 300 weatherby No. 3 Bartlein in H&S stock with Jewell trigger and 3x15x56 nightforce! I like the M70s too!