My Winchester model 70 hunting rifle "project"...FINISHED!!!

[Ridgerunner665]

The AB's aren't exactly the same as the 165 BT's...the ogive is different, and they are longer.

The 165 AB is the same length as a 168 BT...

 

[SJB358]

RR665, those look pretty nice all loaded up. Looking forward to seeing how they shoot.

 

[DrMike]

The ABs do look lethal nestled there among the BTs.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I didn't get to try the AB's yet, it was too dang hot the other day when I was shooting...I only fired 7 rounds, LOL...it was 100 degrees, takes too long for the barrel to cool between groups.

I sighted the new scope in and adjusted the trigger down to about 3 lbs. or so and gave it a touch of overtravel...the trigger is MUCH better now and it showed in the group I shot...that was the first time this rifle has actually done .5 MOA, but I figured it was capable.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

One more month to go until my stock arrives...I'm getting restless, deer season is just around the corner and i won't be back home until Nov. 15th (season opens the 17th) so I'll have to wait until next year to bed the McMillan...

Still haven't tried those AB's yet either...haven't been home in over 2 months and have over 2 more to go...on that note...I was all over Montana a few weeks back (I deliver combines for Machinery Link) and just realized that I've probably been somewhere near David in that time...maybe we can shake hands sometime.

Sorta depends on just exactly where in MT...unless I'm on my way to OR or WA...I rarely get west of Billings in the south or Big Sandy in the north.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Yeah, those look pretty good buddy. I had the Buckmaster 4.5x14-40AO. Decent scope, but the Vortex seems really good!

Late to this party but I have to agree with all sentiments regarding these two scopes. I have the Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 and a Vortex Viper 2-7x33. I've found them to be fairly equivalent despite their physical differences in magnification and objective size. On similar settings, they are basically the same. I think both are slightly better than the VX-II line. The Viper HS is definitely a step above. Not a LARGE increase in performance but more in line or slightly better than the VX-III/Monarch/4200 glass. Better clarity and contrast.

Hope your stock comes in in time for you to put this beauty through the paces required. I think those 165s are going to be perfect.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I keep checking everyday to see if the stock has been charged to my card yet....no joy so far...but its gotta be closer than it was yesterday :mrgreen:

 

[BK]

Yeah, man, I keep wondering about that myself. Gotta love the Mickey porn!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Thought I'd share a pleasant experience I had this week with the good folks at Vortex Optics...

The scope I bought has a "Vortex" emblem glued onto the parallax knob, while I was home a few months back I got out and tried the scope out...it was HOT (95 degrees), I was sitting in the shade of some round bales of hay just looking around through the scope...watching deer, birds, otters, and whatever else that decided to move around that day. While I was doing that I noticed that I had a "Vortex" emblem on my pants leg, LOL...

The glue got soft when it got hot and the emblem got rubbed off on my pants...no big deal really, I didn't think much of it, it didn't have any effect on the function of the scope...but the other day I decided that I'd send an email to Vortex and let them know what happened. I did not want warranty repair or anything, I glued the emblem back on myself (super glue) and I told them that...I just thought they'd like to know about their glue getting soft on hot days...nothing more, nothing less.

They offered me a new emblem if I needed, or I could send the scope back and they'd fix it...but like I said, I had no intentions of sending the scope back...even if I had lost the emblem (remember, it has zero effect on function).

I told them no that it was fine and the scope is one of the better scopes I have ever owned and that the emblem didn't mean anything to me personally, but other folks might get overly upset about it...thats the only reason I sent the email...to provide feedback.

My wife called me earlier today and said I got a new hat in the mail...its digital camo over blaze orange and says "Vortex" on it...like the one in the link below.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vor ... orange-cap

Some may say...big deal, its only a hat...well I wear hats, all the time...and more importantly, at least they did something...and I needed a new orange hat anyway, my other one is 12 years old, LOL.

Vortex secured a customer today...Nikon lost one.

 

[SJB358]

That is great RR!! That is excellent to hear that! Very good CS right there. Never owned a Vortex, but from all of the great reports, I wouldn't shy away from them a bit.

