A sad Pre64 M 70 story

PopNFresh said:

Converting a Pre- 64 Mod-70 action from 30-06 to 300 H&H Part 1

In the late eighties as I began to set up or build more 375 H&H's for hunters and finding suitable actions/rifles to do so could be a chall...

echolsrifles.blogspot.com

Converting a Pre-64 30-06 to 300 H&H Part 2

A majority of machine work has now been completed to the magazine cavity and feed well but the rail width modification is still required. T...

echolsrifles.blogspot.com

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Taj said:

All the pre64 actions were the same OAL and the same action was used in all the cartridges from Hornet to .375 H&H. The .375 and .300 H&H actions had the top of the rear receiver bridge as well as the bottom machined to the rear to accommodate the H&H length cartridges. The front receiver ring had a small radiused relief cut made at the 12 o'clock position for bullet clearance for loading purposes. The conversion from an 06 length cartridge to an H&H length cartridge has been done for years by experienced gunsmiths. All they did was copy what the factory did.

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Tim Sharp said:

Len, Here is some information you might find interesting regarding M-70 H&H rifle modifications and conversion.

Converting a Pre- 64 Mod-70 action from 30-06 to 300 H&H Part 1

In the late eighties as I began to set up or build more 375 H&H's for hunters and finding suitable actions/rifles to do so could be a chall...

echolsrifles.blogspot.com

Click to expand...

Taj said:

I just remembered that I recently caliber engraved one for a local smith that rebarreled a Pre64 into a .505 Jeffery. IT took a bit of work to make it feed right but it turned out to be a very nice rifle.

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Lenny Foffa said:

The amount of information I have received is just incredible, so I have contacted PRE64, the company I purchased the 300 H and H Barrel from. I am waiting for a response from their gunsmith right now. I will be happy to send them the barreled action, and some Dummy Rounds, and ask them to do what ever is necessary. Machine where required, and replace the Follower and Spring and Mag well, with parts of a correct length. In addition, I am bidding on a 1956 Super Grade, on Gun Broker. The rifle started life as a 300 H and H , and has been rechambered to 300 Weatherby mag. ( a Caliber I shoot and have loaded for) I have been told, it cannot returned to 300 H and H dimensions , but I do have the Winchester 300 H and H barrel, so it may just mean taking off the existing 300 H and H , 26 inch barrel, and using the Winchester 26 inch 300 H and H barrel I already purchased. Thanks to you all, I have not given up hope of having a second Pre 64 H and H . The story will continue, and its not so sad anymore.

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Lenny Foffa said:

Thank You so much for that info Taj. I think this project might have been a bit over my Gunsmiths head. I am also not to old or to stubborn to lean something new. I am Grateful!!!

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Taj said:

The folks at Pre64 are great folks. I have dealt with them many times over the years. Good luck with that project.

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Taj said:

There are a few more things that have to be done to make that conversion work and I give your smith kudos for not wanting to tackle that project. There are some that will take it on without the skill or experience and you can end up with a real mess. Good luck on your project .300 H&H is still one of my favorite cartridges (I'm sort of nostalgic anyway) and have one that has been to Africa several times and it has always worked well for me.

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Lenny Foffa said:

Thank You Tim. Excellent. Time to find another smith for this project!!! Thanks again, Buddy

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Lenny Foffa said:

Yes sir , A pre 64 , in 300 H and H is just great combination of Rifle and Caliber !! it brings me back to my Pre Teens reading about these things ! Hoping when i grow up ,I will find one !!

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Taj said:

Lenny, I have more of them than I probably should. I used to buy real "beaters" and do my best to bring them back to life. I'd recut the checkering, and refinish like the original. I did rust blue in my shop so I got pretty good at duplication the original metal finish on the older rifles. Problem was, I ended up keeping them all. Seemed like once my DNA was on them, they became like "children" and I couldn't get rid of them.

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Lenny Foffa said:

Taj, i completely understand! I still in-vision them set up as 1940 -1950 African Safari Rifles ! Graceful and Elegant , while still being potent and deadly ! that 1956 super grade I am bidding on has got me hooked ,buddy !!!!!

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