Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: phildobaggins on February 25, 2023, 09:59:41 AM
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Hey folks,
I've had this Winchester Model 70 in 7mm Magnum forever. It's killed everything from mule deer, bears, and moose in its current configuration. My dad bought it in the 80's and slapped a Leupold Vari-X II 2-7 on it and it's been like this since then. I have bow hunted and muzzle loaded chronically the last decade or so, but I'm going to be going on some out of state rifle hunts this coming fall and I wanted to get something "new". After essentially remodeling my basement after the cold snap around Christmas time, I've decided I shouldn't spend $3500 on a sweet rifle right now.
Looking for some suggestions on how I can revitalize this old shooter. First thing I'm replacing is the scope. I don't know a ton about this platform, would love to put a trigger in it as well?
Take a look at the pics and let me know what you would do if you had a gun like this you wanted to breathe new life into. It's a good gun, just a bit dated. I shot a bear with it in 2018 and I remember thinking to myself "man, it's time to update this scope" and I put it back in the safe and haven't chased game with it since.
Let me know what you think!
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:tup:
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:tup:
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Searh on Stockys or Boyds (even Ebay) for a new stock, move up to a 4-12 scope at least, look for a trigger (Timney or Jard) or spring kit (maybe Mcarbo?)........
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outfit it with a new scope....maybe a zeis v4 4-16 so you have the ability to dial elevation with confidence. Then pull the stock, strip and refinish it. Put it back together and it will be good for another 100K miles.
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Wouldn't change a thing! It shoots and kills.
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IF it groups, just refinish the stock with an oil finish. Replace recoil pad, glass bed and maybe do a trigger job of some kind. Then its good to go! :tup:
Optic's are more a personal choice. I've got some old $150 scopes that have never failed me, what-so-ever!!
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I’d roll with it as is.
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In the last couple years i rebuilt my late 90s mod70 7 mag. I put a bell and carlson stock, benchmark barrel, and an nxs on it. Mine was completely shot out.
If yours shoots keep on keeping on. If you just want to upgrade it new glass or stock are fun to do.
Leupold makes backcountry ring mounts for the scope that are nice.
I think i put an aftermarket trigger spring in mine also.
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Wouldn't change a thing! It shoots and kills.
I'm in this crowd
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I have a Model 70, 1965 vintage, in .300 Win. Mag. The stock suffered the same fate as yours, so my son bought a new composite stock for it. The action dropped right into the new stock with no modifications. We put a new Leupold 3x9 on it, and it looks like a new rifle.
My advice would be a new stock and new scope, and you will have a beautiful classic hunting rifle.
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Definitely a new scope. But if you're old school like me, you might not want to "dial." I just don't see the need for it, but I won't shoot beyond about 450 yards. I like scopes with holdover style reticles. Leupold has the Boone and Crockett reticle. At least they used to, not 100% sure if they still do. I really like the Leupold Long Range Duples reticle, which is very simple and uncluttered, with only a couple small dots for holdover. I just don't think it's available anymore.
Another really cool option which my brother just recently bought at the Portland Sportsman's Show is the Maven CRS.1 in either the 2-10x40 or the 3-12x40. They're very light and have what Maven calls a Simplified Holdover Reticle. Also very reasonably priced, $450 for the 3-12.
https://mavenbuilt.com/products/crs-1-3-12x40-sfp
I'd probably get a good synthetic stock, and maybe pay a gunsmith to glass bed it. Throw in a good trigger too while you're at it, like a Timney. For a stock I'd probably first look at McMillan, but they're not cheap.
That should be about all you'd need, will be like an entirely different rifle after those three upgrades.
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I appreciate everyone's insights here. I'm 100% changing the scope first and foremost, it's lived a good life but I'd like to be able to dial my elevation, and there is something loose inside this glass, but the bullets still hit the mark :tung: I just need to be able to trust my optic when I'm out hunting and don't want funky business when I'm hundreds of miles from home.
