elktrout
Member
I have looked and looked for weeks at all makes and models of bolt action rifles, trying to pick my next rifle for elk hunting in Colorado. Here were my criteria:
1. Reasonable weight, meaning not too heavy and not too light. Goal was to have a 16 oz weight scope mounted on the rifle and total package around 8.5 lbs. I am tired a lugging my 11 pound Wby Mag around the hillsides.
2. 300 mag. I already have an old 30-06 and a 7mm mag. My one son will be using the 7mm mag, and I could not get more than 2700 fps with 165 grain bullets in the 30-06. No shame for it. It is 43 years old and has countless rounds through it. It still shoots good, but it is a good 200 fps lower than published reload data. So, 300 it was, either win mag or win short mag.
3. Reasonably accurate but ultimately reliable rifle with a bolt that could easily be disassembled to clean at the end of a hard hunting day and which was reasonably sealed from dirt and moisture. My 7 is a Wby mark v, and the holes in the bolt body are an entry point for dirt and moisture during hard days afield in lousy weather.
4. Subjectively, a rifle that fit me specifically and felt good when I handled it, especially when shouldering and sighting the thing.
The winner: the Winchester Model 70 (well, mostly).
Here is my dilemma guys and hence my question. Because I have a really good supply of 300 wsm brass (that I came by) and cannot find 300 win mag (belted variety) brass anywhere (for months), I decided to go with the wsm.
However, while checking the "fit and feel" of various stock designs in the Model 70 line, I found that the old Model 70 XTR wood stocks were absolute nirvana for me. For some reason, the pistol grip, forearm shape, and the raised cheek piece work together to feel perfect for me.
Here is my question: Is it possible to fit a used or even new (South Carolina built) Model 70 300wsm barreled action into one of the old XTR stocks? If I can make that happen, I would be one happy camper. Help!
1. Reasonable weight, meaning not too heavy and not too light. Goal was to have a 16 oz weight scope mounted on the rifle and total package around 8.5 lbs. I am tired a lugging my 11 pound Wby Mag around the hillsides.
2. 300 mag. I already have an old 30-06 and a 7mm mag. My one son will be using the 7mm mag, and I could not get more than 2700 fps with 165 grain bullets in the 30-06. No shame for it. It is 43 years old and has countless rounds through it. It still shoots good, but it is a good 200 fps lower than published reload data. So, 300 it was, either win mag or win short mag.
3. Reasonably accurate but ultimately reliable rifle with a bolt that could easily be disassembled to clean at the end of a hard hunting day and which was reasonably sealed from dirt and moisture. My 7 is a Wby mark v, and the holes in the bolt body are an entry point for dirt and moisture during hard days afield in lousy weather.
4. Subjectively, a rifle that fit me specifically and felt good when I handled it, especially when shouldering and sighting the thing.
The winner: the Winchester Model 70 (well, mostly).
Here is my dilemma guys and hence my question. Because I have a really good supply of 300 wsm brass (that I came by) and cannot find 300 win mag (belted variety) brass anywhere (for months), I decided to go with the wsm.
However, while checking the "fit and feel" of various stock designs in the Model 70 line, I found that the old Model 70 XTR wood stocks were absolute nirvana for me. For some reason, the pistol grip, forearm shape, and the raised cheek piece work together to feel perfect for me.
Here is my question: Is it possible to fit a used or even new (South Carolina built) Model 70 300wsm barreled action into one of the old XTR stocks? If I can make that happen, I would be one happy camper. Help!
