Didn’t think I’d Actually Win It

[Joec7651]

Well, now what. Lol.

Just won a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 270 WSM for a good price. It’s in nice shape with a Nikon Monarch scope. I thought it would kick off at a higher price. Never a dull moment.

 

[bkordon]

Embrace the craziness. It was meant to be. Congrats

 

[Blkram]

Congrats! Is it a New Haven product, or one of the few made by FN before moving to Europe?

The 270 WSM is good cartridge. I've had good accuracy with the two rifles chambered to this cartridge since its introduction. Both would produce groups of less than a half inch at 100 yards.
My current rifle is the first generation LH Browning X Bolt All Weather (the second generation had a slimmer barrel with a muzzle brake).
I have only taken a caribou at 210 yards with this cartridge to date, and it performed well. The bull fell within a few yards from where it was shot with the Federal 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tip.

 

[Joec7651]

It’s a New Haven rifle, with CRF and 24” barrel.

 

[JD338]

Congrats on the Featherweight M70!

JD338

 

[RL338]

Congrats on your score , I’m guessing GB.
I’ve won several rifles that were dirt cheap because the seller didn’t categorized them right.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

A Model 70 is always a good score.

Had a Remington 700 SPS in .270 WSM back in 2004 or 2005. Loved the cartridge but that rifle was a piece of $#!+ so I sent it down the road.

 

[Joec7651]

Congrats on your score , I’m guessing GB.
I’ve won several rifles that were dirt cheap because the seller didn’t categorized them right.

That looks to be what happened I’m this case. I don’t think I’ve seen more than 3 Model 70’s go for less than this one did. I’ll wait and reserve the final opinion until it gets here, but I got it for what TC Venture’s are going for. Nothing wrong with a Venture mind you. I have one and love it, I simply mentioned it for context.

 

[sako2]

Do you have any magpro?

 

[Joec7651]

Do you have any magpro?

No Magpro. I have IMR4831, IMR7828, RL22,23,25,26, Staball HD, Staball 6.5, and LRT. About the only thing I’ll need to track down is brass I think. I feel like theres powder I’m forgetting, I’ll have to look more closely.

 

[Blkram]

It’s a New Haven rifle, with CRF and 24” barrel.

I know DrMike likes his M70 Featherweights, including his 270 WSM. His load with the 130 gr E-Tip worked well on moose and elk he got when we hunted together.
His 7mm WSM has the prettiest wood!
I will say his FN Featherweight in 300 WSM is very nicely finished! (Too bad they did not make any in LH at FN while stateside!)

 

[sako2]

All of Hodgdon's max loads with hd are compressed. Staball 6.5 is not. If that matters to you. They don't show any loads with lrt. Magnum should work good if you have it.

 

[Joec7651]

All of Hodgdon's max loads with hd are compressed. Staball 6.5 is not. If that matters to you. They don't show any loads with lrt. Magnum should work good if you have it.

I’ll give the bore a good scrubbing and let it tell me what it likes. I’ve got a good supply of powders I use for my 7mm RM’s that should get me started. As well as E-Tips and Partitions that I feed my 270 Win. The 130gr Partition would make a laser of a deer load in it. The E-Tips can handle anything else I’d hunt. I’d imagine the Partitions and monos are about the only ones that would hold together with exception of Accubonds.

 

[AFG270]

Congratulations on the rifle, I have the same rifle in 300 wsm, fine rifles!

Etips and ABs shot very well in my 270 wsm over RL26.

 

[Guy Miner]

One heck of a rifle! You will likely be happy with it. Grab brass & dies wherever you can find them!

Guy

 

[Blkram]

Joe,
I have researched the following for handloading for my 270 WSM:

• 140 gr BT or AB w/ Magnum and Hunter - Magnum listed for the higher max velocity of about 3200 fps vs 3000
• 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tip w/ Re-25, 22 and 19 - 25 listed for the higher max velocity of just under 3200 fps
• 136 gr Terminal Ascent w/ Magpro and Re- 26, 17, 22 and 19 - Magpro listed for the higher max velocity of about 3300 fps, but they also listed N-560, Hunter and H4831, with H4831 listed as the slowest max velocity of still about 3200 fps

My rifle has shown a preference for the Federal 140 gr TBT factory ammo producing 0.396" groups at 100 yards at 3156 fps in my 23" barrel, w/ a SD of 7.8.
Nosler 140 gr AB factory ammo also does well, producing 0.565" groups at 100 yards at 3073 fps, w/ a SD of 18.1.
The Federal 136 gr Terminal Ascent factory ammo produced a group of 1.357' group at 100 yards at 3213 fps w/ a SD of 13.7. I want to shoot this again as the grouping may have been me that day and not the rifle.

I wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at any game in my area (except for bison), out to 300 yards, as they are still retaining in excess of 2000 ft. lbs of energy. (edit: although at less than 175 gr, they are not legal for bison here)

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

No Magpro. I have IMR4831, IMR7828, RL22,23,25,26, Staball HD, Staball 6.5, and LRT. About the only thing I’ll need to track down is brass I think. I feel like theres powder I’m forgetting, I’ll have to look more closely.

Do you have dies? I have a set of RCBS FL dies I would send you for cheap.

 

[Joec7651]

Do you have dies? I have a set of RCBS FL dies I would send you for cheap.

I’ve got a set of Redding dies on the way for it. I suppose that made up my mind on whether to keep it. I sincerely appreciate your offer though.

To be truthful I didn’t think I’d win the auction so it’s coming together after the fact. When the auction ended I looked at my wife and said “What the hell do I do now?” Lol.

Blk, that’s great information. Thanks for passing it on. I’m sure I’ll have questions for you and Dr Mike. I don’t mind compressed charges when it’s within reason. I think RL23, Staball 6.5, or IMR4831 would work well with a 130gr Partition or E-Tip. I should be able to find something that works from my existing stores. I have quality .277 bullets, and a stable of powders for my 7mm RM’s that should fit the bill.

 

[Blkram]

Best of luck in your quest for a great load!
Looking forward to your reports

BTW - for better assistance w/ QuickLoad, DrMike is your got to! (I'm still learning with it; with his assistance!)

 

[DrMike]

Here are some of the loads that worked for me in two different Model 70 chambered in 270 WSM.

WW    CCI250    2.296    NOS 140 PT    H 1000    72.5    3244 +/- 17    0.39    FN MODEL 70
WW    WLRM    2.242    SIE 140 HPBT    RL 19    62.1    2997 +/- 21    0.81    FN MODEL 70
RP    WLR    2.269    SWF 140 AF    H 100V    59    3110 +/- 6    0.35    FN MODEL 70
RP    WLRM    2.26    SWF 130 SCI    RL 19    67.5    3424 +/- 15    0.6    USRA
RP    WLRM    2.775    SIE 130 SPT    H 4831SC    67    3230 +/- 18    0.76    USRA
RP    WLRM    2.299    NOS 130 AB    IMR 4350    63    3114 +/- 15    0.79    USRA

I settled on the following for hunting. This load has accounted for moose, elk, whitetail, mule deer, and black bear.

WW WLR 2.352 NOS 130 E-TIP RL17 59.5 3257 +/- 14 0.42 FN MODEL 70

I don't run these loads particularly hot, though I do aim for accuracy.