Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Changing stock on M70 Classic Stainless synthetic to wood

Have a 1993 New Haven Model 70 Stainless Classic in synthetic stock (308), and will a McMillan Edge in wood reduce the weight and by how much? I have a Winchester 1992 catalog and it lists the Model 70 classic stainless in synthetic 308 as 7 lb. Have it now mounted with scope and it weighs 8.3 lbs....can I get it any lower with walnut wood?

Not sure you can get there with wood stock someone else may be more experienced with wood.

I have a McMillan edge, SS classic .308, Swarovski z3, sk steel mounts and I am at 7 lbs 4 oz. I could make some different choices and get closer to 7lbs.

Here was my weights you could add your scope and stock weight and see what you are looking at.

Action and barrel 4lb 3.3 oz
BM,screws, mag 7.4 oz
SK mounts 3.4 oz

I think my McMillan edge was about 28 oz

Idg397, thanks for your reply....your SS Classic in the 308 did you have the synthetic stock and changed it to the McMillan Edge? Mine has the McMillan synthetic I believe and it may be stamped with McMillan in the barrel channel am not sure without taking it out of the action. I wonder what my stock weighs compared to the McMillan Edge? I would like to stay with a synthetic if I could save a few ozs. in weight. If you are at 7.4 lbs, that is almost a lb. less than I am....8.3 vs 7.4. My scope is an older 3 x 9 Redfield Widefield....do not know weight but probably 16 ozs plus steel mounts.

I bet your scope weighs more than you think. My Swarovski z3 3-9x42 weighs about 13 oz and is about as light as you can get unless you go fixed power or less magnification.

Yes I had the standard black Tupperware stock.

Use the numbers a posted above for naked parts and add the weight of your preferred mounts, scope and stock. Should give you a pretty good idea of your finished weight.

Post a picture of you can, mine is a featherweight barrel profile I assume yours is too??

Depending on the pattern, my experience with Winchester McMillans is that the edge will be 4-8 ounces lighter than the standard (and obviously more for magnum fill) in the same pattern. I know it’s quite a range, but the McMillans vary a fair bit and it seems the more recent vintage edge have been heavier. Figure 6 and you will probably be close.

I hate to say it, but the op is vauge. He doesn't even know if it is a Mcmillan or factory tupperware. Do any of you even know if it is a fwt or std wt? Op does not say. Is it a winlite stock? Pics of the rifle and stock. Op is not going to know exactly what it is and you guys don't know what the stock weighs because the op doesn't even know wth he has. So the original question is impossible to answer.

All true bsa.
Obviously if it’s un modified it will be a fw contour barrel in the standard tupperware stock.
Once again, pics would help immensely.

Edit - also not sure what McMillan edge in wood is. Mcwoody?

BSA, sorry did not explain what the model 70 I have… it is the std. weight contour barrel and standard stock (probably tupperware). Not the Winlite.

Winniw70 here, sorry for the confusion of the post directly above. I just logged back in on my phone name of Blueboy, My name on my laptop is Winnie70, do not know how to get it changed to Winnie70. on phone. Anyway, I am taking stock out of the action to determine actual weight to get a better idea of what I have. Keep you posted...Thanks.

New Haven Standard Classic...McMillan Edge...Leupold 1.5x5




However, your header says changing to wood...a post says McMillian edge....McMillian Woody? Where are you going?

battue, I did originally did want wood but have decided to stay with synthetic if can get the weight down. Sorry. s yours a 308?

battue, I did originally did want wood but have decided to stay with synthetic if can get the weight down. Sorry. Is yours a 308?

.30-06

If it’s a 1993 ss classic 308 it should have a featherweight contour barrel. SN should be Gxxxxx (5 digit).

my M70 Classic SS FW 308 (5 digit) barreled action weighs 4 lbs 2.9 oz.

+ McMillan Hunters Edge compact & PT&G aluminum bottom is 6 lbs 3.0 oz

AKwolverine, it is a 1993 ss classic 308 with contour barrel and SN Gxxxxx (5 digit)....have not figured out how to send photo.

If it is a Featherweight…it will say the same on the barrel. ????

Not on the early ss classics.
All early SA stainless classics were fw contour. It will just be labeled classic stainless on the barrel.

correct AK, classic stainless on the barrel

Didn't remember that, but just pulled mine out and it's also "Classic Stainless" - no featherweight mentioned. FW barrel - 22" & 0.565" diameter at muzzle

These are really nice rifles.

My error.. didn’t know that exception.

OP send me the picture email is username at g mail. I will post it for you.

