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Blackburn or Sunny Hill

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03 August 2004, 07:58
Prewar70
Blackburn or Sunny Hill
I'm sure it's out there but I couldn't find it in my search. I have a '47 Model 70 magnum length action and wondering if there is any preference or difference in quality between the two for dropbox bottom metal? Are the prices close when looking at both in the polished form?
03 August 2004, 08:45
Gringo Cazador
I can't say on the prewar, but for mdl 70 classic, its about 365 from Blackburn, and follower is about 85 last time I called. If I remeber correctly blackburn is about 100 less than sunnyhill, but I may be wrong.
03 August 2004, 11:44
lb404
The Sunnyhill line has mostly integral magazine boxes with their assembly. Some find it more difficult to inlet a stock with that unit compared to the Blackburn unit. Even though it looks like one for a Mauser, it is not inletted the same. I think that the Blackburn is a better choice. Williams also makes a straddle floor plate model for the classic and pre-64 Winchesters as does PME. I think you need to look at the price and who is doing the work. They may have a preference. I have some of all four and like the Blackburn stuff the best. The Warranty is impeccable.
03 August 2004, 21:54
Will
A few observations from a non-gunsmith type for a post-64 Mod. 70 drop box:

The Sunny Hill only comes finished and in my opinion is finished very well and the parts fit about as close as a CNC can do. You can modify the magazine box from the source rifle to fit the floorplate by simply grinding off about 1/8" of the bottom of the box. This also allows the use of the source rifle magazine spring and follower. The slot for the wide Mod. 70 trigger must be opened up. Why they don't do this in the first palce for their Mod. 70 plate, I don't know. I used 2 of these drop box floorplates for a couple McMillan Safari stocks.

The unfinished Blackburn box is about 2/3rd's the cost of a Sunny Hill. The one I had was very rough and would have required extensive finishing. The one I had came with a magazine box, which I suspected but never tried would have had to have "modifications" to work with my 416 Rem., even though the box was suppose to be specifically for that round. It would also would have needed a new spring and follower of unknown origin! Trial and error is probably the theme.

I am sure that the Blackburn is great, but it seems best suited as a "gunsmith" project supported by a blank check for the work.