Change of Plans

[joelkdouglas]

I didn't really know which forum to post this in, as it kind of touches all of them.

I'm active duty USAF, and we moved to Louisiana in June. I figured since the license plates said "Sportsman's Paradise" that would mean fantastic deer hunting, but in actuality I've found it doesn't really mean that. Thick brushy stuff everywhere, and no more hunting access than anywhere else. Maybe if I were here longer I would figure it out. Or maybe if I were a better woodsman I would just know what to do--some of the locals seem to do just fine.

But I found a hunting association in Missouri to join, and I can hunt private land, and it's not that expensive. I also grew up in Missouri, so I'm definitely more familiar with the woods there. And more commonly deer hang out in the ag fields in the evenings.

I also got a call about a month ago from Bartlein; my new .30-06 barrel for my Rem 700 was ready. So my rifle is at Bartlein, and I'm using my Grandfather's Winchester Model 70 (post '64, push feed), also chambered in .30-06.

Tonight I loaded up some 58.0 grain Ramshot Hunter, CCI standard primer, Lapua virgin brass, with 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. Should be great for a whitetail. Tomorrow I go to the range to sight the rifle in. I leave for Missouri 10 Nov, and rifle opens 12 Nov.

Of course I don't like using a rifle I'm not familiar with, but the only thing that actually bothers me about the Winny is the trigger. Anybody know if I can self-adjust the trigger pull down a bit? I haven't taken the stock off, but I would guess it's got the stock Winny trigger. It definitely isn't a Timney, as I'm familiar with those.

Also, the scope wears a Leupold M8 4x scope, with friction adjustment. I've kind of done some researching, and it appears that each notch on the adjustment means 1 inch. Have any of you used the friction adjustments? Tips?

All in all I think the 180 grain NBTs will do great for whitetails, and all the Winchester has to do is shoot 2 MOA groups for me to be happy.

 

[NoelW]

Welcome to Louisiana Joel. We do have a lot of deer here in La., but like you mentioned, it's so thick it's hard to get to them. Guess that's why we have so many. Good luck in Mo., lot of deer and big deer there.

I have adjusted the trigger on the model you are asking about a long time ago. From what I found it does not adjust very light and still remain safe. Most of the M70 triggers, it not possible to remove all of the trigger spring pretension so the spring has to be replaced to make it safe. When you can't take out the pretension only the trigger to sear tension keeps it from firing, not safe. If you want to adjust that trigger, I recommend you take it to a gunsmith. I much prefer changing out the trigger to Timney, or my preference, Jewell.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Thanks NoelW. I think it sounds like I'll just deal with a heavy trigger.

We've enjoyed Louisiana. And one of the guys I work with is from Houma, LA (I believe far south Louisiana), so I'm hoping he can show me around some woods in LA to figure out how to kill deer here. He's deployed right now. I know there are deer here, but I'm not sure I'm a good enough woodsman to kill them consistently. I've only hunted in Missouri or out west, where visibility is never a problem.

My wife and I are also looking forward to...King Cake? I've never had it, but supposedly it's good. My wife and I have our 10-year anniversary coming up this spring, and we're planning a trip to New Orleans, as we've never been.

Thanks again.

 

[NoelW]

Congrats on your upcoming 10th. You are right about Houma, it's about 90 miles SE of me. It's even farther South than New Orleans. I'm 45 miles W of Baton Rouge, just outside of Lafayette. If you can find a Meche's Donut shop try their King Cake. They are my favorite, try 1/2 Bavarian Cream and 1/2 Raspberry filled.

 

[joelkdouglas]

The range report was quite successful. Even with the heavy trigger, the NBTs had one 3-shot group that was a cloverleaf. 4x scope at 100 yards. I understand a 3-shot group doesn't mean much, but I'll take that anytime before heading out to hunt.

I guess I do need to say, even though I'm a Remington fan, that Winchester does make a pretty accurate rifle. Some years ago I also replaced my stock Rem 700 trigger with a Timney. I may need to do that with this rifle as well.

The load was 58 grains Ramshot Hunter, CCI standard LR primers, Lapua brass, 180 grain NBT, in a .30-06. Also happens to be the highest velocity "most accurate for this powder" load in the Nosler #6 manual. The manual lists a powder that had better accuracy, but at a lower velocity. I haven't used this load with elk bullets (AccuBond, Partition) yet, but you can bet I will once I have some deer in the freezer.

 

[Elkman]

joel

It takes 5 min to adjust that trigger. Pull the barrel and action out of the stock and turn it upside down. Threre are two little nuts on a threaded screw that places tension on the trigger spring. Use a thin bladed screw driver to hold screw in place and back the nuts off a turn and try the rifle again. Just don't loosen them so much as to eliminate "any" tension. You may have to do it a couple of times before you notice an improvement. Winchester triggers have the fewest moving parts on the trigger assembly of any rifle I have ever owned. Winchesters will shoot as well as most any rifle.