Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Pre-64 Model 70 rebarrel...???

[Hammer]

Dan...

Being a Pre-64 M70 collector and reading what you have posted about this gun I would say its value has been greatly ruined. However,many collectors still buy them if its something they may want becuse of what it is,just the value comes down. I have no idea why anyone would deface a gun with a brake in the first place but we have to remember not everyone is a fan of big mags feel when you pull the trigger.



If it was mine I would probably put a cryo treated Hart barrel on it in 300 Win Mag and finish it the way you want it. It would then give you years of good quality service and could be passed on to a family member if the time ever comes. I have two Pre-64's which I have bought which were probably as bad as yours or worse,one was a Pre-64 M70 Westerner in . 264 Win Mag and a . 338 Win Mag. I had find a replacement stock for the 264 as they had chopped it down to short and also had ported the barrel. I found a guy who hand made me a stock and then put a new Cryo hart barrel on it and its my deer gun for here in PA. The 338 was in need fo a stock refinish as they painted it black(and it was UGLY) and the barrel was shortend down some(not sure why as it shot really inconsistant). I had the stock redone and a new Hart cryo barrel placed on it also and it will lay a group on paper that rivals my purpose built bench rifles.



At any rate,I'd say save it and make it yours but if you feel the need to find it a new home as you do not wish to mess with it,drop me a line I always have room for another Pre-64 M70 and it would fit right in with the others... ..... Andy

 

[Dl5treez]

I took it to a local gunsmith my dad uses and he just shook his head...



and I quote...



Whoever did this... this... I don't know what to even call this brake. Whoever did this should be shot just on general principle.



:-laf





It sounds like the consensus is the same for everyone. New barrel, new stock, tune the action, and build one heck of a shooter.



Looks like I found my winter project.





Not much of a wood stock fan for a purpose built hunting rifle... . I panic about hurting the purty wood. So I'll go synthetic of some sort.



Barrels... . oh man, we have Hart, Lilga, Kreiger, etc... . where do I start?

 

[GHarman]

I took it to a local gunsmith my dad uses and he just shook his head...



and I quote...



Whoever did this... this... I don't know what to even call this brake. Whoever did this should be shot just on general principle.



:-laf





It sounds like the consensus is the same for everyone. New barrel, new stock, tune the action, and build one heck of a shooter.



Looks like I found my winter project.





Not much of a wood stock fan for a purpose built hunting rifle... . I panic about hurting the purty wood. So I'll go synthetic of some sort.



Barrels... . oh man, we have Hart, Lilga, Kreiger, etc... . where do I start?

I used ta know an old gunsmith that was convinced that anyone whom had the audacity to mess up a fine piece should be boiled alive, in Duck S**T:-laf. And he told ya so!

I know about them Winter Projects. Sometimes it takes a few Winters ta get 'em done. GregH

 

[Hammer]

Only Two barrels IMO... Hart or Kreiger.



I will have to get some shots of my new stock for my light gun,16 lbs,(the 6. 5/284)I am having made and installed here by a friend who does custom work on the side. It was a wood stock when my father and I built it years ago but the new scope will add a tad more weight so I need to go lighter with the stock. So I am having a fiberglass one done,painted Hemi Orange and sprayed with pearl Ghost flames. It should be all done next month when it is I will post some shots of it..... Andy

 

[Dl5treez]

Well, this winter project will probably only take one winter since I have ZERO gunsmithin' ability and will just be the checkbook behind the build... .









Andy... . seriously now. Hemi Orange stock with pearl ghost flames?



"Trick My Rifle" on CMT... .....



:-laf

 

[GHarman]

Kreiger and Bartlien are cut-rifled barrels. Hart and Broughton are button rifled barrels. I would consider a Stainless Steel barrel only if all your shooting and hunting will be done above 0*F temperature. At or below that temperature, use Chrome Moly barrels. Heres a list of barrel makers, albeit, not complete. I personally would not use a Lothar Walther. I would seriously consider the 5R or 5C rifling pattern as it gets a better seal on the bullet and has a tendency to increase velocities. For your "new rifle" I would consider minimum barrel length to be 26" for the . 300 Winchester Magnum. While you can go longer, the thread length of the barrel tenon on the M-70 Winchester is very short, . 75" if I remember correctly. Thats like taking a baseball bat and gripping the tip of the handle with your finger tips and holding it parallel to the ground. (a word picture illustration). You could use a heavier profile barrel, with a . 700" muzzle diameter, for example. A little stiffer tube, but that is also more weight to carry.

Premium Barrels



H-S Precision and McMillan make stocks that will work well with your barreled action. I do not care for plastic, injection molded stocks. Remember, that to get the best performance out of your project rifle, among other things,

the barreled action needs to be properly bedded into the stock.

