I have run across something interesting I thought I would put out to see if anyone has had a similar experience. On BOTH my Mod 70 '06 and .375, when I mount the bases and throw a level on them, I can not get both bases perfectly level. The difference is very slight, 1/8 of the bubble (i know this is relative) but I can;t get them both level. The holes look dead-nuts straight and right on top so I am thinking it my be a small deviation with the top of the receivers (as I understand it, these are hand-polished).

I have tried different fronts (1X on both) and get the same result.

I find it odd for two rifles to exhibit the exact same symptoms but won;t put it past them.

Any one else experience this?

Thanks, BAxter

p.s. Both are recent, less than 3 years old.

You could be right on both counts. I just completed a set of custom Talley mounts for a pre-64 model 70 375H&H and had exactly the same experience. The only good thing about it was I started with blank stock and milled them down to size while mounted on the rifle while in the mill so they came out correct. The difference on the bases was almost .020" offset from front to rear.

after mounting enough scopes, you will be amazed at th etolerances in the reciever heights, hole locations, base dimensions, and ring dimensions. This is in no way limited to the M70 and Talleys. It is an "equal oppurtunity" situation

This is a common problem with 1950s-era Model 70s. Most were roughly finished, with the bridge ground both low and slightly canted to the right, or bolt handle side. The cant is usually apparent just by giving the receiver a hard look from the rear. But an additional check can be made by screwing long 6x48 screws in all mounting holes. The tapped holes are always straight and aligned, making any cant, or tilt, in the bridge easy to see.

The simple fix is shimming the rear base to get it aligned with and square to the front. Ideally, as part of a custom metalwork job, both the ring and bridge will be surface ground square to and parallel with the bore line, with bases machined to match per comment above.

Right now I have in my hands an unaltered, factory-original M70 receiver made late 1953 - s/n 250xxx. If left uncorrected, it will require shimming .025 to get it aligned with the front ring, with an additional .005 (or more) under the right side to get it square.

See this old post from several years ago about other difficulties sometimes encountered with Model 70s.

Jim Kobe...very observant! When making stocks for M-70's, I noted that ALWAYS, the guard screws are not in the center of the action..or maybe the action is not in center of the screws?? Mostly in front..ditto on custom mounts...sometimes, I wonder if I had a senior moment

Thanks for the info. I have tried to send MArk Stratton an email about having some bases made but no reply via email. Does anyone have a current email or number for him?

Since the Talley's are looking like they will require extra help, I was also considering maybe just looking at the EAW swing lock mounts. Anyone have a opinion or advice on these?

Thanks, BAxter

425-745-8309