Awhile back I picked up a well worn Pre 64 Model 70 220 Swift standard barrel, throat was gone but the rifle was complete with nice wood. Decided to have it brought back as a custom Model 70 but with the classic Model 70 looks. Turned it over to a smith that is known for building accurate long range and competition rifles. Went over what I was looking for, heavier barrel still in 220 Swift, all the worn metal redone and stock refinished. Got it back today and he absolutely nailed it, Shilen barrel, Sendero profile, pillar and glass bedded, refinished stock with checkering freshened , great trigger work,not too light, not too heavy and breaks like a glass rod, all metal cleaned and Cerakoted. Balances right at the front of the receiver. Can't wait to get this out and break in the barrel and sight it in
That is a beautiful rifle. Would you care mentioning who did the work. I would like to know for a future build myself. Could you keep us posted how it shoots for you. What twist did you go with?
Thanks for the comments everyone, very pleased with how this one turned out.
Chuck, I used Hafer's Gunsmithing in Western Maryland, he has built a fair amount of long range and competition bolt and AR rifles. I went with a 1 in 12 twist for this one as I have loads already worked up for another Swift I have with that twist. They also kept to their original time frame of 6 to 8 months.
The stock came out better than I expected with them matching the original color pretty close and not over sanding the wood, it is still slightly proud of the metal, the barrel channel had to be opened up quite a bit for the heavier barrel and that also was done well, updated sling studs so I can use a bipod and also made a filler screw for that front extra bolt hole that standard barrel Model 70's have.
Augie: That is indeed a beautiful Rifle! Turned out great and I hope it shoots as good as it looks. I really enjoy the 220 Swift and have used the cartridge afield in MANY different Rifles for 50+ years now. Enjoy your nifty "new" Rifle and be sure and let us know how it shoots. You probably have a favorite bullet picked out for your Rifle but several of my 220 Swift Varmint type Rifles really do well with the Speer 52 grain flat base hollow-point (not the 52 grain boattail hollow-point). This bullet is accurate and lethal but fur friendly on Coyotes. Best of luck with the new Rifle. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy P.S.: How long is that Shilen barrel?
Thanks everyone, got it out to the range Friday and started the break in process, I was getting 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 yards, I had several groups that had 3 shots in the same hole. I'm pretty sure once I find the right load it will be a one hole rifle.
Varmintguy, it's a 26", I agree with you about the Speer 52 grain, I've had good results with that bullet also.