Heres a source of Gunsmiths for your consideration, in addition to your local 'smith. These are among the best, proven by their work!

Top Gunsmiths

GregH

 

[Dl5treez]

Is there any advantage of cut vs. button rifling?



I know how each process is done, just wondering what the benefits, etc are for one over the other.

 

[GHarman]

Cut rifling actually removes metal in the process of forming the grooves, one groove at a time. Button rifling actually irons the rifling pattern into the undersized and reamed hole, displacing metal in the process. Internal finish, lay of the grain after machining, dimensional tolerancing(parallelism of the bore), concentricity, as well as the hardness of the steel are all characteristics that require your knowledge. The best rifling form will not be acceptable if there is an accidental lack uniformity in the rifling twist rate. Barrels with the same material from different steel sources can have different metallurgical chemistry(even of the same type). Barrel makers specify their material needs according to their tooling requirements. Equal quality machining is possible today with CNC equipment. However, some barrels are soft and some are hard. Hart barrels are at the soft end of the scale. H-S Precision barrels are supposedly the hardest in the industry at 38 RC(cut rifled). I dont know if they are marketing barrels to 'smiths anymore. They were one of the best, IMHO. Just about any maker using either method would be acceptable. Just do your own due dilligence and specify a "match grade barrel"! The Stainless Steel used in todays barrels is mostly Martensetic 416R. It contains some free machineing additives to aid in the manufacturing process. Stress Relief is also an important part of manufacturing. Nobody straightens barrels, any more. That process has gone the way of the dinosaur! I personally prefer cut rifled barrels. However, I have shot some really good buttoned barrels over the years. I am presently considering buying a Broughton 5C in . 30 for a low pressure target cartridge based on the . 30/30 to be fitted on a single shot falling block action. Any quality barrel maker will provide their specifications and most will guarentee their product. Being careful how you break it in and cleaning procedures are also very important. I hope this is helpful. GregH

 

[Dl5treez]

It is all very helpful... . a lot to absorb at once, but great information for anyone. Thank you!

 

[GHarman]

Just a couple of thoughts; #1. Several of the barrel makers offer fitting services for their barrels. You may save some time and shipping charges, getting the work done by the barrel maker.

#2. I dont know how well you can handle the recoil, but the same barrel makers that will do the fitting and chambering can also do a muzzle brake.

#3. If you use the barrel maker to do this work, dont forget to get them to do the finish work. That way everything is done, in house, with fewer hands involved. It wont be cheap, but it will be done correctly. Your guarantee may be enhanced this way, also. GregH

 

[Dl5treez]

Just a couple of thoughts; #1. Several of the barrel makers offer fitting services for their barrels. You may save some time and shipping charges, getting the work done by the barrel maker.

#2. I dont know how well you can handle the recoil, but the same barrel makers that will do the fitting and chambering can also do a muzzle brake.

#3. If you use the barrel maker to do this work, dont forget to get them to do the finish work. That way everything is done, in house, with fewer hands involved. It wont be cheap, but it will be done correctly. Your guarantee may be enhanced this way, also. GregH

1. I didn't know that. Great info..... might be a good way to approach it.



2. . 300 Win Mag at this point in my rather sheltered life is still okay. Muzzle brakes are too loud, my ears are much more Sally than my shoulder is.



3. You're talking specifically the barrel and action, not the actual bedding process, correct?



Fitting to a stock wouldn't be something they would do, correct?

 

[GHarman]

Both Kreiger and Bartlien offer all the services mentioned!

All firearms are loud and you should be wearing ear protection. With or without a Brake. GregH

 

[GHarman]

PS, You need to determine what barrel contour you want and which stock. Take some time with a piece of paper and do your step by step plan. Make some phone calls to your chosen service providers and discuss your needs. Get some estimated delivery times, providers prefered stocks and availability, your desires and prices. Some stocks, like a McMillian should be pillar bedded. An H-S Precision stock has an aluminum chassis that eliminates the need for pillar bedding BUT, does require a scrape in fit with, maybe, a skim coat of bedding. The McMillan HTG is one of my favorite stocks. I also have an H-S Precision heavy tactical on my . 30/338.

Heres a couple of links. GregH



McMillan Hunting Stocks, McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, Hunting & Sport Stocks



H-S Precision Online Store

 

[Dl5treez]

Maybe I should just send this to you and you can call me when you're done. :-laf

 

[GHarman]

That would be FUN! I'd be glad to help ifn you weren't so far away. I'd boss and you'd do what I tell ya:-laf. Very carefully, I might add. GregH

 

[Dl5treez]

. . and I would be a loyal apprentice.



As long as we didn't get into Jarrett price territory.

 

[GHarman]

Dl5treez, I PM'd ya! GregH