The Muzzle is nicely counter bored, the stock nice dark good figure-very pleasantly surprised overall and damned if Winchester did not free float this gun.

I now have a 6.5x55 again to replace those I had and the 260's I also let go. This baby OUGHT to shoot esp. with its 8 twist, should handle ALL 85-160's fairly well. In a few weeks I will get loading supplies in and test fire and report.

The Ruger also looks very good and I will report on it as well.

Pics here, too!

Jaywalker

I have a few year old m70 featherweight 6.5x55, its blue, wood. Its fun to shoot and tight groups to with R22,

Lets see som pix

Wish I had pics-no digital camera. sorry

6.5BR,
I'm really looking forward to a range report.

It may be awhile, but I will get them both out once my loading supplies come in.

Meanwhile today I shot my new 221 FB, 40gr's Lil Gun powder 3616fps!!!!!! It Shoots better than I can hold it.....under .5 with 10x-Speedy Gonzales built it.

My #1 shot 5 105 amax's in under .5 at 100 yards
as well......WINDY conditions

Oh.....28.5 varget.....2814 fps....

Sorry, the #1 is a 6BR, Kepplinger trigger

Looking forward to a range report! I found that my M70 FWT 6.5x55 shoots better with upward pressure at the tip of the stock. When I got it, it was floated and didn't group very consistently. I added a shim under the barrel and things tightened up nicely. It really likes 120 Nosler BT's with RL-19.

Not sure why, but I just picked up a like-new Ruger M77 MkII in 6.5x55 and so far I found that it has about 1/4" less free bore than the Winchester. It will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes being able to seat bullets out to the lands (which I can't do with the Winchester unless I'm loading long 160 gr. RN bullets).

I have heard enough decent reports on the M70, and I am sure it would do 'better' with shorter throat.....ironically Seafire deep throated his Ruger 260's for 140s etc.

Looking at the leade in the chamber-it looks to be very slow gradual taper albeit a deep throat.

I do know from experience often '96 mausers with long throats shoot 85-120's well even far off lands.

Never know until you try as one former benchrester told me......

Thanks for the tip on the shim pressure-this gun I have is factory floated and I am hoping it will do its potential as is.......