I recently purchased a Winchester model 70 classic featherweight in .22-250, CHEAP. I don't need another small bore, so I'm considering rebarreling and rechambering to another cartridge. I'm looking for opinions and caliber recomendations. What are my limitations, with this particular action, without handing my smith $1500. I'd appreciate any opinions you guys might offer.

I've always been a Remington guy and this is my first Winchester, so I'm not real familiar with them.

Well, there it is, guys. Let's hear what you would do.

Thanks,
Chuck

The biggest option would be something built on the 308 case. Start at 243 and got through 35. The 338 Federal might be cool, first one on the block type of thing.

250 Savage 1:10 twist

Fjold may be right , BUT
You might be able to get a .257 roberts into that action. Or ny other mauser length. I don't know what your action length and or your mag for that matter. My understanding is that untill the advent of the short mag, all winchester action were 06 lenght. And after the short mags the came out with a .308 length action and that it will hold mauser lenght rounds prety well, another posibility is a .284 win or a 6.5X.284 ...tj3006

You should make it in to a 20-250. with a 50gr bullet u can reach 4500fps plus.

You don't want another small caliber, and you have the perfect platform for the .300 Savage. Put a medium-weight, 22-23" barrel with a 1:10 twist on it and never look back.

The 260 Remington is a natural for that weight rifle. Excellent choice of high BC bullets. It would also make your rifle very unique. The Featherweight was never chambered in a 260 Remmy.

I would build either a .308x1.5 OR a 7.62x39 with a .308 bore. Either one would could be a very accurate combo

You got it cheap, but if you re barrel, it won't be cheap anymore. Sell it for a profit and buy what you really want.

Thanks for the ideas, guys. The 338 Federal sounds interesting if it would fit OK. It's something a little different and I could use it as another deer rifle, too. Anyone know the COL of the 338 Fed?

Thanks,
Chuck

Welcome to the forum Chuck.

The 22-250 has it's highest value now with that barrel in service. Since you got it cheap then sell it, as is, high.

Then take the money and buy something better.

I would go w/ the .260rem or the n32 .338Fed. Depends on what you are looking to do w/ the rifle, dual purpose varmint/deer or bigger game.

accrash, if you stick with the gun the easiest conversion will be the .250-3000. Feed problems will not be an issue. It depends on what you want to spend....I did a 700SA recently, started as a .22-250. $500 including trigger, truing, barrel and bedding....plus bluing the action etc. The number of critters in NA that can't be handled with the .250-3000 is quite small.

accrash, I hate to be the odd man out but you did ask for opinions........ Being a Remington fan mostly and with all the hullaballoo with the Winchester plant going under and all; I think I would list the Winchester and if it brings a goodly amount, I'd purchase another Rem. 700 somethingcaliber of your choice. Not the most romantic solution; ie, no fancy wildcats or anything, but you could always rechamber the new Remington also. Just my opinion, but I am a Remington fan........jp

I'm with the .250 savage guys. The .260 Remington is also a good idea.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, yet. I might take the advice to sell it or trade for something else, if I can figure out what it's worth right now. Seems prices on model 70's are varying considerably since the announcement. Thanks again.

Chuck

If you are a handloader and want something very useful as well as unique, try an 8mm 284. COL is 2.8 and bullet weights run from 125 to 250 grs. The 8mms are shorter than 308 bullets and you can use 8mm 06 load data. Increasing bore from .308 to .323 is the same ballistically as adding 10% more case capacity so you will be mid way between an '06 and a 300 win mag in a short action.