Rifle ice/snow freeze eval 2025

[Formidilosus]

I just checked all my crf actions. With the M77s the rim doesn't slide underneath the extractor until about halfway through pushing the bolt closed, and it's nowhere near completely underneath the extractor -just enough so that if I started pulling the bolt back it would pull the cartridge with it. The cartridge is not fully seated underneath that extractor until about the last 15% of closing the bolt. Is this what you're talking about?

Properly timed, the rim slips under the extractor the instant it releases from the feed lips.

Whatever the situation might be, I'm guessing @longrangelead could fix/improve it?

He ain’t no goo…. He could probably fix it, yes.

Grin

 

[1000yards]

Properly timed, the rim slips under the extractor the instant it releases from the feed lips.

Ok, I actually see what you mean now. Out of more than 10 rifles, I have ONE that does that properly -an original HVA 1640. Thank you for the explanation.

 

[1000yards]

@longrangelead That is an exceptional explanation with all the pictures and everything -thank you.

 

[nephewjephew]

@Formidilosus @longrangelead
Is there anyway to make a M70 DMB like the Marshall?

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus @longrangelead
Is there anyway to make a M70 DMB like the Marshall?

You’re looking for a DBM bottom metal for an M70?

 

[nephewjephew]

Yes.

Wondering if it can be done reliably like MRC has done.


eta- heavy on the looking part...

 

[9.3koolaid]

Yes.

Wondering if it can be done reliably like MRC has done.

@walk2112

 

[Formidilosus]

Yes.

Wondering if it can be done reliably like MRC has done.


eta- heavy on the looking part...

Oh I do t know about maintaining CRF, but PT&G has M70 DBM bottom metal.

 

[longrangelead]

edited ...

PTG Bottom Metal Winchester Model 70 Long Action AICS Detachable Mag

The Stealth M5 Style Detachable Magazine Bottom Metal from PTG is the perfect upgrade to your tactical rifle. By adapting your bolt action rifle to...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

long

https://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/LA-Winchester-Model-70-Stealth-Bottom-Metal-3715-Mag-OAL_p_116111.html

short

https://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/SA-Winchester-Model-70-and-Older-FN-Police-SPR-Stealth-DBM_p_117704.html

You don't want that bottom one, it uses a proprietary single stack mag. You want the wide mouth version to maintain aics compatibility. It works great.

 

[longrangelead]

You don't want that bottom one, it uses a proprietary single stack mag. You want the wide mouth version to maintain aics compatibility. It works great.

ah yes, neither are aics dbm that I intended to link.

 

[walk2112]

I have an AICS bottom metal setup going on my 7-08 M70, will post some pics/info later this weekend, got it from Alberta Tactical Rifles, great guy.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

I have an AICS bottom metal setup going on my 7-08 M70, will post some pics/info later this weekend, got it from Alberta Tactical Rifles, great guy.

Looking forward to this.

 

[RancherJohn]

Shitty weather and a postponed hunting trip had me going stir crazy yesterday, so I did a slightly modified version of this with a Tikka and MRC. I've had R700 actions and triggers give me issues on late season hunts before, the Tikkas have been flawless through shitty weather so far. The MRC is 4 days old and has just been shot, no cleaning or stripping of any factory oils/grease.

I left the rifles outside for ~20 mins, then poured 8 oz water onto the actions & bolts. We don't have enough snow on the ground to throw the rifles into, so a few shovels worth was piled on the actions and left overnight. Rifles had empty chambers, full AICS magazines, safety on. Starting temp was -2*, overnight low was -11.7*, temp this morning was 2*.







First up was the Tikka, it was locked up solid. A swift hit to the mag with my palm and it would release. Follower was frozen to the bottom of the mag, a second hit dislodged it and it functioned fine. Safety would release, trigger was frozen solid. Bolt would unlock but didn't want to cycle to the rear. Pressure from the heel of my boot did the trick. Rifle functioned fine after cycling the bolt.

MRC was locked up solid as well. Mag took a little more to release (mag release tab is smaller), but the bolt cycled way easier than the Tikka. Safety worked fine. Trigger seemed to function fine, but the firing pin would not drop even after repeated cycling of the bolt. It took ~3 minutes warming up inside to release the firing pin, first strike was weak but was 100% after that. Rifle fed fine from the magazine throughout the process.

