Looking to rebarrel my Pre '64 Winchester M70

[kacerrob]

My Grandfather purchased a new Winchester M70 in the early 60's in 30-06. He had it re-barreled in 22-06 and it served its purpose as a coyote / deer gun for years. It was always fun to shoot water jugs etc... because they would explode when hit by a 4000+ FPS projectile. Although it is a flat shooting gun it is overbored and not practical. It is mine now and I'm thinking about a rebarrel. I have a 280 Ackley Improved and an accurate AR in .223. What would be the next logical choice for this long action M70? I never see myself hunting outside of North America, so Elk or Black Bear would be the biggest it will see.

 

[HARPERC]

.257 Roberts, with 1-7" twist.

 

[kacerrob]

.257 Roberts, with 1-7" twist.

Not what I was expecting but a nice classic round for a classic gun. It does fill a gap between the two I have.

 

[SteveO]

I'd either take it back to the original 30-06 or step it up a notch to another classic do it ALL caliber; 300 Win Mag.

 

[Ndfarmer]

25/06 Ai for in between caliber. 30/06 if you are serious about using it for a elk hunt some day.

 

[HARPERC]

......a nice classic round for a classic gun......

.270-or .30-06 work, but there are a bunch out there.

 

[Predator 22]

6.5x55 works very well on that length of action. Killed several deer and elk with my pre-64 model 70 in 6.5x55.

 

[kacerrob]

I'd either take it back to the original 30-06 or step it up a notch to another classic do it ALL caliber; 300 Win Mag.

Other than a new barrel what would be required to convert to 300 win mag?

 

[WildRose]

My Grandfather purchased a new Winchester M70 in the early 60's in 30-06. He had it re-barreled in 22-06 and it served its purpose as a coyote / deer gun for years. It was always fun to shoot water jugs etc... because they would explode when hit by a 4000+ FPS projectile. Although it is a flat shooting gun it is overbored and not practical. It is mine now and I'm thinking about a rebarrel. I have a 280 Ackley Improved and an accurate AR in .223. What would be the next logical choice for this long action M70? I never see myself hunting outside of North America, so Elk or Black Bear would be the biggest it will see.

It's screaming to be turned into a .264wm. Every Model 70 collection should have at least one and since you have the pre 64 action to me it would be a no brainer.

The alternative for me would be to consider doing it in 6.5PRC but only if I already had a .264.

 

[WildRose]

Other than a new barrel what would be required to convert to 300 win mag?

You'd need to open up the bolt face to .532-.540 to accomodate the magnum case rim.

 

[WildRose]

I'd either take it back to the original 30-06 or step it up a notch to another classic do it ALL caliber; 300 Win Mag.

The .300wm is the Toyota Lancruiser of Rifle cartridges. It just does whatever you ask it to do and does it every time.

 

[HARPERC]

If changing it over to magnum, then I'd change my vote to either the .264, or .300 H&H.

 

[Tracker12]

Couple ideas. One pick up an original pre 64 barrel that works with the bolt face and get back to basics. There pretty easy to come by. I have a 308 feather weight barrel i the basement that I picked up for $50.00 for a build I never completed. Second 6.5 Creedmore if you want something different.

 

[Edd]

If I didn't want to turn it back into a 30-06, I would build something on the 06 case that was bigger than the 280 you already have. Something like a 338-06 or a 35 Whelen.