I love the idea of putting a whole new stock on it, but I've never replaced a stock. Does a gunsmith need to replace it for me or is it a "bolt on" mod? I'd really like to try and improve this gun with about $1,500, including a scope. So a scope between $800-$1000 sounds good, and then I've got some spare change for ?? I would love a lighter trigger, but I've only replaced triggers on AR platforms. Is it sorta the same gig with bolt guns?
Also, if anyone's got stock ideas, I'm all ears. Just want to improve this gun, I've got a sweet Ruger M77 .270 from the same era that I'm going to keep as my "classic shooter" and not modernize it, but I am tantalized by the thought of modernizing this gun and reloading some sweet loads for it and making it a real slick hunter because I've always shot boxed ammo out of "basic" hunting rifles.
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Definitely a new scope. But if you're old school like me, you might not want to "dial." I just don't see the need for it, but I won't shoot beyond about 450 yards. I like scopes with holdover style reticles. Leupold has the Boone and Crockett reticle. At least they used to, not 100% sure if they still do. I really like the Leupold Long Range Duples reticle, which is very simple and uncluttered, with only a couple small dots for holdover. I just don't think it's available anymore.
Another really cool option which my brother just recently bought at the Portland Sportsman's Show is the Maven CRS.1 in either the 2-10x40 or the 3-12x40. They're very light and have what Maven calls a Simplified Holdover Reticle. Also very reasonably priced, $450 for the 3-12.
https://mavenbuilt.com/products/crs-1-3-12x40-sfp
I'd probably get a good synthetic stock, and maybe pay a gunsmith to glass bed it. Throw in a good trigger too while you're at it, like a Timney. For a stock I'd probably first look at McMillan, but they're not cheap.
That should be about all you'd need, will be like an entirely different rifle after those three upgrades.
I was eyeing Maven a while ago, but heard that their binocular's had a narrow FOV compared to other brands and I kinda stopped looking into their optics. Prove me wrong, I'd love a great scope at that price.
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I am looking to spend some money and change it up, I'm not quite a penny pincher when it comes to hunting gear and would love to dabble in modifying a bolt gun for once. :chuckle:
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Agree with everyone about new stock and glass, only thing I would do different is have a gunsmith nock the iron sights off and re-blue the barrel. Did that with an old Mauser 30-06 and made it look really nice with the new composite stock. :twocents:
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Most stocks you can just bolt right on yourself, but I think it's best to glass bed them for the most consistent accuracy. Since it sounds like you don't mind spending a little money, I'd find a good gunsmith and have it done right.
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Cool, I’m going to do some shopping 🤑
Gunsmith recommendations around Entiat/Wenatchee? If I keep this project under $1800 I won’t feel like I should’ve just yolo’d on a CA Ridgeline like I wanted 😂
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Agree with everyone about new stock and glass, only thing I would do different is have a gunsmith nock the iron sights off and re-blue the barrel. Did that with an old Mauser 30-06 and made it look really nice with the new composite stock. :twocents:
As a hunting rifle I'd leave the iron sights on for the instance one falls on scope and you have reliable back up sights. :twocents:
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I had to open the barrel channel on my bell and carlson to fit the barrel i had put on. Some minor fitting at the bottom metal as well. It has an aluminum bedding block so bedding isnt absolutely necessary, but may help. Mine shoots as good as it needs to with no bedding so i didnt bother. Working on the barrel channel is very easy with just some sand paper. Trigger springs are cheap and easy to install in them, instructions with the spring or online. Another thing i did with mine was remove the spacer block at the back of the magazine so that it could fit longer shells, also had to work the bolt stop to let the bolt go back further but wasnt a big deal, if you shoot factory ammo that isnt necessary as its all sammi spec.
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Not sure with the winchester rifles, but triggers are usually a plug and play. You have to do some minor adjusting to get your trigger pull set to what you like, but it is very easy.....I'm gonna try a timney in my savage and it will take about 5 minutes and very little effort.
