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I've always wanted an older Model 70. I even had a late 50's Featherweight that was really nice, but too nice to use. I've used Rugers for a long time because they are strong rifles with features similar to the Mod 70.
I'd say this rifle popped up, but I've known about it for a long time. A standard Model 70 built in 1952 chambered in 30-06. The price had come down just as I was considering getting another '06, also moving away from stainless/synthetic. It's rough, but not terrible. It's one just f-ed up enough I can change a few things and not feel guilty. The basic rifled action seems to be in fine shape. The bluing is nearly gone on the floorplate and trigger guard. The barrel and action are 80%ish. The stock has many chips and scrapes, hogged out swivel stud holes, the buttpad is a disintegrating brick and the butt is about an inch short. When it came to me it hadn't been shot in probably 25+ years. The magazine body was installed upside down and the trigger guard wasn't seated. I put it all back together correctly and checked function. The bore looked ok so I ran a few patches thru it and headed out to shoot.
The recoil "pad" hurt. A folded up towel made up for short stock and the lack of absorption of the so called pad.
The 24" barrel boosted velocities 100fps faster than the 22" tube of my Ruger. I was really tickled to see the SD numbers on my favorite reload were in the low teens out of this rifle.
After I got it home I tore it down again and am giving it a thorough cleaning. The bore has been soaking and is still full of copper, but it's looking great. The scope ring and mount screws were all loose. I loktite-ed the threads and changed the scope to an older VX-II.
Next up is a Boyd's stock. I'll be looking into the proper way to bed this 4 screwed action.
I'd be interested in hearing from others that have experience bedding and action screw "tuning".
My intention is to make this my primary hunting rifle.
I'd say this rifle popped up, but I've known about it for a long time. A standard Model 70 built in 1952 chambered in 30-06. The price had come down just as I was considering getting another '06, also moving away from stainless/synthetic. It's rough, but not terrible. It's one just f-ed up enough I can change a few things and not feel guilty. The basic rifled action seems to be in fine shape. The bluing is nearly gone on the floorplate and trigger guard. The barrel and action are 80%ish. The stock has many chips and scrapes, hogged out swivel stud holes, the buttpad is a disintegrating brick and the butt is about an inch short. When it came to me it hadn't been shot in probably 25+ years. The magazine body was installed upside down and the trigger guard wasn't seated. I put it all back together correctly and checked function. The bore looked ok so I ran a few patches thru it and headed out to shoot.
The recoil "pad" hurt. A folded up towel made up for short stock and the lack of absorption of the so called pad.
The 24" barrel boosted velocities 100fps faster than the 22" tube of my Ruger. I was really tickled to see the SD numbers on my favorite reload were in the low teens out of this rifle.
After I got it home I tore it down again and am giving it a thorough cleaning. The bore has been soaking and is still full of copper, but it's looking great. The scope ring and mount screws were all loose. I loktite-ed the threads and changed the scope to an older VX-II.
Next up is a Boyd's stock. I'll be looking into the proper way to bed this 4 screwed action.
I'd be interested in hearing from others that have experience bedding and action screw "tuning".
My intention is to make this my primary hunting rifle.
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