Which Caliber?

[Sgt. grizz]

I have a Winchester M70 Lightweight Carbine I purchased when I was 18, that was 24yrs ago. I am looking to re-barrel this rifle, I was thinking about sending it to Hart Barrels and have them put a new barrel on it. That had me thinking about changing caliber as well, with the M70 receiver, what would you guys recommend? I had thought about a 6.5-284, what would work for that receiver? I reload my own ammo, but I don't want to make my own brass, I would like to stay with something that is readily available on the market. I do not have a 30 caliber in my arsenal and do not have a 6.5 in my arsenal. Any thoughts out there that I could use with the receiver?

Thanks.

If it is a pre-64 I would leave it a lone because they are worth a lot more in original condition, with that said I have put barrels on a lot of pre-64 and modern model 70's. You can rebarrel to a lot of different cases. 6.5x284 is a great round I have one and love it. You don't have to stick with only long action cases I have done as small as a 22br 6br on that action and it works great, so just think about what you want to use it for and build around that. In my opinion the 6.5x284 is a good all around cartridge I use Lupua brass and 1/8 or 1/9 twist depending on what the customer wants. I have shoot mine out to 2080 yards during a URSA match and I also hunt with it and it's a great hunting round. And you have lots of bullet options along with powder options to choose from.

 

[RAGGED EDGE]

The easiest and least expensive way to go for a 6.5 is 6.5-06. Your rifle is set up for it already. No feed problems, easy to load for, and plenty effective.

 

[Truc]

6.5/06 will feed and eject better than the 284 case.

 

[Gater]

I have a Winchester M70 Lightweight Carbine I purchased when I was 18, that was 24yrs ago. I am looking to re-barrel this rifle, I was thinking about sending it to Hart Barrels and have them put a new barrel on it. That had me thinking about changing caliber as well, with the M70 receiver, what would you guys recommend? I had thought about a 6.5-284, what would work for that receiver? I reload my own ammo, but I don't want to make my own brass, I would like to stay with something that is readily available on the market. I do not have a 30 caliber in my arsenal and do not have a 6.5 in my arsenal. Any thoughts out there that I could use with the receiver?

Thanks.

What do you plan on using it for ? Varmint deer elk target ?

 

[Truc]

And if it was me, I'd use the 125 partition. It's like lightning on deer

 

[308stillbrass]

.308

 

[crystalgayleguy]

Yes Jud96 that's a great choice, I should have recommended it myself since I'm having a f-class rifle in that caliber. Much different rifle and application. My barrel is a 32" pushing a Berger 184gr at 2830. The rifle will be 21 pounds. To get back on track the 284 in a long action is a great choice. Stay away from Winchester brass. Look at Norma and Adg brass I think. With a 168-175 it's a great deer and elk round.
Good luck
Jason

why stay away from Winchester brass in 284

 

[greenejc]

Well, you've got a standard bolt face and long action, so I would either stick with the 270 or go with a 280, 280AI or a 30-06/30-06AI. They'd all be good deer/pig/elk rifles(should you decide to go elk hunting) and the ammunition for each is readily available, along with brass. The AI versions of the 280 and 30-06 only have to have standard cartridges fired in them to create brass. If you want a 6.5, you might go with the 6.5-06 so no bolt face or magazine work has to be done. That brass can be made by one pass through the die with 270 brass and trimming.

 

[xsn10s]

Since 6.5mm seems to have caught the eye of the OP I'll throw in 6.5-06 and 6.5-06AI

 

[elkaholic]

I know you said you dont have a 30 or 6.5 but here is another thought.
You could keep your rifle all original and just clean up your 270 chamber with the Sherman reamer. By setting the barrel back a couple threads, you would chase the lands and be as good as new for little cost. All you would need is dies and since you already have brass.

 

[ptamim]

I had a model 70 in 22-250... it's hard to find an aftermarket chassis system for the m70 but found one by MDT (not sure if they make it any more). Sent it off to GA Precision and got it rebarreled to a 6.5 Creed. Trued the action, Bedded... Love it. Those guys are top notch.

 

[emp1953]

I am in Jack O'connor's corner on the .270
I has done it all and will continue to do so. With 150gr Accubonds mine is zeroed at 200yds and drops 4.5 inches at 300yds. I have a 30-06 and 308 in the safe which all shoot fine, but I keep carrying the .270 during deer season.

 

[19elkhunter51]

I am not a collector so my most important consideration is how it shoots. To me this is so simple. No fuss, no muss 30-06. I have said this before and will continue to say it. 30-06 is very versatile and will get the job done anywhere in the States with NO problems. When I say no problems, that means that you will find factory ammunition ANYWHERE. Reloading materials abound from the least expensive to the most expensive and most importantly, they are more available than almost any other round.
If you want the headaches of wildcat, wanna be calibers, by all means go that direction. Too easy to choose the 30-06.

 

[xsn10s]

Given all the options, and the collection you already have, I'd probably look at the 6.5x55. A classic, useful round to have in a Model 70.