I have questions about using Picatinny rail on a M-70 Winchester. I used it on a Remington for a while and really liked it. I've used Weaver rings for a long time, and I'm thinking that Picatinny rail might be a good way to compare several types of optics on a single rifle.

1. If you've done this, how did it go?
2. Does it work in aluminum?
3. Can you use any cross-slot/Weaver rings?
4. I've seen the catalogs and read the claims. What's the best way to put Picatinny rail on a M-70 in the real world?
5. Can anyone recommend a gunsmith for this?

Thanks, Okie John.

Okie John,

The Steyr Scout comes from the factory with such a rail up top (on the action and barrel shroud), and it runs for about 11". The rail material is aluminum alloy. It does allow flexibilty in mounting scopes, and I have used that feature testing various scopes on the Steyr for hunting.

The slots in the rail are square in cross-section, and I have heard reports that with steel cross pins in rings you can have peening with recoil. I have been careful to use cross pins with a square cross-section to avoid that with my .308 Win. (Leupold even changed their QRW rings from round pins to square.)

Badger Ordnance sells some steel Picatinny rails.


I have not tried it on a M70, but I would just call Badger and ask for their experience and recommendation.

jim dodd

Okie John,

You didn't mention if it is a short or long M70 action. Brownell's sells a steel Smith rail for short-action M70s (including a 20 moa sloped rail):
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=12771

Regards, Bill

you could check out Ken Farrell's bases at www.kenfarrell.com also. They are available in steel, and I believe, are much cheaper than the Badger unit.

Coot

Thanks for the replies. It's for a pre-64 FW, and I'm having trouble setting eye relief on a 4x Leupold. I need to move it back about 3/8" and I can't quite make it. I'll have some time to mess with it this weekend.

Okie John