Gunsmithing help with a winchester 70 scope base

[Niles Coyote]

I purchased a win 70 heavy barrel 308 on a short action, it is used but new to fairly new production. I think I may have a problem. While cruising MidwayUSA for a base I read the follow comment on a Warne base.

<span style="font-size: 11pt">"Caution: My short action M70 was drilled with the long action screw pattern, so MEASURE YOUR RECEIVER FIRST! 1st to 2nd hole - .860 1st to 3rd hole - 4.666 1st to 4th hole - 5.525 That is the LONG ACTION pattern I have on my short action model 70. Go figure. 1st to 3rd hole - 4.119 1st to 4th hole - 4.979 Is what a true short action should have. A tip of the hat to Ken Farrell for providing these specs."</span>

If that is true mine doesn’t match that. My holes are roughly; 1-2= .860, 1-3= 4.374, 1-4= 5.243

I grabbed my FN SPR 308 to check it and it appears that it has the same pattern as this Winchester but the FN uses the heavy duty (larger) screws rather than the Wichester's smaller or standard screws, so I can’t just use that as the screws are too big.

Any help would be appreciated. I know I could have the holes opened up but I would rather not have to wait/travel for that.

 

[treebasher]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

Both of my FN PBR's in 308 and 300WSM are drilled for the WSM base with 8x40 screws. Let me know if you need me measure what I have.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

Thanks, I wonder if a winchester WSM mount is what I should be looking for. I sent emails to badger and warne with my conundrum...

 

[six 4 sure]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

I could be wrong, but I have an idea what possibly prompted that post on midway, because something similar happened to me.

I have a 243 that was built in 1964. I assumed because it was a 243 it had to be a short action and purchased, what I thought was, the correct one piece base. I was wrong.

I was later informed, I think after posting here, that all Pre-64 actions are the same length and all actions from 1964 to around 1985 are the same length. Sometime after that Winchester started making both short and long actions. The poster probably had a pre-80's rifle and assumed because it was a 308 it was a short action.

That may not be the case. Maybe I'm secretly hoping I'm not the only one that has made that mistake.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

Badger sent me a PDF file with sizes and a WSM long port appears to be what I have. Triad had one so I will know in a few days...

 

[Jester8]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

I have a short action too that when I ordered the short action from evolution gun works it didn't fit. I called them and they shipped me out 2 other bases to try on their dime. The WSM was the base that fit. They also paid return shipping. WSM is probably what you need.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Badger sent me a PDF file with sizes and orta WSM long port appears to be what I have. Triad had one so I will know in a few days... </div></div>

Let it be known, Winchester stealth action in 308 uses a WSM base.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: help with a winchester 70 scope base

I've observed most of the current Winchester/FN Short Actions are actually WSM actions. Which isn't a bad thing, as long as you know what you got.