I was out and about, having a key made for my new/used Honda Accord I bought to save money at the pump and stumbled across a nice pre 64 model 70 featherweight at a reasonable price. It is equipped, already, with a Mcmillan stock and older Leupold VariX III 3.5-10x40 rifle scope in Conetrol rings. Someone had it set up very nicely. I bought the rifle to tinker around with and spruce it up a bit. I'm not a fan of the painted gray stock, so it's going to get painted. Sadly enough, Mcmillan did a damn fine job installing the black 1" pachmayr pad, or I would replace it with a red pad. That may happen down the road, as I am going to paint the stock my usual brown color. Red pads go so well with a brown stock IMHO. Anyway, the bluing is in excellent condition and the bore is pristine. I don't think it's been shot much. I haven't pulled the action out of the stock yet to see what kind of glass bedding job is there. If it's not well done, I'll re-do it. My plans are to shoot it as is before I touch it and see how it does and then go from there. Wish me luck and you guys have a great Easter!!!

Caliber? Inquiring minds want to know....

Damn you find them at the hardware store. I need to move to where you are!!

Congratulations! I love the brown stock with a red pad. Happy Easter.

Nice!

Great find and way to scoop it up - I've walked on a few I shouldn't have.

Congrats on the rifle. Sounds like a good project

What's it chambered in? Sounds like a solid score.

Couple nice bonuses on that, from the sounds of it. Congrats bsa.

Nothing like leaving everyone hanging! LOL

I'm guessing 270.

Man, I was on the verge of walking too. I'm glad I bought it though. The rifle is very clean and I also know where a period correct stock is in perfect condition, if I wanted to return it back to original. Of course it will not be the original stock that the rifle came with. After cleaning it up today, I was very surprised it looks like it has not been shot very much at all. I guess it was "accurized" by a guy out of Carson City Nevada. He did a nice job fitting the Mcmillan to the barreled action. I had to slightly fine tune a few things. The rifle is chambered in 30-06. I know that's the only boring part about it. I love 30-06 though. Growing up with that cartridge as my only big game cartridge. I know what it is capable of. I'll get some before pics up in a while for you guys to check it out. I PM'd Beretzs about it yesterday. I was actually going to go and snag a different 30-06 rifle (6 digit fwt classic) that he told me I should have bought a while back, but saw this one before I hit that store and it took priority.
Unfortunately it was not. That would have been an even better score as far as value because of rarity. However, I am not a 270 win guy. I had about the most perfect 270 fwt made in '57 a while back and never shot it. I sold it to someone that appreciated it more than I did. I've always liked the 30-06, so it was still a good score for me personally.

Ha ha. Thanks buddy. I'll get some pics up so you guys can pick it apart if you want.. Where's Iskra John at? ha ha..

The couple things that stuck out at me, that I did not like:
Besides the fact that the "professional" that glass bedded it originally was messy. Look at that spill over. That's unacceptable in my book:

When that rear action screw is left long^^^^, the bolt has a tendency to drag on it. I like to keep it even or slightly below the profile of the receiver:

I had to cold blue the end of the screw to match the receiver. This is right after grinding it down though^^^^

This always bothers me when guys do this, but we all know Mcmillan has an issue with not inletting this part of the stock properly:

Whoever ground on this trigger guard should be horse whipped. Look at that crappy job^^

Generally I just go a little deeper with the inletting so you don't have to modify the $120.00 trigger guard!!!! This one was what it was, so I ground and polished it better and then baked some paint on:



My other option would have been to call Jason at pre64.com and order a nice fwt trigger guard, but that's a $120.00 I don't want to spend on it.. Paint and recontour/polish turned out alright. I think I can live with it now.

This was before I cleaned it. Typical aluminum pillars and nice bedding job:

I'll leave it as is and shoot it and see how it does. The barrel is not freefloated, so that may be an issue. We will definitely see when I take it to the range. If it is a problem, I'll freefloat it and re-shoot..

Here's a pic of the rifle after I wiped the stock down a little bit. It was a little dirty:



I've always liked the looks of Conetrol rings and bases on these model 70's, but couldn't see paying what they want for them. I'm glad they were on this rifle when I bought it. I'll use it just like it is. Even with the old Leupy. That's a friction adjust scope, so you know its an older one.

