Question about model 70 Winchesters

[ez4545]

I was looking at barrels on an on-line auction and saw several pre 64 barrels in some interesting calibers like 22-250 etc. Will the threads from the old Winchester 70 barrels screw right in to my 7 or 8 year old rifle? I would like to go to the smallest caliber possible without altering the bolt head unless there is an inexpensive way to do that.

I have one of the walmart model 70s in 270 that I bought for a future trip out west for elk or mule deer. For reasons beyond my control It's highly unlikely I'll get to hunt anymore so I'm looking at a barrel swap for shooting targets.

The rifle is very smooth to operate and very accurate. I know this sounds crazy but to me it's almost boring to shoot it just for fun. I know I can take it out anytime and shoot great groups but the effects of the recoil and the caliber just don't make sense for me to keep it in 270 if I can rebarrel to a caliber that won't require altering the bolt.

Bill

[Scrounger]

Pre-64 Winchesters have an extractor like a Mauser or Springfield, requiring an extractor cut in the barrel. In 1964 Winchester changed the action and used a different extractor, not requiring a cut in the chamber end of the barrel. Then in the 90s, they brought out a new action much like the pre-64 and called it the Classic. I think they produced both Classic and Post-64 guns until they shut down. First you have to determine which kind of action you have and then find the correct barrel to fit it. If it is a Post-64, the Pre-64 won't work, and besides they'll be a lot more expensive than Post-64 barrels; collectors items, you know. Another thing you should think about is cartridge length. Your .270 is set up for a cartridge 3.34" long; a .22-250 is much shorter than that and may give you feeding problems. If I were you, I'd try to find someone with a small caliber that wants a .270 and work out a trade, or simply sell your rifle on AuctionArms and buy the caliber you want, much more satisfying in the long run.

[danski26]

People list things as "pre-64" as if it were given from god himself then. Its a take off barrel! There is a reason someone took it off in the first place. A gunsmith can cut the extractor cut into the barrel when it is put on if it does not already have one and you need one for you action. not a big deal. If you want a target rifle your not going to want a factory take off barrel for it.

If you want to go to a smaller cartridge head case like .223 you would need a new bolt. Lots of directions you could go with this project. Best to talk to a gunsmith and your wallet and see what you can come up with.

[quack1]

I would check into that further. I'm no expert, but I don't think there were any pre-64 m-70's factory chambered in 22-250.

[Scrounger]

I would check into that further. I'm no expert, but I don't think there were any pre-64 m-70's factory chambered in 22-250.

It is probably a barrel from a more recent Classic? I'm no expert.

[lovedogs]

All these guys are giving you good advice and I believe their info is correct, also. It's not really worth all the hassle and all you'd invest in the project. You'd be better off selling it and buying what you really want. A .22-.250 isn't really a target rifle anyway. Not that they won't shoot; they will. But you'd soon be replacing the bbl. If you're not going to hunt or pack the rifle you'd be better off with any one of the real target/varmint rifles. If you want to stay economical and keep recoil low go with a good heavy bbl. .223. Savage, Remington, Ruger, Tikka... everyone makes 'em.

[26Charlie]

Sell an accurate rifle? for shame! I only sell or trade inaccurate rifles - at least until the grim reaper makes his approach, then I may pare down my collection.

Seriously, I have lots of good cast bullet loads for the two .270's I picked up over the years - Remington M721 and M760. they are very accurate, fun to shoot, and economical, and of course don't blast your ears off.

[Newtire]

Another thing you should think about is cartridge length. Your .270 is set up for a cartridge 3.34" long; a .22-250 is much shorter than that and may give you feeding problems. If I were you, I'd try to find someone with a small caliber that wants a .270 and work out a trade, or simply sell your rifle on AuctionArms and buy the caliber you want, much more satisfying in the long run.

I have a .243 I bought from a guy I know and it is a long action Parker Hale Mauser. Like Scrounger said, it has a real funky feed. I even tried one of the removeable clips they sell for shorter cartridges & still get the feed problems. I would keep my eyes open for a good used short action for which many boolit styles are available.

