I have decided to build a 425 WR improved, 404 Jeffery case therefore eliminating the rebated rim all other case dimensions would remain the same. My current thought is a M70 Classic as the pre-64 are too expensive and from a puritan perspective should not be "butchered". Are the better alternatives to the M70 Classic, what say you (lets keep the cost to below $1000 for an action)?

Thanks!

Scott, look around a little......I just picked up an early pre-64 Supergrade for 700 bucks. It is already "butchered." Rebarreled, stock's been cut, the barrel channel hogged out, reblued receiver, and etc. Thinking it would be a likely candidate to turn into a .458 Win mag, or a Taylor, or?? There's lots of non-collector model 70s out there.......... Grant.

Personally, I feel pre64s are over rated,they can be rather rough and haphazardly machined with sometimes dubious metallurgy&hardening.
I would go with a new classicCRF M70.
Im waiting to see What WilliamsFirearms is going to come up with in regard to m70 clone, but he not letting on to what we can expect, or its price.

the old standby, P14/17/M30 comes to mind. If you can make a 505 Gibbs work, anything else is a piece of cake!

Rich
DRSS

Like Woodjack, I have also found the typical Classic CRF M70 to be a much better action than the pre-64 M70. I know it is a blasphemous thing to say, but I am just reporting unemotional facts from working on them and tearing them apart. Odss are greatly in your favor that a CLassic action will take a fraction of the hours to clean up as a pre-64 action.

Marc & Woodjack,

I have heard other knowledgeable people say they preferred the M70 Classic to the pre 64. Can you be more specific as to why you have formed this opinion?

Thanks.

made on CNC machinery...?

Rich
DRSS

Scott, the best action for you to build a rifle on is one made by MATTEL, cause they are swell.

Keith

HK,

that was pretty cold...are you saying scotts is a plastic man?

Rich
DRSS

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Buliwyf:
Marc & Woodjack,

I have heard other knowledgeable people say they preferred the M70 Classic to the pre 64. Can you be more specific as to why you have formed this opinion?.../QUOTE]

Buliwfy,

There are specific reasons I prefer the new classic M70 to pre64.
1/. ClassicM70 metallurgy is superior.
2./ ClassicM70 hardening process is superior.
I have had lengthy discussions with top end smiths,who have done pre64 rifles, that were left with original hardening, when reblued, they came back with different colors of blue, due to differential hardening by winchester.
3/.Classic M70 is better suited to longer .375hh type cartridges.
4./ Pre64 can take alot of trueing and correcting, and preferably rehardening.. Now the main reason I would reharden is for concerns of strength. But if Im so concerned about strength,(Which I am, with pressures we sometimes run our modern rounds at), I would not bother an older action but just go with the chromemoly classicM70 or new WFH.
But remember these are just my priorities, though I share them with other folk. but I feel they are logical and practical ones. I appreciate classic style rifles, but Im all for superior technnology,especially in areas that pertain to a rifles boileroom and that contributes to protecting my health and safety.
I would prefer a modern receiver with certified standards,whether I ran a cartridge at low or high pressures, and I would gladly forego orig.pre64 nostalgia,fancy wood or other costly eye catching embelishments, in order to first get a better receiver.

Thanks Woodjack.