Winchester Model 70 - My First Customized Rifle

[Anschutz]

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.

I would've been bummed but in reality, it only adds a handful of bullet options. I think a 270AI with 175 TGKs would be fantastic but I also wouldn't hesitate to take a 145gr ELDX on any hunt.

 

[amassi]

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.

That 145 eld- carries the mail way out there like 900 yards at sea level
Going to a fast twist for the 170 class you’d be magazine limited at 3.35 so not much juice to squeeze


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BreechFace]

I did something similar because of very similar desires and lack of commercial rifles fitting my desire.

I bought a M70 EW in 30-06, pulled the barrel and installed a 1:8.4” twist Proof Carbon in 280AI. Glass bedded the action, worked the trigger to 2.5# and did my own camo sponge job on the stock.

I too, am a 3 position, CRF user. That’s why my safes full of Ruger M77’s, Winchester M70’s and will have a lightweight Kimber in 7mm08 or 308 Win soon.

 

[elsb0048]

I too, am a 3 position, CRF user. That’s why my safes full of Ruger M77’s, Winchester M70’s and will have a lightweight Kimber in 7mm08 or 308 Win soon.

I somewhat curse my father for this inheritance. Between my CRF guns, manual transmission cars, and telemark skis I just can't seem to do anything the sensible and effective way...

 

[Sinistram]

Custom Model 70 in 270?

Approved all day, every day!

 

[BreechFace]

I somewhat curse my father for this inheritance. Between my CRF guns, manual transmission cars, and telemark skis I just can't seem to do anything the sensible and effective way...

Haha, manual transmissions, why does that sound familiar as well?

Telemark skis your on your own though.

 

[BuckSmasher]

I somewhat curse my father for this inheritance. Between my CRF guns, manual transmission cars, and telemark skis I just can't seem to do anything the sensible and effective way...

I did something similar because of very similar desires and lack of commercial rifles fitting my desire.

I bought a M70 EW in 30-06, pulled the barrel and installed a 1:8.4” twist Proof Carbon in 280AI. Glass bedded the action, worked the trigger to 2.5# and did my own camo sponge job on the stock.

I too, am a 3 position, CRF user. That’s why my safes full of Ruger M77’s, Winchester M70’s and will have a lightweight Kimber in 7mm08 or 308 Win soon.

OP that is one sweet rifle! Nothing 'inneficient' about it IMO.

Add me to the CRF three position safety group. Plus I just like the way they look. For me the 3 position safety is almost a must on a bolt gun. I like my WBY Mark V but the bolt is constantly snagging on something and coming open when I am hunting. Ruger M77 locks the bolt down tight and don't have to worry about it.

 

[DB29]

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

Very cool!

Was your donor action a 1 or 2 piece bottom metal? I have a very similar build going right now with a 2 piece bottom metal that needs to be converted to a 1 piece and trying to figure out the best solution.

 

[kblewis4]

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

Thanks for sharing! I too have a Model 70 build starting...thanks for your insight as I dive further into this. Mine is one of the CRPF barreled actions from 2005 or so in 270 WSM

 

[elsb0048]

Very cool!

Was your donor action a 1 or 2 piece bottom metal? I have a very similar build going right now with a 2 piece bottom metal that needs to be converted to a 1 piece and trying to figure out the best solution.

Pretty sure mine was 1 piece, it was one of the 2000's era classic stainless.