A picture would be a tremendous help. There are a lot of us that have had model 70's with the tupperware stock and some of us have weighed them. The ones I've had, weighed in at around 30-32 oz's. Same same for a wood stocked classic sporter stock. Now, if you are wanting to go to a classic wood fwt stock, it should weigh less than a factory tupperware by a few oz's... Also keep in mind wood stocks weigh different, depending on wood density.. I wish I had my new XTR FWT 22-250 in hand, I'd weigh it and that would give you a good idea on how much a fwt short action wood stock weighs. A stock of that nature would bolt right up to your classic and look great..

idg397, how do I send you a g mail picture without name or #?

It sounds like he has one of the "All Terrain" rifles. They were essentially a Featherweight barrel profile in a Featherweight style tupperware stock. For all intents a Featherweight, just not sold as such. I had one for a while.

A wood featherweight stock will weigh roughly the same. A McMillan Edge Featherweight or Classis compact will be a few ounces lighter. A standard fill McMillan will weigh more.



https://www.bing.com/images/search?...in&tsc=ImageHoverTitle&FORM=IGRE

All terrain was never offered in SA.
It was introduced in ‘96.

OP, here are some data points you may find useful as you make your decisions.
5 digit 308 with McMillan hunters edge and ptg aluminum 1 piece bottom metal.
6 pounds 0.3 ounces (6 pounds even).

Stocks:
McMillan hunters edge - 23.6 oz.



OEM Winchester sa featherweight style stock which would fit your rifle - 28.2 oz. One of the lighter ones I have weighed.

Various components. The spring and light weight follower weigh half an ounce.
Barreled action - 4 pds 2.5 oz.



Action screws and box 3.0oz.



OEM bottom metal (2 pc SA) 6.65 oz./6.15 oz. no spring or follower.



PTG aluminum bottom metal (1 pc SA) 3.0 oz.



Scale verification

give me the closest

Nice Ak, but where are the pics of the OP's rifle?

I don’t have them, but if it’s a five digit classic stainless 308 with a synthetic stock - there’s only one option if it’s factory original.

It will look a whole bunch like this -

How much does an 18 pack weight full and most importantly empty??

I pm my email to him got no response on the pictures.

I am also jealous I have the same rifle and mine weighs an oz more.

Funny, my old pre 64 model 70 338 wm weighs less than that pig...

Funny how the standard classic I posted, scoped beats them both. If they had one on.

Are the Stainless Classics with the Factory Walnut Featherweight Stocks rarer than the synthetic stock ones ? I have a 5 Digit Stainless Classic with Walnut stock in 30-06.

Yes, that is a rare bird. They didn't make many. I have one as well. Great rifles..

Not really. Yours has the blind mag, no floor plate. Also the scope only weighs what? 6 oz's? Those leupolds have a lot of plastic parts in them.. I personally like having the floor plate, myself. Could you not afford to do it right?

Look out bsa feeling sassy today..

Mmmm I wouldn’t say the LA action stainless featherweights are a “rare bird”. The rare birds are the SA stainless featherweights..

ha ha. I'm just messing with df. Hopefully he knows that..

Yes, but you know they only made them both for a very short time.. I searched for a long time to find my 30-06. You recently bought a 270 as well. They seem to be getting harder to find too..

How did I ever get by with a Leupold and no floor plate?

How would I go about ordering/purchasing a McMillan Edge stock for my M70 Classic stainless in 308.....see on the site the Pricing Guide for a flat black is $363. Then it looks like would have either order Basic inlet which includes action outline & barrel channel $416.....or Full inlet which includes action, floorplate, & barrel channel $519. Need some help on this one. Have no idea what I need...just know I have the original synthetic stock with floorplate that came with the gun when I bought it new in 1993 or 94.

Call and ask for Josh, he’ll go over the entire check list. Then he’ll email it to you to confirm.

Example list, I probably missed something.

McMillan Hunters Edge for a Model 70 Post ‘64.
Short action (308 win)
Right or Left hand bolt.
Standard or Featherweight barrel channel.
Sounds like you have the factory 2pc bottom metal.
Length of pull (13.5” is standard).
Sling studs (stainless or blue) or flush cup attachment.
1/2” or 1” Decelerator pad.
Paint color or colors. Lots to choose from.
It’ll already have aluminum pillars installed.

This one is black with gray speckles and is probably my favorite with stainless. Last time I ordered a stock I was told no more red pads and that sucks..

gunnut308,thanks for the help. My stock does not have aluminum pillars. I saw that color like yours....great. What type of pad is yours? Yes, 2 pc bottom metal. Guess will call and ask for Josh.

It’s a Decelerator pad. I believe they are made by Pachmeyer. McMillan only offers black Decelerator pads now. If you like red you could order it without a pad and have a gun smith install a red one.
Some folks don’t care for the red.

