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Model 70 CRF clones?

7mm-08 Freak

Medic
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 11, 2010
235
61
San Angelo TX
Who makes a Model 70 type/clone action besides Winchester these days. I had a Montana 1999 I wanted to build on but it was a mess and just sold it. Still looking for a Mauser type side extractor, control round feed short action. Google returns almost nothing.
 
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Good luck. Had a model 70 22-250 wanted to re-barrel/stock change to a 6.5 CM. Found an MDT Chassis for the model 70.. sent in to GA Precision for the build/action truing. Unfortunately MDT no longer supports Winchester actions. Seems Remington blueprint is the standard.
 
Who makes a Model 70 type/clone action besides Winchester these days. I had a Montana 1999 I wanted to build on but it was a mess and just sold it. Still looking for a Mauser type side extractor, control round feed short action. Google returns almost nothing.
Defiance makes one.
 
Good luck. Had a model 70 22-250 wanted to re-barrel/stock change to a 6.5 CM. Found an MDT Chassis for the model 70.. sent in to GA Precision for the build/action truing. Unfortunately MDT no longer supports Winchester actions. Seems Remington blueprint is the standard.
Yeah...That is a shame.
 
Good luck. Had a model 70 22-250 wanted to re-barrel/stock change to a 6.5 CM. Found an MDT Chassis for the model 70.. sent in to GA Precision for the build/action truing. Unfortunately MDT no longer supports Winchester actions. Seems Remington blueprint is the standard.
MDT still makes the ESS for Win 70 SA
 
Who makes a Model 70 type/clone action besides Winchester these days. I had a Montana 1999 I wanted to build on but it was a mess and just sold it. Still looking for a Mauser type side extractor, control round feed short action. Google returns almost nothing.
While not a model 70 clone, the ARC Mausingfield has the Mauser type extractor and CRF. Except it also has the benefit of a large aftermarket being a Rem700 footprint and accepts prefit barrels.
 
Like SRT-4_UK & Hondo1 said, look at the American Rifle Company actions. If the claw extractor and CRF are the criteria, then these actions are without a doubt the right choice. So many features packed into these actions it’s ridiculous!
 
Ruger m77 (Hawkeye now) is pretty close- crf, big mauser claw extractor, 3position safety, flat bottom

I sent my m77 mkii off to pacnor a few years back to put on a barrel thick enough to thread and now it’s excellent on accuracy and quite.
D000F019-9013-43D8-B164-F6514B19DC57.jpeg


Edit: plus you dont have to cut the extractor relief in the barrel (y)
 
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Well this is kind of a sad day I’ve realize the only way I’m going to be able to build this gun that I have in my mind that I have had in my mind since I was a kid 40 years ago is a beat up gun at a gun show just for the action. 😔
 
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Shop for m70 classics on gunbroker and the like. I have seen stainless CRF actioned rifles for $500+. When you think about it, a m70 for $800, sell parts you don't need, and a blueprint from LRI is only $1050 total. About the price of a origin.
 
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BTW I kick my self for not buying every SPR action I saw with trigger and bottom metal for sale for $400. My LGS had 10 of em.
I see a stainless one on GB now in Fort Worth. Close enough to do a face to face deal and the dude INSISTS on using a FFL. What a waste. That will add $100 to the price after tax.
 
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Hey Frank do you have an LX1?

I spoke with Mr. Echol's a few weeks back, told him I had to donate a kidney and hit the blood bank for a few years before coming up with the scratch to even come close to one.

That LX1 is beautiful in every aspect.

But back to reality....
 
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what about Kimber, I’m pretty they are a model 70 clone
Kimber makes some really nice rifles. I had a Hunter model and the fit and finish for this "economy" model was as nice as any factory rifle I have owned. Unfortunately, it was so light that we never could get it to settle down and shoot. Probably just a stupid anomaly. I like em, just had better luck with my Weatherby.
 
Hey Frank do you have an LX1?

I spoke with Mr. Echol's a few weeks back, told him I had to donate a kidney and hit the blood bank for a few years before coming up with the scratch to even come close to one.

That LX1 is beautiful in every aspect.

But back to reality....
Yes....I get it! I want one as well. I'm a lefty and if I'm going to fork out for a custom one in left handed.....this would be it!
 
Well this is kind of a sad day I’ve realize the only way I’m going to be able to build this gun that I have in my mind that I have had in my mind since I was a kid 40 years ago is a beat up gun at a gun show just for the action. 😔

This was my reality as well. I sourced a couple stainless classics and sent them to LRI to get worked over and built into what I wanted to buy. Proof barrel and McMillan HTG Edge.

I probably over paid for the stainless 308 as it was harder to find in good shape.

I grew up hunting the Winchesters and just couldn't transition to Remington, although the Mousingfield almost turned me.

I've wished for a Echols rifle since I found out about him. However he makes AI's look cheap, that's not a knock on him just stating a fact.

