Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Robert West built M70?

I just traded for a pre-64 model 70 that was rebored and rechambered to 35 Whelen AI by Robert West. What do I have here?

here's a couple photos, verry neat custom stock. monte carlo and recoil pad move as a unit to change LOP, and have a spring damper to help absorb recoil.

Robert West was a full member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild. He worked for P.O. Ackley for a time and then went into business for himself. He passd a few years ago.

The stock is a much modified factory stock as opposed to a full custom stock. Perhaps he had need to suit a tall scope or similar sighting arrangement. I would shoot it and see how well it groups. If it shoots well the stock would be removed and replaced with a more conventional sporter stock. Could be an excellent hunting rifle in theat chambering.

From what I can tell, you have a pre-64 Winchester rifle in 35 Whelen Improved that needs a new stock.

Almost looks like the original stock is unmodified, but hard to tell from the angle in the pic. Looks like someone wanted an outrageously long LOP. Can it be removed and the original stock is still all there?

If it's the same Robert West, he had a custom gunsmithing and reboring shop in Eugene, OR for many years. I had him rebore several classic Winchester single shots that had ruined bores. He did excellent work.

It's a common name, but could there be two Bob Wests who did rebores? Not likely. Sounds like somebody in the Northwest needed an elk rifle.

I have a 1941 model 70 that I believe was done by Bob West. It was converted to left handed, came out of Oregon and the only other conversion like mine I have seen, was done by Bob West according to the owner. Mine was originally a 30-06 but I had it rebored to 35 Whelen by Cliff LaBounty and put it in a new LH take off stock from a modern model 70.

Here in Alaska, Bob West's name seems to be fairly well known. I don't know if he did much work for guys up here but several shooters I've run into here recognize his name. If he was doing left hand conversions he had to have been fairly talented.

The stock on yours looks very similar to a Soft Touch stock seen on trap guns.

Mart

It is an original M-70 stock. Length of pull, as it sits is 13-1/4", so the back end (which is also hollowed out to receive the sliding section), is cut way short from the original length. I really like the the stock, form and function are top notch workmanship. That's what first attracted me to the gun.

I'm pretty sure it's the Robert West from Oregon, because there was also a reference to his having worked with P.O. Ackley. Why else build a 35 Whelen Improved, instead of the more conventional 35 Whelen. Also Granville, NY where Ackley lived, is just up the road from us.

Here is an account of Robert West. I was the 5th stockmaking instructor at TSJC and the information was given to me by Louie Mrace. West went with P.O. Ackley when he moved to Salt Lake City. If you want more info send me a PM and I will send the complete file as the pdf file.
Les Brooks, TSJC 92-94 Stockmaking instructor
This was at Ackley's shop in 1948 as
Russ Hightower stayed one year and was replaced by Robert G. West who left
with P.O. Ackley in 1951. Ackley taught the theory classes and supervised the operation
of the GUNSMITHING DEPARTMENT. He operated his custom shop with about
twelve to fifteen employees and a number of part-time apprentices. Mrace was in the first class in 1949 and worked for Ackley.