Model 70, 270 WSM

[Joec7651]

I finally got a couple photos taken of my new Featherweight. The photos aren’t great, that’s on me.

Bore looks good, not fired much. There’s no erosion at all in the throat. Truthfully, I’d be surprised if there’s been 60 rounds fired. I’d call the blueing at 100%. There isn’t any wear even on sharp edges. Brass arrives tomorrow according to tracking. Maybe I’ll see how it shoots this weekend. Have a great evening guys.

 

[DrMike]

Looks to be in excellent shape. Again, you did well. The rifle will undoubtedly serve you well. The cartridge is a great one.

 

[bkordon]

Well played sir! Enjoy your new rifle. I cannot wait to see the progress. I recently went down a similar rabbit hole with a 325WSM. Got a crazy deal but decided to rebuild it. New trigger, new stock, new bases and rings, but cannot decide which optic to mount. Longer term project but I am quickly learning to grab anything projectile related. Brass is a ghost, but I did pick up some Nosler Trophy Grade loaded with 200gr Accubonds for a price similar to what 50 rounds of brass and bullets would cost, so that's a win. At some point I may start a new post with the rifle included.

 

[Joec7651]

I think it was just a fluke that I ended up with it. I’d rather be lucky than good I suppose. I’m going to keep it. It really is a pretty rifle. My grandson will end up with this one. Hopefully after many winters slung over my shoulder of course.

 

[SJB358]

You did great. Nice rifle in all aspects.

 

[Joec7651]

I do have one question. I usually float the barrels of my rifles if they don’t have full length clearance. Do you guys full float the barrels of your Featherweights? Is it needed? Does it help them with consistency?

Bare in mind that I haven’t fired the rifle yet. Regardless I was going to see how it behaves without floating the barrel. If it groups well I was going to leave it alone.

 

[DrMike]

I have owned, and still own, a number of Featherweights. Some received a fore-end pad to brace the barrel. Some received a partial relief of the barrel channel. Some were free-floated for the length of the barrel. I let each rifle tell me what it wanted. As it happens, both of the 270 WSMs were fully free-floated. Consequently, of the fifteen or so Featherweights I have owned, only one was ever sent down the road because of poor accuracy. It was a 7X57 and I was homing in on a load when I was offered a 300 WSM in exchange for the rifle. I did let that one go before I found the accuracy potential I desired. The Featherweight is my favourite rifle, I would say. Or it is at least very near to perfection for me.

 

[JD338]

Beautiful rifle, congratulations.
I'd leave the barrel/bedding as is and shoot it first.

JD338

 

[Joec7651]

Thank you gentlemen. That was kinda my thoughts as well. See how it shoots as-is before doing anything.

 

[gerry]

Beautiful rifle, those featherweights are such nice rifles.

 

[Joec7651]

Well played sir! Enjoy your new rifle. I cannot wait to see the progress. I recently went down a similar rabbit hole with a 325WSM. Got a crazy deal but decided to rebuild it. New trigger, new stock, new bases and rings, but cannot decide which optic to mount. Longer term project but I am quickly learning to grab anything projectile related. Brass is a ghost, but I did pick up some Nosler Trophy Grade loaded with 200gr Accubonds for a price similar to what 50 rounds of brass and bullets would cost, so that's a win. At some point I may start a new post with the rifle included.

Thank you. One thing is certain. There is no cheap ammo for a WSM. I was able to pick up 100 pieces of Hornady brass for a fair price. Fair for the merchant, LOL. I may spring for Norma.
I’m set pretty well for .277 bullets. I am going to tinker with the trigger some to see if I can lighten it a bit. I’m pretty happy with the walnut, and it has quality Leupold bases and rings, and the Nikon Monarch is very clear as all Nikons were. I haven’t fired it yet because the brass isn’t expected until tomorrow, but I think the trigger may be the only thing I mess with.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Hey Joe, FWIW my limited experience with feather weights has been four. Two were full length bedded to the sling stud in the barrel channel after tried free floating. One floated and action bedded with one inch under the barrel. One I bought for my son was like this. All different but each does well with their own treatment. As you said shoot and see, go from there.
Dan.

 

[Joec7651]

Thanks Dan that puts it in perspective. I’m going to see how it does before anything is done. Hopefully it puts them all in the same hole and nothing gets touched. Realistically I don’t feel like I am a one hole shooter anymore, maybe on a lucky day.
The brass hasn’t been delivered yet so still waiting to put the first load through it. I’m going to start with the HBN coated E-Tips and Staball HD. Pressures don’t seem to spike when I’ve used them with slower powders. I try to reach peek pressure after the bullet has engraved. It may not mean anything but that was my reasoning for working with slower powders with E-Tips.

 

[xphunter]

Good Snag.
I do use Norma 270 WSM brass for my 6.5 Leopards (6.5 WSM), and I have always been pleased.
Yes, the brass is pricey though.

 

[Joec7651]

Good Snag.
I do use Norma 270 WSM brass for my 6.5 Leopards (6.5 WSM), and I have always been pleased.
Yes, the brass is pricey though.

That sounds like a nice cartridge. How do you like it?

 

[xphunter]

That sounds like a nice cartridge. How do you like it?

I love the 6.5 Leopard. I had one or two of them for the last 15 years plus or so.
The rear grip Muley was around 450ish.
The Center-Grip XP Muley’s were both over 600 yards.

 

[xphunter]

The center-grip 6.5 Leopard has a different stock on it now...I use to call it the Pink Panther.
It newer one (not pictured) is a ambi stock that Aaron Alexander made.
I also just had Peter Angelos/Omega Precision (Gillette) put a new and a shorter tube on it.
Will post pics, once load development is done. It is still in Peter's shop

 

[Joec7651]

Beautiful Muley’s! To me it’s pretty amazing that you can reach out that far with a handgun. The tolerances in those hand cannons have to be extremely tight to have the consistency to tackle those ranges. I’m kind of in awe of it actually.

 

[xphunter]

Beautiful Muley’s! To me it’s pretty amazing that you can reach out that far with a handgun. The tolerances in those hand cannons have to be extremely tight to have the consistency to tackle those ranges.

Thanks.
Let me say it this way, a custom build bolt action build, is no different whether rifle or handgun.
If, the same quality of parts and workmanship is there, the pistol is just as accurate as the rifle.
The difference is in the MV. I give up velocity when I use a shorter barrel.
I do not give up accuracy.
I am limited by having a rig without a buttstock, and my center-grip's are all single-shot.
Learning how to get solid field rests with bolt pistols is not as hard as it seems.
I have been doing this since the mid 80's, and I enjoy them.

 

[Joec7651]

For me 100 yards is a long shot with my .44. It’s a Ruger Super Blackhawk with the 7 1/2” barrel. Off sandbags I’ve came up with a load that does 1 1/2”. I was ecstatic with that. But that’s under range conditions, not field.