I've mentally kicked myself for years for not turning my dad's reworked early 98 8x57 Mauser into a custom 35 Whelen instead of letting that one slip away. Heavy with that original, but cut back stepped barrel and Bishop stock, but oh that smooth bolt action. After my '65 M70 debacle, I wasn't going to use another M70 for a build although the later stainless crf actions might have worked, I did use a stainless Ruger Mk ll for a 7mm-08 action, but as mentioned it was not nearly as smooth as I would have liked and I ended up Teflon coating the bolt which helped even though Teflon isn't the most durable coating. It made into my favorite deer rifle, but in retrospect a stainless M70 would have better resale value, but I'm not selling so it didn't matter.
