How would you put a rig together given options below.I have done some basic figuring, just need a more crytalised final form.I have kept it hovering around 7mmbore cause an 06 would tempt me to load heavy pills and thats not what I really want this rig doing, it has to remain reasonably light and friendly.

RECEIVER CHOICE: M70sa or M70La
SCOPE:2.5-8xLeup., 2-7x28 compact?
RINGS: LeupDD or Conetrol.
CARTRIDGE CHOICE: 7mm08,7x57,6.5-284,284win,270win...ok 280rem,but NO Wildcats, must be factory brass.
BARREL: #1 .570@23", +/- 1",chamber reinforce can be shorter but definitely not FW reinforce.
STOCK: choose from(Preferably) Mcmillan EDGE,FW,SUPERGRADE,G&H shape, ECHOLS LEGEND.
Would you consider shorten&slimup the forend on the EDGE or others?
There are lighter stocks on the market,but I feel Edge is plently light enough.
There does not seem to much difference between Edge&FW(from pistolgrip back)
>> http://www.mcmfamily.com/mcmillan/hunting/winchester.asp


7mauser fits just right in 70sa, but some reason(?) I keep getting steered in my mind toward 70la7x57, then while Im there I figure may as well go 270win.
I dont need a flamethrower and Im not after a smoldering peacepipe either. I need 2 push premium 130@3000-160gn@2700. that way one will really appreciate when you feel the need to reach for SamsonsAss'Jaw 9.3x64.
Any way,describe your idea. Anything Up to 8lb finished rig is fine.

RECEIVER CHOICE: M70La
SCOPE:2.5-8xLeup
RINGS: LeupDD
CARTRIDGE CHOICE: 270win
BARREL: #1 .570@23
STOCK: ECHOLS LEGEND

Just my 2 cents but that makes a perfect rifle for all of North America..

In the 7mm-08 range the Kimber 84M's stand out for me as being far superior to any M70.

They are a true baby mouser that thats all you need for the 308 based rounds. The Kimber has a much easier to use safety than the M70. Its a M70 type safety but it works so easy with just your thumb on it.

The entire rifle comes complete with immediate delivery for only $800 up. Just mangage it by exception. If something on it needs work get it done or use it as is. Waiting a long time for some smith to assemble a gun is ok to but ...........

You get glass bedding, pillars, crf, M70 safety, Decelerator pad and free floated barrels.

I have a half dozen M70's all sighted in and ready and I don't use them any longer. Well I do use the Swift once in a while when I don't have far to go.

Savage 99 is right. Except that for some people there is just something about having a Winchester. Which is why I bought a short action classic compact model 70 in .308. My problem is that I don't get to use it becasue everyone else wants to use it and its constantly borrowed out to Dads who want to teach their kids to shoot.

I would go with a classic compact Shortie in 7-08. There are still new ones out there to be found. And I wouldn't change a thing. (as far as the safety goes, Winchester safties work perfectly, or at least the ones on my 5 model 70s work perfectly, so I don't know how a Kimber safety could work any better unless I was selling Kimbers.

Winchester SA in SS
Caliber 7X57
Scope bases Leupold DD
Barrel would be a Kreiger in his featherweight contour in SS (different than Winnies)
Sightron 2.5X10 compact scope
New Williams straddle style floorplare
bottom metal (soon?)

Stock? Mickey edge painted olive with black and silver webbing by Rick Bin from the 24 hour campfire. (Polane paint)

P.S. The Winnie SA is plenty long enough.
If you need really heavy bullets, use a 30-06
or bigger.

Several good suggestions Kimber, M70 all good choices. However the .284 would be spectacular for what you are talking about and in my opinion give you lots of flexibility in a short action from 160 grain bullets on down to the lightest. Some will disagree and say go long action for the .284 for the extra powder capacity but as you said you don't need a flamethrower and the .284 is no slouch as is in the short action configuration. The 2.5-8 Leupold was an excellent suggestion too.

I say theres no wrong combo just more correct ones according to particular needs or desires.I pretty much like them all.Spoilt for choice!
284winSA is somethin win. really should have offered, plenty room in that box.
Conley Cart.has 140tsx7mm08/7x57@2890 140tsx280rem@3145
No reason one should not get 284win140mrx@3000+ and should do pretty much close anything 160NP@2960-7mmRm has done over the years, in a lighter more convenient pakage if thats what one needs.
A fellow I met in RenoSCI used 6.5-284-140xlc,he was mighty impressed how well it penetrated and dropped plainsgame.
I am fussy how a scope looks on a Rifle,2.5-8xLeu. fits just about perfect in DDringsM70la if one slightly chamfers lip of rings( Tube130mm,rings 132mm apart).That can swing a mans decision in favour of 270,280.
On M70sa DDrings are about 119mm apart,Leu2-7x28compact has 120.5mm tube, sweet fit also.

As we can see tsx140 leaves room in the case.