Winchester Mod 70 - My First Customized Rifle

[elsb0048]

Haven't seen a lot of custom model 70 builds posted so I thought I would share mine in case anyone found it interesting.




Donor rifle/action: Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless 30-06
Stock: Pendleton Composites Hunt Tac without adjustable cheek
Forest green w/ black & tan webbing
Barrel: Pac-Nor .270 winchester, 1:10 twist, 21"
Trigger: Timney, 3# pull
Bottom Metal: PTG obendorf
Cerakote: H 219 - Gunmetal Grey
Scope: Leupold Mark 4hd 2.5-10x42 FFP TMR illum + alumina caps
Rings: Leupold Backcountry Medium
Suppressor: Banish Backcountry

Final weight is 9# 6oz with the can and 8#14oz bare muzzle.


In no way is this the practical route to get the best performing gun and there are things I would do different if I started again but I'm fairly happy with the results so far.
Primary reasoning for going custom was because I wanted a 3 position safety + CRF (I grew up with them and I just like them) with a vertical grip, flat or negative comb, and shortish barrel for a can. When the process started none of the CRF factory action makers: Winchester, Ruger, Montana, & Kimber offered that combination of features in a factory configuration.
I started this build before I really had read a ton of the stuff on here regarding caliber and optics and the like but I'm pretty glad that I didn't let perfect be the enemy of done and got this thing together.

 

[Timplant]

It looks great shoots good as well! Enjoy it despite what people say!!! sometimes we do things just because, people can add opinions or have other ideas, but once in awhile it's nice to just do what YOU want.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

It’s a neat gun and a cartridge I wish I still had in my gun safe.

It will stack bodies for ya and be your favorite gun until the next one.

 

[TaperPin]

Nice! The Winchester 70 has to be the most iconic classic rifle of all time.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

Great looking rifle. Love model 70's

 

[handwerk]

Nice Job using a classic action, I've done over a dozen builds on Model 70 CRF's for myself and my kids , very happy with my results.

 

[Choupique]

Who did the barrel for you?

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

Solid. All around solid and great choice on the caliber. I have an m70 fwt 270 that's oem + a timney in 270 and I love it. CRF & 3 pos. safety is just fantastic.

I've been contemplating cerakoting and either replacing the stock altogether or have the wood pillar bedded. How do you like the Pendleton stock? When I built my Ruger Hawkeye '06 I bought an HS Precision I've been very happy with but they don't inlet for the 1pc bottom metal on the newer guns.

 

[willtim]

Love my New Haven Model 70 Classic.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

JVB's pants are so tight right now.

JK OP, that's a great setup--no notes!

 

[Anschutz]

Genuine question; Why not a 1:8 barrel? That's a beautiful, utilitarian rifle. I love a good Model 70, especially in .270. Mine is a stock EWSS I got from Cabela's for $600 5-6 years ago. I figured at half of MSRP, if I had to rebarrel it'd be okay but it shoots near an inch with 145 Precision Hunter.

 

[grfox92]

Model 70s are in my opinion as good an action as a Tikka. Unfortunately the lack of aftermarket support for them stops anyone from utilizing them.

Mine is the smoothies action I own. Smoother than my Tikka and like a Tikka you can't bind that bolt not matter how hard you try.

Awesome rifle OP. I have a .308 on a long action that I'll be turning into a custom at some point.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[43.6N]

Congrats on a beautiful modern classic!

And I love your quote to not let perfect be the enemy of done!

 

[elsb0048]

JVB's pants are so tight right now.

JK OP, that's a great setup--no notes!

Lol I almost did 280ai...

Until I realized that I ain't a hand loader and factory ammo is $70-90/box

 

[Customweld]

I had a m70 built in 264WM. 27” Hart Sendero contour, Graphite cerakote and a tan and black speckled HS Precision stock.

 

[Customweld]

Haven't seen a lot of custom model 70 builds posted so I thought I would share mine in case anyone found it interesting.

View attachment 970227


Donor rifle/action: Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless 30-06
Stock: Pendleton Composites Hunt Tac without adjustable cheek
Forest green w/ black & tan webbing
Barrel: Pac-Nor .270 winchester, 1:10 twist, 21"
Trigger: Timney, 3# pull
Bottom Metal: PTG obendorf
Cerakote: H 219 - Gunmetal Grey
Scope: Leupold Mark 4hd 2.5-10x42 FFP TMR illum + alumina caps
Rings: Leupold Backcountry Medium
Suppressor: Banish Backcountry

Final weight is 9# 6oz with the can and 8#14oz bare muzzle.


In no way is this the practical route to get the best performing gun and there are things I would do different if I started again but I'm fairly happy with the results so far.
Primary reasoning for going custom was because I wanted a 3 position safety + CRF (I grew up with them and I just like them) with a vertical grip, flat or negative comb, and shortish barrel for a can. When the process started none of the CRF factory action makers: Winchester, Ruger, Montana, & Kimber offered that combination of features in a factory configuration.
I started this build before I really had read a ton of the stuff on here regarding caliber and optics and the like but I'm pretty glad that I didn't let perfect be the enemy of done and got this thing together.


View attachment 970232


View attachment 970240

Great looking rifle!

 

[rickyw]

Love my model 70 classics. I’ve got a 7-08 custom m70 classic coming with a pac nor barrel as well. Just waiting for it to be bedded!

 

[nm.otter]

Wayne does build a good stock. Nice rifle!

 

[elsb0048]

Genuine question; Why not a 1:8 barrel? That's a beautiful, utilitarian rifle. I love a good Model 70, especially in .270. Mine is a stock EWSS I got from Cabela's for $600 5-6 years ago. I figured at half of MSRP, if I had to rebarrel it'd be okay but it shoots near an inch with 145 Precision Hunter.

Re twist: that's one of my regrets and is a result of either poor communication or the smith just going rogue. When I put down the barrel deposit I'd swear we had talked about fast twist and that he would make the final decision between 1:7,7.5 or 8. By the time I picked it up though I wasn't gonna fight about it or wait another 9 months for a new barrel.

Figure it's not the end of the world since I don't do any handling now but it is a slight bummer.

 

[elsb0048]

I've been contemplating cerakoting and either replacing the stock altogether or have the wood pillar bedded. How do you like the Pendleton stock? When I built my Ruger Hawkeye '06 I bought an HS Precision I've been very happy with but they don't inlet for the 1pc bottom metal on the newer guns.

I chose the Pendleton over HS precision because it looked like the fore-end was a little shorter and more slender in the vertical grip model. Generally just liked the aesthetic of the Pendleton a little better.

I like the Pendleton so far but I'm not sure my experience is hugely valuable since I've only owned wood or Tupperware sporters before now... The vertical grip is a big improvement over a sporter for me. It's almost too short for my hand, pinky hangs 1/2 off when I get my trigger finger lined up for a straight press. I have XL/XXL hands though. Comb seems flat, not positive or negative. Shallow toe has been good, tracks a rear bag a LOT better than my sporter but I do adjust the bag front to rear a little to adjust to target.

It's been fine off a pack and sticks too although I haven't shot much that way just yet.