If you buy a replacement stock, just make sure you torque the action screws to the appropriate torque specs (go buy a fat wrench and add it to the gun bench....best money you will spend in the venture). Before I paid a smith to bed it, I would shoot it without having it bedded to see how it shoots. Some rifles shoot very well without bedding in the aftermarket stocks these days. Just my two cents.
Also...it is a super rewarding feeling knowing you did the work yourself. Give it a whirl.
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Nice rig as-is! I really like the gloss finish scope on a blued gun, and if I already had one that worked on it I sure wouldn't take it off.
If anything, a stock would be a good upgrade. Or refinish in satin? Those press-checkered M70 stocks weren't my favorite, and they sure flaked off the finish.
Don't take off those irons either, imho. Functional as backups, and a classic look that honors the gun's history. I wish more guns were offered with irons these days.
:twocents:
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Hey folks,
I've had this Winchester Model 70 in 7mm Magnum forever. It's killed everything from mule deer, bears, and moose in its current configuration. My dad bought it in the 80's and slapped a Leupold Vari-X II 2-7 on it and it's been like this since then.
Looking for some suggestions on how I can revitalize this old shooter. First thing I'm replacing is the scope. I don't know a ton about this platform, would love to put a trigger in it as well?
Take a look at the pics and let me know what you would do if you had a gun like this you wanted to breathe new life into. It's a good gun, just a bit dated. I shot a bear with it in 2018 and I remember thinking to myself "man, it's time to update this scope" and I put it back in the safe and haven't chased game with it since.
Let me know what you think!
Before you do anything I'd start by deciding the max you are willing to spend and write it down at the top of your list. Next, I would write down your "must haves" with the most important at the top. It sounds like a new scope, one that you can accurately and reliably dial with, is highest on your list of wants. For me, keeping cost in mind, I would look for a nice used NF NXS 3.5-15 or 5.5-22. They are as solid a performer as you can get and if you search around you can usually pick up a good clean used one for 1100 +/- but don't forget you'll need good rings/mount and that'll set you back another couple hundred bucks on top of the scope price. If dialing is something you want to do and you want to be successful at it, do not, skimp on the scope.
You didn't quite say but do you want to replace the stock or reuse the one you have? If you want to replace it do you want to stay wood or go with a synthetic type stock and do you have a $$$ range you want to stay in if you do decide to replace it?
Cost wise, a Boyd's laminated will probably be your best choice and when it comes to wood stocks I highly recommend having pillars installed and the action bed by a professional. If it's not something you are already proficient in, this would not be the rifle I'd make my first attempt on. Boyd's + pillars and bed by a smith probably be somewhere in the $450 +/- range.
For a synthetic stock, unless you can find a good used one, if you have to buy new a B&C is probably going to be you best option. Even though the B&C stocks come with the Aluminum bedding block they don't always match up perfectly to the underside of the action which causes pressure points as well as those alum. bedding blocks aren't always straight in the stock and the barrel won't sit centered in the barrel channel. I always have everything with alum. bedding blocks skim bed, it'll create a perfect mating surface to the action eliminating pressure points and whoever does it can also fix any alignment issues if there are any. B&C + skim bed probably around $500 +/- range.
Another stock option is to refinish the one that's on it yourself. The biggest PITA with those factory gloss finished stocks is stripping that gloss coating off. I don't know about the Winchester stocks but getting that gloss finish off a factory Remington BDL stock is a real chore.
Replacing the trigger spring in the trigger you have won't cost much and is pretty straight forward. Even if you completely replace the trigger with an aftermarket one that too is a pretty straight forward job that you can most likely do yourself.
If this particular rifle has sentimental value to you, understandable if it does, maybe just leaving it "as is" is what you should do. If you think something is broken internally on your scope, take it off and send it to Leupold for repair. Leupold is usually pretty good about fixing their stuff.
