Winchester Model 70 7WSM new to me

[K31Scout]

My brother gave me his Montana Elk rifle and I picked it up a couple weeks ago. He also gave me his stash of 140 rounds of Winchester Supreme 160gr Fail Safe! I bore scoped it and the chamber is excellent. Lot's of copper in the lands but I got all that out.
A couple of problems. The trigger is set at 6.5lbs and I can not get the action out of the stock even with some rubber mallet blows. I think it may have been improperly bedded before my brother bought it. I know there are 3 action screws. I'm taking it to my gunsmith next week. I definitely don't want to damage the stock getting it out. I'd like to adjust the trigger down and maybe replace the spring with an Mcarbo.
The other problem is the scope in those rings can not be moved rearward. It's a Leupold VXII 3x9 and I believe Leupold rings. I hate to put a picatinny rail on it; are there other options?
Anyway, I have found some new Win brass from Midway a month or so ago and I need a set of dies.

 

[powdahound76]

Firstly, beautiful rifle!!
Heck of a gift.

Is there a chance you could flip the front scope “base” around 180 degrees for the scope?
Otherwise look and see if Talley might make a direct mount, should get the front ring back and give you some room to move the scope back.
Otherwise a tasteful rail (or sections) might be the key.


As to the stuck action, you can try this.
Loosen the action screws 1 full turn.
Using a dowel, give the screws a little tap. Nothing crazy, dont want to bugger threads.
Have had a tight bedding job need this and a couple good rubber mallet smacks to get loose for a trigger change or adjustment.

 

[Potsy]

Not sure what rings/bases I’d get, as I’ve not scoped anything without a rail in a lot of years. I’ve never liked the idea of putting a rail on a top load action either.
But I’d ditch the windage adjustable Leupys right now. Have a set on my .25-06 that I’ve always hated and told myself forever I was getting rid of them. Had the screws back out, loss of zero due to relatively minor impacts, etc., yet for some reason, I never get them changed out.

Really nice rifle! Saw a new wood stock Winchester the other day and was surprised at how spendy they are now, but it sure was pretty!

 

[Moses42ak]

Is this still available?
Seriously, as for the rings, I’d look at the Talley setup and see if works for you. I run them on all of my hunting rifles. I have the same problem, in reverse though. I can never get the scope far enough forward.
Mcarbo is a good choice for the spring.

 

[Long Range 338]

Nice rifle! That thing looks brand new and 7 WSM is really a great chambering that fell by the wayside.

Talley makes some decent options for scope mounts. Burris and Weaver should as well. Plenty of guys like the Dead Nuts stuff but I’m not sure what options they have for M70s.

 

[K31Scout]

Firstly, beautiful rifle!!
Heck of a gift.

Is there a chance you could flip the front scope “base” around 180 degrees for the scope?
Otherwise look and see if Talley might make a direct mount, should get the front ring back and give you some room to move the scope back.
Otherwise a tasteful rail (or sections) might be the key.


As to the stuck action, you can try this.
Loosen the action screws 1 full turn.
Using a dowel, give the screws a little tap. Nothing crazy, dont want to bugger threads.
Have had a tight bedding job need this and a couple good rubber mallet smacks to get loose for a trigger change or adjustment.

I tried both your tips this evening. I used the long tang screw in the front action hole screwed all the way in which left 1/2" sticking out. Rapped it with a piece of oak and steel hammer a couple times and it wouldn't budge.
Reversing the front scope ring was also not working because I would have had to reverse the rear ring as well which I don't want to do.
I'll see what my smith can do. My brothers not a gun nerd and didn't mind the heavy trigger but I'm spoiled by Tikkas and my lone Howa.
I think I'll try it at the bench and see what I can do with 6.5lbs of trigger before messing with it too much.

 

[spife7980]

.My brothers not a gun nerd and didn't mind the heavy trigger but I'm spoiled by Tikkas and my lone Howa.
I think I'll try it at the bench and see what I can do with 6.5lbs of trigger before messing with it too much.

Just get a timney, it’s worth it

 

[powdahound76]

He cant get the action out of the stock currently.

But yes, I like my timney’s a lot.
Always a good option IMO

OP, you could try a little heat on the action to see if that helps.

A clothe’s iron set on the bases for a few minutes to warm up the action.
Have heard of this working too.

I agree you dont want to bugger action or that nice stock.
Just a couple ideas.

Maybe need an “action jack” like LRI sells. Hopefully the smith has similar if it wont bust out.

 

[Moses42ak]

In the ilk of what powdahound is talking about, I’d go the opposite direction. Take the scope off and throw it in the freezer for a few hours. The metal should contract, as well as the wood. Might create enough clearance to get it loose.

 

[powdahound76]

Thats a good trick to try too!!

I was thinking the heat might help break loose the bond if there was one, say a minor one.
And having removed bedding, minor heat helped