Model 70 classic stainless 30-06 will not group

[rickyw]

I enjoy my classic stainless M70s. But, I have one, in 30-06, that for the life of me will not group. I’ve had it about 1.5 years. Here’s what I’ve put through it:
178 Eldx factory

180 interlock factory

175 LRX factory

180 Hornady outfitter cx factory

168 Hornady eldm with h4350, varget, superperformance, and ramshot hunter

200 Eldx with superperformance and H4350

Barnes 168 ttsx factory

All these loads are over 2 MOA plus. I’ve bedded the rifle with pro bed 2000 to a bell and Carlson stock. I’ve worked the trigger down to 1.5 lbs (no slam fire and I can drop it on its butt at 12” and it won’t fire…good trigger). It wears a trijicon credo 3-9 in Leupold backcountry rings.

I’m ready to can it, give in and buy a tikka. But first, any ideas on saving this thing? Just keep pouring money in with different loads?

Coincidentally, this is the second classic stainless 30-06 I’ve had this trouble with. The first become a 7-08. But, I’m trying to avoid a rebarrel at this time because of cost.

Thanks

 

[Deere_Man]

Did you try 150gr Federal blue box?

 

[bhovda]

The factory synthetic stocks aren't very good, lots of flex. My recoil lug was bedded with hot glue from the factory. I had a different barrel spun up and chambered in 338 wby rpm and bought a HS Precision stock. Shoots great now. But a Tikka would be a simpler option

 

[rickyw]

Did you try 150gr Federal blue box?

No

 

[rickyw]

The factory synthetic stocks aren't very good, lots of flex. My recoil lug was bedded with hot glue from the factory. I had a different barrel spun up and chambered in 338 wby rpm and bought a HS Precision stock. Shoots great now. But a Tikka would be a simpler option

It is bedded in a bell and Carlson.

 

[Schmo]

I enjoy my classic stainless M70s. But, I have one, in 30-06, that for the life of me will not group. I’ve had it about 1.5 years. Here’s what I’ve put through it:
178 Eldx factory

180 interlock factory

175 LRX factory

180 Hornady outfitter cx factory

168 Hornady eldm with h4350, varget, superperformance, and ramshot hunter

200 Eldx with superperformance and H4350

Barnes 168 ttsx factory

All these loads are over 2 MOA plus. I’ve bedded the rifle with pro bed 2000 to a bell and Carlson stock. I’ve worked the trigger down to 1.5 lbs (no slam fire and I can drop it on its butt at 12” and it won’t fire…good trigger). It wears a trijicon credo 3-9 in Leupold backcountry rings.

I’m ready to can it, give in and buy a tikka. But first, any ideas on saving this thing? Just keep pouring money in with different loads?

Coincidentally, this is the second classic stainless 30-06 I’ve had this trouble with. The first become a 7-08. But, I’m trying to avoid a rebarrel at this time because of cost.

Thanks

As long as you know the scope is good, everything is tight and properly torqued, then sounds like everything is good to go there. I assume you can regularly shoot better than 2 MOA? I don’t mean that as a slam, just covering bases here. If you’re capable of better accuracy, I’d say you’re probably up against selling it or a rebarrel.

 

[rickyw]

As long as you know the scope is good, everything is tight and properly torqued, then sounds like everything is good to go there. I assume you can regularly shoot better than 2 MOA? I don’t mean that as a slam, just covering bases here. If you’re capable of better accuracy, I’d say you’re probably up against selling it or a rebarrel.

A fair question. Some of my recent groups with the 375 over bags (no lead sled)

 

[Schmo]

A fair question. Some of my recent groups with the 375 over bags (no lead sled)

If you’re shooting a 375 good, then I think we can rule out the shooter!

 

[Choupique]

I’m ready to can it, give in and buy a tikka

Well, it sounds like your rifle might need a barrel to shoot well, and that probably ends up costing what a whole new tikka does, so you'll have to decide how much you like the rifle. 2 moa isnt terrible but more than that is getting unacceptable for a regular hunting rifle. For a western hunting rifle, no way.

