Hello everyone. I’ve got an old worn out pre-64 model 70 featherweight that I’d like to breathe some new life into. It’s a 308 but as you are probably all mostly aware, the pre-64 actions are standard length action (long action) with exception of their magnum actions which this is not.

I’d like to rebarrel the action and put it in a good synthetic stock. I haven’t decided on the cartridge but am pretty sure I want a 6.5/264 caliber. The goal of the rifle is a flat shooting, medium game rifle. I want something that I can carry well, but not too light. I’m thinking scoped up around 7 pounds, maybe a little more. Ballistically I’d like to be in 264 WM/6.5 PRC/ 6.5-06 territory. Probably thinking bullets around 140 grains.

If it were you all, what cartridge would you choose? I’ve heard the 6.5-06 is a bit long for the model 70 unless you’re willing to compromise on bullets/OAL length. I figure the 264 would need a different bolt face/magazine arrangement, but I’m unsure on that. And I know the 6.5 PRC has a larger rim diameter. Just looking for some advice. I’d be interested in seeing what rifles y’all might have. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Jeff

PS-Yes I reload. Like idea of plentiful brass availability and avoiding expensive dies, but not a showstopper if expensive dies are required.

6.5x280 Ackley would be my choice.

I vote for a 6.5 PCR. Cheers NC

So I’ve never had to consider bolt modifications before. Can a gunsmith take my original bolt from the 308 and open up the bolt face to take the larger rim of the PRC?

I like my 70 Classic in 6.5x55 but, then again, I like pretty much anything in 6.5x55.

NYRifle, why?

How would a 6.5-06 AI differ from a 6.5x280 AI? Thanks!

Quality Nosler brass in 280 Ackley, easy to neck down.

Its a great round and I bet it would make a sweet shooter, but I think I want a little more pop.

Very well.

I built mine as 6.5x284 Norma in a McMillan edge stock and bartlein 2b barrel.

There no really good reason not to go 6.5 Creedmire, if yer determined to make it a 6.5.

Though it's a tad more recoil, a 280 will do very well & cover all the bases, or even 7-08.

But obviously, you're bitten by the 6.5 snake & nothing wrong with that if yer satisfied with the lower bullet weights.

MM

I did that exact same thing and went with the 6.5 CM, no regrets. 127 g Barnes LRX proved to be good medicine.

A Creedmoor on a Pre-64?

You should be shot.

With a Remington 700.

To add insult to injury.



I could like the Swede as well.

Same deal, different stock, Krieger barrel.

Converted to full LA from .243 length, milled follower rib narrower to better accommodate fatter case.

Works well.

DF

I wouldn’t want to open up the bolt face. If you did you’d probably need to mess with feed lips or something too.

I wouldn’t want to chamber a short action cartridge in a long action. No reason other than you still have a long bolt throw but not the extra velocity.

If you were set on a 6.5 and willing to consider a wildcat a 6.5-06 would work. Otherwise either a 6.5x55 or 6.5-284 are good choices.

If you are willing to consider other calibers you could open up the choice quite a bit. 280, 270 W, 30-06, 338-06, 35 Whelen, the list goes on.

I would probably go 30-06, but I love the 30-06. Take that with a grain of salt.

Another vote for the Swede. As far as pop goes, it's not hard to get 2700 with 140s.

Thanks for your thoughts, gents. I guess I do have the 6.5 bug. I already own pre-64 standard weights in 30/06 and 270W. Like them both a lot. I have considered a 280AI and haven’t ruled it out, or maybe 338-06AI.

I think I’d like a 6.5 PRC but don’t think I’m that interested in any of the current factory produced rifles. I think for now I’ll be looking into the 6.5-284. Still open to any more thoughts or ideas. Thanks again guys.

I vote 6.5x284 (Norma) with the emphasis on Norma.
140 at 2975 to 3000 in an 8 twist and enjoy.

If you go creedmoor a proof carbon fiber and stock with USB port should also be looked into.

It won’t feed as slick as the 6.5-06 without some work.

Mine does. A good smith can make it happen.

DF

I have several 6.5 x 284's with a bit of effort they will feed just fine.
Really great cartridge easy to load for.
No flies on a 6.5x06 either.

Whoever told you the 6.5-06 was a bad choice on a model 70 action is full of [bleep]. 6.5-06 will feed and function much better than a 6.5-284.

256 Newton.

Classic rifle, classic cartridge.

6.5x55.........

prob one of the oldest 6.5's out there & still going

IMO, depends on who put it together. My 6,5-284 feeds as slick as any.

No flies on the 6.5-06. It’s a good, proven round.

