Another 404 build on a New Haven model 70

[illini]

I picked up a 300 rum today. Model 70 supergrade. I am anxiously awaiting my eamil with a build quote from my gunsmith. Couple questions to guys who have had similar projects built for them.

1. I was thinking something like a no. 5 douglas or Krieger barrel? Is it possible to fit a number 5 barrel in a supergrade stock? Would it look funny?
2. I did bid this rifle up because of the stock, but I could pivot if I had to, is there a market to sell a nice supergrade stock?

3. I was planning on necg barrel band and hood front site. Possible a park west quarter rib. I see them for sale on midwest? Has anyone used a parkwest quarter rib?

4. I have read where its recommended to replace the claw extractor on a new haven era crf model 70. Is this necessary or is that internet folk lore?

Thanks

 

[Mekaniks]

Cool!

 

[Wyfox]

Very nice.
I reccomend Tim at Matrix for a CNC machined qtr rib, barrel band site kit.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Can you show us a photo of the whole rifle?

This is a #5 profile 404 barrel on a slim 98 Mauser stock. So slim I had to shorten the rear action screw and trim a bit from sides of the mag box to pull the bottom metal and receiver together. Also had to reshape the shoe on the Timney trigger to make it clear the guard. Curiously, the barrel trough on this used stock was sufficiently wide/deep enough for thick #5 barrel.

 

[Riflecrank]

No. 5 Sporter is about as close as it gets to the barrel on this Super Grade M70 .458 WIN MAG:

Doesn't look funny to me. A No. 5 Sporter contour fits in that factory barrel channel,
and that is the largest size recommended in most aftermarket synthetic stocks for Winchester M70s.
Any bigger than that and you gotta start scraping and sanding.

I used a No. 5 Sporter McGowen for this 404 Jeffery on a Connecticut Classic M70 300 RUM action:

Always nice to have a spare extractor for an M70, but mine have not needed replacement.
It does need to be fitted to the brass you are using.
I also had a .416 Dakota and a .500/.338 Lapua Magnum Improved (12.7x68mm Magnum) done on same action, the latter used a Sunny Hill drop floor plate and a McMillan stock to match.
Many possibilites.
Most above my pay grade.

 

[ZG47]

I picked up a 300 rum today. Model 70 supergrade. I am anxiously awaiting my eamil with a build quote from my gunsmith. Couple questions to guys who have had similar projects built for them.

1. I was thinking something like a no. 5 douglas or Krieger barrel? Is it possible to fit a number 5 barrel in a supergrade stock? Would it look funny?
2. I did bid this rifle up because of the stock, but I could pivot if I had to, is there a market to sell a nice supergrade stock?

3. I was planning on necg barrel band and hood front site. Possible a park west quarter rib. I see them for sale on midwest? Has anyone used a parkwest quarter rib?

4. I have read where its recommended to replace the claw extractor on a new haven era crf model 70. Is this necessary or is that internet folk lore?

Thanks

I understand that, at one stage, the Model 70 Classics were fitted with extractors that were not made from spring steel. I have never seen a list of affected serial numbers. I suggest that you ask your gunsmith to check the extractor when he receives the rifle.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Congratulations. Nice find.

 

[Jefferry404]

I also 2nd Matrix qrib kit. The Midwest qrib is specific to either Douglas or Shilen contours and not a good fit to Model 70 channel( lots of radiusing to fit ) where as Tim’s are machined to your specific barrel contour.
He put this on my Model 70 stainless 375;

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@illini I used a Mod 70 Super Grade in 300 RUM to build my 404J. I used a #5 contour Krieger barrel. Keep the wood stock, as they are usually beautiful on the Super Grade versions. Consider adding a second crossbolt.

This was the list I sent to the gunsmith:
ITEM DESCRIPTION
1 Fit the new barrel
2 blueing so everything matches
3 stamping the barrel
4 Feed
5 Barrel recoil lug
6 Cross bolt
7 Inlet the barrel
8 bedding
9 NECG front and rear sights
10 drill and tap scope mounts and receiver for larger screws
11 barrel ring

 

[illini]

Few more pics @Ontario Hunter . Someone has bedded the base of the barrel and the channel is not free floated. It's making contact with the barrel.