Here it is after I pulled it from the stock:

Rifle was manufactured in 1961, according to the serial #. Bolt also has matching serial #.

Now, here it is after cleaning the action and giving it a good wipe down with Rem oil:






That bolt face is in pretty good shape. The firing pin hole is nice and round and the muzzle is very clean. No wear in the bluing near the muzzle, all indicators that it has not been shot much..

The stock has 5 coats of brown paint on it now and a light dusting of texture. I didn't apply much because Mcmillan already had the texturing they use when they paint a stock and that looks great, but I wanted a little grip in the fresh paint. I'll let that dry overnight and then re-install the barreled action tomorrow. I know I like the brown color much more than that dingy gray, plus it hides some of that bedding you could see. The guy that bedded it, did a nice job, but was not as picky about what you can see as I am. I sanded some of that down before I painted, so hopefully we won't even see it now.

Nice snag Lawrence!

Thanks buddy. It's not a custom, but I think it will make a dandy shooter/hunter. I really don't have to do anything to it, that I haven't already done. I think the paint on the stock is going to make a difference. I will leave the black pachmayr on for now. Mcmillan fits them very nicely and this one is in great condition. Not really any sense in replacing it now, but the first sign of a nick or scratch on it and it's coming off and I'll install a red one. ha ha...

That’s a helluva good deal and nice job touching it up. I’d have bruised my knuckles getting my wallet out for that one at 900 bucks myself.

Thanks Scotty. I figured you and AKwolverine would like it, the way it is set up. Trigger is nice already too. Set at a very crisp 2.5 pounds. Dang guy did all the fun work that I normally do.

Very nice rifle, pretty hard to improve on that one.
Got one very similar to it that I need to take out more. Mine is a 1959 fwt 06 in a pacific research stock (great stock) that currently has a 3.5x10 vxlll on it.

Those are nice stocks pat. Sounds like yours is set up just right.

Nice!

Nice score BSA. I am a fan of the 30-06 too. I have to find a featherweight Pre-64, I have never owned one!

It’s bullshit. I search all over hell for a great 35 rebore candidate and you scoop them all up in the NW.

Ah well, I’ll keep searching

Oh man, no featherweight 30-06? That is like sacrilege. Every red blooded American should own at least 1..
You will have first dibs on this one, if I decide to let it go. Wait, what happened to your fwt 30-06?

Sweet shooter ya got there!

I still have it. Won’t mess with that one.

I want a Featherweight to make into a Whelen though so I figured a beat up P64 or a later model like yours would be perfect for that sorta plan.

Yeah, that makes sense. Bobin said the later ones were his preference too because they were least desirable, so it wasn't as much of a big deal to make a custom out of it. Its not like an aluminum butt plate '55 or '56 anyway. Or even an early classic fwt would probably do the trick? Funny thing is I was headed over to buy that 6 digit classic featherweight you said I should have bought last month. Even though the stock had some dings in it, you are right that it was well worth $600.00... I just generally buy stuff in better condition. But if a guy was going to replace the stock with a Micky, it really doesn't matter what condition the stock is in and you can still sell the walnut stock on ebay to recoup some money. I wasn't really thinking on that one. I may still go and see if its over there. Had to buy another car though because of all the driving around I've been doing. Love the new 4Runner, but it only gets 21 MPG if I'm lucky going down hill and with a tail wind. I got 32 with the Accord the other day, which isn't too bad.

Congrats! Nice rifle and super fun thread to read!

Thanks buddy. I am glad you are enjoying it. I have to admit, I got in a hurry today with the paint because I wanted to put the rifle back together and show you guys, but I leaned the stock up against the wall when the clear wasn't dry yet. Ha ha. You know the rest of the story. It may be another day before I can put the action back in..

Thanks for the pics and congrats on another classy rifle...I never tire of looking at them.