[PatMarlin]

Sell an accurate rifle? for shame! I only sell or trade inaccurate rifles - at least until the grim reaper makes his approach, then I may pare down my collection.

Seriously, I have lots of good cast bullet loads for the two .270's I picked up over the years - Remington M721 and M760. they are very accurate, fun to shoot, and economical, and of course don't blast your ears off.

Care to share your .270 loads? .......:drinks:

[9.3X62AL]

+1 to Pat Marlins's request. Mind you, I don't have a 270--and have only fired one on one occasion (sorry, Mr. O'Conner). The 270 Winchester is one of the least-discussed calibers among the casters here, and I suspect a lot of the reason is the relative lack of molds available from mass-producers like Lyman and RCBS. Having the 9.3 x 62, I do know the feeling.

[ez4545]

Amen to that Deputy Al! I wanted a model 70 in 270 since I was a school kid sitting on the floor with piles of American rifleman and at least five other magazines. mostly hunting, reading them til my folks would yell "it's school night, GET TO BED"

I finally got one and I've been close to trading it several times and I just haven't found the right trade yet.

It has to be the one popular round that there's just not enough great molds made for it. Not much in the way of jacketed bullet choices.

bill

[26Charlie]

Well OK, here are loads which do well in my Rem 721 and Rem 760 .270's. Both rifles have scopes.

Best bullet is probably RCBS 27-150-SP. This is a current mould. With 18.0 gr. 4198 I have lots of 100-yard groups around 1 5/8" to 1 7/8" with the M721, 2 3/8" with the M760.

Putting this in perspective with the jacketed bullets , I shot a three shot group of 1 5/16" with the 150 gr. Sierra, 53 gr. 4350; then a three shot group of 1 3/8" (only 1/16" bigger) with the 150 RCBS, 18.0 gr. 4198. Point of impact was 8 1/2" lower, 3 1/4" right with the cast bullet at 100 yd. Also good with this bullet were 20.0 gr. and 22.0 gr. Scot 4197.

The other current mould is Lyman 278641, 150 gr. - 21.0 gr. of Scot 4197 gave me four in a tight little cluster of 13/16" with the fifth shot opening the group to 2" with the M721, and a 3 1/4" group with the M760 pump.

With the lighter RCBS 27-130-FP 18.0 gr. of 4198 is good, 10 in 1 5/8" at 100 yd., and 16.5 gr. 4227 put 5 in 1 9/16". These from the M721.

Older moulds:
Not very good accuracy with the pointed 140 gr. 280473, 14.0 gr. 4227 giving 2 7/8" from the M721.

The Loverin-designed 280468 came in a short 105 gr. and long 125 gr. version. I have not got a good load yet for the long version, not having cast up very many of them- just have a single cavity mould.
With the ( two cavity mould) short 105 gr. at 100 yards I have got groups of 10 in 2 3/8" with 15.0 gr. 4227; 10 in 2 5/16" with 18.0 gr. 4227; and at 50 yards have got eight in 1 1/8" with 10.0 gr. 700-X.

Putting group size in perspective, 3-shot groups will be smaller than 5-shot groups, which will be smaller than 10-shot groups. Also, these are 1950's factory hunting rifles, not accurized target guns.

[ez4545]

Thanks for the loads Charlie! I know I can't bring myself to trade off this rifle so
I am going to put the 150 grain lyman on my short list of molds to buy.

It looks like I'm going to have to pick up another 30 cal rifle probably in 30-06 so I can choose from the greater varieties of bullets and available molds.

I traded off a pristine 03-a3 shortly after arthritis changed my life years ago. The 30 calibers seem to have the best choices available for every type of shooting there is.

I had no clue there was still a lot of fun to be had with reduced loads or cast loads at the time I traded my 03. I have made a few recoil sensitive friends that have shared some great loads with me and it's opened up a whole different dimension in shooting.

This great site has kicked the door open for me to say the least !

Bill