Sounds like you've ruled out everything else. If the bedding is right, the barrel is decent and the sights are good, it oughta shoot. You've ruled out everything except the barrel, so thats what id do next.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I enjoy my classic stainless M70s. But, I have one, in 30-06, that for the life of me will not group. I’ve had it about 1.5 years. Here’s what I’ve put through it:
178 Eldx factory

180 interlock factory

175 LRX factory

180 Hornady outfitter cx factory

168 Hornady eldm with h4350, varget, superperformance, and ramshot hunter

200 Eldx with superperformance and H4350

Barnes 168 ttsx factory

All these loads are over 2 MOA plus. I’ve bedded the rifle with pro bed 2000 to a bell and Carlson stock. I’ve worked the trigger down to 1.5 lbs (no slam fire and I can drop it on its butt at 12” and it won’t fire…good trigger). It wears a trijicon credo 3-9 in Leupold backcountry rings.

I’m ready to can it, give in and buy a tikka. But first, any ideas on saving this thing? Just keep pouring money in with different loads?

Coincidentally, this is the second classic stainless 30-06 I’ve had this trouble with. The first become a 7-08. But, I’m trying to avoid a rebarrel at this time because of cost.

Thanks

Begs the question, how much would you sell a stainless M70 that doesn’t shoot?


Edit: I keep thinking I need a 25-06 maybe that’s what this can be

 

[Walker6]

I have one and wanted it to like 155 Scenars, which it didn’t. On a whim I sent it to JES Reboring. Now it’s a Stainless Classic 9.3x62. Shoots great with 250 grain Accubonds and some heavier stuff too.

You could make yours that or a .35 Whelen or maybe even a .338-06(?) for about the price of that factory ammo you listed above. Just a thought.

Thinking back to when I first got that rifle (it was a .270 Boss Featherweight before I swapped that barrel for a .30-06 Sporter) and the original barrel had some significant tooling marks inside the chamber that I had to knock down with a rat tail file. Seriously - not sure how it left the factory. Mine was a low 6-digit serial number. Anyway, you might want to inspect your barrel from one to the other before you spend too much more time banging your head against the wall with load development.

 

[rickyw]

Begs the question, how much would you sell a stainless M70 that doesn’t shoot?


Edit: I keep thinking I need a 25-06 maybe that’s what this can be

That is the question.
But, the action alone is of value. The stock also has value.

 

[rickyw]

I have one and wanted it to like 155 Scenars, which it didn’t. On a whim I sent it to JES Reboring. Now it’s a Stainless Classic 9.3x62. Shoots great with 250 grain Accubonds and some heavier stuff too.

You could make yours that or a .35 Whelen or maybe even a .338-06(?) for about the price of that factory ammo you listed above. Just a thought.

Thinking back to when I first got that rifle (it was a .270 Boss Featherweight before I swapped that barrel for a .30-06 Sporter) and the original barrel had some significant tooling marks inside the chamber that I had to knock down with a rat tail file. Seriously - not sure how it left the factory. Mine was a low 6-digit serial number. Anyway, you might want to inspect your barrel from one to the other before you spend too much more time banging your head against the wall with load development.

Good thoughts. With the rebore my concern would be how paper thin the barrel would be (it’s a featherweight profile)…

 

[Choupique]

JES Reboring

Theres a good idea, assuming you have any interest in a bigger bore caliber that fits the action and all that good stuff. .338-06 maybe?

 

[rickyw]

Theres a good idea, assuming you have any interest in a bigger bore caliber that fits the action and all that good stuff. .338-06 maybe?

That would be interesting

 

[Choupique]

I dont have any first hand experience with JES but his reviews are raving. Certainly worth a phone call to see what they think.

I had a new haven 375 that was a pretty good shooter but MOA all day it was not. I dont think winchester barrels are anything special.

 

[Ralphie]

How is the crown?

But it does sound like the barrel is a tomato stake.