Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Spare M70…what to do?

So, say (aside from SA stuff) you have LA 700s and LA70s 270, 9.3x62….and you have a spare, stainless M70 laying around. What’s it gonna become? Points for non-wildcats, though loading is a given. I’ll be in that boat eventually, and I can’t make a 280 or whelen make sense. A dastardly ‘06 might make sense, but not thinking 25-06 either. What’s that leave in a long action M70? Going 30 magnum?

Cash

6.5x55

Spare stainless model 70 laying around? What's it chambered for? Why don't you use it as is? What era model 70 is it? CRF or push feed?

‘06.

Maybe go with a tighter twist so you can play with real heavy ones.

Bolt face?

You said 280 was out, so the answer is clearly 280 AI.

.
280 Ackley
338-06
300 PRC

25-06 is a fantastic choice with a 7.5 twist given the newer 133+ grain bullet options.

I had that situation a number of years ago....

The 270 barrel was rebored into a 338/06. Never regretted doing that at all.

A decent step up from a 30/06 in my opinion.

It’s another 270. I wasn’t aware they made push feeds in stainless? FN, CRF, sporter.

6.5x55 is cool…..but having another 270, 6.5-7mm stuff is likely superfluous.

If I was purely going to handload and availability if traveling wasn’t sometimes a thing, then 6.5-06 or 338-06 might be considerations…..but I see no need for the 338 in general, when 30s, 35s, and 36s exist. Just my take.

That'd be my pick as well since a 280, 25-06, and 338-06 isn't in play.

Try as hard to justify something else all you want. You can't beat a 30-06. I've had 270, 280, 338-06 and 35 Whelen. I finally figured out there wasn't anything I could do with any of the others 30-06 didn't do at least as well.

Damned ‘06! Lol

What about using the 70 action and doing up something off the Wby RPM case? Seems like that case would be a solid match to a 70 action and the world is your oyster. A mag box swap could have a case that has more capacity than a WSM case, but feeds pretty slick through a 70 action.. 30, 25, etc would all be fairly easy and Peterson makes some decent brass..

I always wanted a 280

I’m no help but have a similar situation with a spare .300 Win Mag Stainless Classic. I decided it should be something Winchester should have done from the factory……a .264 Win Mag. However, since I’ve procrastinated on it for a decade already, it probably won’t happen anytime soon

6mm-06 set up to shoot 110 DTAC's?

Forget what you think you should build baded on the rest of your battery.

Build whatever makes you happiest, even if it overlaps or (gasp) duplicates an existing caliber.

Based on my own experiences, compromise rifles eventually get sold.

This sounds like a winner, particularly in 8 twist.

6.5-06

7x57 AI and a fast twist barrel.

That and a 6.5 Swede Improved. Cool ideas.

I agree. that is one that gets overlooked a lot. Hits like a 270 but recoils like a 243

I love mine!

A LA, then consider the 375AI……brass should be available as are bullets. It’s a pretty popular, very effective, though a “mildly” wildcated cartridge! Conversion to AI is simple, hand loading is also quite simple, generally it’s accuracy is superb, and there is no denying it’s effectiveness on game!

You’ll never regret the decision! memtb

👌🏻

Leave it a 270 but load it differently. ie. one could be loaded with 130gr C&Cs for deer the other 150PT for bigger stuff.

Physics isn't your strong suit.

and neither are your people / social skills...

Yep, they made the stainless pushfeeds. Not for very long though. FN CRF, sporter? I'd sell it, and buy a pre 64 or classic..

Bingo^^^ We have a winner. Guys try to overhype the other chamberings, but you gain nothing in a 338-06 or even a 9.3x62. Except for maybe an in if you ever go to Africa. They may let you slide by with your 9.3. A 35 Whelen has an advantage for shooting pistol bullets on the cheap, but if a guy wants to equal or sometimes even best the 338-06 and even the 9.3x62, just load your 30-06 with 200 or 220gr partitions. The truth hurts sometimes, and as we all know, some guys can't handle the truth...

