Gun shopping. My nephew was looking for a deer rifle in 30-06 and so I gave him my Weatherby Vanguard w/ Leupold 3-9x VX II. I got such a deal on it at a pawn shop.

Now I've spent the past three days shopping -- which is an undertaking because the nearest shops are 60 miles down the road.

At first I was looking for a 30-06, but there wasn't anything that jumped out at me. I have a Garand, but a 30-06 scoped/bolt just seems like something I should own.

Limiting criteria -- Leupold scope and I'm looking at bolt action. Calibers are pretty much "wide open" . . . except I'm staying away from stuff in .223 or smaller.

Heaps and heaps of .270 out there. I'm not listing them, or even seriously looking.

There's a Win. 70, circa post 1968, stainless, synthetic in 375 H&H. Leupold 5x to about 15x 40 mm, nice shape $1000. I'm leanin' hard here.

Ruger No. 1, .300 WM, (then I'd have 3, .458 WM, 45/70, and a .300) Leupold 3-9x. I can't recall the price. Handsome wood, ex. cond.

Rem. 700 in 7mm Rem. Mag. There are three:

Wood stock, rosewood end cap and grip cap. About 80%. It has a Leupold 2.5 - 8x 30 mm or whatever. It's either $599 or $699 and 20% off.

Stainless BDL or whatever, rings but no scope. $888.

Stainless, next grade down from above. 2" shorter barrel. I think it was $587.

There's a Win. 70, post 1968 next to these, wood stock, lots of honest wear. Rings, no scope. I think about this one as a "project" -- strip and refinish the stock. $357.

7mm RUM, Rem. 700, stainless, Leupold. I don't think I want the "barrel burner" of 7mm RUM. I'm shooting, not hunting.

Browning A Bolt, 7mm Rem Mag. Leupold 3 - 9x Nice, I can't warm up to the looks of the Browning A Bolt.

Couple three Weatherby Mark V, synthetic stock. Seems like they're all .340 Wby. One has a "boss" -- stainless, blue.

Custom Win. 70, pre '64, 30-06, Leup. 3-9x stunning custom wood, pristine. $1300.

Bunch of Ruger Mod. 77 . . . I think I want a Rem. 700 or Win. 70.

OK, and a long shot here . . . Win. Mod. 1894 hex bbl, mfg 1900. Orig. finish, complete, clean. It looks like 110 yrs of patina, but no "wear" . . . $1450. This would be a "safe queen."

I realize this is the "Big Bore Forum." I'm looking at the .375 H&H, and the .340 Wby. appeals too.

But 7mm Rem. Mag keeps whispering in my ear.

And I could seriously stand having one more Ruger No. 1 . . .

-- Did I mention that $$$ is not an issue?

Mauser 98!!

Seems like the 30-06 is a bit much gun for a first deer rifle. I would think a 7mm08 in a light carbine like Rem Model 7 would be about max.

quote:

Originally posted by Wm.S.Ladd:

There's a Win. 70, circa post 1968,...
There's a Win. 70, post 1968 ...
-- Did I mention that $$$ is not an issue?

Bill, what do YOU think post 68 means? I am always willing to learn, and you've said this throughout several posts .. do you MEAN post 64? and, oh, btw, NOTHING is circa post .. .. 'circa post" means "around past" ..

darn happy for you money aint an issue

Winchester Mod. 70 --

Pre 1964 guns are numbered under 700,000

Post 1968 are numbered with a prefix "G"

"Circa" means "about" or "around." -- I know the gun is mfg. dated after 1968, but I don't know if it's 1969 or 2009.

So, it's "circa post 1968" as compared to "circa pre 1964" -- the two dates being significant in Win. Mod. 70 mfg.