McMillan also has several nice paint camo patterns. Snoop around on the site for a bit. Lots to look at.

Something to keep in mind. The Classics came with 2 piece steel bottom metal. At least all I've seen did and I've owned 3 of them. I've heard that some had one piece bottom metal, but I haven't seen one. You might want to consider buying a stock designed for the newer 1 piece bottom metal and change it out at the same time. I did that and used aluminum PTG bottom metal. That saves several ounces. Not showing any in stock at the moment.

https://pacifictoolandgauge.com/1623-bdl

I've bought a total of 4 Edge stocks used in the Classifieds here at a substantial discount over ordering new. I didn't get to choose the color, or options, but I like them just fine. If you're patient and keep an eye on the classifieds you may find one too. It takes several months to get a stock from McMillan and it might well be faster to buy a used one.

McMillan has sped it up a bit lately. My last order was for two stocks and they were on my porch in less than 7 weeks.

Rifle looks great. I'm a sucker for those red recoil pads. I'm in agreement with JMR on buying used mcmillans. However, I have not seen any used ones here for a long time. It may turn into a long waiting game. The last ones I bought used were damn good deals though. I think I bought 2 from Oregon45 here. They were both hunters compacts. One of my favorite stocks to throw a model 70 action into:




The majority of those were around $350.00 used, but in like new condition.

However, I'm one that doesn't mind the factory tupperware. I just glass bed them and paint them and I'm pretty happy:






I understand the weight factor, but you really aren't going to lose a bunch of weight by going to a Micky from a short action factory tupperware. The hunters edge is going to weigh in around 22-24 oz's, the short action tupperware is going to be around 27-29 oz's. So you lose around a 1/4 pound. Sometimes there's a reason to pull a stock and replace it with a mcmillan edge or even a micky with standard fill. That is actually my preference, as I do not like the graphite edge stocks. And sometimes it makes more sense to just upgrade the factory stock. One thing that can be said about the Mcmillan is it's going to be a lot stronger and more rigid, where the tupperware stocks are kind of soft. That in no way means it will shoot better in the Mcmillan, because it won't. The tupperware done up right is hell for utilitarian, but can also look and feel pretty good. IMHO...

Gotta join the club!!

Winchester Red Pad Club


Weight for giggles.

Weight

That's a beauty. I like the brown stock with red pad. One of my favorites.. I have a few..



Even the factory wood stocks with red pad looks good..

Beautiful BSA!!

Perhaps even a bit more than 1/4 pound.

Tupperware from the 22-250 posted earlier. 32 oz.

Figure roughly $100/oz weight reduction for the stock going to a hunters edge.

The big weight savings is the edge combined with a change to one piece pt&g aluminum bottom metal since it is an option for inlet on the Mickey.

I'm surprised the short action stocks weigh the same as the long action. That's what my long action tupperwares weighed..

They are the exact same stock with the exception of the action size and material around the fw barrel profile. Even the ejection cutouts are the same.

Man, no red pads!!!! WTF is going on!

I was okay with all of the other changes, but no red pads.... What the heck is the world coming to

I have not read the whole post so this may be redundant .
I have an early model 70 stainless Tupperware sn 174000 in 3006. I could not get it to shoot consistently. The Tupperware was very flexible and bent one way on the heat and a different way on the cold..I decided to replace the stock. This was before the “edge” stocks and I am too cheap to pay that price for a slight weight reduction I used a Winchester featherweight stock from a 3006 and had Craig Douglas a Saskatchewan gunsmith who is a perfectionist glass bed the action and open the barrel channel. It now shoots one inch 5 shot groups. The Tupperware weighs one 1 lb 15 1/2 oz. the complete rifle bare weighs 7 lbs 2 oz.

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Here is photo of my M70 Classic Stainless that I want to get a McMillan synthetic to try and reduce weight.

The easiest way to reduce the weight on a classic .308 is to send it my way.

There's a pristine wood/stainless .308 on Gunbroker now, I'm sure we're going to see another $2000+ sale.

Guru, I saw that on Gunbroker.....nice one for sure. It is a 7 digit gun, mine is a 5 digit.

Very interesting. I guess as a business standpoint it makes sense, but I would have thought the short action fwt stock would have been shorter.

Hang on to your 5 digit. Those are the ones you want. I saw your ad in the classifieds in search of a mcmillan. Good luck with it. I hope you find a good one. You'll have to hold out for an edge though, if you want any significant weight reduction. A smaller stock like the hunters compact/compact edge. That combo is great. Also keep in mind, the lighter you go with the stock, the more top heavy it's going to feel. So a huge hubble on top would be counterproductive. You might also want to consider a new Bansner stock. Or if you sweet talk Nyrifleman, he has a nice Bridges pattern for a short action model 70. That is if he decides to part out his 325WSM.. Also, again for those stating they can't get their rifles to shoot well in the factory tupperware, they don't know how to properly glass bed them. They can be made to shoot exceptionally well. There will be no difference in how it shoots in the factory tupperware, as compared to any other stock. That also includes Mcmillan.. Just a FYI..