Yeah, Winchester should have invented the 308 Norma magnum. Nuff said.

Bullets matter wayyyyyyy more than headstamps ladies. Hint.

Pass the 280 with .796 BC 180’s and hold the fhuqking Fluff. Hint……………

Make it cool & AI that 'o6...................just because.

MM

Not sure why I keep thinking FN, but it’s a classic. I bought it for the action

Guys, he said no to the 280 rem. So I would suggest a 7mm express.

1:7 240Wby

6.5 WBY RPM

I’m not against the 280, AI, Express, or even 7x57/275….but if I still had one, I wouldn’t think I needed a 270 or ‘06. I’m not likely to look to belted stuff/ opening the bolt face, 6mm stuff, or 6.5 anything. I have a creedmoor and 3 270s, and have no plans for needs past 500 in any way. I’m sure there’s a lot of fun to be had with long action 24s, 25s, and 26s, but I can’t get too fired up about extremes at this point in my life. Fun has to be practical in my warped head these days. I likely don’t ‘need’ a Whelen or 9.3x62, but I might can use either and they cover an angle on things I don’t think an ‘06 does, regardless if some think different. The ‘06 IS between what I’m planning out so far. Then again, I might just keep the other M70 a 270, and rebarrel the 700 Mtn into 30-06 or even 280.
I kinda hate to mess with it though.

Having killed and seen killed a number of things with a .30-06 and 220s as well as the 9.3x62 and .375 I can say there’s absolutely a difference in performance on large animals. The ‘06 will surely kill, but no as well as the other two on anything big, tough, or mean. The 9.3 and .375 are simply a whole ‘nuther level.

Definitely .35 Whelen, if you don't already have one. In my opinion. Especially if you happen to be a cast bullet shooter, which you didn't say anything about but it is a major factor in my choices.

Have it reamed 30-06 but barrel stamp it "300 WHELEN".

In all honesty, you have the middle bores covered well (270 Win to 9.3x62) .You don't need anything else; but, ...it you insist:

257 Roberts

1-9 twist (if you want to shoot 120 grain bullets)
10" twist, (for 100 grain bullets)
24" barrel

I use to have a Mauser 98 in 257 Roberts with a 10" twist, 24" Douglas sporter contour barrel. It was pleasure to shoot. It would put five 100 grain flat base Hornady bullets in a dime-sized group at 100 yards, over 45+ grains IMR 4350. I'm still trying to figure out why I sold it.

I prefer an unfluted heavy sporter contour, 0.68" at the muzzle, but I like muzzle-heavy rifles.

Another option, or approach: precision / accuracy.
Optimize accuracy of your current 270 Win platform. Buy what you consider the best barrel in 270 Win, maybe with 1-9" twist if you want higher sectional density bullets for long range shooting, and heavy sporter contour, 24" barrel. Have the action trued, bolt lugs lapped, action bedded well. Shoot it. There is a true sense of appreciation for a piece of machinery that is precisely made, and performs at peak levels of performance (accuracy parameter in this case). You currently have all the bases covered for calibers, just tweak /upgrade your very useful 270 Winchester system. No need to have another collection of reloading supplies in another caliber. Put your time and money into improving a current and useful chambering, and not "getting something different" that really isn't all that different, and may not be that accurate. Chase precision.

My 2c.

6.5-06

.300 Win Mag

7 PRC, handles all of your 270, 7mm and 308 cal chores!

Sell it to me!

I'd love to have it and build a fast twist .270, for 155 LRX bullets, regardless of what @JMR40 says. He has a solid position, it just isn't one I find fun. I love the .270 Win and it hammers most things in the lower 48 with ease. If grizzly ever gets delisted, I wouldn't be afraid to use the .270 there.

I like the .30-06 and it's a stapel in my arsenal, but it's not as enjoyable as my .270 or .308 to shoot. @Brad and @beretzs have me interested in switching the stock to a Miller. I bought a used Hunters Edge fill and dropped my SS Classic FWT in it, and it is just over 7 lbs all up. Nice to carry, but it isn't enjoyable to do load development with.