Thanks handwerk. I always enjoy looking at your rifles too. Now I just need to start hunting my old rifles more. Truth be told, I had been wanting to buy a Mcmillan for my all original pre 64 30-06 fwt, because I didn't want to scratch the original up. Its in very good condition. I know, they were made to hunt, but I'm a little apprehensive about it. I think that is one of the reasons you like the rifles with recoil pads added and such. Shooters may not be as collectable, but they sure are more desirable out in the field. Most of mine are shooters, but the '56 fwt:

Its a sweetheart. I bought it because both my parents were born in '56. Kind of a keepsake. That damn rifle shoots good though. Its really a shame I don't take it out in the field. The reason I had been looking for a Mcmillan for it, but then this rifle came along and you know the rest of the story. It will work great and I can keep my '56 in like new condition. Win win.

As usual bsa, good score. I'd like to hunt in you're neck of the woods. For rifles that is, lol.

Ha ha. Yeah, this one was funny. I saw it and it looked kind of grungy. I didn't even know it was a pre 64 at first. It was nestled in with a bunch of other rifles. So, I pulled it out and looked it over and said, it's kind of dirty, but that just requires a good clean up. Then I saw it looked like it had a Mcmillan on it. That is a bonus! Not being a huge Leupold fan, I had to pull the old tattered butler creek flip up off and see what generation of Leupy it was. An older one, that is a plus in my book, as I've had some issues with the VX3's. And it's in excellent condition. The older Leupolds seem to be better. And another bonus, it's sitting in Conetrol's! I've always wanted to try the Conetrols, just never wanted to lay the money down for a set. Well, lets get down to the brass tacks. I have been working on the stock this morning and making sure all the parts fit like a glove or the way they should. Mag box was tight, so I had to relieve the bedding the previous smith left. Removed some paint so the trigger guard and floor plate would fit. Removed paint in the barrel channel. Don't want that to affect accuracy. Like I said before, I may properly freefloat the barrel, but want to shoot it first to see what it is going to do. So, the paint turned out decent and I have 5 coats of clear over that. After it totally cures, in about a week, I will likely hit it with something to take down the shine a bit. Here are some more pics of some of the work I did this morning and the completed project. Hope you guys enjoy:

Ain’t enough wear on that bolt knob to speak of. Nice grab.

Yeah, I don't think it's been shot much. I'm curious to see how it shoots. I'll just run some of the loads I already have worked up: That will be the 200gr partition, 180gr partition, 180gr Winchester power points, 168TTSX and maybe some 165gr Hornady btsp. I need to shoot my classic stainless to see how it does after I bedded the rear tang, as well. That gives me the perfect opportunity to shoot both of my newer to me 30-06 rifles. I've been messing with the Tikka's so much lately that the Winchesters don't get much love.

the red pad would make it pop, but, hard to ditch whats there.

I agree. My finger is on the order button. Almost. Those dang red pads are hard to find sometimes. I should have a few on hand!!!

That is a great score in my opinion. My favorite heavy duty hunting rifle is pretty much a twin to that one. 1961 FWT. in 270. Conetrol mounts w/ Leupold in a McMillan stock

Very nice sticks fellas!

Looks nice bsa.
You don’t see many supergrades inlet for pre-64’s - especially for featherweights.
Good work on the paint, as usual.
👍

Very nice rifle. Thanks for sharing. Looks very much like mine. Yours appears to have a 2.5-8x36. Those are nice and light scopes. There's a lot of utility in rifles set up like these 2.

Thanks AK. Yeah, I haven't seen too many pre 64's in the supergrade Mcmillan's either. I don't know if its because other styles were more popular? I've seen more pre 64 montecarlo pattern's and hunters compacts or hunter's edge stocks. I like the ergo's of the supergrade stock. It feels good and I like the open grip. I'll be able to tell more after shooting it though. Feels good when shouldered. I don't think it's as heavy as a montecarlo pattern, but heavier than the hunters compact with standard fill.

Mine was a later one like yours is. It was great, except the bore. It fouled like crazy and wasn't really a great shooting rifle. I was getting worn out trying this and that. Finally ran the whole Tubb's works through it, all 50 of them. Wouldn't you know it, after that, it cleaned up slick and shot really well. I think I just got one of the stinker later barrels. My 338 gave me the same fits till I firelapped that one. I figured they'd either work or I'd rebore the 30-06. Now the damn thing is among the top rifles to grab for.

