which one to build

[Speaks]

I have primarily hunted with a M70 270 featherweight with a zeiss conquest 3-9 for years. Largely white tails in MN and WI. I am getting to where I can take more time off work and will spend more time doing this and also hope to get out west for Elk and Mulies at some point. I am also just wanting up my long range game.

I am planning on doing a new stock and optics on my 270 (possibly a timney trigger) but also very likely one of my magnums.

I have a 300WM with a 26 inch barrel and plastic stock, grouped quite well with factory ammo last time I had a scope on it. This is an early 2000s model. I also have a 7mm RM from 1969 with a wood stock and a 24 inch barrel.

The older 7mmRM has nicer bottom metal, nicer finish on the action etc but does have a big front sight on the barrel which can be somewhat annoying with a scope (though I am sure it would not be difficult to remove). Im also guessing that its less accurate than my newer 300wm given when it was made though have not done a real test.

I am confident they are both capable calibers so the question really comes down to would an older 1969 or a newer early 2000s m70 be a better platform to build on?

Second sub question is on barrel length, I dont love the 26 inch barrel on the 300 and if I went that way might consider getting it cut and crowned at either 22 or 24 inch, would that be a mistake? I dont intend to run a brake or a can.

 

[Ringbill27]

Im not sure whether the quality in manufacturing between to two is any different. They are both post 1964s. The 2000s rifle may be made better. I just don’t know.

I’d be figuring out which one shoots best. Both cartridges have proven themselves on elk for decades.

You are looking to restock, new optic and chop the barrel?

If you are going brake it. I’d stick with 24” and hold on your velocity and have ear pro handy.

If you’re going suppress. I’d go down to 20” maybe 18” and be alright with the loss in velocity. A 6” barrel chop could result in 300wm preform like a hot rod 30-06.

That’s my 2 cents.

 

[hereinaz]

Sell both, buy a new rifle. The cost to build one is better put into a different rifle. It isn’t cheaper in the end.

Manufacturing on a new rifle is going to be better in all ways, and the vast majority are going to be as good shooters as a custom.

If it’s a long action caliber you want, easy to get a Tikka.

Edit: if they are sentimental, I would rebarrel one of them.

Without knowing how they shoot, how much barrel life is left, it’s hard to say what to do. I would look at cutting the 300 cause you know about it.

 

[Speaks]

Im not sure whether the quality in manufacturing between to two is any different. They are both post 1964s. The 2000s rifle may be made better. I just don’t know.

I’d be figuring out which one shoots best. Both cartridges have proven themselves on elk for decades.

You are looking to restock, new optic and chop the barrel?

If you are going brake it. I’d stick with 24” and hold on your velocity and have ear pro handy.

If you’re going suppress. I’d go down to 20” maybe 18” and be alright with the loss in velocity. A 6” barrel chop could result in 300wm preform like a hot rod 30-06.

That’s my 2 cents.

Yea makes sense, the right answer will be grouping them and doing whichever one performs better.

I do plan to restock and new optics, I do not plan to add a break or a suppressor. The 7mm barrel I would leave as is, the 300 I might shorten to 22 or 24, I just dont like 26 inch barrels that much. I would also either get trigger work done or get a new timney. If I do the 300 it might make sense to upgrade bottom metal, the 7mm has quite nice metal already.

 

[Speaks]

Sell both, buy a new rifle. The cost to build one is better put into a different rifle. It isn’t cheaper in the end.

Manufacturing on a new rifle is going to be better in all ways, and the vast majority are going to be as good shooters as a custom.

If it’s a long action caliber you want, easy to get a Tikka.

Yea that is the other option. I likely wont sell either as they were gifts from my dad but a new T3x is the other option I have been toying with.

 

[Ringbill27]

I do not plan to add a break or a suppressor.

Oops misread that part. You are on the right track with 22”-24”. With what you are looking to do. I don’t think selling and buying new is necessary.

But a Tikka T3X Lite SS comes with a 22” barrel in 300win or 7mm REM mag for $850 and tikkas are known to be shooters.

 

[Speaks]

Oops misread that part. You are on the right track with 22”-24”. With what you are looking to do. I don’t think selling and buying new is necessary.

But a Tikka T3X Lite SS comes with a 22” barrel in 300win or 7mm REM mag for $850 and tikkas are known to be shooters.

I am leaning toward building on one of these not necessarily because its the most sensible approach but because I wont sell them for sentimental reasons and they are not getting used now. I could buy new and keep these as safe queens but if I can get similar results for similar cost building off of one of these it would be cool.

 

[Ringbill27]

I am leaning toward building on one of these not necessarily because its the most sensible approach but because I wont sell them for sentimental reasons and they are not getting used now. I could buy new and keep these as safe queens but if I can get similar results for similar cost building off of one of these it would be cool.

I hear ya. I have a win 94 in the safe from grandpa. Won’t get rid of it but too nice for most days.

Which scope and stock you looking at? Chopping the barrel is the cheap part of this equation.

 

[Speaks]

I hear ya. I have a win 94 in the safe from grandpa. Won’t get rid of it but too nice for most days.

Which scope and stock you looking at? Chopping the barrel is the cheap part of this equation.

Putting in an order for 2 Rokstocks (though I know wait will be awhile) and getting a pair of Mavin RS 1.2s. I figure I want them set up basically the same to serve as back up for each other with the 270 being my primary whitetail gun and the other being the primary western gun but each able to sub in for the other as needed.

 

[Ringbill27]

Putting in an order for 2 Rokstocks (though I know wait will be awhile) and getting a pair of Mavin RS 1.2s. I figure I want them set up basically the same to serve as back up for each other with the 270 being my primary whitetail gun and the other being the primary western gun but each able to sub in for the other as needed.

Is your 270 setup the same? Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[Speaks]

Is your 270 setup the same? Sounds like a good plan to me.

The 270 is a 22 inch barrel, if I do the 300wm I will likely cut it to 22 or 24. The 270 is also feather weight contour so it will be a tad lighter even if I chop the other one but I figure with matching stock and optics its still pretty close to the same.