As an option, instead of updating something with sentimental value that you possibly want to preserve instead of making it look completely different than what it currently does, maybe, consider buying a new rifle. Something like a Tikka that are known for shooting extremely well right out of the box that won't cost a whole lot more than the stock swap on your current rifle and use that as your platform to put a scope you dial with on not to mention something like a Tikka gives you lots of customizable build options down the road.
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Refinish that beautiful stock, it’s pretty simple
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I bought a model 70 in .270 Winchester in early 70s with that exact scope. I have many newer scopes on other rifles but would never change that scope as it just belongs on that rifle. And it still works
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If you think the scope is not right. Send it back to leupold they will rebuild it and return it for FREE.
Tuff to beat the price.
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I appreciate everyone's insights here. I'm 100% changing the scope first and foremost, it's lived a good life but I'd like to be able to dial my elevation, and there is something loose inside this glass, but the bullets still hit the mark :tung: I just need to be able to trust my optic when I'm out hunting and don't want funky business when I'm hundreds of miles from home.
I love the idea of putting a whole new stock on it, but I've never replaced a stock. Does a gunsmith need to replace it for me or is it a "bolt on" mod? I'd really like to try and improve this gun with about $1,500, including a scope. So a scope between $800-$1000 sounds good, and then I've got some spare change for ?? I would love a lighter trigger, but I've only replaced triggers on AR platforms. Is it sorta the same gig with bolt guns?
Also, if anyone's got stock ideas, I'm all ears. Just want to improve this gun, I've got a sweet Ruger M77 .270 from the same era that I'm going to keep as my "classic shooter" and not modernize it, but I am tantalized by the thought of modernizing this gun and reloading some sweet loads for it and making it a real slick hunter because I've always shot boxed ammo out of "basic" hunting rifles.
I’d probably go with like a 4-12 power scope on that rifle. I’d definitely send that Leupold in and have them work it over though. It’ll be good as new and worth keeping.
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If you are looking to upgrade your scope, take a look at the Leupold Firedot options. I have six Firedots, and hey are great for aging eyes like mine :tup:
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If you are looking to upgrade your scope, take a look at the Leupold Firedot options. I have six Firedots, and hey are great for aging eyes like mine :tup:
:yeah:
Have one and will be getting more!
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With no disrespect, as long as it it shooting well and the recoil is fine, you would be stupid to do anything with it.
I went with the new fandangle once and never again. When it's time, I reach for the 1960 something model 700 that has the blueing worn off, stock all nicked up. The animals don't care for it, I know that.
Let me know what you think!
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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.
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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. :tup:
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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
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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
:yeah:
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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.
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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. :twocents:
P.s. I like battle scars! ;)
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Just leave it like it is. It's a classic rifle and scope.
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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.
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Remington 700 BDL
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I believe it is a model 70 deluxe.
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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.
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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.
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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. :twocents:
P.s. I like battle scars! ;)
:yeah:
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. :tup:
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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.
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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?
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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.
I know nothing about bedding rifles, what are aluminum pillars?
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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.
I know nothing about bedding rifles, what are aluminum pillars?
Just Google how to install pillars in a rifle stock and you'll find allll kinds of how to videos.
Wood stocks in particular I always go with pillars and a full action bed but a good argument can be made you don't necessarily need to bed the action in the stock if pillars have been properly installed.
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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?
What do you mean it has some up down play? It can be opened? Where is the safety at when you experience this?
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Maybe I missed it but how does this rifle currently shoot? Lot of people suggesting a lot of things but my opinion is don't sink money into solutions for problems that don't exist :twocents:
At min new scope, rings/bases, and trigger spring. Continue from there if need be. Me personally I'd be ditching the wood stock into the back of the safe. I LOVE the look and feel of a classic wood stock but I don't love how wood can behave. For a bomb proof mountain gun I want composite. Just personal preference, no need for the wood guys to tell me why I'm wrong :chuckle:
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I also agree with others that said just get a new gun. Send off the scope for a spit shine and put the gun in the safe. Buy a proven shooter like a tikka, dump it in a mesa precision Alpine stock and you're off to the races for about $1,300 and don't have to worry about any of the Christensen QC issues :twocents:
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I've yet to think to myself "gee, I wish I didn't have that new rifle"
If it were mine I'd buy a new one and keep that one as is as long as function isn't an issue.
