I can get a used Model 70 Featherweight in 270 Win in very good condition for reasonable money and have been thinking of rebarrelling it in 9.3x62mm.

I would like to keep it a reasonably light weight rifle at around 7-8 lbs before adding a 2-7x33 Leupold scope on it (maybe Conetrol Mounts?) - no open sights. Barrel length 24".

Anyone done this and if so what profile barrel should I use. Barrel will be a Lothar.

The Featherweight stock off this rifle is in very good condition and as I like that particular stock, thought I would stick with it with the addition of a Pachmeyr recoil pad.

Is the standard magazine box long enough for the 9.3x62mm?

Any comments/advice appreciated - is this a good way to go?

You should have no trouble fitting the 9.3 X 62 in the .270 magazine but the featherweight stocks have very little wood around the barrel channel and there might be trouble fitting the 9.3 barrel into it.

Vapodog

Would I be better off with the standard model 70 stock then?

quote:

Originally posted by MLG:
Vapodog

Would I be better off with the standard model 70 stock then?

IMO.....yes

have you bought the gun yet????>...and if not how important is CRF to you?

Vapodog

I have a hold on the rifle but do not have to buy it. I would prefer CRF. Also the rifle in model 70 would compliment my 375 and 416 Rem Mag, both model 70s. I sort of like the idea of being able to switch between the 3, using the same action.

I see you're down under.....I had a deal for you.

It won't work internationally.....sorry.

Hold out for a full width M-70 stock.....I'm concerned about the featherweight stock being way too thin.

Vapodog

Thanks for the advice

In truth, any barrel contour suitable for the 270 Winchester should be more than adequate for the 9.3 x 62 assuming you don't mind a little extra shove from a lighter rifle.

I would take the 270 barrel and have it duplicated in 9.3 and never look back...

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
In truth, any barrel contour suitable for the 270 Winchester should be more than adequate for the 9.3 x 62 assuming you don't mind a little extra shove from a lighter rifle.

I would take the 270 barrel and have it duplicated in 9.3 and never look back...

The only folks I know that "duplicate" the Winchester featherweight barrel is Douglas and they won't make in anything over 30 cal.

That action will fit easily into a regular size Model 70 Stock, so if you can purchase the gun for the right price, sell the featherweight stock and purchase a regular Model 70 stock. they seem to be for sale on Ebay quite often.

I am hoping to get a Lothar barrel as close as posible to the original 270 barrel but if not then 22WRfs idea maybe the bst way to go.

Thanks for the ideas gents.

I've had a push-feed short action M70 Featherweight rebarreled to 358Win. Used a Sprinter barrel in a #3 contour and the original Featherweight stock with no issues. The gunsmith wanted me to use a #4 and he knew the original stock was to stay. Some wood needed to come out, but its still all good ... does that help any?
Also... why the Lothar barrel, have you considered MAB as I believe that they will profile it for you, hence you could match the existing barrel.
Cheers...
Con

I have 3 of these push feed featherweights and the muzzle diameters average about .550. Thats a little too small for a .366 bore. Something I've done in the past is to have a standard weight barrel reprofilled like a feathweight just on the breach end, it saves a bit of weight and I like the contour. Your project sounds do able.

Con

Thanks - all this is good information.
The Lothar barrels appear to me to have a very good finish - however I do not know if they will profile a barrel but will find out. Also I was under the impression that MAB are snowed under and not taking orders till next year because of all the work they have. However will check this out - especially if they are prepared to profile a barrel for me. Where is a Sprinter barrel made - is that the Kiwi one?

Kaboom

Thanks for that info - I will find out if that is possible here in Australia.

MLG,
Give Bob DeVries a call, pretty sure last time I was in his shop he had one or two MAB 9.3 barrels in the drawer. He'd profile the barrel if required as he did it with my Lothar barrel for the Capstick, its included in his rebarrelling cost. Great man to deal with, excellent gunsmith!
Sprinter are in Sth Australia... very good service but their barrels are "rough". My 358Win barrel looks like the lands are raised at the edges (ie concave), and there appears to be a "scratch" running down one groove, but no other Aussie maker was prepared to make anything but a 1:16" barrel and I wanted 1:14" or faster. My 8mm barrel (also Sprinter) looked "pitted" which I think may be chatter marks... not sure. 8mm barrel is not shooting well, but I think I finally isolated that to a loose reticle in the scope, .35 fouls like a pig, but shoots quite well. $220 will get you a Sprinter barrel, profiled. Its your call, but if I had my time again I'd stick with Lothar... but having said that I'm considering having a 303-35 put together (barrel/chamber/fit) by Sprinter on a SMLE action early next year or a sporterised P14 if I ever find one!
Cheers...
Con
PS: I don't think your considering a 9.3 barrel in the original Featherweight contour, if you are kiss it goodbye... no-one here will make them... in .35 let alone 9.3, too thin.
PSS: Just read some of the earlier posts again, definately give Bob DeVries a call, just tell him what you want, overall weight and ask for his recommended contour. He wont lead you astray.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
The only folks I know that "duplicate" the Winchester featherweight barrel is Douglas and they won't make in anything over 30 cal.

