M70 custom shop .416 RM

I wanted to share some pics of a bit of a stock/rifle refurb. This is a Winchester custom shop stock I believe, for all the world the checkering and shape appeared to be from Winchester proper. I got the rifle off the forum several years ago and that part of its history wasn’t known. I know wood is subjective but this hit all the right spots for me. In my eyes it’s the nicest piece of wood I’ve seen out of Winchester (but I know that’s just my opinion).
The work
The rifle had super grade stock swivels, no ebony, and a black pad. I believe the rifle was likely a 338wm or something and it was rebarreled to .416rm. The barreled action is getting some work done now. It’s getting a banded swivel, banded front sight. The front sight will have a flip up night sight (NECG), the banded sight that’s on it unfortunately won’t be able to be reused I don’t think. Everything blued a matte blue except the barrel which will be matte SS. The barrel is getting cut from 26” to 21”…which leads me to the wood. I’ll post up the action and such when finished, getting some other bits and bobs.

My friend did some really nice work, imo and I’m very happy with it. He cut the forend just behind the swivel inlet and installed and ebony tip that’s a bit longer that would typically be used and it should match up with the shorter barrel to pretty good proportions. The factory checkering was maintained and cleaned up, he did add the bit on top of the wrist. Added a rod down through the wrist, epoxied in. The magnum dowels were epoxied in and the executive decision was made to plug with ebony instead of using what was there. Fit up a red pachmyr pad. Finished the wood with many coats of oil and it’s the perfect sheen for me, with good depth and bright wood but not über gloss. Along with some minor fitting/shaping
The assembled pics are the starting point.
Just my little work in progress, excited for it to be done!

Looking forward to seeing the finished project.
That is a very nice stick you have there

I like it! Very nice wood and nice work on the stock. I would not have cut barrel to 21” in that caliber but that’s just me. Study carefully the grain in the wood but not at the figure… the grain! Almost a perfect flow through the wrist. Luck or planning or both in the Win custom shop

Yeah I’m just over the long barrel thang…with modern powders I don’t see shorter barrels as such a hindrance. They pack so much nicer, swing nicer, should be stiffer, swing better…I certainly see the concern though. I specified 21-22.5 depending on where muzzle OD worked best with banded sight ID so we’ll see where it comes in at. I’ve been around lots of short 375’s & 416 rruger’s down to 20”. Great article on an Echols built 416rm at 21”…so I’m not treading unknown ground at least I have a 700 KS in 416rm I’m having cut @ 18” to see what kind of velocity is achieved, I’ll likely rebarrel it to a 375 Ruger or 338wm in the end. We’ll see. I went rounds debating on this length and in the end it just seemed proportionate with the slightly shorter stock, when I thought about the end goal I wasn’t concerned with the decrease in velo it should achieve everything I want it to..I hope

Appreciate the reply and comments guys. I’ll certainly update when it’s done.
Anyone else?

Nice work. I wish I had your skills!

I was concerned the checkering ending so close to the ebony seam might look a bit off and with the large barrel profile I was concerned about the removal and new checkering slimming the stock and causing the proportions to be off. The forend being too slim for the heavy contour, kind of thing.

In the end I really don’t think the gap between the ebony and the point pattern is too bad or …strikingly odd. If that makes sense?
Thoughts?

ftothfadd said:

Nice work. I wish I had your skills!

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Mate, not my skills! To be sure I was way too nervous to try! Luckily a good friend of mine has gotten in to checkering and has developed quite well IMO. I’m very grateful to him. He is a self professed old guy though and we often lament the fact that the love for such aesthetics seems to be exiting the industry and in not too long will be gaining speed, so to speak.
I’ve got a current production new m70 that I’m going to play with and he is hopefully going to mentor me a bit…hopefully he is able to fix any of my mistakes bedding and recoil pads is about all I’m competent with. But I’m going to try and tackle the checkering. There will definitely be some minor shaping along with fitting up a steel grip cap.
The more standard Winchester offerings definitely could use a bit of minor shaping and fit up IMO and they kind of vary off the assembly line. So it’s a good opportunity to start learning.
If I’m not too embarrassed I’ll share up the pictures as it comes along….otherwise I’ll be ordering a brown stock and making yet another “Alaskan guide” pattern rifle which I’ve kinda been hooked on.

Iclinb , don’t be embarrassed, more practice makes progress every time! At least you have been brave enough to try your hand at it!
I on the other hand, have yet to even practice the first time!!
I think you are doing a pretty darn good job!
Keep posting and hopefully you can inspire me and others to give it a try!
Best to you
Mark

Thats an awesone but stock very beautiful .I have 4 416 rem mags two I used in Alaska 12 years.I have a winchester super grade 416 rem mag like that the only thing I dont like is the cheek piece .It will knock the crap out of you if you accidently get behind it .I like straight stocks on 416s .My two favorite 416s are ren 700 a stainless ks one and a guide gun with a hs stock and 22 inch barrel .The other one is a weatgerby V in a mcmillian stock with 24 inch barrel .I wouldnt go below 22 inch barrels because of muzzlerise and muzzleblast .A friend rechambered a 375hh a bolt browning into a 375 weatherby and cut the barrel to 22 inches too much muzzleblast .The 416 rem mag is fine in a 22 inch barrel as long as your rifle is well balanced.