I worked on one of my model 70's today - 08/26/18
Alright, I've been messing around with AR's for a while now and I wanted to work on one of my model 70's. This has actually been an ongoing thing with this particular rifle. So here's the story. I'll try to keep it short: About a year ago, I decided I needed another 7mm magnum. So I bought a Tikka T3X superlite on sale. It came with a scope that I later sold. So I ended up paying $500.00 for the Tikka after selling the scope on Ebay. Then a week later I saw this 7 digit classic stainless 7WSM on Gunbroker. I had to bid on it, since the starting price was way low and no one had bid on it. Needless to say, I ended up buying it with no one else bidding on it. So now I have 2 7mm magnum rifles and I only needed/wanted 1. I put both rifles through their paces. Hunted with both of them and liked each one about equally. Here's the tikka out deer hunting and at the range:
Was the Tikka accurate? Hell yeah it was. Did it carry nice in the field. Hell yes. Was it light. Yep. Then why did I pick the model 70 over the Tikka, you might ask. Well, here's why:
1. Less recoil. I had 2 others shoot both rifles and confirm this.
2. It's a model 70, pure and simple.
3. Damn near as accurate as the Tikka: Caveat: after glass bedding and trigger work.
4. More Familiarity with the design.
I'm not knocking the Tikka by any means. They are a damn good rifle. When asked which "new" rifle would you buy, I always say Tikka.. But to me, a Tikka is not a Classic model 70. You winchester guys know where I stand on this. So, If I have not introduced you to my 7mm WSM elk rifle, here it is and here's what I have done with it:
1. Glass bed the tupperware
2. Freefloat the barrel
3. Paint the tupperware
4. Add red pachmayr. Ground and fit myself.
5. Tune the trigger to an even 2.5 pounds
6. Work up hand loads to shoot moa 5 shot groups
7. Add Leupold Dual dovetail bases and rings and a Zeiss 3-9x rifle scope
8. Recontour the floor plate: Get rid of all the sharp edges (a lot of 7 digits were like this).
9. Polished the receiver raceways, bolt body and extractor so it's butter smooth.
I've been envisioning the same paint scheme that I did with my 338wm for a long time now and it's finally done. I hope it's the lucky elk rifle this year, but you never know:
Take care guys and good luck with your hunts this year!!!!!
Was the Tikka accurate? Hell yeah it was. Did it carry nice in the field. Hell yes. Was it light. Yep. Then why did I pick the model 70 over the Tikka, you might ask. Well, here's why:
1. Less recoil. I had 2 others shoot both rifles and confirm this.
2. It's a model 70, pure and simple.
3. Damn near as accurate as the Tikka: Caveat: after glass bedding and trigger work.
4. More Familiarity with the design.
I'm not knocking the Tikka by any means. They are a damn good rifle. When asked which "new" rifle would you buy, I always say Tikka.. But to me, a Tikka is not a Classic model 70. You winchester guys know where I stand on this. So, If I have not introduced you to my 7mm WSM elk rifle, here it is and here's what I have done with it:
1. Glass bed the tupperware
2. Freefloat the barrel
3. Paint the tupperware
4. Add red pachmayr. Ground and fit myself.
5. Tune the trigger to an even 2.5 pounds
6. Work up hand loads to shoot moa 5 shot groups
7. Add Leupold Dual dovetail bases and rings and a Zeiss 3-9x rifle scope
8. Recontour the floor plate: Get rid of all the sharp edges (a lot of 7 digits were like this).
9. Polished the receiver raceways, bolt body and extractor so it's butter smooth.
I've been envisioning the same paint scheme that I did with my 338wm for a long time now and it's finally done. I hope it's the lucky elk rifle this year, but you never know:
Take care guys and good luck with your hunts this year!!!!!