About a year ago I purchased a model 70 supergrade III 30-06, I had been shooting an 06 for about 30 years( Rem 760) and know and like the caliber. I am going to RSA Aug.this year and I just wanted a bolt gun. So I looked at evrything and quickly settled on the model 70 ( an Empire would be choice if it were not 4 times the cost ) I knew the rifle was going to need some stock work ( very nice wood though ) the barrel was hitting hard on one side and not at all free floated. Out of the box the gun would not shoot under 2" at 100 yards 3"- 4" groups not uncommon. No were near as accurate as my old pump! Trigger was clean breaking but pull was allmost 8 lbs. I had a gunsmith I have used for many years do the trigger ,now at 3.26 lbs. and give the rifle a complete going over ( advice from other African hunters) I pillar and epoxy bedded the action and free floated thr barrel. I have Leupold QR rings primary scope is 1 3/4 - 6 VX III back up old VX II 2-7. A couple of days ago I was rewarded with a 7/8" 3 shot group. I learned allot and enjoyed the process of getting this rifle to shoot. I have a rifle I am proud of the way it looks and confidant of its accuracy, feels real good! Looks like I will be shooting Fedral factory 180 Gr. TSX.

Good for you. Hope you get your game in Africa too. Working on and improving my guns is a major passion of mine also.

Check that the safety does not bind when the bolt handle is pushed up when its on full safe.

A very prominent outfitter had a terrible thing happen when his M70 safety jammed on full safe just because the bolt handle was up. Seems some of them do that.

Best of luck.

Maine Woods,

Good job on the tune up! Sounds like you worked all the kinks out and had a very enjoyable project as well. No doubt you will be even more gratified with the rifle once your are hunting with it in hand on the Dark Continent!

Who are you hunting with in RSA and what animals are you after?

Be sure to give us a full report & pics upon your return.

Regards,
Dave

That's a cool set up. I like the caliber, scope selection and of course the mod. 70 is my favorite also. The newer Barnes TSX bullets are impressive and make the old '06 better than ever. I like the scopes you selected..light weight and don't take away the "handling" of the rifle. There's all sorts of more expensive rifles out there but I doubt you could do any better than what you have....congrats...and good luck on your hunt.

The M-70 is the only rifle worth the effort IMO....it's a superb gun but Damn it.....they often take some work to make them shoot well. It's too bad but it's the way it is.

When I succumb to another M-70 I just figure glass bedding and free floating and then do the testing.

Glad you're among those that believed enough in the rifle to see the project thru.

Have a ball in Africa.....I used a .300 H&H and would definitely use my M-70 featherweight in 30-06 for a return trip.

I just love the handlking of that gun and the difference between the 300 magnums and a properly handloaded 30-06 is very small indeed.

Hi David C I will be hunting with Stephen Barber Xomaqua I would like to shoot warthog ,impala, maybe a wildebeest, Gemsbok is my most hoped for animal possibly a kudu. ( love to shoot a heyena) Vapodog you mentioned belive in the rifle, I really did ! I was 98% sure the gun could be made accurate without rebarreling or other major work. Today I will sight in the back up scope and then I will be off the bench!

Maine Woods,

Get yourself a kudu & hyena!

The hyena would make a great rug and kudu are just magnificent as shoulder mounts...!

Regards,
Dave