Gunsmithing Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

[blue_ridge]

I know it is a solid action, but I have one in a McMillan A2 and cannot decide what to do with it. It is a long action, .473 bolt. I would like to put together an 8-10 pound rifle in 6.5x55 AI, 284 Win, 280 AI or similar for a long range hunter/f-class/tactical.

Would like to have a DBM, but don't know if that is possible for a model 70 LA. Also, is the weight of this combo going to put me at a disadvantage right from the start?

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Blue ridge
The Winchester is a perfectly suitable action for a build. The DBM may be a problem, but do you really need that on an F-class or hunting rifle? IMHO

Good luck

Jerry

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Check with Jeff at CDI precision. He makes a AICS mag compatible bottom metal for the Winnie LA.

http://cdiprecisiongunworks.com/c1/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

No I don't. and it wouldn't be a deal breaker, just something I am interested in.

Are 70's considered heavier, or at any other disadvantage?

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Thanks, those DBM's look like they would fit the bill.

 

[RussW1911]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Hey, I have several Custom rifles built on M70 actions, both push feed and CRF. You won't be at a disadvantage at all. I have a few sets of the CDI Bottom Metal as well. Top notch gear and a great guy to deal with.

 

[858]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

The only real disadvantage is the weight, the M70 action is heavy.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Thanks, learn something everyday.

 

[jttrim]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

My wifes m70 in 308 shoots as well possibly better than my rem 700. Both are trued and have rock barrels so I feel its a good comparison. I would build another m70.

 

[kirkhamg]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

The biggest disadvantage of the M70?
If you spend much time with RussW1911 he will hound you to death to sell it to him, - thats the biggest disadvantage.
I keep mine in the back of the safe. Only take it out to shoot when I know Russ won't be around... Biggest M70 whore I've ever seen.

 

[RobertB]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

I hear the lock time is alot slower than the m700 but the action is stronger. I have a larado with B.O.S.S. system in .300 WM. I keep debating whether to keep it how it is or do another barrel. What other calibers can I use with that bolt face? Used to use them as sniper rifles (Carlos Hathcock). And they are supposed to be very reliable. Mine is pretty accurate with the short barrel but I get tired of the recoil and heavy trigger. Does any one know what a good trigger costs not a top of the line but a decent one being this is not one of my main rifles?

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

As far as the trigger goes, the factory trigger can be tuned to be very light, consistant, reliable, and they are of a very simple design(= few parts). Check into a 'smith that knows how to work on them. If you need help finding a 'smith, shoot me a PM.

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Lock time slower? Never heard this before comparing a 700 and 70. There are lots of aftermarket 700 pins that make em faster. Hmmm... 700 is a bit easier to build with. My 2 custom rilfes are one of each. Both are excellent and I couldn't say one is better than the other unless a case is stuck in the chamber. The 70 will pull something out or something breaks. claw extractors are excellent.

 

[RussW1911]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: El Kabong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The biggest disadvantage of the M70?
If you spend much time with RussW1911 he will hound you to death to sell it to him, - thats the biggest disadvantage.
I keep mine in the back of the safe. Only take it out to shoot when I know Russ won't be around... Biggest M70 whore I've ever seen. </div></div>

So just let me take it off your hands and it'll all be ok....

Damn Engineers!

 

[RussW1911]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: montana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lock time slower? Never heard this before comparing a 700 and 70. There are lots of aftermarket 700 pins that make em faster. Hmmm... 700 is a bit easier to build with. My 2 custom rilfes are one of each. Both are excellent and I couldn't say one is better than the other unless a case is stuck in the chamber. The 70 will pull something out or something breaks. claw extractors are excellent. </div></div>

I am by FAR partial to the M70. It is a fact that teh M700 has a faster Locktime than the M70. It's an unfortunate truth, but you can get a speedlock system to speed it up a bit, you can also get the speedlock system for the 700 which makes it that much faster.

Even with that bit of information, I, as well as many others here, have ever felt at a disadvantage when it comes to the accuracy of a good M70. Be it factory or custom.

 

[BigPig069]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

Thanks guys thats alot of good info I was looking for also, I have a model 70 in 300 RUM, I was wondering what to do with, yall talked me into keeping it and building it up. Thanks, CMH

 

[kirkhamg]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

"claw extractors are excellent"

Agreed; but what I find interesting is the M700 extractor design being so robust. Yeh it's no claw, but relatively few problems considering the drastic difference in design and construction.

As for the lock-time issue... doesn't seem to impair Russ any.

 

[RussW1911]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

follow through, follow through, follow through.

 

[reelman]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: El Kabong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"claw extractors are excellent"

Agreed; but what I find interesting is the M700 extractor design being so robust. Yeh it's no claw, but relatively few problems considering the drastic difference in design and construction.

As for the lock-time issue... doesn't seem to impair Russ any.
</div></div>

The M700 uses the same extractor as Remington uses on the 7400/7600 series of rifles and while I've never seen a problem with them on the 700's on the 7400's it is one of the weak spots on the rifle. Let the chamber get rusted or pitted and watch that little extractor break like nothing. Like I said I never saw it on a 700 but when push came to shuff I would take the M70 extractor over the M700 anyday.

 

[nashlaw]

Re: Is the Winchester 70 at a disadvantage?

I have a couple of pushfeed Winchesters. One is a Hart-barreled heavy that is the most consistent cbs rifle I have ever owned. I like the 70s and would have no problem owning some more of them.

Personally, I think the 70 is a great looking action.