Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Future pre-64 build ......

I am not actively searching just yet but I am seriously considering a buildup from a pre-64 action. So far cartridge wise I think a 270 winchester will fill the bill. I am looking for ideas though. This is thrown together but build idea so far:

Pre-64 action
Barrel: short shank #2 @ 23"?
McMillan Edge or Echols Legend w/edge tech
Bottom Metal (factory) or Non
Weight: 7.5 lbs. or less?

I also thought about just getting an FN Model 70 Featherweight and sticking it in an edge.
The 270 Winchester choice is not set in stone, I just don't need a magnum, want a 375 H&H but will probably go Whitworth. I'm curious if the build idea is sound, if not point me in the right direction.

Ideas, pictures, anything would help. Goal is the ultimate hunting rifle, as far as carry weight, shootability, reliability and accurate. Focus on elk size game and smaller.

FYI I have 0 experience at builds.

Little yellow slip in the mail box this evening tells me my rifle is waiting for me at the post office.

It's very similar to what you are thinking about. 1941 M70 with a 23" Rock #2 280Ack in an Edge. Don't recall what I asked the shank to be cut at? .75-1"? Factory bottom metal.

I'll post some pics after I pick it up.

Not trying to be a smartass, but why not just buy a pre-64 Fwt in 270 and swap the stock?

Have you considered getting a stock Featherweight pre-64 270 and dropping into a McMillan Edge stock? Friends and I have done it, less expensive than a rebarrel job and they will come out within your weight goal. JMHO

I did consider that, I also considered the problems that could stem from that. Will it shoot when done? If not then I would have a stock built for a featherweight barrel. That would be a shortcut though.

Short shank, tapers real quick then a slow taper the rest of the barrel length? Thats what I am thinking about. Yes I would love to see pics!

raybass: Building on a M70, you have to watch everything to avoid ending up with something heavier than you want it.

In 270 I would go with a #1 Krieger (which means CM,which does not bother me),or a "0" contour FW Brux for barrel. I spoke with Brux yesterday and if you are very specific they will contour a barrel the way you want.

On bottom metal I would look around and see what one piece aluminum units are available.....this knocks off ounces over a steel unit.

I have two back here,both on pre 64 actions.One has the original factory barrel,aluminum floorplate,and Compact Edge stock,Leupold base and rings,and weighs a bit under 7.5# with a 2.5-8 on board.

The other has a Krieger #1 CM finished at 22",aluminum BM,DD bases and rings,and a Brown precision Pound'r stock.With a 4X leupold it weighs 6.9#'s.

Lighter bases and rings would knock off some weight.

You could go with a slightly longer and heavier #2 contour,but will add a bit of weight.Depends how you want to roll.

Most pre 64's I've shot have done very well in the accuracy dept. Actually just shot one of mine today as well as my SC/FN fwt 308. I think you have the right idea though either way you go. Their both great choices and when put in a nice mcmillan stock very hard to beat. For the money, you'd probably be better off going with the new model 70. An ultimate shadow could be bought very reasonably also, these are basically a fwt in a duratouch stock.

I was waiting for you to chime in Bob. I'm not totally against CM barrels, SS is my first choice but 7-7.5 lbs is my goal. I would like to stick with bottom metal as opposed to blind mag. Aluminum sounds like the way to go. Sounds like a factory barrel would get me there, but I do want this to be a shooter.

bsa, I kinda have that Pre-64 bug. Its you fellas that caused this!

I know, I'm sorry . Would it help if I showed pics of how well mine was shooting today?

I would feel better if you did!

Raybass, have you considered the Extreme Weather? They are susposed to be shooters. I'll soon find out when I get mine

BobinNH, which one of yours balances better? I like the way the Weatherby U/L 06 I have balances right behind the action screw. Maybe just a tiny bit barrel heavy balanced kinda thing.

I haven't, yet, I keep thinking about the shortcuts but wonder if I will be happy in the end. I need to look at one, I've seen none on this area yet. My original plan was to find a pre-64 featherweight 270, disassemble it and keep the original parts.

OK, you asked for it:

Today with the pre 64, sorry I only shot a couple of groups to test some ammo I "straightened". I was experimenting with my new toy (brown precision little wiggler) . It was too windy today to do any real comparisons but managed to get this one right off the bat :




Now here's how the new SC rifle did today with 2 different loads. I was curious as to how my pre 64 winchester model 100 load would work in my other 308's so I took the SC/FN fwt to try them out (It isn't very picky as you can see, these 2 loads I fired are 2 grains different in charge weight and it digested them both pretty well):



That's a 5 shot group too (looks like 3 though).
Both right around 1 moa. The wind was howling off and on when I was out there. This rifle usually does better (around .75" 5 shot groups).

Now FN used to make a hell of a rifle with the oldstyle trigger akin to the pre 64 and here's proof. My FN PBR XP 300 wsm. This is a 10 shot group from this rifle and it looks like straightening the ammo did help with this one wind or not .


Don't get me wrong, fn still makes one hell of a nice rifle, but I still prefer the oldstyle trigger for its feel and simplicity (call me old fashioned I guess )

Blackdog and CFVA are 100% correct.....I've built other custom rifles in other calibers....but in 270 or 30/06 figured out years ago it made no sense at all.There just isn't anything better than a pre 64 FW 270 or 30/06 on a McMillan,Brown or Bansner stock....

Balance? Like a shotgun...I have killed quite a few head of game from coyotes to deer while they were running flat out,with them.Most recently last fall.They handle like a wand.

Raybass if I found a pre 64 270 FW I would NOT tear it apart for components. You can't find, or build, anything better in that caliber.It's easily one of the best BG rifles, in that power range, ever made.....IMHO of course

Very well said bob.

Keep in mind the 270 fwt's demand much more money than the 30-06 fwt's since they made less of them. my most recent 30-06 fwt cost me $800.00 (you've seen the condition it's in) the 270 is going to bring twice that (if not more). If you are looking for one to just tear apart (and re-barrel to 270) the 30-06 would be a better candidate and they're easier to find too.

bsa: I have seen enough of your groups on here fired with pre 64 barrels to be able to say that they mirror the results I have seen for years from those barrels.

Most of my custom barrels in 270 have been Kriegers and nicely accurate....but I am forced to admit that in many cases, I can't tell the difference between those and many pre 64's,in calibers from 220 Swift clear up through 375 H&H....the reason I no longer tear up pre 64's for custom rifles....I use the factory barrels and just slap 'em in a synthetic stock,until the factory barrels go;then replace with a Krieger (or a new Brux like I just ordered).

I am very impressed with the SC M70's,and if looking for a rifle like raybass wants today, would not hesitate to do the same things with a new FN M70 in 270 FW.....I would get a SS one though just for variety...swap out the heavy BM for something lighter,put it in a Compact Edge or Brown Pound'r, add Talley LW's,and rock on...


raybass,even though a bit different in stock styles, my two 270's are one and the same to me....the Brown stocked rifle is slightly lighter ( I stll have not found anything lighter or better than a Brown Pound'r in an after market stock),but in terms of results what one will do the other will do.