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You know, I could have you into a Bergara B-14 Wilderness Ridge Rifle 7mm Rem Mag, Trijicon Huron 3-12x40, and a Silencer Co Harvester Evo for $2052 before base, rings, and taxes.
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You know, I could have you into a Bergara B-14 Wilderness Ridge Rifle 7mm Rem Mag, Trijicon Huron 3-12x40, and a Silencer Co Harvester Evo for $2052 before base, rings, and taxes.
OK that is almost cruel, :chuckle:
Sweet setup!
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Get a stainless Tikka 7 rem mag smooth action and will shoot great right out of the box, see if you can find a Leupold 6x42 with dots.
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outfit it with a new scope....maybe a zeis v4 4-16 so you have the ability to dial elevation with confidence. Then pull the stock, strip and refinish it. Put it back together and it will be good for another 100K miles.
X2
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First thing I'm buying is a scope, because if I change my mind and want to get a different rifle, I won't have spare parts ;)
I really wanted a Leupold VX-5HD with the firedot. The CDS turret sounds super slick to have, but I heard a few complaints about the scopes not tracking.... they return to zero fine, but that was a little bit heartbreaking to read... now I'm leaning towards a Nightforce SHV... if anyone has a gently used Nightforce SHV they want to sell hit me up :chuckle:
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First thing I'm buying is a scope, because if I change my mind and want to get a different rifle, I won't have spare parts ;)
I really wanted a Leupold VX-5HD with the firedot. The CDS turret sounds super slick to have, but I heard a few complaints about the scopes not tracking.... they return to zero fine, but that was a little bit heartbreaking to read... now I'm leaning towards a Nightforce SHV... if anyone has a gently used Nightforce SHV they want to sell hit me up :chuckle:
I have 2 VX-6HD's (6.5PRC & 300WM) and 4 VX-5HD's (.270, 6.5CM, 300PRC, 338LM), 2 VX-3HD's (.22LR & .22 Mag) all w/CDS..........I have ZERO issues with tracking or otherwise. I would feel 100% comfortable buying one.
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First thing I'm buying is a scope, because if I change my mind and want to get a different rifle, I won't have spare parts ;)
I really wanted a Leupold VX-5HD with the firedot. The CDS turret sounds super slick to have, but I heard a few complaints about the scopes not tracking.... they return to zero fine, but that was a little bit heartbreaking to read... now I'm leaning towards a Nightforce SHV... if anyone has a gently used Nightforce SHV they want to sell hit me up :chuckle:
I have 2 VX-6HD's (6.5PRC & 300WM) and 4 VX-5HD's (.270, 6.5CM, 300PRC, 338LM), 2 VX-3HD's (.22LR & .22 Mag) all w/CDS..........I have ZERO issues with tracking or otherwise. I would feel 100% comfortable buying one.
Really good to know, thanks for the feedback! I would just die if I dialed on a nice animal and missed :tung:
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I've got a Nightforce NX8 2.5-20X50 for sale in the classified ads.
It might be more than you need, but?
I also have a Leopold VX 5HD with the Boone and Crocket reticle on a 7MM Tika Superlight.
This is a lights out setup.
NOT for sale.
Good luck on your project.
Rob.
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Figured I'd just touch base on this thread.
I put in an MCARBO trigger spring. The trigger is EXCELLENT, I like it more than the Timney I have in my other gun.
I also ordered a new VX5-HD for it. On the fence about whether or not I am going to put a stock on it or keep it as is, but this thing is going to be a peach in no time.