Perfect Pair of Model 70's

[ldg397]

Help me complete it, I am looking for a new rifle for the second half of my pair. I currently have the sc model 70 sporter in 300 win and it has sold me. I thought I was a remington rifle guy to the end until I bought this model 70. Also having to pay upwards of 600 + for remingtons probably has something to do with it as well. I am looking to buy the model 70 extreme weather but haven't decided on a caliber.

The only other rifle I have is a remington 700 LSS Mtn in 260 which I don't know if it will figure in my final battery of rifles or not. I am on the fence about selling it right now. I also have an 1895 ss guide gun in 45-70.

What are the opinions out there. I have always been more of an '06 guy than a 270 but the 300 win may be a little too close to the '06. Would like an every day carry gun that would be used for deer every year with occassionly muleys in west texas lot of hiking.

 

[DrMike]

Anyone who reads my posts knows that I love the Model 70 (especially the Featherweights). However, there is nothing wrong with the Remington LSS, and in 260, it is a great complement to your gun safe. You've got good coverage of what you need with a 260, a 300 WM and a 45-70. I suppose you could argue for a 338 WM or a 325 WSM for larger game at a distance. It would give you excellent coverage of every imaginable game you might hunt.

 

[6mm Remington]

How about a .280 Remington in a Model 70 Featherweight with a stainless barrel and action? That would be wonderful for what you describe it would mostly be used on, and it also can step up to the plate for bigger stuff if needed. A 140 gr. AccuBond or Partition at 3000 fps or so is superb!

The .280 Remington is totally underated and deserves much higher praise than what it gets. Just food for thought! :grin: :shock:

 

[JD338]

I agree that the 280 Remington would be a great caliber to go with your 300 Win Mag.

JD338

 

[BK]

If'n you are wanting a compliment to your .300WM, and want it to be a Model 70, my choices would be a Sporter in .25-06 or .243, an EW in .243, or a FWT in .243. The FWT and EW .25-06s have a 22" barrel which seems stupid on a .25-06 (YMMV). A .270 seems like it has too little separation from a .300 Winnie.

But I would NOT ditch the Mountain Rifle. Or if you do, sell it to me.

 

[FOTIS]

25-06 and 300 Win in Win model 70. Look no further.

 

[Elkman]

ldg397

I also have a model 70, 300 Win Mag and my plinking slash carrying around rifle is a Marlin Bolt in .308 . Mild recoil, accurate, points well and is 30 caliber ( I have lots of 308 bullets). I also have .223 for smaller game but its not a versitle as the 308 game wise. Nothing wrong with a 25-06 either. :grin:

 

[ldg397]

Actually I have always wanted a 280. I have thought about buying one of the stainless featherweights and rebarrel to .280 or .260. Unfortunately would probably have to sell remington mountain rifle to fund the rebarrel.

I think I am just getting bored with the .260 all it does is kill everything I point it at. I got a load for a 125g Partition that goes pretty consistantly into 3/4". Only complaint is it hard to load for with such a light barrel it takes all day to shoot a few groups because the barrel heats up. But as far as hunting it carries like a dream.

One question for you 280AI guys, does it still shoot factory 280 ammo accurately??

 

[257 Ackley]

Buy a featherweight in the blued rather than stainless model if you are going to re-barrel right away. You will save about $100 from where I have seen most prices on the two.

I agree with POP, the 25-06 gives you a nice pair of calibers that allow you to have most applications covered better than the .280. If you go with the .280AI, you can leave the 300 winni home for anything except big bear.

 

[ldg397]

Maybe I should amend this a bit. I think the long term plan would be to turn the twins into model 70 triplets. 300Win on the top end and 243 on the bottom end. Really looking for the one in the middle.

 

[Hegland]

This is sounding all too familiar. I have a quartet of 700s in the cabinet, but I bought one of the Columbia Featherweights out of curiosity. I am also impressed. It's chambered in .270, topped with a 6-power Leupold and it all adds up to an incredibly svelte deer rifle. It got its first blood last weekend, a big shed-antler buck.

After load development and hunting with this rifle, I'm now budgeting for the one you already have - a Sporter .300 Win. That will happen this year, and for next year I'm considering a rebarrel for the Featherweight to .280 or .280 Ackley... again out of curiosity. In any event, a guy can't go far wrong with an '06-based cartridge (pick most any bullet diameter) and a belted .30.

 

[BK]

Hmm, the practical side of me says that the jump from .243 to .300 Winnie really does not need to be breached. However, the rifle slut that I am says "go for it!" I'd still probably say .25-06 in a sporter, or a .270 in any of the models.

Here's a thought: instead of a middle bore, how about rebarreling a standard bolt face sporter to something bigger, like a .338-06 or .35 Whelen?

 

[FOTIS]

Maybe I should amend this a bit. I think the long term plan would be to turn the twins into model 70 triplets. 300Win on the top end and 243 on the bottom end. Really looking for the one in the middle.

Then a 270 or 280 (if they make one)

 

[DrMike]

Setting the parameters as you have, any of the following would make a good complement for your safe: 25-06, 270, 270 WSM or 7mm-08. Unfortunately, Winchester is not making a 280 at the moment.

 

[FOTIS]

then 270 in a featherweight! What a classic :!:

 

[SJB358]

Setting the parameters as you have, any of the following would make a good complement for your safe: 25-06, 270, 270 WSM or 7mm-08. Unfortunately, Winchester is not making a 280 at the moment.

Well, I know a sure way for Winchester to chamber a 280, I would have to buy a M700! Just kidding.

All jokes aside, a 25-06 or a 338-06 or Whelen would be a great pair of rifles (along with your 300WM). I imagine the 25-06 would be much more versatile though. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

I know a sure way for Winchester to chamber a 280, I would have to buy a M700!

:mrgreen:

 

[ldg397]

Thanks for all the input. I have looked around a little and seem to like the feel of the stainless featherweight more than the extreme weather. I think I am going to go to Cabelas after this ice storm passes and get me a stainless featherweight in a short action most likely a 270wsm or 243 then I am going to use it for awhile just to try out the new caliber and then rebarrel to 260/7-08/or 6.5 rem mag/6.5wsm. If they only have long action I will take a .270 or 26-06. Not very exciting but efficient and effective rarely are.

Shilen is only about an hour away and hill country is not too far about 4 hours. Always wanted a custom rifle. It is one of those things you get in your head even if all my rifles shot lights out you just gotta do what your brain wants sometimes.

 

[SJB358]

Thanks for all the input. I have looked around a little and seem to like the feel of the stainless featherweight more than the extreme weather. I think I am going to go to Cabelas after this ice storm passes and get me a stainless featherweight in a short action most likely a 270wsm or 243 then I am going to use it for awhile just to try out the new caliber and then rebarrel to 260/7-08/or 6.5 rem mag/6.5wsm. If they only have long action I will take a .270 or 26-06. Not very exciting but efficient and effective rarely are.

Shilen is only about an hour away and hill country is not too far about 4 hours. Always wanted a custom rifle. It is one of those things you get in your head even if all my rifles shot lights out you just gotta do what your brain wants sometimes.

If you get the 270WSM, you will forget about the others! I promise you that. It is really a very versatile round, able to launch 130's to nearly 3400 and 150's over 3100. It is an awesome caliber and I cannot think of a better rifle than the Stainless FWT. That would be the ultimate rifle I think. Nice and light and very packable. Plus, loading for the 270WSM is a cinch. Never had a bad load. They are all FAST! Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

What did you decide on? :wink: