Accurizing M70. Need help.

[rolltide05]

I’ve got a M70 FWT in 30-06 that I just can’t leave behind. Problem is that I am getting to where I can’t trust it. Seems like the accuracy gets inherently worse each year and I’m to the point that something needs to be done with it.

Never expected <1” MOA consistently out of this gun but now we are around 2-2.5” @ 100yds.

I’ve considered retiring it for the last few years, but it’s just one of those guns I just love to carry with me over anything else I own.


Checked process so far

Double and triple checked the torque specs on rings and bases.

Action screws may be where my issue is. Rear screw seats tightly to correct torque, front is stripped but set and holding.

Shooting factory ammo. Has always shot Federal Fusion 150gr pretty good. Until lately. May be time to experiment?

Scope. Leica Magnus. Have swapped with my Swarovskis to see if maybe the scope was the issue and it was not.

Couple things I’m considering.

Sending the barrel to Lija and have them duplicate the contour or go to a Bartlien 2b even though I will be losing the featherweight contour.

Currently has an upgraded trigger spring but not too impressed there. Swap over to a timney.

Action cerakoted and all blueprinted

Either pillar bed the stock, find factory replacement or set her in an aftermarket. Need suggestions here.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I’ve got a M70 FWT in 30-06 that I just can’t leave behind. Problem is that I am getting to where I can’t trust it. Seems like the accuracy gets inherently worse each year and I’m to the point that something needs to be done with it.

Never expected <1” MOA consistently out of this gun but now we are around 2-2.5” @ 100yds.

I’ve considered retiring it for the last few years, but it’s just one of those guns I just love to carry with me over anything else I own.


Checked process so far

Double and triple checked the torque specs on rings and bases.

Action screws may be where my issue is. Rear screw seats tightly to correct torque, front is stripped but set and holding.

Shooting factory ammo. Has always shot Federal Fusion 150gr pretty good. Until lately. May be time to experiment?

Scope. Leica Magnus. Have swapped with my Swarovskis to see if maybe the scope was the issue and it was not.

Couple things I’m considering.

Sending the barrel to Lija and have them duplicate the contour or go to a Bartlien 2b even though I will be losing the featherweight contour.

Currently has an upgraded trigger spring but not too impressed there. Swap over to a timney.

Action cerakoted and all blueprinted

Either pillar bed the stock, find factory replacement or set her in an aftermarket. Need suggestions here.

"Action screws may be where my issue is. Rear screw seats tightly to correct torque, front is stripped but set and holding."

I would start there. If the front action screw is stripped, it may be holding well enough not to fall out, but I doubt it is holding the right torque.

I would also check to see if the stock is binding anywhere. Wood stocks may warp over time.

How many rounds does the gun have through it. For a 30-06, I would be doubtful you have burned the barrel out, but you may want to borescope it to be sure. It may also reveal some sort of issue with carbon or copper that would require a very deep cleaning.

Better triggers never hurt.

Finally, check the ammo. I see you are shooting factory ammo. You may want to try some others. Due to the shortages, many ammo manufacturers have changed their loads up. For a rifle that may be finicky, it may behoove you to try some others.

 

[Steve O]

Seems you are wasting a lot of time checking all that other stuff with a stripped action screen. Take it to a gunsmith, fix that, and have it bedded. Then start over and see how it shoots.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I’d start with pillars and a bedding job, and fix the front action screw.

 

[Encore4me]

Barrel might need cleaning


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dieselchessy]

If it was me Id e-mail Pac-Nor and ask them about fixing the action screw and duping the barrel. I like their poly rifling (5R). They cerakote as well. I expect they could return to you a finished barreled action.
Unless of course you want Lilja’s 3 grove rifling.
Lilja will dupe the barrel contour, but they don’t chamber and install unless things changed recently.

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve had your exact rifle and it’s a great little package. One of the best looking rifles ever made.

Yes, replace the screw first.

Add temporary cereal box or playing card shims to the sides of the receiver to get rid of slop and see how much bedding would help. If it won’t shoot with shims, bedding won’t be any better. Make sure the magazine box isn’t binding - it shouldn’t be squeezed tight or the receiver is being bowed up in the middle.

Clean the barrel.

Clean the inside of the bolt. Check firing pin protrusion. If the rifle is over 10 years old I’d change the firing pin spring. Just sluggish ignition can ruin accuracy.

Good call replacing the trigger - I did and never missed the creep in the old one. Recoil on that little rifle is brisk - a good trigger makes shooting it easier.

 

[S-3 ranch]

^^^^
Action screw replacement
Pillar bed while @ the smith
Scrub out the copper and carbon buildup

My M70 pre64 when I got it was a dog , so I asked when was it last barrel scrubbed of copper, he said never since he got it in 1958 , very simple fix ( lol )

 

[Wrench]

I've built several m70's and if you asked me for an accuracy guarantee with a stripped action screw ESPECIALLY the front....I'd laugh.

The front action screw is where your bedding is most needed.

 

[Choupique]

Ill pile on, just for emphasis. Fix the front action screw.

ALWAYS fix what you know is broken before witch hunting.

I spend lots of time helping mechanics with troubleshooting complex problems. Its common with everyone regardless of experience level. Happens sometimes to everyone. Fixing the known issue fixes the problem more often than not.

 

[rolltide05]

Thanks, everyone.

Have the resource of an acquaintance that’s pretty good with guns. But the bullet and carried it to him this am.

Getting the action screw fixed now. He did mention that what I was thinking should be the torque specs at 35in lbs was incorrect and that the 70s preferred something around the 50in lb mark on the action screws.

Once I get it back. I’m going to go ahead and scrub the barrel, replace the trigger and grab some different types of ammo to try out.