I always keep that in mind buddy. I'm glad you shared your experience on that Tubbs fire lapping kit with us. I'm hoping this one shoots good, without having to do that, but you never know. If it shoots half as good as my '56, I'll be happy with it. That '56 is pretty impressive, to say the least. One I'll never get rid of. For packing around, these featherweights are hard to beat. Speaking of pre 64 model 70's in particular. Of course lighter rifles like the Tikka's pack nicer. I remember packing around that 300wby of mine one year for elk season. On the last day I packed my 7mm08 Tikka, and boy what a difference!! Eventually I am going to run across just the right stock for that pre 64 300WBY!!! Then I believe that rifle will be just about the perfect elk rifle/killing machine. Well, it will be hard to top the 338wm in the Brown PoundR. But I want it to be close. You know exactly what I'm talking about, as you have a slury of awesome elk rifles and I know you place that Alaskan somewhere near the top..

My 300 RUM in the Legend is a peach. It is a touch heavy but it is a 300 RUM and I have no desire to torch off a 7 1/2lb one of those

I love the looks of the Legend buddy. As I wrote my previous post, that is exactly what I was thinking. I only drag my size 12's because IF I order one, it's going to have a left hand cheek piece. Then if I hate it, I'm stuck with it because no one is going to buy it. The conundrum I put on myself, but If I order one, it's going to suit me personally. Generally I do not like stocks with cheek pieces, because they are on the wrong side for me. So in essence they just add unnecessary weight. Stocks like the hunters compact/hunters edge fit me great, but would not be a suitable match for my long tubed 300wby. I also don't care for the weight of the Pre 64 montecarlo pattern. They weigh more than the damn wood stock they are replacing. Hence, the reason I keep the old factory stock on it. Ha ha. There's always the Brown PoundR approach, as I know I love the ergo's of that stock. My 338wm works great and I love the weight of that rifle. But who wants to pay what they want for a Brown PoundR these days? The Legend is sweet though, I've admired them from afar. That 300WBY would be bad azzed with that stock. I'd just hope the ergo's fit me well.

I would like to have one of those for my 264 Westerner. I'm also looking to do a 300 H&H some day and would like that style stock for it also.

Scotty, you have other Legends, don't you? Post some more pics please. Thanks buddy. Or anyone with a brown legend with red pad. I'd appreciate it.

Don’t write off the Hunters EDGE or Compact. I can never remember the right name for it.





I built my Mashburn with a Legend and it was nice but heavier than what I wanted so I swapped to a Compact EDGE


Here it is as a Legend

375 Improved





338 Win

The hunters compact is my favorite, but I think with the short forend and long barrel, it would look funny. Where it really shines is with a shorter barrel like what is on the fwt:


This 270fwt was one of the nicest ones I've seen. The guy that bought it from me is pretty dang happy with it. I let it go because I'm not a 270 guy. The only reason I'd buy one now is for resale value. You rarely see them though.

Thanks for the pics. What is the barrel length on your mashburn? You have a damn nice collection there buddy.

BSA, if you like the rifle and you like the PoundR, then for the love of God, get that one. You’ll soon forget the money you spent if you love it. You’ll never forget the money on something that pisses you off.

Ha ha. Well said. I hate it when stuff pizzes me off!! That damn PoundR is really too expensive for what it is. IMHO.

Damn that red pad looks good though.

25” on the Mashburn.

And you only go around one time and if the rifle shoots and you think it’ll stay then it’s worth it.

Think of all the money you’ve spent on women, trucks and guns and the rest you wasted. Live a little. That big 300 deserves some solid hunting time

Ha ha. You are making too much sense!!

Well, I’ve spent a lot of dumb money on stuff that didn’t stick. Tikkas for example. Love my little CTR 223 but the rest, 7-08, 270, 22-250 never took. Even in great stocks. Always wanted a 70. If I’d just stayed true to what I really knew I’d have liked I’d have money ahead, even if I put the 70’s in Browns. Our time is money and wasting it is pretty rough when you look back.

True points taken. I messed up one time buying a stock for a model 70. It was a Bansner. It was nice and light, but I hated how it made the rifle handle. Sometimes going too light is not good. That rifle always felt too top heavy. It was a classic 30-06. Had to go back in its factory tupperware. Lesson learned.

