Gunsmithing Looking for advice on a push feed M70

[dntfxr]

I'm loking to squeeze some accuracy out of this rifle and I'm looking for suggestions. It is an early 90's XTR sporter in .270 win that I have bedded and floated the bbl and it is holding 3/4 moa with ammo it likes. Before it goes to my GS what would you recommend doing first? I'm thinking a tubb speedlock firing pin/spring or equivalent as the locktime currently seems about like my old mauser. I figure it won't hurt anyway. For that kind of money what do you recommend first?

Thanks
dntfxr

 

[DMann]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Speedlock sure wouldn't hurt any. Might want to recut the crown and make sure the trigger is as crisp as can be. Short of dropping it into a McMillan Hunter's Edge stock with pillar bedding and meticulous handloading, to tighten it up much more would require replacing the barrel and blueprinting the action.

They are good solid actions. Keep experimenting.

 

[nesikabay]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Change it from a 270 to a comp caliber. 260 a 6.5/284 or a 308 or evena 30/06. No offence but a 270 wont work <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dntfxr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm loking to squeeze some accuracy out of this rifle and I'm looking for suggestions. It is an early 90's XTR sporter in .270 win that I have bedded and floated the bbl and it is holding 3/4 moa with ammo it likes. Before it goes to my GS what would you recommend doing first? I'm thinking a tubb speedlock firing pin/spring or equivalent as the locktime currently seems about like my old mauser. I figure it won't hurt anyway. For that kind of money what do you recommend first?

Thanks
dntfxr </div></div>

 

[dntfxr]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Aww, I'm already itching for a new bbl, don't encourage it!

I will probably end up doing that eventually, I'd like a 6.5-06, 6.5-284, or .280AI on this rig. I was hoping in the meantime to see what improvements I can make to work with what I have. I have an LTR in .308 that has become my go to rig. I know the .277s don't have quite the versatility but this gun will be mostly used for informal target and NA big game. I still hope I can get it to shoot like I want with this bbl if I find the right bullet.

I have had my reservations about putting much into this rig because I know it isn't a popular action, but if I can get a consistent .5moa it will be perfect for what I want. My GS likes the Shillen bbls and if it doesn't get where I want I'll do a new bbl in a few months.

Thanks for the replies, and I apreciate any more advice.

dntfxr

 

[bignada]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Get a Wilson case gage or RCBS Precision Mic and understand what is really going on.

Where you stand to gain most accuracy and precision is all ammunition and bullet seating related. Need to mic your unfired ammunition Before & After. If your case is stretching several thousandths, you could Really Benefit from setting your barrel forward one rotation.

Have you ever varied your bullet seating depth? Try seating bullets at the lands and see if that tightens up your groups. Before you pop for a Tubb fp spring, look at the firing pin collar your spring bears against and if it is gritty, polish it up by stoning so it is smooth.

Might also try getting an inch pound torque wrench and being sure your action screws are at the same torque value, at least the front and back screws.

You can spend a bundle on your rifle, but unless your ammunition and scope mount system (forgot to mention that...) are in excellent standing, all that gunsmithing won't matter much. If you tend to everything first, you may decide you don't need to have the works done to your rifle....

 

[jimurphy]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

I have a long action M70 that was originally chambered in .270, I rebarreled it in 6.5x55. Mounted in a HS Precision tactical stock with a single piece scope base, it easily shoots 1/2". I don't feel at a disadvantage, in fact, compared to a .308, it almost seems unfair.

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Get a couple thousand 150 Berger VLD bullets and shoot out the barrel. Then sent to gunsmith for rebarreling and upgrades.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[264win]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

good advice above . the 270 isnt a match cartridge per se , but it can be very accurate . bullet seating and selection and loading will be the key after you have good optics properly mounted . i think the win pf action has many advantages over the rem . get some good bullets, berger, sirerra ,nosler,etc and see what you can do. you also might try using match primers.

 

[zenbiker]

Re: Looking for advice on a push feed M70

Don't do a damned thing to it - it would be a shame. You've got one of the best all around North American hunting cartridges going, and speaking for myself and mine, the 270Win <span style="font-style: italic">is</span> a very accurate cartridge. I shot my factory stock Sendero at a 1000 yard Benchrest match a couple of times at Quantico and could hold 12 inches, about what you would expect from a 308, in mild and steady conditions. Bullet selection is the only weak point in the cartridge, but not a very big one. If you want more accuracy, forget the Tubb Speedlock, put a good scope on it if you don't already, maybe a better trigger with a 2 lb break, and try loading a Sierra 135MK over 59 grains of H4831 SC. Only when the barrel starts going away should you consider rebarreling this rifle. I think the push feed action was the best that Winchester ever made; just consider not cannibalizing a good rifle to make a "better" gun; I've done that before to regret it.

$.02,

Wes