Bought a 1990's Stainless M70 for nothing, need ideas

[Mojave]

I think I am going to order a new stock as a Lazzeroni thumbhole.

I don't have the rifle yet, it will be here on the 7th. Barrel will be a carbon fiber sendero profile in 7mm PRC. But I need to check function out of the magazine before I commit to that. If I can't make a 7mm PRC work I'll build a 7mm Remington with a 1 in 8.

Or if it feeds well a 358 Norma.

Torn on the length. As it will have a suppressor. Not sure if 22 or 24.

Trigger I am stuck with I think, the M70 trigger. I think there are 2nd hand M70 Jewells, out there. What about Timney has anyone used one of those on a m70?

 

[Wrench]

I have a jewell and tuned m70. I like the m70 stock trigger stoned and sprung because there is not a single thing to go wrong.

 

[Mojave]

Thanks, I found another option. Jewell is no longer made.

Kenyon Winchester M70 Bench Rest Trigger (Adjustable)-40030

www.pacifictoolandgauge.com

 

[ericmcd]

Push feed m70s are the most underrated rifles imo. The m70 trigger is one of the best ever made, just buy a spring for it.i used an Ernie spring.

The magazine has a spacer that can be cut out to get 3.6 oal. You'll have to trim the bolt stop as well but I didn't modify the follower and have no problem with feeding though I just built a long throated fast twist .270

 

[Wrench]

A stoned and sprung m70 will make all but the biggest snob happy....and for a field gun there's no trigger that's more bomb proof.

 

[Mojave]

It is a CRF m70 stainless.

 

[kaboku68]

9.3X62.

 

[TaperPin]

What a fun project rifle. I’ve had a few push feed model 70’s over the years - my only complaint about the factory trigger is if the pull is adjusted down to 2 lbs the pull has some noticeable creep, but when the sear is stoned flat to eliminate the creep, it would fire if the recoil pad is bounced on a carpeted floor. We had the same result with Winchesters from the late 1980’s to early 1990’s, and finally ended up with replacement triggers - now I would replace the trigger without hesitation.

While the factory trigger with light spring was installed, one time transitioning from warm wet to freezing conditions in the field, as the safety was flipped off the rifle fired. These rifles were shot a lot and that only happened once, but I’ve always wondered what happened mechanically to allow it. Gravity will take water draining off the bolt and it follows the trigger down. Did liquid water freeze on the sear and allow it to trip as pressure was reapplied as the safety was released? Was there something else holding the trigger off the sear? I’ll never know for sure, but these were well maintained and always put away with a very light oil when taken out of the stock. This was another reason the replacement triggers seemed well worth it.

Other folks say they’ve had better luck with factory triggers, but very few guys drop their rifles on the recoil pad as a test of the sear. My bet guess as to why the trigger doesn’t do well with drop tests when the trigger pull is reduced has to do with the mass of the trigger, all of which is pulling away from the sear.

Maybe there’s a Goldilocks point where these factory triggers work perfectly, but I’ve never found it.

What a great action to build on - truly a classic.

 

[Choupique]

Don't change the trigger. Get it worked if you're a snob, but don't change it out.

Caliber-wise, sounds like it's a magnum bolt face and as others said they can be easily converted to handle 3.6" cartridges, so the weatherby and RUM stuff is an option.

Just don't change the trigger. Poor people like me with BACO model 70's would love to have that trigger.

 

[handwerk]

Yes keep the factory trigger, once tuned by a good smith it’s a beautiful thing.
Enjoy your project, you’ll have a nice hybrid of a great classy action with modern day touches.

 

[TaperPin]

The trigger was state of the art when it was released in 1936. Nothing wrong with keeping it if you’re into antiques. Original 1936 trucks are cool to put put around town at 20 mph. 1936 scopes are cool, albeit a little funny looking and not all that usable.

 

[Moccasin]

For a field/hunting rifle at a 2.5-3 lb pull, I think they got it right. Try it out as is and see for yourself if you prefer something else. Sounds like a great project.

 

[Wrench]

I just killed an elk today with one of my m70's. I chose one with a factory trigger.