Mountain Rifle - Win M70 - 280AI - Proof Research

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<*(((><

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Well here's to a start of a "Mountain Do-All Rifle" for myself. Would also use this rifle for some long distance target shooting as well. As some of you have commented on my thread trying to decide on an action to use. I've always had a thing for CRF, Mauser extractor and a 3-position safety for my hunting rifles, so it was really only a choice between: M70, Ruger M77, or Kimber in all honesty. And given that I already have a Ruger in .308, so I decided on a M70 action for this rifle.

I think this will be a rifle that I will have for a great long time, it has been something I've been trying to work towards for several years now and decided now is the time. Despite Remington attempts to kill it (speaking on the .280Rem); as Remington does so well with cartridge releases. It is my opinion that the 280AI provides the greatest performance out of a non-magnum round currently, I'm sure others will disagree which is fine. But given the projectiles afforded to the 280AI's use from 100-197gr with great selection of type. A big selling point to me on the .284/7mm is the balance of weight to length that provides great BC, SD and velocity in relation to it's cartridge dimensions. It is a very efficient cartridge to be sure.

So far I have in my possession a M70 Extreme Weather 30-06 which I will sell off the barrel to help fund the project. It's weighing in at, 6lbs., 15.65 oz., so I'll need to do something about the weight to stay under my self imposed 8lb. completed rifle requirement with optics and sling.

Winchester%20M70%20EW%20-%2030-06%20%28cropped%29.jpg

In addition to the rifle I have on the way a Proof Research Carbon Fiber barrel to twist on. It is a 24", Sendero Light Contour, 8.4 twist, weighs 2lbs. 14oz. I was told by my gunsmith that will be chambering the blank that it is typically a 12 week wait for Proof barrels, but I was able to find the barrel I wanted online in stock for $670 :thumbup:.

Proof%20Research%20Barrel%20-%20280AI%20-%20Mo.%20100967.png

I was quoted about $350 for the following: true up the action (if needed), chamber the barrel blank, install barrel, bed the action, thread the muzzle and manufacture a muzzle protector. So all in all for the rifle I'll be in it about $1,900. Definitely, more than what one could buy a Kimber Mountain Ascent for but I really wanted the performance of a heavier contour without the weight and want to give a CF Proof Barrel a try. I don't think that I'm doing to bad on this project, that is up and to the point I start talking about optics :barf:.

I was planning on and am going to continue to utilize the Bell and Carlson Medalist stock that came with the rifle, it fits me good and my gunsmith has good things to say about them in his experience. I might play with some venting cuts to lighten things up over time, but that will come down the road.

It feels good to start this process, hard to stomach the money going out but in the end I know I'll be very happy and will enjoy many years of service from the rifle.
 

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@<*(((>< , I'll be following this build of yours for sure. I had a couple of EW rifles, one in .308 Win and the other .300 Win Mag. They were heavy, didn't shoot that well and had poorly machined receivers so off they went. That said, I'm sure your rifle will be a whole lot better and I like the choice of a .280 AI.

I built a similar rifle to what you're planning for my gf a few months back using her Kimber 84M but it's chambered in .308 Win. Her rifle has a CF stock. I'm building one for myself this winter, also in .308 Win but with an Open Country stock from AG Composites (shown below) and with CDI Precision bottom metal and AICS magazines. The stock is already done but I'll be buying an 84M Hunter this month and having Proof screw on the barrel.

The picture below shows her barreled action in my stock. The rifle as shown (Zeiss HD5 3-15x42mm, SilencerCo Harvester, 10-round magazine) unloaded weighs 7lb-15oz and it's a tack driver.

84m_proof.jpg
 
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@<*(((>< , I'll be following this build of yours for sure. I had a couple of EW rifles, one in .308 Win and the other .300 Win Mag. They were heavy, didn't shoot that well and had poorly machined receivers so off they went. That said, I'm sure your rifle will be a whole lot better and I like the choice of a .280 AI.

I built a similar rifle to what you're planning for my gf a few months back using her Kimber 84M but it's chambered in .308 Win. Her rifle has a CF stock. I'm building one for myself this winter, also in .308 Win but with an Open Country stock from AG Composites (shown below) and with CDI Precision bottom metal and AICS magazines. The stock is already done but I'll be buying an 84M Hunter this month and having Proof screw on the barrel.

The picture below shows her barreled action in my stock. The rifle as shown (Zeiss HD5 3-15x44mm, SilencerCo Harvester, 10-round magazine) unloaded weighs 7lb-15oz and it's a tack driver.

View attachment 875649

@MCMXI your picture of that rifle is saved in my photo folder, that is a very nice rifle, and a great chambering as well. I really like the .308 Win, it strikes a very good balance for North American game in regards to weight, bullet options, performance.
 
