I just came across a custom stock a buddy of mine gave me 25+ years ago. It originally held a pre-64 Winchester 270.



Another buddy says he can get me an action.

I have many of the standard calibers 25-06, 6.5x55, 7x57, 270's, 300wm, 338-06, 375.

I don't care if factory ammo is available. It is a pretty piece of wood any suggestions for caliber.

Thank you,

Jim

I have heard and read some of the top custom rifle builders say that many of their top and most expensive rifles are built in 270 and 30-06. Just a thought.

I don't see a 35 Whelen or a .400 Whelen on your list, one of those would be great!

How about a 10.75x57mm?

Consider the 30-06 Springfield.

It's not only excellent for many purposes and is the most famous cartridge in world history!

The 30-06 Springfield was used by the greatest country on earth to win both of the only two World Wars!

That sounds like a perfect setup for a 6.5-06 or a 6.5x284.

That's some really, really nice wood.

To me, there's the nostalgia factor so I'd go with a .270 Win, to return it to what it had been, or a .30-06 to honor that classic 'mercun creation.

I love all of your suggestions.

Some I need to research.

Thank you,

Jim

Depends on the bolt face standard 06

how about a 400 whelen or 375 whelen if you looking for something different.

If mag bolt face 416 Ruger.

That looks like a nice piece of wood to hold a classic .280 rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I don't see a 35 Whelen or a .400 Whelen on your list, one of those would be great!

Agree....or a 9.3x62

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I don't see a 35 Whelen or a .400 Whelen on your list, one of those would be great!

Agree....or a 9.3x62

6.5x68mm or 8x68mmS.

No life is complete without a .257 Roberts. Jeez, I hope I didn't miss that in the caliber line up!

As has already been stated, bolt face is a question that has to be answered, but I, too, am thinking a 257 Roberts would do nicely.

That, or as Ted suggested, a Whelen. I have a full custom LH 35 Whelen on an MRC action, and absolutely love it.

One other option came to mind, since you are evidently a handloader: a 30-338 or 308 Norma Mag. Although somewhat scarce, the 308 Mag brass is available; you just have to look for it, and the NM doesn't give up much compared to the RUM, etc.

That is an exquisite stock!

300 H&H is a classic in a pre64.

An H&H -- either .300 or .375.

.280 or .30-06

Fill in the blank: 9.3x_____mm

Thank you again for the suggestions. I am really enjoying looking up info on calibers that I do not know anything about.

Jim

That stock says...7x64mm to me

358 Winchester if you reload. One of the favorite calibers I own. It would fit nicely between your 338-06 and 375.

280 or 257R!

One friend wanted me to do something a little different for him on a pre-64 so I made a 256 Newton. He likes it. I then made myself one on a model 54. I'm planning to do a 30 to go with it when I get around to it. Regards, Bill.

Be different, build a 6,5x68 Shuler. Think 264 WM without the stinking belt...

One of the 7mm cartridges

Unless your one of the local gun nuts that have a basement full of guns, and spend a lifetime searching for the holy grail of calibers, and of course they will recommend all the exotic calibers, why not just go with the one caliber by which all others are judged, the 30-06!

9.3x62

I have not narrowed down to anything. I like the 30-06 or 270.

I also like the 35 Whelen, 8 MM's, 9.3, 257 Roberts and a few others mentioned.

Ray, I guess I was looking for that unique holy grail caliber.

7MM/08

A few thoughts:
There's only one photo but it shows an American classic swept cheek piece. You say the action is going to be THE classic American p64 Model 70. For these reasons, I'd stick with classic M70 chamberings such as 220 Swift, 257 Bob, 270, 30-06, 35 Whelen, 300 H&H or 375 H&H. There are a number of well designed metrics out there but they'd be out of place on the rifle under consideration.

Second, I'd put together a rifle you'll use a lot. For most folks, these means something on the lighter side but your situation may be different.

Lastly, I think very few wildcats or obscure cartridges are worth the hassle factor and expense incurred. Some guys get a psychic benefit from obscurity for the sake of obscurity but I'm not really one of them...though I love my 9.3X64.

Thank you ForrestB for the thoughts. You make a lot of practical sense.

Jim

Guess I fall into the 'being different' category. I've always enjoyed carrying as many different calibers as possible when hunting. It's even better when the guy that asks what caliber I'm using responds with a "Huh?" when I tell him.

So, after decades of using the 7X57 and 8X57, I figured the next logical step would be 9X57. Had to use a .358 bore instead of a .355-.356, but figured a couple of thousands wouldn't be too much of a stretch. Got it put together just in time to bust a nice 8 pt last month.

The 9X57 hasn't been chambered in a production gun since the 30's, but it still works as well as it did in the old days.

9.3X62 mild-mannered and tough.


338-06: What the 338Federal always wanted to be...

quote:

Originally posted by Seamaster:
That looks like a nice piece of wood to hold a classic .280 rifle.

you misspelled the greatest and original medium bore -- the 7x64

Singleshot03 probably made his decision 9 years ago.

If you coyote hunt, 220 swift.

A few years ago I bought a Sako M85 in 7x64. I really love that rifle and cartridge. Brass is fairly easy to find, and I was able to get Forster dies. I could be happy hunting 95% of the animals I hunt with this rifle.

Forgive me if someone has said or implied this but I would wonder what the original calibre was. A 270 or .30-06 would probably be most likely and if so, something like that would probably suit the barrel profile best. Assuming it was not a featherweight, I suppose you could extend that to 35 Whelen or 9.3x62, even if the barrel became a bit whippy. (My Zastava 9.3 has a very slim barrel but seems to shoot well enough.)

6.5-06
35 Whelen
9.3x62
280 Rem

I am very fond of my three 30-06s, and two .270s, but since I am a deer & antelope hunter my 6.5-06 is an absolute dream to shoot in a very lightweight package.