Help bringing old rifle new life

[HappyWarrior]

I find what is not clear is the OP's goal.

If he wishes to preserve the nostalgia of the rifle as he remembers it OR just "I have this old rifle and wish to use it as a basis for something up to date and state of the art,"

Depending which, the road has a huge fork in it.

Asking the OP to define his intent ?????

 

[Buckys]

I'd try a new factory take-off barrel and see how it shoots ... that will give you an idea of what you're working with and not require a big investment. Personally, I'd like a fast-twist 270 but here it might make sense to get a 280 barrel twisted adequately for what you'd like to shoot and you can always transform that into a 280ai if you like?

 

[JD-ODINSON]

Was this "his" rifle? Does it have sentimental value? I tend to think of those rifles with a piece of wood.

I'd pick a cartridge and intended use and palm from there.

Yes it was his rifle. He bought it when he got out of the Army and it was the first rifle I hunted with. He gave it to me along with a Winchester 94 30-30 that was my grandfathers. I plan to pass it to one of my girls but I would also like to modernize it a little too.

 

[Buckys]

I find what is not clear is the OP's goal.

If he wishes to preserve the nostalgia of the rifle as he remembers it OR just "I have this old rifle and wish to use it as a basis for something up to date and state of the art,"

Depending which, the road has a huge fork in it.

Asking the OP to define his intent ?????

He did update "I would like to stick with a .270 or possibly a .280 AI"

 

[Radman]

The gun has been shot consistently as long as my dad owned it and I've shot it even more since I was a kid. The accuracy has slowly gone from 1" groups at 100 yards, to 2-3" groups with a few worse flyers. We thought it was user error or the equipment until I had someone bore scope it and could see the first 6-8" of the barrel with significant wear and some pitting at the end of the barrel.

I would like to stick with a .270 or possibly a .280 AI. I've got a few 300wm's but I've got 5 daughters who all prefer to shoot the 270 still.

Me, I'd stick with the .270.

 

[JD-ODINSON]

I find what is not clear is the OP's goal.

If he wishes to preserve the nostalgia of the rifle as he remembers it OR just "I have this old rifle and wish to use it as a basis for something up to date and state of the art,"

Depending which, the road has a huge fork in it.

Asking the OP to define his intent ?????

Sorry for lack of clarification, as I don't exactly know which route to go yet and was getting any ideas I could from others before I made my decision. I like the nostalgia and the original look of the rifle, yet I also like the idea of lightening it up and getting it into shape that my girls can use for another couple of decades for hunting too, with some newer technology.

 

[GDKinCO]

I did something similar with an old obsolete across the course .308 match rifle.

Well if that doesn't make me feel sad and old .... having shot Service Rifle High Power with a McCoy built, base armory issued NM Garand in .308 ... ok, yeah - that was years and years ago.

 

[HappyWarrior]

"update" is too vague for me. Could range from a new barrel to a $3000 custom.

Given that the market is flooded with cheap used 700s as well as new guns (Compass, M-18, Ruger etc.), I'd go the "restore as I remember it route."

Barrel & stock from Ebay.

Otherwise it's just another modified 700 with no history.

 

[Dosh]

A good friend lost his father several years ago. He left a Mark V in 300 Wby which was in very bad shape. We found a very nice take off barrel and I had several factory deluxe stocks, so I gave him one. We had the stock and checkering refinishing by a stock restorer and a trigger job done by a local smith. He found a vintage Wby scope and mounts. All done to preserve the vintage rifle and his dad's memory. I was happy to have a part in this restoration. I have restored a couple of my grandfather's old rifles and take pleasure in knowing they will be passed down to my grandsons.

 

[Goldengun]

Return it to it's original glory(plus a new trigger). You can do all the custom you want with non-sentimental/heirloom firearms.

 

[JD-ODINSON]

I think I like the idea about restoring it as close to the original as possible. I've got several other the rifles and the more I think about it the more it makes sense to me.

With the take off barrels, I've heard and read about mixed feelings with them. What should I look for with them?

 

[Muddyboots]

Since it was a .270 there are a couple of threads that you may want to read for ideas for the old girl to "modernize" or "update" it. Re-barrel with faster twist and you have a all the benefits of the original .270 plus ability to shoot heavier bullets. Restoring it back with updated twist, 5R rifling, Timney trigger, good solid stock with at least pillar bedding and you now have one heck of a rifle for future legacy as well.
LINK: .270 Overtake CM & PRC
LINK: Ole .270 Back to Life

 

[30BR]

Well if that doesn't make me feel sad and old .... having shot Service Rifle High Power with a McCoy built, base armory issued NM Garand in .308 ... ok, yeah - that was years and years ago.

They don't get much better than a McCoy... Ashley Palmer converted mine to .308...
Sorry for the thread sidetrack...
Feeling a bit obsolete myself...

 

[Puddle Rat]

Having a couple heirloom pieces myself - I like the idea of replacing stock n bbl with orig style pieces. Upgrade the trigger. Have the lop set for the girls and I'd stick with the 270, all kinds of factory ammo avail from recoil mgmt to light mags....

That's my opinion - your mileage may vary