DF

260 would be an easy one. An AI would likely feed fine.

7lbs scoped for a M70 is pretty light.

I just finished doing the exact same thing this past year. A pre 64 action with a Kreiger barrel with an 8 twist chambered in 6.5x55. No bolt modifications and feeding is just fine. Ended up with bullet seated .0008 off a soft jam as what it liked. Using Lapua brass, I picked a load using H4350 and 130 gr Nosler Accubonds that chrono'd at 2950. Shot many groups just under 1/2" @ 100. Good enuf for me.
Phil

I'll second the now overlooked 260.

[quote=Jeffrey
I think I’d like a 6.5 PRC but don’t think I’m that interested in any of the current factory produced rifles. I think for now I’ll be looking into the 6.5-284. Still open to any more thoughts or ideas. Thanks again guys. [/quote]


If your truly thinking in this direction I would sell the .308 and buy a stainless classic in a wsm and build from there. I did and it is a great rifle and cartridge. I did use a bansner stock and proof carbon barrel and a rail but I did forgo the USB port, lol.

Of course you could just buy a classic in 6.5x55 or 264wm and not have to build anything. I have the 6.5 bug as well and have added each of these to my collection and bought winlite stocks for them so I’m not risking damaging the original wood stocks.

I built a 6.5-06 on a pre-64 M70, I went with a Bansner stock, #1 contour 8twister McGowen barrel cut to 22". it weighs 6.5 lbs before scope and mounts, highly unlikely you will get to 7lbs with scope.
The mag box is 3.4" and if you have the barrel throated properly no problems with VLD style bullets.
It will require no mods to feed properly, brass and dies are cheap and plentiful.
I am getting 2950 fps with 140gr bullets and RL26.



Loaded round is 3.395 mag length with a 142LRAB
From left to right
140 Berger VLD
142 LRAB
143 Eldx
147 Eldm

I have one in a compact edge with a Rock #2 that is about the same. Scope and rings and I’m about 7 1/2.
(Talley and a Leupold 6x)

Pounder stock, fwt profile barrel, flip flop pad, Leupold compact, with Talley's may get you to 7lbs all up

6.5-06 in necked down Lapua 30-06 brass is what I’d do.

A 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 are good options, but have you considered the new Weatherby RPM? It's a mix of the two with more case capacity than either.

Ditto to all that...

I’d be looking at something very similar to irfubar’s rifle.

Now Lee, did you forget that you built the pre 64 M70 6.5CM for me?

Being that I also have pre 64 model 70's in:
.243
270
7x57
30'06
280 AI
300 H&H

you think you old boys could cut me some slack!

Sweet Jesus man, you might as well build a 223 AI!

Depends on how much poop you're looking for. The 26 Nosler was specifically designed to fit in a 06 length action. Any decent gunsmith can open up your bolt face to handle the magnum rim and all you may or may not need is a new follower, depending on how the original one feeds the fat Nosler cartridge.... 140's at 3200 don't suck.....

I have a 6.5-06 I really like. It would be a great choice!

My suggestion as well.

You know, if I was to build my 280 again, it might just end up a fast twist 270.

The price of Wby brass may be a turn off. Also a new proprietary Wby round. Is it gonna stick around?

We’ll see how it goes. If it stands the test of time.....

IMO, jury’s still out on that one.

DF

Man, thanks gents. All good points and experience here. If the rifle is a bit more than 7 pounds that’s fine. I’m not hung up on 7 pounds; I’m just trying to avoid building a pig. My standard 30/06 and 270 pre-64 are hefty when compared with today’s mountain rifles and such, but I love them.

Right now I think I’m leaning 6.5-06 (maybe AI) or maybe the Swede. What do y’all think about a 6.5x55AI? My goal is not so much a lightweight rifle, but something I can carry yet get a steady shot at medium to longish range, like up to 500 yards if the need arises. Thinking a 6.5x55AI is sounding pretty sexy right now.

Jeffrey, Have you thought about flipping the rifle for a Westerner in 264 win mag?

This rifle isn’t much of a flipper. It’s in rough shape. As best I can tell, the barrel is shot out. I bought it at a pawn shop for $325 dollars. The stock was chopped, so I found a second hand McMillan that is no prize winner to put it in. I scrubbed the barrel for what seemed like an eternity trying to get it to come clean. Never really got there, but got it close I guess. I then went to loading for it, but the only bullet I could get to shoot reasonably well out of it was the 125 Sierra ProHunter.

I suppose I could hold out for a magnum pre-64 in similar condition, but... who knows how long that could be or what I might end up with. I’ve owned the rifle for over 5 years at this point and I haven’t killed anything with it; mostly just thought about what I would do with it. I’ve been around and around but I’n ready to pull the trigger on rebarreling and putting it in a nice stock, and putting some nice glass on it.