 

[DrMike]

It fits with what I've witnessed of their customer service. I'd say they mean business.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Got an email from Kay at McMillan today...doesn't look like my stock is gonna make it while I'm home this time (heading back out next Wednesday)...but I've got my sons rifle to tinker with, need to refine him a load with his Berger 175's and also rework the load for my wifes rifle using Winchester brass this time (only had Federal before)

I'll probably shoot mine some too...I'm anxious to try those AB's.

Hi Lynn,

Production just brought back the info on your stock. It is in the finishing. It should be ready to ship in the next week, but I don’t know which day. I put a note in your order to email you the tracking # when it leaves.

Thank you,

Kay Taylor-Biggs

McMillan Group International
1638 W. Knudsen Dr
Phoenix, AZ 85027
623-582-9635
623-581-3825 Fax

 

[SJB358]

At least you know it is on the way. Good luck with load work when you get the time.

 

[.280 Remington]

Thought I'd share a pleasant experience I had this week with the good folks at Vortex Optics...

The scope I bought has a "Vortex" emblem glued onto the parallax knob, while I was home a few months back I got out and tried the scope out...it was HOT (95 degrees), I was sitting in the shade of some round bales of hay just looking around through the scope...watching deer, birds, otters, and whatever else that decided to move around that day. While I was doing that I noticed that I had a "Vortex" emblem on my pants leg, LOL...

The glue got soft when it got hot and the emblem got rubbed off on my pants...no big deal really, I didn't think much of it, it didn't have any effect on the function of the scope...but the other day I decided that I'd send an email to Vortex and let them know what happened. I did not want warranty repair or anything, I glued the emblem back on myself (super glue) and I told them that...I just thought they'd like to know about their glue getting soft on hot days...nothing more, nothing less.

They offered me a new emblem if I needed, or I could send the scope back and they'd fix it...but like I said, I had no intentions of sending the scope back...even if I had lost the emblem (remember, it has zero effect on function).

I told them no that it was fine and the scope is one of the better scopes I have ever owned and that the emblem didn't mean anything to me personally, but other folks might get overly upset about it...thats the only reason I sent the email...to provide feedback.

My wife called me earlier today and said I got a new hat in the mail...its digital camo over blaze orange and says "Vortex" on it...like the one in the link below.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vor ... orange-cap

Some may say...big deal, its only a hat...well I wear hats, all the time...and more importantly, at least they did something...and I needed a new orange hat anyway, my other one is 12 years old, LOL.

Vortex secured a customer today...Nikon lost one.

I think I may secure my first Vortex here in the near future and this is great to hear!

 

[BK]

I have four of them. I kind like them, though I doubt they will ever take the place of 3-9x40 Conquests or 3.5-10x40 VX3s in my list of favorites. I would like to give the Viper HS LR a try, though. Love to have this one in an XLR reticle, but you can only get the XLR in the 50mm FFP models.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vor ... oa-reticle

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Still no stock yet...but here is a range report...just trying out a few different bullets.

150 grain Hornady SST's...58.5 grains H4350 (not chrono'd), just tried these because I had a few strays laying around.

These are the 165 grain AB's...I expected better from them...58 grains H4350, appx. 2900 fps, not chrono'd)

These are 168 BT's...58 grains H4350, 2,850 fps...my hunting load.

These are Berger 175 grain Hunting VLD's....58.5 grains H4350, 2,775 fps...these are from my rifle, not my sons, it seems his needs a new striker spring (got one ordered)...the rifle really likes these when they are loaded to the lands (3.36" OAL).

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Those groups were fired off the Bulls Bag sitting on the Craftsman tool tote...not exactly a rock solid setup because of the unlevel ground..but not bad either...still gotta get a table down there to shoot off of.

All in all...a very good day of shooting...sighted in 4 rifles...my 30-06, my wifes 270, my 243, and my friends 243...my 30-06 once again showed that it can shoot .5 MOA, and my friends brand new Savage 11 (243) showed that it can too!

 

[DrMike]

It looks as if you are moving in the right direction. Those are fine groups. It will only get better as you get the stock you want and a better rest.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have two Vortex scopes, both Crossfires both (with black, not visible) China decals on the scope tube. One is a 2-7x32 and the other a 6x40. The variable is on a Model 63 Winchester and aside from some coma at low power (gone by 4x), it is a very clear scope for $120 and works fine for this application. The 6x40 is similar.

My only beef is that I do not buy anything made in China since working there, just a personal thing with me.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Mine says made in the Philippines...