What scope would you like on your new rig?

Probably, something expensive :uhoh:.

I'm open to suggestions though. Typically, I'm a Leupold first person due to customer service, glass and weight especially. I do have some Vortex scopes whose turrets are much better than Leupolds, but the weight of their scopes are ridiculous. I need to twist some turrets on the higher end Leupold's and see how they are; but it might be a time to switch manufacturers who can offer what Leupold does but with good positive turrets.

So does anyone have a suggestion for at or around 16 oz. scope in the $1,000 - 1,600 range. My preference is for smaller objectives so preferably a 40mm objective, but could be persuaded into a 50mm but it'll be a harder sell. I'm thinking as far as magnification somewhere in the 2-12x or 3-15x with a 30mm tube.
 
<*(((>< said:
So does anyone have a suggestion for at or around 16 oz. scope in the $1,000 - 1,600 range. My preference is for smaller objectives so preferably a 40mm objective, but could be persuaded into a 50mm but it'll be a harder sell. I'm thinking as far as magnification somewhere in the 2-12x or 3-15x with a 30mm tube.

I really like Zeiss scopes and RZ reticles for hunting rifles since I don't have to dial unless I want to. The scope shown above is an HD5 3-15x42mm with an RZ800 retilce (with the numbers unlike the newer reticles from Zeiss). It weighs 18oz so close to your 16oz requirement. The main tube is 1" which works just fine. The price in the link below is very reasonable for such a good scope.

https://www.sportoptics.com/zeiss-hd5-5226219982.aspx
 
<*(((>< said:
@MCMXI your picture of that rifle is saved in my photo folder, that is a very nice rifle, and a great chambering as well. I really like the .308 Win, it strikes a very good balance for North American game in regards to weight, bullet options, performance.

Thanks ... sometimes we have to build what we want since I don't think anyone offers a CRF, 3-position safety, CF barreled and CF stocked rifle. I would love a .280 AI version of the rifle I show above but there are some challenges at the moment. Maybe one day though.
 
280ai, proof research c.f. barrel, CRF action with a 3 position safety?! Sounds like hunting rifle perfection to me! 1900 is a lot of money, but not bad for what you have there. Isn't it for every pound lost the price doubles?

Yeah, $1,900 is more than I've ever spent on a rifle. The most before that was my M1 Garand at $1,000. But I'm of the mind quality over quantity. I don't want a bunch of guns just sitting there in my safe, I would rather spend the money on a few great rifles or pistols than have 20 Walmart Black Friday rifles. Nothing against those either, I was at that point in my life when I wasn't making much money and I have always been content with rifles that match what my disposable income allows for.

Really I've researched this build for several years, when one gets down to researching rifles that come close to what I'm putting together $1,900 doesn't sound too bad.

Christiansen Arms carbon fiber rifles come in right around $2,000 and are Remington actions.
Kimber Mountain Ascent rifles come in around $1,600-1,700

I considered the Kimber Mountain Ascent, however I didn't really want that light of a profile barrel as I will be target shooting at distance with this as well as hunt. The Christiansen Arms hits a lot of pluses but is a Remington style action which I didn't want. Believe me I looked at all options it just seemed that to be completely satisfied I would have to make it into a project.
 
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This one comes in at 15.9 oz.
It does have a 1" tube though. Not sure how set you are on the 30mm.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1191432197

I can get over the 30mm tube, I just have been standardizing to them its not a deal breaker in the least. I've never owned a Swaro, but have looked through a lot of them, they are great glass.


Being that I will use this for some distance target shooting, does anyone have any comments on the turrets on this Swarovski?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018122314?pid=612765
 
I've got the same conquest hd-5 on my Cristensen 280 that @MCMXI has, and would recommend it
The next option I was considering was the Leupold vx-5hd, which was actually nicer to my eye than the conquest, but was enough more expensive that just liking the z800 reticle better was enough to sway me lol.

The Swaro was out of my price range but also seemed like a really good option, tho I never got to look thru it.
 
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I have a Leupold 3Vi 3.5-10 x 40 on both my Kimber and my M70 .308’s; I am a target range “practicer” and not a target shooter per se - mostly staying tuned for deer season all year long. You would probably prefer something a little beefier in the power range as I only shoot out to 200 yards (4.5 to 12 to 14 etc, something like that).
 
Winchester 70 EW 308, in McMillan Edge stock with one of the Cabelas Euro Instinct scopes in Talley lightweight mounts. Same scope as the discontinued Zeiss Conquest with Cabelas badges. It's 7.5 lbs as shown in the photo. With a Leupold on it I can get her down to 7.25 lbs.

