Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Pre-War M-70.....What to Do?

This past Monday I picked up a pre-war M-70 in excellent condition for a very good price. It is a 1942 action, and it has the the original stock--unaltered, except for a recoil pad. The stock is in very good condition. The barrel looks to be a 22" Douglas #2 in .270 Win but it is chrome moly in-the-white--don't know why it isn't blued.

My first thought was to blue the barrel and put the barreled action in a Bansner stock and have a reasonably light weight 270. However, the factory wooden stock is in very good shape and would refinish very nicely.

Lately my thoughts have been to get an early factory barrel, glass bed the barreled action in the stock, and then refinish the stock. This would result in a rifle heavier than I like, but then again I already have a lightweight (7lbs, 10 oz w/scope), synthetic stocked 30-06.

I also thought about building a custom rifle on the action, but to me it loses it's appeal to do so. Besides, I already have some custom and semi-custom rifles w/stainless and/or coated barrels and synthetic stocks.

What I don't have is a pretty, classic rifle. If I bed the factory stock and refinish it, and get an early barreled in 30-06 or 270, then I have a nice rifle for hunting when the weather is good--assuming I can get the thing to shoot.

Thoughts?

I'd be tempted to finish it up nicely as it is, it will give you a warm feeling taking it afield; sounds like you have other rifles to fill your other needs. Maybe hold out for that take-off barrel,with a little work we could find you one.I have 2 pre 64-70's in nearly original condition and I'm glad I left them be.

[assuming I can get the thing to shoot.]

That would be an extremely low probability with a factory barrel, and even less with a vintage Douglas - which are noted for fine accuracy.

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that's what i'd do.....

i'd put a scope on it and be done.

I'd re-finish the stock, blue the barrel, mount a scope and go hunting!

Put it in the Bansner; you will like it.If you want a nice,classic hunting rifle, you can do that later.Just because you have a light 30/06 does not mean you can't have a 270 as well...at least, it never stopped me

+1, and blue the barrel.

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Blaine,

I can't recall from your previous topics if the receiver is drilled and tapped for scope bases? If it is I would shoot the rifle as it is and see how well it does.

Take it from there with the original stock to get it to group.

Then if its accurate refinish the stock, blue the barrel and use it as it is.

I think it is a case of less is more with this one. I also feel as yo do, that to use it for a custom project would be a bit of a shame. Since it has its original stock I'd be tempted to shoot it and go from there, as is, then proceed as Savage 00 said.

If you decide to move it down the road you could always sell it to me. I know just what to do with it. Grin.

Well, I found a 1941 30-06 barrel in good condition. I'll give that a try. I can always go custom later...............

Good choice. Restore it like an original.

If this rifle had the original barrel and the stock wasn't cut for a recoil pad, I'd not even bed the thing. However, given it isn't all original, I'm going to bed the action and refininsh the stock in more of a satin finish with a superhard Varathane poly finish. I'm thinking about pillar bedding it. Even though it will only be a good weather rifle, I still want it to shoot accurately and consistently.

Is there any downside to pillar bedding this stock?

I'd put an original or Pre 64 FW barrel on it and put it in the Bansner stock.
I put mine in a Rimrock stock, We have a Banser on the middle boy's P64 FW too. The stocks make use with a scope a lot easier. The Bansner is low enough to use iron sight s easily as well.

That might be an option. Bed it in both a Bansner and the wooden stock.

One of my pre-war Winchesters was a real nice original 30/06 with Redfield receiver sight and old-time Josten recoil pad.
It is now a 6.5x55 "F" class rifle with a 28" heavy barrel and Electic Blue laminated stock! I didn't need another medium bore hunting rifle (I didn't really "need" another "F" class rifle either but figured I would use it more.).
The other was a 30/06 which had been rechambered to 308 Norma. It has now been re-barreled again and restocked in a pretty nice piece of walnut. Fix it up in whatever way you think you will get te most enjoyment out of it. Rifles are meant to be used. GD

I figure if I ever did get "back" into HP, this action would be a good start, though I'm liking the idea of blued and wood for this rifle the more I think about it.........