Model 70 action

[WildRose]

I'm not sure why but I am seriously considering doing a build on a M 70 action.

Been cruizing around and while I'm not finding new actions I do find some old juner Mod 70's for sale at prices that make them attractive.

Question, to build a 300 Rum, .264 WM, or 7mm STW/Rum I know a need a long action but will a 30-06 M 70 action do or do I need to look for specifically one chambered in a magnum caliber already to ensure enough length and proper bolt face?

I see a lot of older model 30-06's and .270's under 500.00 and to me providing they aren't worn smoot out seems like a reasonable way to get started.

I'm a shooter not a builder so some of ya'll that are chime in please.

 

[Nimrod]

I'm curious too, I just traded for a M70 in 7MM magnum. It was a Wally-World gun, blind magazine job. I'm kinda anxious to shoot it! The .264WM should work fine in a standard length action and in fact was the reason I got this gun in the first place. A magnum donor of some sort would save opening the bolt face and should be a little easier to get to feed from the magazine.

 

[Korhil78]

You will need to go with a magnum action. Standard LA bolt isn't going to work.

If you go to your local pawn shops a month or so after Christmas, you can find a lot of guns for sale because a lot of people sale them to pay for Xmas bills that they couldn't afford. So you might be able to find a cheap 7mm mag to buy and get the action off of it.

 

[WildRose]

You will need to go with a magnum action. Standard LA bolt isn't going to work.

If you go to your local pawn shops a month or so after Christmas, you can find a lot of guns for sale because a lot of people sale them to pay for Xmas bills that they couldn't afford. So you might be able to find a cheap 7mm mag to buy and get the action off of it.

That's what I was thinking but wasn't sure.

I've always like that action and I've always wanted to have a .264. I haven't come across one in all stainless though so I'll look and see if I can find one in 7 mag or 300wm.

 

[strombeckj]

Win M70's are my favorite action to build off of. Great factory triggers and simple, simple actions with less working parts in the whole thing than a savage bolt. I also like the 3 position safety and bolt release on them. You should be able to find an action in the $300-$400 range.

You will need a magnum action if that is your intended purpose.

Jon

My 6mm-06 built on a classic push feed.

.223AI on a M70 push feed

 

[WildRose]

Nice rigs. What stock have you got the 6mm-06 in? Looks very similar to the A3 hunter... .gun)

 

[strombeckj]

Nice rigs. What stock have you got the 6mm-06 in? Looks very similar to the A3 hunter... .gun)

It is a Manners MCS T3. It's a great stock for a LRH rig IMO

Jon

 

[Jammer1]

In my opinion, the M-70/FN controlled feed action is the best factory action available. The combination of smooth feeding, 3 position safety, and absolute reliability are hard to beat. I have owned at least one of pretty much everything out there and now, it is all I own.

 

[WildRose]

In my opinion, the M-70/FN controlled feed action is the best factory action available. The combination of smooth feeding, 3 position safety, and absolute reliability are hard to beat. I have owned at least one of pretty much everything out there and now, it is all I own.

I had a 1999 model 7mm Mag that my ex got away with I sure do miss. It was my third M-70 and I miss them all.

My "collection" just isn't complete without at least one of them.

 

[WildRose]

It is a Manners MCS T3. It's a great stock for a LRH rig IMO

Jon

Thanks it sure looks like an ideal set up.

Unfortunately the M-70 action is no longer easy to come by. I even talked to Winchester today and they don't sell actions any more, just complete rifles.

I am however finding some decent buys on used rifles. I'm partial to total stainless and of course that limits my choices even further but they are out there to be found if one looks hard enough.

 

[alcesgigas]

I've started my 338 Edge on a M70 Classic Stainless 375 H&H action. Originally it was to be a 338 Lapua, but alas, the bolt face cut out wouldn't be safe--it needed enlarging to at least the rim size--.588 of the Lapua. The Edge, being spawned from the 300 RUM and thus grandfathered from the 404 Jeffery, has a rebated rim like the 284 Winchester. At .534 the bolt face is OK as is.

M70's have owned me since the mid fifties; I just have to have that coned breech, claw extractor, and mechanical ejection. Its never let me down. But this year I was reminded of a drawback of the M70--and its brothers and sisters--from Peter Paul Mauser. That of the fact that it doesn't work very well as a single shot; the bolt needs to physically grab the cartridge to close it in the chamber. It was my fault because I "doubled" the bolt cycle; my mind was preoccupied with the moose I just shot and was moving rapidly attempting to get a finisher in while he was in an advantageous position for packing out. In the end I managed to get the extractor over the chambered round, extract it and examine, and re-chamber and finish the bull off. Again, my fault. So the truth is my "masters have been benevolent..." I digress; the best to you and your build.

And now for the "other shoe." I think it was you who told me how to initiate a thread/post just a week ago. **** if I can't remember how I started that Mill-dot or not--would you mind running me through that again?

Looking for a dependable laser rangefinder and it looks like it will be one of these: Vectronix PLRF 10 (OR 15), Pulse 360, or the G7 BR2. I'd like to get opinions, preferably based on experience, on these units. Hence the new thread. Thanks

 

[Greyfox]

I've been a Model 70 fan for over 40 years and have one time or another owned just about every variation except for the newest FN model. If you could put your hands on a Pre-64 magnum length action that was originally designed to handle the 300H&H, that will handle the big magnums and the best of all designs. Stay away from the earliest push feed model, they have a sloppy bolt due to the lack of a rail guide on the bolt. The later push feeds were corrected for this. The push feeds tend to have a weak extractor system. I currently shoot a later model, controlled feed model that is a great action. The only thing I would do is to have the junction where the bolt handle sleeves to the bolt body, braised. I'm not sure that they corrected this on later models this but this cerrated sleeve has been known to loosen on rare occasions. If it's not braised, it's an easy and inexpensive task for a gunsmith to do and good insurance. The Pre-64's are all one piece. As to single feeding, a little tuning of the extractor with a file and Emory cloth will enable both single and magazine feeding reliably.

 

[alcesgigas]

Thanks GF for that handy tidbit concerning single feeding M70s.

My wife has her father's pre-war M70; it was one of the last assembled in 1942 from existing parts. I had one push feed M70--when USRA came out with that gorgeous featherweight I had to have one--one of my brothers bought one same time. We ended up unloading them preferring the original. I think the "new" pre-64s are better in many ways than their namesake although appearance wise nostalgic force favors the pre-64. I think pre-wars take top honors in that department, but they need drilling, bolt and safety altering, and some extra work in stock fitting to fully realize their potential accuracy in my view. It doesn't take much to get me to swooning over M70s--too much Jack O'Connor and Captain (later colonel) Townsend Whelen in the fifties?

I sent an email off to Montana Rifle Company about a month ago; I have yet to receive a reply. They are--were-- making a M70 clone in four sizes covering the 223 to the 505 Gibbs size cartridges. I thought that promising. Other than FN Kimber, Dakota, and Cooper seem to be based closely on the pre-64 M70. Anyone know about Montana--or if there other M70 types out there?

 

[Greyfox]

I hunted with a couple of guys that had Montana rifles. It's a quality action and very accurate. I sold my Kimber, too rough and binds up...poor design. My favorite is the 50's vintage pre -64s. I ave a magnum and standard action that are jewels!