Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats M70 custom build weight

I won’t argue. :-)

Mines 8 1/2lbs with the 6x36 with dots. Blackburn BM and a P64 magnum action, Legend EDGE shell, Leupold BC rings. Mines supposed to be turned to a Krieger 2 contour from the Bartlein but it’s still a bit heavy.




It carries real well and shoots like a SOB.

When I wear this barrel out I may have the smith lighten up the gun a bit more next time. I’d kinda like to get into the 8lb or under range.

Thanks all,

Definitely a lot of info added to me notes as a result of this thread.

Not that big a weight savings with the Edge stock. The Leupy scope you chose is easily a 2# scope. Probably can't flute a #2 contour barrel, or else the #2 is actually a light varmint contour.

The Win 70 classic stainless is not a lightweight action. If funding the project with all new purchase gear, I would look for a "built" rifle in the 6# range and rethink the scope. The 4.5-14x 50mm leupold is a 22oz scope, others are lighter. A production lightweight from a name shop will hold its resale value while your self-directed build won't; unless selling to a friend that desires it. If rebarreling custom and going for an action job, you are into Real Money already and unlikely to hold resale value. A semi-custom production rifle will hold value and be more than a hodge-podge of parts. None of the great glass scopes are lightweight if variable design. 4x or 6x Schmidt, maybe...

Great fun to build rifles, for sure. Might even give some thought to the short-action magnum thing. Go with a standard bolt-face ctg and perhaps order a switchbarrel or two? The .30/284 duplicates .30-06 performance and uses same data loads! With a 6.5 and ,35 cal switchbarrel what more would you need? Wouldn't have to stay with .284 based ctgs but if you did, wow! A .338/284 would be right there with the .338-06, but better neck due to 35* angle. A 6.5/284 is very versatile. Maybe a standard .284win is all you need?

It ain't a big deal to swap a barrel out if you have a bench vise, an action wrench and barrel vise.

Just as a reference point, I have a M-70 Classic Supergrade BA 24" Sporter contour barrel in a Hunter's Edge stock w/ 1/2" pad & with Conetrols & a 2.5x8 Leupold, it weighs 7lb, 15 oz, empty.

MM

Yep. Figure ~ 45 ounces for the action and stock bottom metal, closer to 40 ounces if you swap for PTG aluminum.

For reference... 6.5 CM. Lighter #2 contour @23". PT&G Bottom metal, EDGE w/ 1/2" pad.