I have three Mausers.

sounds like some of my old guns, did you dry fire a few? hows my trigger work

Mr Ladd,
Some of the mod 70's made after 1964 had push round feeds and later they re introduced Controlled Round Feed actions. You might find on this forum that Controlled Round Feed is most preferable for DG hunting.
I believe you mentioned the Mod 70 375 in question is stainless steel? If so it would be a controlled Round Feed. I never recalled that option being available in a Push feed model 70.
If so I would say it is a desireable weapon and easily worth $1000.00 based on inspection.
A 4.5 x 14 scope is a little out of character to have on this rifle / caliber but if it comes with the package, take it and attach it to something a little more suitable.
I have a few very nice pre 64's and later manufactured CRF mod 70's that have been worked over a bit.
I cannot tell any significant difference. A gunsmith may tell you different. The pre 64's continue to bring a little premium. Especially in a Safari caliber.

EZ

And the winner is . . .

Yeah, the .375 H&H is stainless, synthetic stock, and post 1968. I read Chuck Hawkes run-down on the Mod. 70, but I confess to getting lost in the details.

www.chuckhawks.com/win_70.htm

I realize this is a travesty, but I'm not a hunter.

If I were a hunter, the DG we'd be getting too would be black bear. We have Roosevelt Elk. That's the "big game" locally.

I have a Ruger No. 1 in 45/70 and another in .458 Win. Mag. Those are my "big bore" guns.

All things considered, and I'm not short on choices from my current collection, I'm leaning toward the Rem. 700 BDL, in 7mm Rem. Mag. Blue, wood furniture w/ fore end cap, grip cap. Stock needs a strip and refinish -- but that's a hobby for me. I like hand-rubbed oil.

Leupold scope, 2.5 - 8x 36mm duplex.

7mm Rem. Mag. fits a niche for me in middle bore calibers. I have a .308 Win. 700 Police, and a Garand, couple 8mm Mausers.



$480 out the door.

quote:

Originally posted by Wm.S.Ladd:
Couple three Weatherby Mark V, synthetic stock. Seems like they're all .340 Wby. One has a "boss" -- stainless, blue.

I'm the Weatherby fan here and the 340 is an outstanding round. If you reload, the price of ammo becomes a non-issue. That said, the synthetic stocks are just that, synthetic. They are of good quality and design however and you can swap it out later if you find you don't like "tupperware" stocks. Also, it would be "very" custom to have a boss on one and I would bet it's a Weatherby Accubrake. They do substantially reduce recoil but like most muzzle brakes they do redirect the noise as well. In the Accubrake the gas is redirected slightly forward so it's not too bad. Give it a try, the 340 is a wonderfull cartridge and the Mk V actions are very smooth.

Ken....

A boss on a weatherby? Interesting, must have been an add on, as weatherby, as far as I know, isn't part of the FN herstal family or licensees .. ,and the boss IS owned by that company.

Did you eamn a muzzle brake?

quote:

-- Did I mention that $$$ is not an issue?

Gee Laddy ... perhaps you should consider graduating to a proper custom ...??

Well, then...if cost is truly NOT an issue, give me a PM and I can set you up with some of the VERY finest shooting irons!!!! :-)

What the heck does this have to do with Big Bores?

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
What the heck does this have to do with Big Bores?

That's a damn good question.

quote:

Custom Win. 70, pre '64, 30-06, Leup. 3-9x stunning custom wood, pristine. $1300.

My 2 cents, I would offer the owner $1100 and never look back.

I do Not give my guns away to anyone. They can use one but I want it back.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

Bill, what do YOU think post 68 means? I am always willing to learn, and you've said this throughout several posts .. do you MEAN post 64? and, oh, btw, NOTHING is circa post .. .. 'circa post" means "around past" ..

darn happy for you money aint an issue

There is indeed a post 1968 version of the M70. This is when Winchester added the anti-bind keyway to the M70 on the lower right locking lug and improved a other details like the return to cut checkering rather than stamping it in.

i hope they improved something, i thought they had invented the steel handled wooden club

If you don't want that Rem 700 BDL with the rosewood forend and grip cap point me at it. I need something in between my 45 Super 1911 and my 500 Jeffrey. I gave my 35 year old Rem 700 BDL 270 to my youngest son ...



Chuck