Photo taken in Colorado elk hunting last year. According to my GPS I logged 7 miles at altitudes between 9,000'-11,000' that day. I wouldn't have wanted anything much heavier. With the 165 gr Accubonds in the magazine the I feel the rifle and load were elk capable out to 400 yards.

The Edge stock saves me 1/2 lb and doesn't cost me anything in accuracy. I'd rather reduce weight in the stock and keep a little meat in the barrel

elk3 026.JPG
 
Thanks ... sometimes we have to build what we want since I don't think anyone offers a CRF, 3-position safety, CF barreled and CF stocked rifle. I would love a .280 AI version of the rifle I show above but there are some challenges at the moment. Maybe one day though.

Precisely, guess I'm just not popular in my desires or beliefs, because no one builds the exact rifle I want...or I'm too particular which is likely the case.
 
I've got the same conquest hd-5 on my Cristensen 280 that @MCMXI has, and would recommend it
The next option I was considering was the Leupold vx-5hd, which was actually nicer to my eye than the conquest, but was enough more expensive that just liking the z800 reticle better was enough to sway me lol.

The Swaro was out of my price range but also seemed like a really good option, tho I never got to look thru it.

I would definitely like to save some money on the optic, and those Zeiss Conquests hd-5 seem like a good scope, I don't have any personal experience with the Zeiss brand other than looking through them at stores but will have to check those out. I don't mind saving over the year for it and putting one of my older scopes on as well. But if a good deal comes available this Christmas time, I might jump on it.
 
What did you think of the M70 Extreme Weather in its factory configuration? It’s ironic I came across this thread because I purchased one in 30-06 TODAY.

I’ve heard mixed reviews from crap, to being the best all around rifle. I’d love to hear your input.

The fit and finish is great on my particular piece, the bolt is smooth in the action and well machined. As far as how it shoots in the factory configuration I don't know, as I haven't shot it and most likely will not so I can sell the barrel as never been fired to help fund this project.

My gunsmith likes M70 actions and has built a lot of rifles on Pre-64 actions but said that these new M70 actions have been great for him. He said that he would check for trueness but said he has had really good luck with Winchester's action being in spec. He then went on to say he's had far more instances of Remington actions that had to be trued up before work was to be done. Take that for what it's worth, but he is a well respected gunsmith around these parts.
 
I have a Leupold 3Vi 3.5-10 x 40 on both my Kimber and my M70 .308’s; I am a target range “practicer” and not a target shooter per se - mostly staying tuned for deer season all year long. You would probably prefer something a little beefier in the power range as I only shoot out to 200 yards (4.5 to 12 to 14 etc, something like that).

That is the exact scope that I have on my Ruger GSR in .308, and it's a great scope (and can't be beat for some of the prices they are going for this past year or so) but like you had commented for this rifle I would like some more top end magnification. Preferably, in the 3x-15x or there abouts.
 
Winchester 70 EW 308, in McMillan Edge stock with one of the Cabelas Euro Instinct scopes in Talley lightweight mounts. Same scope as the discontinued Zeiss Conquest with Cabelas badges. It's 7.5 lbs as shown in the photo. With a Leupold on it I can get her down to 7.25 lbs.

Photo taken in Colorado elk hunting last year. According to my GPS I logged 7 miles at altitudes between 9,000'-11,000' that day. I wouldn't have wanted anything much heavier. With the 165 gr Accubonds in the magazine the I feel the rifle and load were elk capable out to 400 yards.

The Edge stock saves me 1/2 lb and doesn't cost me anything in accuracy. I'd rather reduce weight in the stock and keep a little meat in the barrel

View attachment 875729

Your rifle, like @MCMXI's rifle is one that I've looked at when you posted about it much earlier as being a rifle that I would enjoy carrying around. Eventually, I can see myself dropping some weight on this rifle in the way of replacing the B&C stock for a McMillan Edge, I think it's a pretty good savings in weight. Do you happen to have the weight of your Edge stock?

7.25-7.5 lbs. would be a great weight to get to. Especially, when one has miles of hiking and a 800-1,000ft vertical gain over a days' worth of hunting does that weight really start taking it's toll.
 
What did you think of the M70 Extreme Weather in its factory configuration? It’s ironic I came across this thread because I purchased one in 30-06 TODAY.

I’ve heard mixed reviews from crap, to being the best all around rifle. I’d love to hear your input.

They are beautiful rifles.

Fit/Finish/Precision/Quality of materials are all outstanding.
(If I had a gripe, it would be w/ the alloy trigger guard)

.270 WCF/ 150 gr (140 gr. TSX)/ Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36 in Talley Lightweight mounts.
WP-20190419-15-09-30-Pro-50-crop-R.jpg

<*(((><, like the choice of .280AI for the 175 gr. if you reload.




GR
 
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