Help Me Upgrade my 80's Shooter

[Wingin it]

I would look at a Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44 scope. I would then add a HS Specialties Pro Series stock. That will pretty much kill your budget but if you can get the current trigger reworked I’d do that too. Those triggers in the model 70’s are pretty decent, just a bit heavy.

[buckfvr]

First thing I'd do is have a smith look at the bore to make sure theres still plenty of life in the barrel.  If its good to go, maybe have it blued.  I'd refinish the stock myself and have a smith bed it.  Set of new Talley light weight rings and a new/newer Leupold, done.

How far you want to shoot with it should tell you what scope, and if you really need to dial.  You can shoot hash mark hold overs out to 500 yards pretty easy, or with a CDS, and its an old rifle that was NOT designed for LR accuracy so you may be tapped out in the 4-500 yard range anyway.

Good luck, progress and completion pics.   

[dreadi]

You could buy a whole gun and scope for $1800 instead.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
07/02 NFA Dealer

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[buckfvr]

You could buy a whole gun and scope for $1800 instead.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
07/02 NFA Dealer

http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms

 

[b23]

You could buy a whole gun and scope for $1800 instead.

This was my suggestion as well.  If wanting to get in to the LR game was the goal I'd look at something like a Tikka in 7 Rem mag, 300 WSM, or 300 Win mag then top it with a NF NXS.  If you searched around for good clean used you could probably do it for close to that 1800 but if you wanted all new you'll be a little over that but at least you'd be starting with stuff that is more geared toward LR.

If the OP felt comfortable taking it on he could refinish the stock himself, put it back on and call it good.  I'm sure it would look much better with the stock refinished and everything would still be original about the gun.

At the least, I'd send the scope back to Leupold for repair.

[M_ray]

Like others have said I wouldn’t change a thing especially if my dad put it together as well as it sounds like a good shooter as is. I’d wait till I could afford a different set up before I’d consider changing that one. 

P.s. I like battle scars! 

[salish]

Just leave it like it is. It's a classic rifle and scope.

[phildobaggins]

I appreciate everyone's opinions here. I'm still mulling over what I want to do with this thing, but first things first are trying to figure out "which" M70 I have.

Are any of you guys experienced M70 people who can help me out? Looked up the serial, and it looks like it was manufactured in 1975.

[Ridgeratt]

Remington 700 BDL

[Wingin it]

I believe it is a model 70 deluxe.

[b23]

I appreciate everyone's opinions here. I'm still mulling over what I want to do with this thing, but first things first are trying to figure out "which" M70 I have.

Are any of you guys experienced M70 people who can help me out? Looked up the serial, and it looks like it was manufactured in 1975.

That would make it a push feed action Model 70, similar in design to a Rem 700.

[jasnt]

I’ve re done a few m70’s.  Glass bed, aluminum pillars, trigger spring kit, and they shoot great.  I’d leave the stock as is for finish myself.  If you do the work yourself it leaves a lot of budget for scope.   

[Alchase]

Like others have said I wouldn’t change a thing especially if my dad put it together as well as it sounds like a good shooter as is. I’d wait till I could afford a different set up before I’d consider changing that one. 

P.s. I like battle scars! 

 

The more I think about it, I would leave this one as is, and give this one a place of honor on the wall.
Then buy a new rifle. I am partial to Sakos so I would probably buy another Sako Finnlight in 270 Win. I do not have a 270 Win version yet. 

[bobcat]

To me rifles are tools meant to be used. If it were me I'd definitely upgrade the old rifle however you like and get a lot more years use out of it. I can't stand the thought of having a gun in my safe that has no purpose other than taking up space.

[phildobaggins]

Yea, I'm going to do the trigger spring kit for sure. Watched a Youtube video on it last night and looks easy to do and should make it lighter and a lot more consistent.

As much as I'd like to honor the guns heritage by leaving it heavy and battle scarred, it will still always be the gun that my dad gave me, even after I modify it. I'm just not convinced I want to spend $900 on a McMillan stock

Also, I don't know if it's normal, but I feel like the bolt handle has some up/down play when it's in battery... I don't think I ever noticed this before but it bothers me. Is this common? Perhaps something worn in the bolt?