Any thoughts on upgrading the bottom metal on a Winchester Pre 64 Action? Is it worth it?? Reliability?? Let’s hear it.

I have done it a few times. Value is highly questionable, but so is a lot that goes into individualizing a custom gun.

Is it worth it? Is any custom rifle worth the money they cost?
Definitely not, considering functionality only.
But custom rifles are not about that; they are literally art. You can get perfect reliability and accuracy from a Walmart Savage, these days.

Yes, it's worth it. One piece bottom metal will not improve reliability, but it will improve the overall appearance of the rifle. And, since there is no middle screw hole, the stock is left with a solid piece of walnut behind the magazine box. Pre-'64 M70s with the middle screw frequently break in this area, the web of the stock.

There are all sorts of different grades of custom rifles. Just remember, if it's worth doing right, it's worth doing to excess!

Cheers,

Roger

quote:

Just remember, if it's worth doing right, it's worth doing to excess!

Hahaha that a great line Roger. Let's call it the custom gunmaker's creed!

To my knowledge, Blackburn M-70 bottom mettal always came with provision for the center screw.

I made the proviskion on my bottom meetal, if for nothing else, to use a wood screw to keep the thin frame rigid

Of course, Sunny Hills has an integral box...no reason for the center screw

I have a Blackburn mod 70 BM without a center screw but uses factory mag well needing shortened to fit and function, no loss of capacity.

Huh!.... Swift/Blackburn or original?...looking in my "bone yard" of some of my bottom metal...I wasn't consistent! Some with/others without...mostly the pot belly is "without"

I even have a staniless unit for post 64. (Thought there would be a demand...lost that bet) and I made it with center screw.


Go figure

Original, I'll post a picture probably tomorrow.

Beautiful piece! PM sent ….

Originally, Ted machined a cavilty in the rail to accopmodate the magazine box...You had to trim only about 1/16" off the bottom.

This really locked the assembly in place, but was costly (and admittedly not really necessary)

Is it worth it you ask?

1. Are you intent on selling it at a profit after adding only the straddle plate/trigger release bottom metal to an otherwise factory configuration? Might break even at best.
2. Are you going to keep the rifle after adding only the bottom metal to a factory rifle? Then you will be glad you did.
3. Are you going to replace the factory stock with one with fancy grained wood that has a high quality rubbed finish and cut-checkering, etc.? Then a straddle floor plate steel bottom with the release in the trigger guard is a must.

Just one man's opinion.

quote:

Originally, Ted machined a cavilty in the rail to accopmodate the magazine box...You had to trim only about 1/16" off the bottom.

This really locked the assembly in place, but was costly (and admittedly not really necessary)

I got tired of that setup, no pocket for the magazine box, so we wrote a program to cut it in on the CNC. Much better this way.

True and preferable. But if the mag well in the stock is fit appropriately not necessary as DW states.
To the OP, yes, all worth it if going to the expense of building a true custom rifle, an heirloom to be passed to the next generation and appreciated by all. If worried about resale or other silly notions then go buy an off the shelf rifle.

The Parkwest/Dakota Arms standard magnum bottom metal fits a Pre64 action to a T. I've used this bottom metal for several builds in the straddle floor plate configuration.