I've heard quite a bit about D'Arcy Echols and his work on the M70 action and the Legend rifles. The May 2002 issue of Rifle Magazine has a good article on the Legend rifle. According to the article, he only does these rifles in belted magnum caliber's. Sounds like a rifle I'd like! Unfortunately, a Legend is not in my budget at the moment. Also, at this point I'm more interested in a 30-06 than a magnum.

The magazine article includes some interesting discussion about Echols work on the action. One thing Echols does is to work on the trigger and safety to provide a more consistent trigger pull. According to the article, the safety tends to draw the cocking piece back too far, with the net effect that the cocking piece engages the trigger inconsistently, causing some variation in the trigger pull. Echols corrects this. He also replaces the factory extractor, magazine box and cartridge follower.

I may end up getting a current M70 classic sporter with the LT stock. If I do this, I'd like to have a gunsmith do a similar job with the trigger/safety, extractor, box and follower. Then when more money was available I could send it back someday for the full treatment such as truing, barrel, stock etc.

At this point my priority is getting a real good trigger job and good function and reliability w/ the rifle. Its my impression that Echols does great work but is very busy, and seems to mainly work on complete rifles so I doubt I'd be sending it his way this time. Many gunsmiths could do a "trigger job" but I wonder who else besides Echols might address the safety/ cocking piece issue and fine tune the action so it really feeds and extracts reliably?

Any other major items, which should be addressed on the action?

A related topic is the Williams action, which is supposed to be in the pipeline. Wonder if this action will need some of the same work or will it come off the shelf with an improved trigger, box and follower?


Joe

Well said Blue and good advice. Some M-70's need a little work out of the box but not all. You can always Gild a Lily but you don't have too. Try your 30-06 classic the way it is and see if there really are any shortcomings you want to fix as your finances allow. Until then just enjoy a fine hunting rifle......DJ

That's probably good advice and I will probably start out using the rifle without modification. Good to hear that these can be pretty good out of the box. Who knows, I might decide it doesn't need any work, but I've always liked good workmanship and well made gear. Its interesting trying to find out what type of work might make sense and who might be able to do it. Just need to make sure not to get carried away on spending! I've hunted w/ a model 700 .270 for years and its been a good rifle. Lots of memories there and I don't mind the dings on the stock at all.

Joe