So I find this at cabelas. 24" with old vented pachmyer pad. Has a VX2 3-9 on it. Can't tell if original stock. Lots of signs of use, bore looks OK. Got it cheap, like $575. I'm thinking I can't go wrong? what say you Model 70 experts? Should I leave it or redo it? Might as well get a decent pad anyway this ones hard as a rock

Can't give good advice without pics, but at that price it's a blank canvas. A few years ago I acquired a 1952 270 which had a shortened butt stock and ugly ventilated pad. I removed the pad, stripped and completely refinished the stock and now have a good hunting rifle. Once the original stock is altered there is usually no particular "collector" value, so do what makes you happy.

Those 24" standard grade 270's were heavy back then. For carrying we bought Featherweights.

See how it shoots and then trade it for another.

For $575, I can't imagine what you could do to destroy it's value....almost anything you do to it should still preserve that kind of sale price.

If it was mine, I'd replace that recoil pad immediately.....

It is quite heavy. But if it has no collector value I'll probably refinish and restock? I'll see how it shoots

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
Those 24" standard grade 270's were heavy back then. For carrying we bought Featherweights.

See how it shoots and then trade it for another.

With the vx2 I have a pretty vCheap pre 64. If it shoots I'll refinish and restock

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
For $575, I can't imagine what you could do to destroy it's value....almost anything you do to it should still preserve that kind of sale price.

If it was mine, I'd replace that recoil pad immediately.....

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
Those 24" standard grade 270's were heavy back then. For carrying we bought Featherweights.

Shooting a featherweight in .270 would not be my favorite pastime.
(1) You give up all advantage over a 7X57 with the shortened barrel.
(2) My ears wouldn't care for the noise.

My solution: send it out to Clearwater, or another reputable reborer, and make it into a 9.3X62. Then you have a rifle which can use the extra weight and a fine hunting round for anything in North America.

I bought a .270 Mannlicher Schoenauer quite reasonably several years ago, and that's what I did with it. I have never regretted it since.

The 9.3 doesn't use any less powder so muzzle blast isn't going to be any less and as for recoil..............

Interesting idea. Is the barrel thick enough? I assume so

so 9.3x62 same case head size as .270?

Yep same case head.

338-06, 8.5x63 Reb, 400 Whelen.

[/QUOTE]Shooting a featherweight in .270 would not be my favorite pastime.
(1) You give up all advantage over a 7X57 with the shortened barrel.
(2) My ears wouldn't care for the noise.

I beg to differ. A M-70 fwt 270 is one of the sweetest hunting rifles out there. It is no problem to get 3100+fps and 1" groups with 130 grain bullets and recoil and noise are NOT an issue. I'm speaking from experience with at least four different light weight 270s. OTOH the standard 24" models are not so heavey as to be a burden until you get above 12,000'.

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
so 9.3x62 same case head size as .270?

as far as the action is concerned it is.....some brass might require a different shell holder for the reloading press but that's a minor issue.

Actually, it's one reason to rebore to .35 Whelen over the 9.3 X 62...almost identical rounds except for the very minor case head issue. I have one of each but actually prefer the Whelen for a number of reasons.

Elaborate? I have a nice Winchester 270 lightweight so this will be something else I'm sure

So .35 whelen would be the easiest rebore to medium cartridge? Seems age appropriate as well....

Incorrect. The 9,3x62 is .003" larger at the base. It leaves a discernable bulge just above the web when fired, and is a pita to resize.

quote:

Originally posted by 1894mk2:
The 9.3 doesn't use any less powder so muzzle blast isn't going to be any less and as for recoil..............

Muzzle blast is a function of four factors: expansion ratio, powder burning rate, bullet weight and length of barrel. In this case, the barrel length would be the same, the expansion ration would be greater, the burning rate of the powder would be greater, as would the bullet weight, all of which points to reduced muzzle blast.

OK picked up the rifle, it was pretty well used and has "character". But I think it looks great. I am thinking of reboring what is a good list of calibers 30-06 case head that I can turn this into? 35 whelen, 338-06? what about 275 rigby? probably not i'm guessing?

