If you had $1300 for a rifle which one?

[Oldtrader3]

IMHO, the 725 was the best rifle that Remington ever built. I bought one in about 1967 chambered in .30-06 and my wife used that rifle as her main deer hunting rifle for several years. It was a very well crafted rifle compared to most of the modern Model 700 varieties.

 

[DrMike]

I wouldn't rule out picking up the Limited Edition CDL-SFs that were chambered in .257 Roberts and .280, either.

Kurt,

My 257 Bob is the CDL-SF, and it is going to take a lot of work to get the potential out of it. On the other hand, I passed on the .280 CDL-SF. A gal at the store bought it, and it has been a shooter since day one. She really got a fine rifle in that one. C''est la vie; plus le choix.

 

[SJB358]

Either way, jump on an M70 264 if you can find one. I don't think you'll be disappointed. You'll likely use your 270's for fence posts or something.

I'm pretty seriously considering only keeping the 725 intact. I bought both of the SPSs (a stainless and a blued) as donors. A 6.5-06, a .280 AI, and a .338-06 standard or AI are all in the mix.

Still would like to get a Sporter M70 in .264, though. A Supergrade might work in a pinch. :twisted:

That SG that Fotis posted was very nice for a hunting rifle. It was more of a Sporter class stock, but it was very nice.

You have got some serious rifle builds on the way. What a trio of sweet rifles you would have with the 6.5, 280 and 338-06's. Although, I think they should be named the 6.5-35 Whelen, 280-35 Whelen and 338-35 Whelen's! :twisted: Scotty

 

[BK]

338-35 Whelen

I might think about having one of the .270s barrel stamped "6.8-06". That should confuse someone.

 

[SJB358]

338-35 Whelen

I might think about having one of the .270s barrel stamped "6.8-06". That should confuse someone.

I think Joel and myself have made a pact to call anything metric by their American designation, such as a 9.3-375 Ruger would be called the 366 Ruger! The American name just rings getting in my ear... Scotty

 

[Oldtrader3]

Or a .366 WSM!

 

[SJB358]

Or a .366 WSM!

Exactly Charlie! Now were talking turkey! Scotty

 

[Woodycreek]

338-35 Whelen

I might think about having one of the .270s barrel stamped "6.8-06". That should confuse someone.

I think Joel and myself have made a pact to call anything metric by their American designation, such as a 9.3-375 Ruger would be called the 366 Ruger! The American name just rings getting in my ear... Scotty

What happened to the .458 Ruger?

 

[SJB358]

Nothing has happened yet with anything. Still in the planning stages right now. You'll be the first person on my list to know when I send for a barrel! Scotty

 

[efw]

Buy a new Winchester and have it fluted and bedded. It would meet your criteria and leave you a couple of dollars in your pocket. Realistically, you could do something similar with any of a number of rifles offered today, though they wouldn't be Winchesters unless you bought a Winchester, and friends don't let friends hunt with rifles that aren't Winchester. :grin:

I am with Mike. If you want it fluted and bedded from the factory the EW is awesome and comes in less than a 1000.00.

JMAD has picked up a M70 action and should have a complete build done for about what your cap is, with a nice stock. Love the Winchesters. Scotty

Yep; BIG TIME. I wouldn't drop $1300 on a Remington anything, personally. Win M70 would be da schiz.

Personally if I had $1300 for a rifle I'd buy a Kimber 84L in '06 w/ select grade wood and bed that bad boy which serves as well as aluminum.

 

[efw]

IMHO, the 725 was the best rifle that Remington ever built. I bought one in about 1967 chambered in .30-06 and my wife used that rifle as her main deer hunting rifle for several years. It was a very well crafted rifle compared to most of the modern Model 700 varieties.

No way man; they made the '03-A3!!

 

[Oldtrader3]

The Springfield 03-A3 was the forerunner of the Winchester Model 54 which I owned one of that was chambered for the .250-3000 Savage. Plus, I have owned a couple of sporterized (restocked), parkerized A3's. They were great rifles in their day and I used all of mine a lot. However, I prefer the Model 70 to any of their predecessor designs.

I counted up some time ago, as I once collected Pre 64, Model 70's, and I have owned over 25 Model 70's, mostly Pre-64 Model 70's since 1965 and probably a dozen Model 94 (and other) lever actions. I cannot even remember all of them at this point in old age, but I can remember 25 of the Model 70's, model and caliber. Presently, I only own two of Model 70's and several other bolt actions, having sold most before I retired. The (2) which I still have are a Pre 64, .270 Super Grade (1949) and a .30-06, USRAC (1996). Both have been upgraded, or customized are very accurate and have killed a bunch of game.

My vote always goes to the Model 70, and they are still kicking and making a good rifle. My .270 Model 70 has killed more deer than any rifle that I have ever owned.

 

[trsmith1818]

awesome discussion and info.....exactly why ive come to love this site

 

[ElmerThud]

Are there any European rifles to be had for this sort of cash over the water there, or are they just too expensive..?? I'm thinking maybe Sako, Steyr Mannlicher, BRNO, Sauer.
Do you guys have stores that sell these rifles in the US/Canada?
I guess when the Euro collapses under the strain of debt ridden countries, they'll be snatched up pretty cheaply soon :twisted:
Cheers

 

[ROVERT]

You can find some Sako 85's for around that price or under. Steyr Pro Hunters and CZ rifles are the others that come to mind. There are also the Tikka T3's and Sako A7's... and the Benelli R1. I'm sure there are others.

As far as cheap European rifles in the future, I guess it depends which currency wins the race to fail.

 

[FOTIS]

Or a .366 WSM!

And I thought I was the only oddball!

 

[BK]

I can name at least one other oddball around here!

 

[SJB358]

I can name at least one other oddball around here!

Whoa Kurt, it is too early for name calling just yet. I think we have to wait till 1200L EST before we do that around here. That 9.3WSM does sound pretty cool though! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Consequently, QuickLoad has data for the 9.3-300 WSM. With a 250 grain Nosler PT, here's what it would look like:

Cartridge : 9.3-300 WSM
Bullet : .366, 250, Nosler AccuBond 59756
Useable Case Capaci: 67.314 grain H2O = 4.371 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 84 54.40 2242 2791 32551 6583 92.5 1.513
-18.0 86 55.76 2298 2931 34776 6779 93.7 1.471
-16.0 88 57.12 2353 3073 37156 6966 94.8 1.429
-14.0 90 58.48 2408 3220 39708 7143 95.7 1.385
-12.0 92 59.84 2464 3370 42445 7309 96.6 1.344
-10.0 94 61.20 2519 3523 45381 7463 97.4 1.303
-08.0 96 62.56 2574 3679 48513 7605 98.1 1.264
-06.0 98 63.92 2629 3838 51932 7733 98.7 1.227
-04.0 100 65.28 2684 4000 55588 7848 99.1 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 102 66.64 2739 4165 59532 7947 99.5 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 68.00 2794 4332 63793 8030 99.8 1.123 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 107 69.36 2848 4502 68406 8098 99.9 1.090 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 109 70.72 2902 4675 73406 8148 100.0 1.059 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 111 72.08 2955 4849 78837 8187 100.0 1.028 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 113 73.44 3009 5025 84754 8222 100.0 0.999 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 115 74.80 3062 5204 91211 8254 100.0 0.971 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 68.00 2903 4679 76110 7666 100.0 1.048 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 68.00 2633 3847 52641 8040 95.6 1.221

 

[SJB358]

Those numbers look pretty good to Mike. Nearly 2900 with RL17 with a 250 would be something. Makes my 338WM sweat a little. Scotty