Lesson learned here is don't go swimming below zero then get buried in an avalanche then try to hunt the next day without a few minutes to tinker with things. I'll field strip the bolt on the MRC today and see what (if anything) is inside as far as grease goes, then will take it back out (high of 15* & snowing today) and shoot some coyotes.

 

[ElPollo]

Shitty weather and a postponed hunting trip had me going stir crazy yesterday, so I did a slightly modified version of this with a Tikka and MRC. I've had R700 actions and triggers give me issues on late season hunts before, the Tikkas have been flawless through shitty weather so far. The MRC is 4 days old and has just been shot, no cleaning or stripping of any factory oils/grease.

I left the rifles outside for ~20 mins, then poured 8 oz water onto the actions & bolts. We don't have enough snow on the ground to throw the rifles into, so a few shovels worth was piled on the actions and left overnight. Rifles had empty chambers, full AICS magazines, safety on. Starting temp was -2*, overnight low was -11.7*, temp this morning was 2*.

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First up was the Tikka, it was locked up solid. A swift hit to the mag with my palm and it would release. Follower was frozen to the bottom of the mag, a second hit dislodged it and it functioned fine. Safety would release, trigger was frozen solid. Bolt would unlock but didn't want to cycle to the rear. Pressure from the heel of my boot did the trick. Rifle functioned fine after cycling the bolt.

MRC was locked up solid as well. Mag took a little more to release (mag release tab is smaller), but the bolt cycled way easier than the Tikka. Safety worked fine. Trigger seemed to function fine, but the firing pin would not drop even after repeated cycling of the bolt. It took ~3 minutes warming up inside to release the firing pin, first strike was weak but was 100% after that. Rifle fed fine from the magazine throughout the process.

Lesson learned here is don't go swimming below zero then get buried in an avalanche then try to hunt the next day without a few minutes to tinker with things. I'll field strip the bolt on the MRC today and see what (if anything) is inside as far as grease goes, then will take it back out (high of 15* & snowing today) and shoot some coyotes.

Yeah, I think 8 oz a water in those temps is a bit much to expect from any rifle. If I end up swimming in those temps, I’m certainly done for the day too. I think the winter tests are best off trying to replicate snow accumulation or having a warm rifle condense in cold temps with some accumulation of snow on them.

 

[RancherJohn]

Yeah, I think 8 oz a water in those temps is a bit much to expect from any rifle. If I end up swimming in those temps, I’m certainly done for the day too. I think the winter tests are best off trying to replicate snow accumulation or having a warm rifle condense in cold temps with some accumulation of snow on them.

Agreed, it was more of a "I wonder what will happen?" kind of thing. The picture below is pretty common throughout the winter, and hasn't given me issues.

 

[RWT]

I can see the use case to determine IF the action set up will freeze. Especially based on the pics. Would a cover such as this

Elevate the issue? The likely hood of a frozen actions and trigger should be lessened if you can manage to keep most moisture and condensation out with a cover. I suspect it is far less time to thaw and less likely to be locked up in the first place.

 

[walk2112]

Looking forward to this.

Here it is, I’d have to say it’s my favorite all-around rifle. My version of a DIY Marshall, M70 Featherweight 7-08 chopped to 18ish inches with a Scythe that hasn’t blown up yet up front. Maybe snatching an OG up to shorten it up further. Maybe go 7-08 AI someday. For now playing with resized Fury brass and 162 eldms seated out a bit.
At the time of my buying the bottom metal, Alberta Tactical Rifles had one more on the shelf, said he made a batch a few years ago but there wasn’t as much demand as expected so they weren’t big sellers.

I had to get a little help from local GS (shout out to Denali Arms) to inlet the stock a little deeper and also put in a heavier spring for the latch and shortened the latch a smidge to have the rear top of mag land right on the little ledge where the factory mag box lands at nearly same time the magazine latch catches. I accidentally took a little too much off to account for wear but mags are still pretty tight/snug and don’t make rattling noises in normal use.
Also you’ll see the little screw in the front of each MDT 5 rd magazine, I cut those short, drilled and tapped a hole, then loctite 380’d them in so upward pressure on the magazine doesn’t allow the feed lips to bind on the with the anti binding tab of the bolt that rides along the bottom of the actions right side raceway/rail.
Only think I wish it had was a way to lock the magazine latch and have the latch be a little more low profile/snag free but it’s pretty good now with the heavier coil spring.