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Author Topic: Lamenting demise of M70.....  (Read 1041 times)

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Offline Larry Gibson

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Lamenting demise of M70.....
« on: September 26, 2007, 09:34:31 AM »
Went gun shopping with oldest daughter to buy a rifle for her husband. He is a lefty so we've settled on a Savage for him. Some years back i decided to get a M70 Classic Sporter in 30-06 with the 24" barrel and schnabel forend synthetic stock. I procrastinated too long and got caught short by the closure of the Winchester plant making M70s. I've been looking for one for a while. Have found several but none were what i was looking for as most were in WSM calibers or in that gaudy synthetic stock. However while looking for left hand actions on a local gunshops rack I noticed a Classic Sporter back behind several other rifles. I inquired as to the caliber and the sales guy said something about it wasn't popular as most of them they'd sold were WSMs. He said that one was an '06, a not very popular cartridge anymore...I ignored his stupidity and said I'd like to look at it. I brought it home along with a set of Leupold's reversible 2 piece bases and low matte rings.
 
A quick disassembly showed every thing as it should be. The barrel was cleaned and the bore was very smooth. I adjusted the trigger to 2.5 lbs. I put a .01" steel shim under the flat behind the recoil lug to float the barrel. The bases were mounted rings forward with the back of rear base modified to allow the Zeiss 3x9 Conquest to sit forward for proper eye relief and be as low as possible. I will pillar bed the stock and bed the action in Brownell's steel bed but thought I'd shoot the rifle as was at least for barrel break in.  I had some 168 MKs loaded over 47 gr of 4895 to use for break in. I fired 3 single shots into a group cleaning between shots, then three 3 shot groups cleaning between groups and then three 5 shot groups cleaning between groups for a total of 27 shots in 7 groups. Average group size (100 yards) was 1.04". I then cleaned the barrel and fired 5 shots of the Hornady 180 SPBT over 56 gr of IMR4350. Groups size was .95".  I think she is a "keeper" and look forward to tweeking a load once the bedding is done and taking her hunting. Damned shame about the demise of the M70.......

Larry Gibson
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Offline dw06

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2007, 11:04:25 AM »
Funny how ya find something you been looking for when you were not expecting it.Glad you found it Larry,sounds like a keeper to me!
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Offline vicar paul

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2007, 12:50:38 PM »
Classic Rifle. Classic Cartridge! Good for you Larry

VP
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Offline old06

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2007, 01:55:02 AM »
I too miss the old M70 I have several now but like you I have waited a little long on some of the one's I would like to have I hope to fix that one day like you did but not as of yet I would have jumped on that one also
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Offline Zachary

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2007, 02:34:31 AM »
I can't believe that the sales rep said that the .30-06 was "not a popular cartridge anymore."  Shows to prove how unknowledgeable many sales reps are.

Glad to hear that you found what you were looking for.

Zachary
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Offline fish280

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2007, 07:21:24 AM »
i know you guys are lamenting the classic, but i gotta throw in with my raggedy old push-feed 670a. i wish i'd discovered 'em a long time ago. i much prefer these push feeds over the remmies. mine cost all of $200 at a gun show because of a cracked stock and barrel bluing issues. what a shooter after stock repair and bedding ...  ;D
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2007, 02:44:33 AM »
My buddy had a 670A in .30-06 and it was pretty nice.  It did seem to kick a lot for a .30-06.  Aren't most Model 70s push feeds?

You just can't beat a .30-06.
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Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2007, 12:04:23 AM »
Today I regret not buying a 670 when they were new on the market.  In the mid 1970's, K-Mart used put them on sale for most of the hunting season for $150 with a 4X scope.

Non the less, I rarely see 670's for less than $300 today, in any condition.
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Offline jvs

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2007, 09:45:42 AM »
The .30-06 has outlived many, many other cartridges.  The Ultra's, Short Mags and SAUM's are just the latest edition of wanna-be's.  Unfortunately, it seems for now that the Model 70 has run its course.  I am glad you found the one you wanted.

If that Clerk thinks the 06 is unpopular, maybe he should be around when hunting season starts and people come head for the range.  Obviously he is not well schooled or experienced.   I believe the .30-06 has a long, long way to go before it dies the death that some of the more recent calibers will.

You will already find it hard to find casings for some of the recent oddballs.
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Offline Catfish

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2007, 11:35:30 AM »
A while back I had a fellow try to sell me him pre 64 mod. 70 -06. I talked him out of it. I think it was his dad that bought the gun new and I just could not take advantage of him and his children by buying the gun. It sure was sweet too.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2007, 02:22:33 PM »
A favorite quote of mine...

"I have long taught that if you can't do it with a 30-06, you probably can't do it."

Col. Jeff Cooper
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline banen

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Re: Lamenting demise of M70.....
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2007, 04:16:53 PM »
There was a thread on here some months back saying that the discontinued Winchesters were going to come back in Late 2008.  They said they were going to be made in South Carolina or something.  Anyone know any more about it??
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