Exactly. Takes awhile to find what fits correct.

Bob was a huge PoundR fella. Never used one but really should one of these days.

I need to Frankenstein a 270 first with a Douglas or Krieger and then add the Brown to make it a true Bob gun though.

Brux #1 buddy..

I see why Bob liked the PoundR. They are damn good, but it took me a long time to get the paint right on mine. I used the final recipe on the stock in this OP.

He wouldn’t even paint his. Those things were full of voids and fiberglass Mark’s.

That fella was an animal.

He was a great guy and sorely missed. Man, I miss his writings and knowledge base.

One last picture, until range report. Took some 0000 steel wool to it today to knock down some of the shiny. Stock feels great and paint should hold up well. Now I need to find a new project. Ha ha..


I also said what the hell and freefloated the barrel, so we will see how she shoots in a few days.

Same here. Need to see for myself if they're a better fit than the Bridges Edge.

The right P64 will get one I believe.

Looking forward to hearing how it shoots.

hey BSA, which model stock is that? It looks great, also I'm looking forward to a range report.

Thanks buddy. It is the Mcmillan supergrade stock. It feels pretty good when shouldered. I'm curious to see how it handles the recoil. I'm thinking it will do well.

I've got my stainless classic .375 in a Mcm Supergrade stock. It's kind of chunky but I find it fits me just right, and is useful with a scope or irons. A very pleasant rifle to shoot. I predict you will like it.

I thought it might be a Supergrade. I have handled a McMillan Supergrade a little but not spent any real time with it, and that was in a heavier target barrel. Stock seemed to handle recoil well for me (of course the weight helped), so I'm curious how that works for you with a FW.
Thanks

Sounds good. I'm cleaning the bore out right now. Already have some ammo to try out in it, but will eventually work up a load in the old girl. I'll let you guys know what I think of the stock. I will probably take my old original '56 out and do a side by side comparison..

Had to take a couple 30-06 rifles to the range today. This one in the OP and my stainless classic featherweight. Both newer rifles to me. I had recently corrected the bedding at the tang on this rifle, as the previous smith had his head in his azz and didn't even glass bed that area. I see it mentioned here sometimes. Trust me, it makes a difference to glass bed the tang and the recoil lug. 2 points of contact. It's fu cking useless to not properly bed a rifle. Anyway, the stainless rifle is shooting notably better after its treatment. Who woulda thunk???
Now:



Before:

Now that is a difference you can see^^^^^^^

Now, here's the new one out in the sun at the range:


Next to his grandson:



Well, I wish I had some loads that were developed for this rifle, but this is what we had today. Keep in mind, I always keep it honest:

This was 2 loads from the new rifle (1961 fwt). You can see the 200gr Nosler partition load drops quite a bit lower than the 180. Also, The stainless classic spanked its azz. Now, one thing I can say about shooting these 2 rifles side by side today is the Pre 64 didn't kick nearly as hard as the Classic. That classic has a hard/solid factory recoil pad that does not absorb any recoil!!!! The other thing I noticed was the triggers felt nearly identical. Both set at 2.5 pounds, but one I did and the other, some smith did in Carson City. The bedding isn't perfect on the pre 64 yet. I need to totally freefloat the barrel and I think accuracy will improve a bit. Even if it's another 1/4", I'll take it. But I believe it will shoot more consistently as the barrel heats up, with the barrel freefloated all the way to the front of the recoil lug, or start of the barrel, like I normally do wit these featherweight rifles. My '56 is shooting mother. However, that is one I glass bedded and fine tuned. It's damn near perfect:


Yes, it's a "sleeper":


Actually the loads I shot today were developed for this old girl^^ I think I have to add that the Mcmillan supergrade, while it is an awesome stock, doesn't mitigate recoil nearly as well as my Brown PoundR. It is also slightly butt heavy on this 1961 featherweight rifle in the OP. I did carry it to the target stand to see how it felt when carried and that is when I noticed the butt heavy feeling. Balances slightly behind the front action screw, which is right at the floor plate. Not bad in all, just something I noticed. Weight is less than the stainless classic featherweight by 1/2 pound. Sorry, I haven't put it on a scale yet. In all, I'm very happy with how the rifle functions. Even though the classic is smooth in operation, the pre is smoother. That was a no brainer, but figured I'd say it. Hopefully this has been an interesting thread for you guys and I will definitely keep you informed on the next range visit, after the barrel is fully freefloated..

