Which Caliber?

[elkaholic]

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.

shermanwildcatcartridges.com
check it out and call if you want.

 

[Canhunter35]

What about a 6.5rpm?
Has a standard bolt face and should fit in an action that size

 

[Jnm300ultra]

I will look at Peterson brass when I get my rifle back from the smith. 2855 is fast for a 26" barrel. Most guys I know are running about 2800-2850 with a Berger 180-184 gr bullet. I'm will be using H4350 or H4831sc both are slower powders compared to any of the RL powders. In F-class we shoot 22 shots in 20 minutes. The barrel gets very hot. Most of all if your rifle likes what your feeding it stick with it.
Jason

 

[Alibiiv]

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 are you going to use this rifle for, what kind of game and at what distances do you plan to hunt? Also a consideration that is oftentimes overlooked is availability and costs for components. Before you make a decision upon cartridges, I strongly urge you to do the research. Some brass, if you can find it, is going for more than a $1+ each.

 

[Kmccord]

What are you going to use this rifle for, what kind of game and at what distances do you plan to hunt? Also a consideration that is oftentimes overlooked is availability and costs for components. Before you make a decision upon cartridges, I strongly urge you to do the research. Some brass, if you can find it, is going for more than a $1+ each.

I plan to use it for WT Deer, Hog and plinking. I had also planned to upgrade the stock as well, so this is going to be a semi custom job with Hart doing the Smith work. I already own a Custom 28 Nosler for the chance I go Elk hunting, I was mainly looking for a new "toy" to use for plinking and hunting. I enjoy shooting and really cannot with the 28 unless I want to re-barrel it each year. I also have a 7 Remington Mag in Ruger M77 Mark II that may get a new barrel as well, I may make that one a 30 Caliber, a 30-28 Nosler since I have 28 Brass. I am really leaning towards a 6.5 or 280AI, but I have always wanted something in a 6.5, a tack driver, I just don't know which one yet.

 

[Jud96]

I highly recommend the 6.5x284 if you want a 6.5 that works on a standard long action. The new 6.5 RPM from Weatherby looks to be a good one too, but It might take a couple years for brass and things to start becoming available and widespread. The 6.5x284 has excellent brass from Lapua and ADG is developing it as well. It's a very accurate cartridge with a great case design as well. You can push 140s at 3000+ and the new 156 Berger can also get close to the same speeds as the 140 surprisingly.

 

[L.Sherm]

The Ruger action wont make good 30-28 because of mag length. I Love my 30-28 with the 215 I havent got the load completely finished hope next week weather cooperating I can, i gotta test my loads at 500. My O.A.L is 3.65 +
If you can get a action with 3.7 mag box i strongly suggest a 30-28 with .225 freebore.

 

[hseII]

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.

.280AI/ .280 Sherman.

 

[elkaholic]

I highly recommend the 6.5x284 if you want a 6.5 that works on a standard long action. The new 6.5 RPM from Weatherby looks to be a good one too, but It might take a couple years for brass and things to start becoming available and widespread. The 6.5x284 has excellent brass from Lapua and ADG is developing it as well. It's a very accurate cartridge with a great case design as well. You can push 140s at 3000+ and the new 156 Berger can also get close to the same speeds as the 140 surprisingly.

I would agree with almost everything you said and there is no doubt of the success of the 6.5/284. Where I disagree is with the "great case design". If it had a neck on it, it would be. A great case design would not burn a throat out as fast as it does with the bore/capacity ratio that it has. Just my 2 cents.

 

[LVJ76]

Baaed on what you mentioned you dont have in your arsenal I epuld go with a 300 Sherman so no need to change the bolt face, Elkaholic will correct me if I'm wrong.

I preffer 7mm or bigger for hunting large game that's why I recommend this and it sounds like you already have something in the .284 caliber. I believe the 300 sherman will give the best performance for a 30 cal in a long action without going to a Magnum option

 

[Kmccord]

shermanwildcatcartridges.com
check it out and call if you want.

These Sherman wildcats are very interesting, especially if I can form my own brass with a hydraulic die, however, I am not a Gunsmith and do not have a lathe. I see the 270 Sherman is very interesting as well since it looks like I can use my 270 brass to form the 270 Sherman.

 

[LVJ76]

These Sherman wildcats are very interesting, especially if I can form my own brass with a hydraulic die, however, I am not a Gunsmith and do not have a lathe. I see the 270 Sherman is very interesting as well since it looks like I can use my 270 brass to form the 270 Sherman.

Thats also a good option

 

[codyadams]

We put together two .270 Shermans. They were super easy to make brass, neck up to 30 cal, and then run through a standard non bushing 7mm rem mag die without the expander ball, it sets the false shoulder perfectly and being that it's a standard die without the expander ball, set the inside neck diameter almost perfect at .270", so after running through a 30-06 expander ball, then a 7mm rem mag die without an expander ball, charge and seat bullets.

170 EOL from 2950-3050 depending on barrel, components, etc.

 

[L.Sherm]

Some brass, if you can find it, is going for more than a $1+ each

I'll gladly pay 2.00 a case for good brass (ADG)than 50 cents for junk brass that I gotta spend hrs on prepping.