I have a �transition period� Model 70. It doesn�t have much collector value, the receiver has been tapped front and back for a scope, it's been re-blued and the stock has been refinished, but never cut. It still has the original butt plate. It�s chambered in 30-06, and is plenty accurate. I presently have 3 other 30-06 rifles. I know the barrel can be re-chambered, the bolt face opened, but what other modifications need to be done to accommodate a 300 Winchester Magnum? I�d like to keep the original barrel. Thoughts and opinions?
You really need to put the new chambering on the barrel and that usually involves "x"ing out the old caliber and either stamping or engraving a new one.
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001
Quote: "...what about feeding issues? Modifications need to made there?"
J - That's a somehat difficult question to answer. Winchester used a different mag box, follower (I think) and a slightly different receiver bottom opening for the short magnums. However, some 30-06 M70's have been rechambered to 300WM and reportedly fed just fine. FWIW, the pre-64 short mag's didn't feed all that great anyway, compared to the 30-06 and 270 chamberings IMO. By the way, the rifle's scope mount holes are probably original. Most transition models were drilled on the rear bridge as well as the ring.
That "whistling sound" was the breast-fanning comment sailing over my head!
If yoiu compare a standard and a magnum action from the magazine well, you will notice the "step" in the portion just below the rails on the standard. The magnum doesn't have this step and is milled almost all the way toward the front. The rails are also opened up and the follower is different. I think the mag box is the same as the standard 30-06.
I have converted a few of them to magnums.
Jim
Posts: 5541 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 10 July 2002
The feeding issues are what concern me the most. I have 4 FN 98 actioned rifles, and none of them chamber rounds like this Model 70 does. It's a joy just to chamber rounds with this rifle, but, if it fed 300 Win Mags the same way it feeds 30-06 cartridges, then I'd go for it. I don't want to screw up a nice rifle though. I'd want a qualified gunsmith to do the work.
Glen71,
Go read "Strangest thing you ever saw while out hunting" in the Big Game Forum, you'll understand then
JBabcock, the magnums did use a different box. I am far from an expert on them but I am sure the feed rails were different also. They always work better if done properly. For the life of me, I do not have a clue what GSP is talking about but from recent posts it is evident he is clueless also. Let sleeping dogs lie?
My first reaction under and having little time was the comment about the chambering as I have seen people not change it. A recipe for disaster. A good smith will not let it out without the change.
Posts: 4917 | Location: Wenatchee, WA, USA | Registered: 17 December 2001