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postoak

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Last year I did research on calibers and rifle models. My two finalists were the Model 70 in .416 Remington and the Ruger No.1 in either .416 Remington or .416 Rigby. Months later I was down to just the Model 70.

I wasn't in any hurry as I don't see dangerous game on the agenda until 2021 but I've been watching everything that comes up for sale to get a feel for the market and I put in some low-ball offers which I got outbid on -- until last month. A nice Safari Express came up and I bid the starting price of $900 and got it for that.
So I picked it up yesterday and was shocked -- this rifle looks brand new! I really am dumbfounded at the condition of the rifle -- it looks like it was never fired or even take out of someone's house. It also came with a set of quick detach mounts and rings (which must cost a bit).

BTW, I've heard different figures for the weight of the Safari Express. This one weighed 9.36 pounds with the bases and rings.
 
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For many buyers I think the first one or two shots is all it takes to dissuade them. I picked up a 375 H&H last year that sounds like it came from the same previous owner. You know the old story, "one man's meat is another man's poison."
 
For many buyers I think the first one or two shots is all it takes to dissuade them. I picked up a 375 H&H last year that sounds like it came from the same previous owner. You know the old story, "one man's meat is another man's poison."

And you have lots of poison Art!
 
Shouldn’t take long for a 404, 416 or a 458 to catch your eye next.
 
Congratulations on the new rifle.
Like to see some pictures of the new acquisition when you have a chance.
 
Congratulations on the new rifle. It is a nice new addition to your family.
 
Welcome to the club
 
I loaded up some rounds with a powder I had on hand (IMR4064) and got these numbers:

70.0, 2245

77.0, 2420

But wow this M70 doesn't feed well at all. I kind of wish now I had gone with a Ruger No. 1 because I'm sure I could get a second round off as fast and more certainly.

Who do you guys recommend for sending off the Winchester to get it smoothed up?
 
I loaded up some rounds with a powder I had on hand (IMR4064) and got these numbers:

70.0, 2245

77.0, 2420

But wow this M70 doesn't feed well at all. I kind of wish now I had gone with a Ruger No. 1 because I'm sure I could get a second round off as fast and more certainly.

Who do you guys recommend for sending off the Winchester to get it smoothed up?
What bullets are you loading!
 
They are 400 grain grain flat-nose solids but I don't know the brand. I bought them from a reloading company that had taken them out of their bulk packaging and rebagged them.
 
I went back and looked, and I believe they are Barnes.
 
They are 400 grain grain flat-nose solids but I don't know the brand. I bought them from a reloading company that had taken them out of their bulk packaging and rebagged them.
Go buy a box of factory ammo and see how it feeds........
Is it an actual feeding issue or simply a rough action?
 
I have to place the cartridges just right in the magazine, and close the bolt at just the right speed. And it is rough.
 
I have to place the cartridges just right in the magazine, and close the bolt at just the right speed. And it is rough.
Probably why for sale with minimum use. Just the right speed could be embarrassing with something large hairy and inbound.
 
Probably why for sale with minimum use. Just the right speed could be embarrassing with something large hairy and inbound.

Indeed. Many a fine rifle doesn’t see use because of feeding issues, and then sells for relatively cheap thereafter.

Often it merely requires a new (stronger) magazine spring, polishing of the ramp and or rails, or a new follower.

A start would be to cycle it with factory ammo, as well as to make sure that the spring is stretched out somewhat, and indeed slotted into the magazine floorplate properly. Make sure the follower travels free in the magazine box.

There are some other potential issues, but as they say, common things occur commonly, so start looking there.
 
I went back and looked, and I believe they are Barnes.

Barnes’ flat-nosed banded solids are known to cause feeding issues in some rifles. I’d switch bullets were I in your shoes. There’s plenty of quality solids out there (monometal and lead core) that’ll feed like butter.
 
I removed the QD rings and base the rifle came with and installed an EGW pictatinny rail and a Burris Fastfire 3 reflex (my first ever reflex). Weight dropped slightly to 9.31 pounds.

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Do you think I should move the sight to the middle of the rail or perhaps the rear?
 

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