Can't handle the recoil of a light weight .270.......REALLY? The noise bothers you too? Maybe you should take up another hobby. I've heard shuffle board is a quiet sport.

Not sure what you mean? This is a heavy 270. I have 270's and think this may be better suited for a larger caliber. If it shoots great I may change my mind. Pretty strange comments I must say

I think .338 06 would be great on that action ! So many bullets to chose from. The 210 grain partition for deer through elk would be great !...tj3006

Gunsinger....

The quote didn't copy. I was referring to this comment.

quote:

Originally posted by xausa:

quote:

Originally posted by Savage_99:
Those 24" standard grade 270's were heavy back then. For carrying we bought Featherweights.

Shooting a featherweight in .270 would not be my favorite pastime.
(1) You give up all advantage over a 7X57 with the shortened barrel.
(2) My ears wouldn't care for the noise.

My solution: send it out to Clearwater, or another reputable reborer, and make it into a 9.3X62. Then you have a rifle which can use the extra weight and a fine hunting round for anything in North America.

I bought a .270 Mannlicher Schoenauer quite reasonably several years ago, and that's what I did with it. I have never regretted it since.

Haha that makes sense now

Been dere, done dat.
Here is my 1952 vintage 30-06 action that has a 1958 vintage walnut stock on it, and a Douglas No. 4 sporter contour, 1:12"-twist, 24"-long, .358-caliber barrel.
Parts is parts.
The 35 Whelen was never chambered in Pre-64 M70 from the factory, so this was done to right that wrong:



Weaver K-3 scope with steel tube and ye olde Kimber QD lever rings:

nice !

quote:

Originally posted by tjroberts:
nice !

TJROBERTS,
Thank you, thank you very much. It is rare for one of my rifles to get such an unadulterated compliment.
My Tennessee game farm guide was impressed by the way the 35 Whelen made bacon. Boringly efficient.
I like bacon and porkchops.

Nice. I will consider a rebore as to save the original barrel. Then refinish as this one is pretty rough lol

Nice shot too !
I had a whelen years ago never had the chance to shoot an animal with it. But i did have an exciting hunt, I was after elk and crept right up on a big mule deer buck , hopeing it was a bull elk, i got to about 10 feet from it before i was sure it was a deer.
Traded it for something else Now i kind of think the .338-06 would be a great round.
with a 200 or 210 grain bullet it would certainly be a usefull rifle...tj

I have a '53 M70 Winchester in 270. Standard weight. Leupold VariX II 2 x 7 scope in Conetrol mounts. The weight has not been a problem in the places I carried it...IMHO. Messed with reloads and found a semi hot load of IMR4350 pushing 150 gr Nosler Partitions that shoots really well and is a killer. I wouldn't change the rifle if I could find a good-shooting load.

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Nice. I will consider a rebore as to save the original barrel. Then refinish as this one is pretty rough lol

Rebore gives you a few notable choices, 400 Whelen, 375/06, 9.3x62, 35 Whelen, .338/06, 8mm/06, 30/06, maybe .280 but I thought I heard you have to jump 2 calibers when re-boring, I don't know that for sure.
If I were in your shoes the 400 Whelen or 35 Whelen would be the top on the list with a 9.3x62 a very close third. I would have the whole mess Ceramic coated matte black and refinish the stock or replace with a complimentary replacement.

Have fun with your project.

1953 was arguably the best mod. 70 action ever built, so your good there! A .270 is damn hard to beat, so your good there, A fwt action is worth $500 anyday so your good there, and yes you can have or refinish it yourself, just be sure its a professional job and You will have a rifle worth at least $1000 even refinished if done properly by a expert. bead blast the action and a 320 grt barrel puts it close to original finish, custom stock or refinish is fine, replace the recoil pad...Keep it and shoot it, if the barrel won't shoot then rebarrel it with an original barrel or a good Douglas and you will still be in the chips if you decide to sell it...Only works with mod. 70s.