OP’s barrel would have quite a bit of room in NYrifleman’s Bridges. Also, the ejection port cutout on the wsm McMillan will be longer. Both relatively minor, but worth knowing should the OP endeavor to sweet talk NYR.

Yep, it would definitely have a generous freefloat. I thought of that as well, but it's an easy button, if you don't mind that. Mr. Nyrifleman may not even want to separate the stock from the action, but that is the only one that came to mind when thinking of the op's situation..

bsa, thanks for that info i know the 5 digit value. As far as shooting, I have always been a believer in first shot accuracy. Before deer season I always shoot a shot to confirm POA & POI on separate days, this year was a 1/2 POI with a hand load Barnes 130 TTSX, Some years, little more some little less, Am seriously thinking of replacing my old Illuminator 3x9 Redfield with a Leupold VXII 2x7 that weighs 10.5 ozs and that would get me down to 7.10 lbs.or so. I hunt mostly open fields and pastures and seldom take over a 300 yd shot and the Leupold is on a varmint rig now that have taken coyotes at last light with it, In fact, it is somewhat better in gathering light than the Redfield. Will see. Not having any luck finding any thing on classified and will be paying heavy price for a few ozs I know.

McMillan's have gotten so expensive it makes less and less sense to buy one for weight savings of a few ounces. If we're being honest, most guys on here are probably already carrying an extra 50# or so around the mid section anyway.

That said I would buy one to fix bad ergonomics on a favorite rifle. I tried to buy a G&H pattern off a member for a while, no luck lol.

Sounds like a great rifle. I hear you about first shot accuracy. I sure believe in that as well. I'll also shoot 5-10 shot groups to verify accuracy/precision as well. I'm a shooter, so I look for the opportunity to shoot my rifles. The higher number of shots really confirms your whole shooting system, including the shooter. Something a lot of guys don't like facing, in my experience. Your average hunter is not like a lot of guys I hang out with at my club. Where we shoot 10 shots for score, multiple times in an event. You have the right idea with your rifle though. Even the 2-7 leupold will work out great on that rifle. It is trim, glass is clear and its light weight. Excellent choice for that rifle. There shouldn't be any issues mounting that particular scope on your rifle either. The tube mounting length is optimum: Slightly longer than a 2.5-8x36. I'm hoping someone steps up to the plate and offers you a good mcmillan stock. It may just be a waiting game though. Unless you choose to buy new.

bsa, thanks again....will be looking for someone on here to turn one loose. That would get it down to close to 7 lbs or so. I would just hope it would not be so light that it would not shoot like it does now. This gun will shoot about anything I throw it, and don't want to mess it up over few ozs. I bought it when they came out about 94 I believe, still have the box and all the paper work also have a Winchester 1994 catalog that came with it....looks like it just came out of the store. I traded a 70's push feed walnut for it....it was a shooter too. Killed many deer with it. They allowed me a good price for it so I got a Classic for a steal at today prices. Have often wondered who bought that push feed...wish I had kept it. Bought it out of trunk of a guys car at local Short Stop for $125 believe it was. Also bought a 70's Redfield Low profile 3 x 9 off him that was on that gun till I traded it. Been a Winchester guy all my life.

Question when you guys put McMillan and one piece do you keep your old parts so you can return them to original or does it matter?? My first 7 mag I sold all the spare parts but my two short actions and 375 I have kept them for now. Just curious y’all’s thoughts.

I put my Leupold VXII 2 x 7 on my W70 Classic 308 today and weighed in at 7 lb 8 oz, so quite an improvement over what I had. Can definitely tell the difference. Just before it got dark was able to fire a few rounds and got it zeroed, and cannot tell any difference in recoil. Will still be on look out for McMillian Edge stock....get it down to almost 7 lbs. would be great.

7 pounds would be sweet winnie. That 2-7 Leupold should work out great too and not too be too top heavy. Just about perfect for packing around in the woods. I'll be working on my new XTR FWT tonight.. Haven't pulled the stock off yet or even cleaned it yet, but I may start a thread on it, if It needs a bedding job. I look forward to playing around with that one and shooting the little 22-250. Judging by the condition of the bore, I'm thinking it should turn in moa 5 shot groups. The rifle hasn't been shot a lot.. However, my gut feeling tells me it's not going to shoot as well as my cheap azzed Stevens 200..