I forgot to add that you can swap the magazine box on the short action to the wsm mag box and get yourself to around 3.1" mag length. I finally had some time to play with the feed lips and got it working just find.

Including a picture of my 24" 300wsm. The 6.5cm is identical except for its 20"

Screenshot_20221115-063614_Gallery.jpg
 
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Winchester should hire one of use to develope new models. Cause they damned sure don't have a clue.
The M70 CRF rifle action is my favorite action. Ever. Flat bottom for bedding and added rigidity. Simple reliable trigger. The OG bottom metal was so good they put it on m40s. I mean, come on.
Winchester- drop about half the funky shit you have going on. Up the QC on m70s and bring back the heavy target.
 
what about Kimber, I’m pretty sure they are a model 70 clone

Kimber makes some really nice rifles. I had a Hunter model and the fit and finish for this "economy" model was as nice as any factory rifle I have owned. Unfortunately, it was so light that we never could get it to settle down and shoot. Probably just a stupid anomaly. I like em, just had better luck with my Weatherby.
I have a Kimber rifle. I have a 1903A3 made in 1943 that is FAR more accurate. Kimber is less accurate than any of the other 50 or so rifles I own.
Sold a Kimber 1911 cloner because all of the other 1911's I have can be disassebled with deez thumbs, no special tools.

Mausingfield for the win.
 
Kimber makes some really nice rifles. I had a Hunter model and the fit and finish for this "economy" model was as nice as any factory rifle I have owned. Unfortunately, it was so light that we never could get it to settle down and shoot. Probably just a stupid anomaly. I like em, just had better luck with my Weatherby.
I had the same problem. Sold it and bought something else
 
Winchester should hire one of use to develope new models. Cause they damned sure don't have a clue.
The M70 CRF rifle action is my favorite action. Ever. Flat bottom for bedding and added rigidity. Simple reliable trigger. The OG bottom metal was so good they put it on m40s. I mean, come on.
Winchester- drop about half the funky shit you have going on. Up the QC on m70s and bring back the heavy target.
PREACH IT MAN I so agree
 
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Kimber makes some really nice rifles. I had a Hunter model and the fit and finish for this "economy" model was as nice as any factory rifle I have owned. Unfortunately, it was so light that we never could get it to settle down and shoot. Probably just a stupid anomaly. I like em, just had better luck with my Weatherby.

I have a Kimber rifle. I have a 1903A3 made in 1943 that is FAR more accurate. Kimber is less accurate than any of the other 50 or so rifles I own.
Sold a Kimber 1911 cloner because all of the other 1911's I have can be disassebled with deez thumbs, no special tools.

Mausingfield for the win.

I had the same problem. Sold it and bought something else
I'm going to go ahead and say there is a trend here.
 
BTW I kick my self for not buying every SPR action I saw with trigger and bottom metal for sale for $400. My LGS had 10 of em.
I saw one on GB about a year ago, but it "wasn't the right time..." In a certain way, I wish I would have bought it then.
 
I'm going to go ahead and say there is a trend here.
I’m going to go against the grain. Two different Kimber Mountain Ascents, one a 7-08 and one 300 Win, both hammers. There is a lot to like if your Kimber shoots. That’s the problem though; “if it shoots”. Plenty of horror stories out there about the ones that won’t. Definitely a roll of the dice.
 
I’m going to go against the grain. Two different Kimber Mountain Ascents, one a 7-08 and one 300 Win, both hammers. There is a lot to like if your Kimber shoots. That’s the problem though; “if it shoots”. Plenty of horror stories out there about the ones that won’t. Definitely a roll of the dice.
I had an Adirondack that shot really well, it was so light it felt like a toy. I also have their walking varminter in .22-250 that shoots great, overall my Kimber experiences have been positive. I have heard and believe the horror stories though.
 
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I have 4 kimber 84m rifles and 3 shoot great. The only one that is so-so is an Adirondack 308 win. It is a one minute gun, even with a suppressor. It’s also the rifle that has the most kills. So handy I always reach for it first.
 
I've had 3 kimber Montana 's. They all shot great, but I sold them because they were so hard to shoot. Being as light as they were you had to try really hard compared to a regular sporter weight rifle.
 
The Kimber Montanas that I have owned and shot well enough to put meat in the freezer.

That said, the M70 that I own will be buried with me!

I got a hankering for a stainless M70 in 300WM with a Bart tube and a..McWoody....
 
Since I hunt with a supressor I went Proof sendero lite to keep enough diameter at 24" to stay with a 5/8x24 thread diameter.
If I was going to build the same thing today I'd probably go with a Bartlein #4 carbon.
 
Since I hunt with a supressor I went Proof sendero lite to keep enough diameter at 24" to stay with a 5/8x24 thread diameter.
If I was going to build the same thing today I'd probably go with a Bartlein #4 carbon.
Just discovered the Bartlein carbon pipe. I think that look neat