Couple things.

pacnor
bauska
dan penderson

they will duplicate (no quote) your profile. send them your barreled action, and they will use a duplicator to cut your barrel.

those that will "duplicate" the taper are...

EVERYONE... they will just ask for a drawing and charge you something like 35bucks more.

then again, you can get it rebored!!!

jeffe

Con

I will give Bob a call and see what he says. The whole thing will likely change a little as the rifle I bought has been sent back to Cleavers. It was a push feed Featherweight and not a CRF one, after I had been assured that it was CRF!! I am sure I will find a model 70 in either 3006 or 270 without too much problem but it may take a little time.

It may be that I will end up with a standard model 70 sporter rather than a Featherweight in which case the barrel profile may change a little.

Have you got a telephone number for Bob?

Many thanks.

MLG,
Bob's number used to be 03-9738 0366, but he's moved location and I'm unsure whether he took the number with him, try it and see. Otherwise mobile is 0412 171 562.
How much did Cleavers want for the PF M70 by the way?
Cheers...
Con

Bob has moved a bit further out, to Montrose, apparently. New Tel. number has been given as 03 9728 5430.

I would use a #4 barrel and glass bed it...You have plenty of wood for a #4 or even a #5...Remember a 9.3 has a bigger hole so weight won't be much different...IMO a 9.3x62 should weigh at least 8.5 lbs as your getting up there in recoil comparable to a .375 with max loads.

I did a nice Mod. 54 several years ago, it belongs to one of our own on AR now..I may be doing another 54 real soon. They sure make a nice slick rifle.

For what it is worth I've got a fwt stock wrapped around a standard weight m70 tube. I gotta believe you would have plenty of wood to work with.

I once put a m70 with a fairly stout tube in 416 Taylor in a McMillan fwt. It was a bit tight but it worked just fine.

Good luck

MD

Here's a featherweight barrel in a featherweight stock. If the new barrel is enough larger to cause this area to disappear or even look thin can be judged by the guy making the change. You don't need others opinion now.....find out what the new barrel measures here and ask if the wood in that required thickness is acceptable to you

The number .150 is thousandths of an inch.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I did a nice Mod. 54 several years ago, it belongs to one of our own on AR now..I may be doing another 54 real soon. They sure make a nice slick rifle.

I can tell that Ray built that gun....the barrel is longer than the Kudu horns.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I can tell that Ray built that gun....the barrel is longer than the Kudu horns.

It is quick-handling and very slick. The barrel length seems just right when you shoot it.

Con

Cleavers were asking 650 for it and I got them down to 600. That included a 6 power Bushnell scope (Japanese) which I was going to use on one of my other rifles and Hilver mounts.

I did not see the rifle but had it sent to Rob Blomfield who said that it was in very good condition and that it would have been great had it been the CRF action. The open sights had been removed by previous owner and wrer not with the rifle, but that did not bother me.

There are bugger all Model 70s out there second hand with CRF. A couple of new ones as most dealers do not stock much model 70s any more due to quality control problems.

I have found a pristine, apparently never used Argentinian Mauser action with new 26" Walther barrel (9.3x62) that I can get (unfinished project) and am considering that but it will turn out to be a rather more expensive rifle if the stock etc is done properly. Lovely action though and Blomfield recons one of the best Mauser actions.

Vapodog

Thanks for the pic - worth a thousand words - if I do use the model 70 I will go for the standard stock if I can get it - very hard to come by here in Aus. Out of curiousity is the 3006 model 70 action the same length as the 375? Could a 375/416 Model 70 stock be used - I guess the barrel channel would be a bit wide, assuming the action is the same length?

quote:

Could a 375/416 Model 70 stock be used - I guess the barrel channel would be a bit wide, assuming the action is the same length?

Id bet on it....yes.

I have a spare M70 stock.....but I suspect it's a very expensive thing to ship to aussieworld?

quote:

There are bugger all Model 70s out there second hand with CRF. A couple of new ones as most dealers do not stock much model 70s any more due to quality control problems.

I not sure your missing a much. I was looking at a new featherwieght recently, the metal was OK on this specimen, but the stock finish sucked, dark with the same patena as a cheap set of kitchen cabinets or cardboard furniture made in China.

Its a sad day in my mind when I look at rack grade Winchesters as parts guns. The new CRF's are good starting pieces on projects but they certainly need help in stock form. The higher end stuff is still pretty good from what I have seen, but the entry level stuff has a lot of room for improvement.