Great range day!

Tell that to my shoulder. ha ha.. I was just in the shop freefloating the barrel on the pre 64. There was some pressure on it. As I relieved that area under the chamber, it lowered the barrel near the tip of the forend. Had to get the dremel out to speed things up a bit. Sanding that bedding out of the barrel channel is tedious work, even with 40grit paper over a deep well socket. Now it is completely freefloated. I'm thinking accuracy will be better now. In all, I agree it was a good day at the range. I found out what I wanted to know and am happy the stainless classic is shooting better now too. Its too pretty to not shoot well!!! The pre should do better next time out as well too.

Looks like both of them will come around. Nice guns.

Thanks Scotty. Pretty much just a preliminary for both rifles. A good baseline anyway. Kind of sad, I've had that stainless classic for almost exactly a year now and have not shown it much love. Besides just fixing the glass bedding, freefloating the barrel, sealing up the barrel channel, tuning the trigger, throwing a set of DD's and an old Nikon that came off of my Tikka 7mm08. I didn't even realize I had made that switch until I got it to the range yesterday and realized it was not a burris 3-9x40. I guess it fit well on the classic that I left it there. I think I made the swap because I took the Tikka elk hunting last year and prefer the Burris ffII with ballistic plex. Good thing I had a dime to adjust those 2 old scopes at the range yesterday. Oh and I was wrong: the leupold has click adjustments. I'm actually surprised how bright and clear that scope is. As long as it keeps working, I'll leave it on there. It looks good on this old rifle and is lightweight. Seems to be adjusting properly.

Those older Leupold’s with coin adjustment clicks work fine for me. It’s the new ones that haven’t been worth a [bleep]. I’ve got a 2.5x8 on a 280 7600 that works well. Optically they kinda suck early and late but they are usable.

Alright, I tweeked the bedding a little more and messed with the torque on the middle action screw. Sadly, I was in a hurry today and grabbed the wrong box of ammo (actually empty brass), that I thought was my partial box of180gr Nosler partitions. So I only shot the 180gr Winchester power point load and the 200gr Nosler partition load. That 200gr Partition load has always worked damned well in all of my other 30-06 rifles. I've also shot elk with it. I refer to it as my "elk load". Here are the results from today. Cut it short because I had to meet with someone about 20 acres I want to buy.

180gr Winchester power point. Load worked up for '56 fwt:


200gr Nosler partition. Load worked up in m1917 enfield and '56 fwt and 6 digit classic:


It was windy today, but it was pretty steady when I shot the 200gr load. I think the rifle is showing some promise. Should be elk capable..

I have a question for your guys. Do you ever just have a "FUN" day at the range. I'm not talking good. I'm talking FUN!! Well, I took the new rifle out today with its new scope mounted. Had a little quirkiness going on with the old Leupold. I really hate to be a damn Leupold basher, but damn if there are some issues with them that I just don't like to put up with quite frankly. Now that that is out of the way. The new/old scope that I put on the old rifle is one I've had for years. Its not as old as my American made first Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex reticle scope, but it's an old one nonetheless. The cool thing about this one is its gloss. Burris didn't make a lot of these gloss FFII's with the ballistic plex reticle:

(The Leupold did look better, but this scope tracks much better and I can trust it)

Most of them were matte finish. My other gloss with ballistic plex rides on the 22-250 XTR I bought at the beginning of the year. Anyway, I go to the range with some fresh ammo I loaded last night while you guys were sleeping. Its an old tried and true load with 180gr Winchester power points and good ol H4350. Its not the most accurate load I've tried in this rifle, but it shoots moa for 3 shots pretty consistently:


I also tried some Hornady 165gr BTSP with Big Game powder. Still on the fence about that powder. I may give it another try with magnum primers. I'm just not used to running magnums primers in the old warhorse:

