I've got a pre 64 model 70 action sitting around that I bought off of Ray a few years ago. I need to get it turned into something soon.

The actons is set up for small cases but can be opened up for larger cases as they are all the same except for the stop, and bolt opening.

I have no problem with altering the action to take larger cases.

The only criteria I have is that the cartridge needs to be a "classic" round. I've been thinking along the lines of 257 Roberts or 275 Rigby on the smaller side or 30-06, 300H&H or 375 H&H on the larger side.

I have a bunch of 06s and 375s in the stable now and one 257 roberts so I'm leaning to 275 Rigby or the 300H&H.

Like most of you I have no need for anything new, All the gaps are filled case and abbility wise. This is going to be a classically set up rifle with extra fancy wood and more of a show piece. As with all of my guns it will also be taken out hunting but I will probably use a bit of extra care when handeling her.

Let me know what you all think and any sugestions you may have. I'm really undecided about the caliber but not the finished product.

John

The .300H&H on a pre-64 sounds like a winner to me.

Terry

quote:

TC1: The 300H&H on a pre-64 sounds like a winner to me. Terry

I agree with Terry. A real classic combo.

Wish I could help you Fritz. I do like looking at the fine guns pictured here however.

Since it's really a long standard with only a spacer a 3.4 cartridge with the 06 head would be a smooth fit. Anything in the range from 25-06 including the 7X57 would go up to the 9.3 X 62.

When the topic came up of the worth of an old FN in the 9.3 cartridge on GA I noted that it was $1500 and beat up at that. I have a sister gun in much better shape but chambered for the 270 W. and it's worth only $500 or so. Hint hint.

if you bought it from ray are you sure it is a mod 70 not a 1873 trapdoor??

quote:

if you bought it from ray are you sure it is a mod 70 not a 1873 trapdoor??

I would hope I know the difference by now. Even if Ray dosen't.

John,
classic to me would be either the 275 rigby, or, one better, a 250-3000 savage, and mark the barrel as such.

I know you don't have one of these!
heh
jeffe

Jeffe, That's one I forgot (250-3000 Savage). I actually do have one in a 99 or I should say I will have one soon.
It's from my hunting buddy's estate. He left me all his guns and and a few other special items. Hunted with Frank for 20 + years. Cancer got him at 57 in his prime. The one request from him was that I take each one to the range at least once a year and one of them on a hunt each year. Good guy and friend. I will always feel his absence.

john

Lets see... A pre 64 Mod 70, in a classic caliber.... live in Montana.....
How about the 270WCF. It would be just the rifle for Sheep, Antelope, Deer etc.
Or in Elmer Kieth's words, "A pretty good pest rifle". [ OK, I know he said that about a 7MM Mag]
You seem to have all the other calibers covered.

450 NE #2, The 270 would be a good choice I need to give it some thought. Thanks

John

.275 Rigby.

fritz454

270 win, 6,5X55, 6X57 or 7X57

Cheers
/JOHAN

There are lots of classic cartridges but only a few classic "Model 70" cartridges from my NSH perpective. 300 H&H, 270 WCF, 338 Win Mag, 220 Swift, 22 Hornet and 264 Win Mag.

If I had to pick today it'd be a toss between the 300 H&H and the 264 Win Mag. Tormorrow might be different

quote:

Originally posted by tiggertate:
There are lots of classic cartridges but only a few classic "Model 70" cartridges from my NSH perpective. 300 H&H, 270 WCF, 338 Win Mag, 220 Swift, 22 Hornet and 264 Win Mag.

If I had to pick today it'd be a toss between the 300 H&H and the 264 Win Mag. Tormorrow might be different

I would vote for a classic Model 70, or at least classic Winchester cartridge, rather than a classic Mauser cartridge or H&H, Rigby, etc. cartridge.

Oh yeah. Forgot the 458 Win Mag. It and the Mod 70 redefined the African big bore scene for a long time.

I included the 300 H&H because of the Wimbledon match won by it in a Mod 70 and the subsequent good press that made for the Winchester Rifle.

What Charles Helm said, why not stick with a Win cartridge. It's been said too many times maybe, but 270 Winchester is great (and classic) round, and would seem to fit into your repertoire well.

Good luck --Don

9.3x64

8x68s

.300 H&H or .375 H&H I reckon.

Another vote for the .300 H&H.

Fritz,

I'll second Jeffe's thought on the 250-3000. Granted, you'll soon have it in the rifle it made famous, but that sure would be a sweet little number in a 70 featherweight!

My second choice, like many, would be the 270!

Ahh, what a dilemma to have!

friar

If I had a pre-64 Model 70 action that came off a 30-06, I'd keep it as an '06, or else turn it into a 25-06, 270 Win., 280 Rem., or 7mm Mauser.

You can also turn it into a 338 Win., 7mm Rem., etc, but you'll need a new magazine box and follower, in addition to bolt face, feed rail, and extractor work.

I'd stay away from going 300 H&H, etc., because in addition to the work listed above, you'd have to have the loading port opened up, the magazine box mortise opened up (toward the rear, NOT the front), plus a new bolt stop, and so forth. This represents too much work and expense. If i wanted a 300 H&H or 375 H&H on a pre-64 action, I'd find an original 300 H&H beater rifle and strip it down for the action.

AD

Hey Allen, Not trying to be too disagreeable, but... I think a beater pre-64 H&H would cost more than the work involved in converting this one. The beater action will need prep work too. Besides, any of the cartridges listed above are a losing proposition. If a man wanted a pre-64 and wanted to be cheap about it, he could just go buy a factory rifle and be done with it.

Terry

Thanks for all the replies.

A lot of good info here and I've narrowed it to two a 275 Rigby or the 300 H&H. Gave a lot of thought to the 270 but I've got too many of those to justify another and since I will soon own a 250-3000 sav in it's clasic rifle I ruled that one out as well.

The Rigby would be easier to finish but I'v got 10,000+ sq ft of machinery at my disposal and It would only cost me my time and this is what I like to do.

I"ve always wanted a nice 300 H&H but then again a feather weight fast ponting 275 Rigby would really be something sweet. I may just have to find another action to do them both.

Hey Ray got another pre 64 you want to get rid of.

I'm going to decide by tomorrow and get a barrel ordered on Monday. That should stop me from changing my mind.

John

Ordered the barrel today. It's going to be a 275 Rigby. I've got a slim barrel profile I'll put on it and finish it at 22". Put a nice set of traditional sights on it and slip it into a really nice extra fancy turkish walnut stock that has many, many coats of hand rubbed oil finish on it.

I'll post as it come along. Thanks for all the advise and ideas. It was really close and I didn't make up my mind until I filled out the order to pac-nor. Now I need to find a 300H&H donor action to build it's twin brother.

Down the road I may even try for a 375H&H and a 458 Win to complete the set. But as usual I'm way ahead of myself.

John

Sounds nice but, put the correct name on the barrel. Please call it a 7X57

Terry

quote:

Please call it a 7X57

Not a chance in hell of that.