I have a 1960ish model 70 FW action (from a 30-06) that I am going to re-barrel to 280 or 338-06. Oddly, I can't decide. I already have a barrel blank for either task (a 7mm FW contour CM pac-nor and a #2 338 pac-nor ). I don't "need" either, but am thinking for a hunting mostly deer (often in bear coutnry) and the occasional elk...

Probably have a mcmillan G&H stock fitted and have the work done up by Mark Penrod...

Your thoughts? TIA...

Since you are mainly talking a deer rifle I would go with the 280. It would also handle and elk just fine or any black bears. My first two elk were with a 280.

My thought is if the pre-64 is in decent shape leave it as it is and find yourself a current Featherweight 70 in .280 (they are out there as my brother owns one). Put a scope on it and go hunting. Difference in price of about $2000 which could go for a couple other guns or for a hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
My thought is if the pre-64 is in decent shape leave it as it is...

It is only an action, no barrel. I'd like a 23" barrel, not the 22" offered on the 70 FW. Plus, the mcmllian stock I want is avaiable only for pre-64 actions.

TIA, well I have done both. I have a pre-64 FWT action with a douglasXX 280 (7mm Experess)at 22" and it will shoot less than MOA with factory Hornady LT MG 139 gr BTSP or SST's. Love the weight of the rifle and the deer in S. Texas hate to see it coming to the field.

I am awaiting receipt of another pre 64 FWT action being rebored from '06 to 338-06. This barrel is being cut back to 20" due to barrel problem and I expect it to have some extra muzzle blast but velocity should still be north of 2500 with 225 gr Nosler Custom Ammo. Hopefully it will be with me in May so I will have a couple of months to love it before taking it to NWT in September for moose/caribou.

If bear is on the menu I would go ahead and step up to the 338-06. I have heard nothing negative about it BUT it is NOT a 338WM, well duh!

unless it is in alot of timber, i would sujest a 280. the 280 is very flat shooting and a great primary deer caliber

agree with ramrod340. The 280 is fine for what you plan to hunt. In fact, so is the .270.

A rifle battery as follows covers all the bases (except for prairie hunting) on US soil:

.22LR
.270 or .280
.338WM
.416

A .338-06 would be fine paired with a 7-08 would also be fine for the lower-48.

(I hope i don't get you all confused now

I'm guessing that you already have a 9.3x62. In that case go with the 280.

Can't go wrong with either.

Both great cartridges.
Mainly deer- 280 Rem
mainly bigger stuff- 338-06

Can't go to wrong with either. The 280 hits hard and shoots flat. The .338 does too, I think I would probably go 280 onnthe featherweight action, and You might consider a williams hinged floor plate for the project, It adds a little weight but the Model 70 floor plate is a luminum and it will be hard to blue it to match the rifle.
mabye wind a mauser or a springfield. fpr the .338. ...tj3006

Yes, I have a number of 9.3x62s and a 9.3x64 on the way. Also have a Whelen on a transition-era model 70.

But then again, I already have a 280 (on a 700 action). I've had a number of 338-06s before, but always ended up selling them.

I'm thinking I want this rifle to be an all-around travelling rifle for the lower 48. Nice, reliable, and accurate (thanks to Mark), and durable (thanks to mcmillan) enough to take the abuse of hiking, horses (on rare occasion), and baggage handlers (probably the worst threat ).

I'm going to stick with the factory bottom AL metal, even if it doesn't quite match. I like the Williams stuff (and have used it on other rifles), but it is heavier than I would like for this project...

It really is odd how long I have been obsessing about this choice... I need to get out of the house or something...

I have both & they will be the last rifles I ever get rid of. Since you already have a .280 then you must make a .338-06 & KEEP IT!. Here is my .280/M70/23"ft.wt. bbl. (I need to reshoot a good overall photo)

I would go with the .280, especially since it's mainly a deer gun. In my opinion, any gun that is a dedicated "travelling rifle" should be something that is chambered in factory ammo. A .30-06 or .270 would be an even better choice for a travelling gun in my opinion since you can pretty much find ammo anywhere ammo might be sold (such as rural gas stations). It doesn't happen often, but sometimes gun & ammo get separated en route. Of course, you can always take a spare in a more common caliber.

-Lou

You might consider this Gene Simillion 280 for sale at Gamefair Ltd.

Gamefair Ltd Website

Custom 280 Rem by Gene Simillion.Built on a 1950 model 70 action,this rifle has a 24" Kreiger barrel,blackburn bottom metal,custom talley bases and rings,and a pillar bedded Mcmilliam synthetic stock.A great all around big game rifle.$3995

Rifle Picture Here

Good thoughts and comments all the way around. If I could find a custom 280 or 338-06 already built that fit my tastes, then I would use my action for the other...

More shopping... gotta spend some $ to save some $...

I shoot and love a couple of 338's and don't really have a liking for 7mm's so this is an honest answer for ya. In your case I'd go with the 280. I think it would be a better fit for your uses.

quote:

Originally posted by Ray:
agree with ramrod340. The 280 is fine for what you plan to hunt. In fact, so is the .270.

A rifle battery as follows covers all the bases (except for prairie hunting) on US soil:

.22LR
.270 or .280
.338WM
.416

A .338-06 would be fine paired with a 7-08 would also be fine for the lower-48.

(I hope i don't get you all confused now

That pair would be one of the better ones I could think of.

That is a hard choice. Either one would do just fine for what you are wanting.