I may throw another 1/2-1 grain at it as well. I think this rifle likes stiff loads. Anyway, after firing off the 180gr winchester power point load I decide to go to the 400 yard range. That thread about do groups really matter in a hunting rifle had me stirred up. Some guys get some weird azzed ideas that a rifle is going to shoot better the further the distance is. I set up a single target at 200 yards, 300 and 400 yards. Thinking it would shoot about a 2" group at 200, 3" at 300 and 4" at 400. Yeah, that is just about what it did. I don't feel like I was as focused as I am when I'm shooting my precision rifles, because I was there just having fun with my "hunting" rifle topped with my favorite hunting scope. Also, I couldn't see the fn target like I can with my 7-35x56 ATACR. ha ha just sayin.. Here's the range. I've shown pics of it before:

(This is an older pic, sorry I didn't take a pic of the '61 fwt on the bench, but you get the idea)^^^

Moment of truth at the 200 yard line, using the ballistic plex the way it was intended:

That powerpoint, as unsleak as it may be, did it's job^^^ Right around a 2" group, like I had predicted... No deer or elk would have survived that shidt...

300 yard line:

(Almost 4", damn!!) I blame it on my shooting and not focusing like I should. Still, in the kill zone though. That reticle is doing a damn fine job.

400 yards:



Of course, the wind decides to start gusting when I'm shooting my target at the 400 yard line, but I'll take it. Still easily in the kill zone of a deer. This is why I like this scope. I've used them on many rifles, most of my 30-06's and all of my hunting rifles, except for my 338wm. That one has a nice older 3.5-10x44 Conquest on top. That scope is great for those dark timber shots with the big 338. But the Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex never fails me. I am going to look for an older American made matte finish one and put this glossy sob back on the Tikka T3x 300WSM It came off of. It looks better on that shiny Tikka with the deluxe grade walnut stock:


I'm also still on the fence about those Conetrols. They sure are nice looking, but require a little more thought for scope installation than my favorite DD's. I have been zeroing the scope optically for windage and then adjusting POI more with the windage adjust screws on the side. Right or wrong??That way, theoretically, the scope will be on the centerline of the bore axis. Another reason I wanted to shoot 400 yards today, to see if anything was way off, but it seemed to be spot on for windage. Or at least close enough for my needs. I see some good potential in this new rifle, as I haven't even started load development for it yet. Except for the Hornady 165 BTSP load I posted a pic of above. That is the only work up so far and that was very minimal. I'm wanting to work up some 165 TTSX in this old girl, since I have a few hundred of those laying around. Load workup with that bullet may prove pretty promising. We will see though. This was posted because sometimes you just got to have fun out there. Its not always about putting every bullet in the same hole, its about finding out what your rifle is capable of and making the best of what you have to work with..

I seriously considered letting this barreled action go to you, but I think it's going to shoot too good as a 30-06 to be re chambered. I'll keep my eye out for something that you may be interested in buddy. You know me, I run across some pretty good deals. The last one I sold to 79s here for $800.00 shipped.

No worries. I’m sure the right one will come along eventually.

They eventually do. I had to upgrade a few things on my new rifle:

$900.00
(-) 345.00 (Leupold)
(-) 200 (Conetrols)

Total: $355.00. Somehow I thought I was doing pretty well when I was at the shop. Now I need to go back and look at more of their stuff. Got to hit up a few pawn shops along the way as well..

Rifles exactly where I want it now. Bedding is fine tuned, now I just need to start working on loads. Another project/rifle came along, so it pulled me away from this cool featherweight. That rifle really didn't need anything, but I skim bedded it anyway:


You Winchester boys have seen my work before. Range day was good this morning. Wind was starting to come up as the temp warmed up though:



The critters loved it. This one not so much:


I ended up selling the Leupold off of this rifle to a good guy on ebay. Sucks he had to pay taxes and chidt for it. Came out to about $383. Just sold the Conetrols to a good member here. Thanks buddy!! Brings the initial cost of the rifle down bigtime. Now I better get on loading up some 165 TTSX bullets. I have a few of those to work with. I'm hoping for 1 moa 5 shot groups with that bullet. We shall see.