I’ve got a rental home with some nice equity that I’m selling. The wife and I are kicking butt on our mortgage and are otherwise debt free. I have more deer rifles than I’ll ever need, but no 6.5s. The idea of an efficient, long range, economical (reloading components) and easy shooting killer is what I’m after. I’ve looked at a new EW SS in 264WM, and it was nice, but I’m thinking what I want is a rifle that will take advantage of these wonderful bullets we have. It will be nice to take a pinch off the proceeds from this house sale to build the rifle how I want it.

I appreciate all the input. Talking about it is getting me excited.

If you wantto utilize the present magazine and bolt stop, a Creedmoor would be fine. If you want to go with a '06 magazine, the 256 Newton. I have built a couple on pre-64's and my own is on a Model 54 Winchester. To be honest, it doesn't do much others won't except be a cool classic. That's enough for me. GD

Any of the aforementioned chambers will do handily to 500.

How much are you into loading? It’s nice to be able to buy quality inexpensive ammo off the shelf that will do all you need ( 500yds up to elk) if you haven’t cranked out another batch of rounds. At least in my world it is.

That’s what I thought when I read the OP.

I have a custom Mauser in 7x57AI, very impressive. I think a 6.5x55AI would be equally impressive. Go for it.

I’m happy to hear the few of you who have mentioned this. I can’t remember whee I heard or read this, maybe here, but the concern that I heard was that the mag box of the model 70 won’t allow the heavier, longer bullets to be seated as far as we would like. I understand that Mag length and overall cartridge length will be a determining factor in how far to set the throat of the rifling, but I don’t want to eat up too much case volume setting bullets deeply in the case to make room in the magazine. I have no firsthand knowledge in this case, so I’m happy to go off of this groups’ collective wisdom and experience. A 6.5-06AI would be great, throwing 140ish grain bullets close to 3000fps. That would make me happy. Doable?

I don’t reload as much as I used to as work and family do their thing, but I still load for all of my hunting rifles. I tend to go in waves with loading. I develop my loads, make up a good batch of ammo, usually around 100 rounds, and do my thing. Some rifles, 100 rounds can last a while. Just depends on what rifles I’m hunting with that year. I’ve got enough rifles that I probably have around 1000 rounds of ammo ready to go at any time, in various cartridges for various rifles. I’m a gun slut. My grandfather who killed nearly everything with a model 12 and a Remington 700 243 looked at me funny growing up. It is what it is.

I am on my 3rd 6.5-06 and initially I started with H4350 with a 140 gr. bullet, with 49 grains I got 2950 fps , but brass life was short. Switched to 49 gr RL 17 and also got 2950 fps but brass life was much better. Now I run RL26 and same fps but pressure seems mild. All with 22" barrels. I need to try lapua brass as Hig suggest, I bet that would be the best combo.

Very much so. Especially if you run a 3.6” magazine box.

The 6.5x06AI will get you 3150fps with a 26" barrel and 140's. I necked down 30-06 Lspua brass and necked turned to a loaded round of .293 for a .297 neck chamber.
This thing is a hammer.

Mag box length will not be an issue on the 6.5x06AI.
If it ever did wyatts makes an extended mag box for the model 70

Winner winner chicken dinner. That just made my pants tight.

Another vote for the 6.5 X 55 SE.

Another vote for the 6.5x55. If you were building a long range DBM wonder stick, the 6.5 PRC makes sense. On a P-64 action, my only decision would be 6.5x55 vs 7x57. It’s very easy to buy an off the rack rifle chambered for the new cartridge of the week.

here's my .02: If you want an IA then go with the .280AI, this version doesn't require fire forming. If you go with a 6.5x06, consider throating it so you can use .270 cases which neck down easy. The 6.5x284 is a great round, but you will need to deal with feeding issues which means that action will only be suited for the .284 case. I personally like the idea of going with a creed or a swede. Good luck.

Not interested in DBM, but very much looking for something with some long legs that will cleanly take animals up to elk at longish distances. As of right now, rifles chambered in the PRC are not appealing to me. We’ll see what other rifles become available, but for now I want to get this project rolling on an old Model 70 that deserves a new crack at life.

What kind of velocities might I expect with 140 grain bullets out of a Swede AI and a 24” barrel?

Jeffrey, because you said you want this 6.5 to be good for elk at long range, I will change my recommendation to the 6.5x280AI. with a 24"barrel and 8 twist.

I like that. That would negate the need for fire forming. Great idea. Thanks T!