1. I think the barrel channel will have to be opened up and the wood does flex a little. I was wondering about having the forehend bedded and not free floated. Is that a bad idea?

2. @375 Ruger Fan i did plan on adding a cross bolts. But I didn't think about a barrel recoil lug.

3. @Jefferry404 i did email Matrix last night.

Thanks for all the suggestions, right now is the fun part. Brain storming build ideas and parts. Shopping options. Shopping for the donor rifle was fun too.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I picked up a 300 rum today. Model 70 supergrade. I am anxiously awaiting my eamil with a build quote from my gunsmith. Couple questions to guys who have had similar projects built for them.

1. I was thinking something like a no. 5 douglas or Krieger barrel? Is it possible to fit a number 5 barrel in a supergrade stock? Would it look funny?
2. I did bid this rifle up because of the stock, but I could pivot if I had to, is there a market to sell a nice supergrade stock?

3. I was planning on necg barrel band and hood front site. Possible a park west quarter rib. I see them for sale on midwest? Has anyone used a parkwest quarter rib?

4. I have read where its recommended to replace the claw extractor on a new haven era crf model 70. Is this necessary or is that internet folk lore?

Thanks

1. Douglas Premium all the way. No. 5 looks just right.
2. Yes, there is.
3. They make a solid product
4. A few extractors have broken, but these are few & far between.

Heartiest congratulations on the amazing find !

 

[Choupique]

wondering about having the forehend bedded and not free floated. Is that a bad idea?

Full length bedding done right with a stiff stock works well. I think id want to stiffen the forend up if it flexes easily. Ive never done it, but with a wood stock id want to cut a channel down the length of it so that the epoxy forms a T beam the full length of the fore end. That would add a lot of stiffness and stability.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Few more pics @Ontario Hunter . Someone has bedded the base of the barrel and the channel is not free floated. It's making contact with the barrel.

1. I think the barrel channel will have to be opened up and the wood does flex a little. I was wondering about having the forehend bedded and not free floated. Is that a bad idea?

2. @375 Ruger Fan i did plan on adding a cross bolts. But I didn't think about a barrel recoil lug.

3. @Jefferry404 i did email Matrix last night.

Thanks for all the suggestions, right now is the fun part. Brain storming build ideas and parts. Shopping options. Shopping for the donor rifle was fun too.

For close range thumper guns I don't think it makes a huge difference if barrel is free floating. But I would probably free float it anyway. Easy enough to do. Get a piece of thick dowel approx dia of barrel at end of fore end and about eight inches long. Wrap a piece of sand paper folded in half around the dowel, holding it in place with fingers (folded to sustain rigidity in sandpaper). Then use it to open the channel as needed. I usually open them sufficient for a folded five dollar bill to slide through. Bedding is usually out to the end of chamber.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

1. Douglas Premium all the way. No. 5 looks just right.
2. Yes, there is.
3. They make a solid product
4. A few extractors have broken, but these are few & far between.

Heartiest congratulations on the amazing find !

Don't own a Model 70 but presumably extractor design is similar to 98 Mauser which is easy to switch out if needed. Lots of videos online with instructions. I would just acquire an extra and keep it on hand if needed (which I think is unlikely). In fact I should do this for my 404 Mauser. However, replacement for it will have to be crafted to accept 404 rim. Might be necessary for OP's rifle too unless he can find a RUM extractor.

 

[BGHNTR416]

You outbid me on that rifle! Congrats! I really did not need it and am glad I am not explaining to my wife why I had to have it. Nice stick on that...

 

[illini]

You outbid me on that rifle! Congrats! I really did not need it and am glad I am not explaining to my wife why I had to have it. Nice stick on that...

I just told my wife I may or may not have bought a rifle today. We're you buying it to convert to a 404 or just because it had a nice stock?

 

[Ray B]

I had a M70 Super Grade 338 Win Mag rebarrelled to 375RUM and per the gunsmith (CP Donnelly (RIP)) the only change needed was to get the RUM follower. It worked great.

 

[Riflecrank]

The M70 RUM box is same as standard sheet metal M70 LA box
but with windows cut in sides to allow more room for the wider shoulders of the RUM cartridges.
Slim, aluminum-alloy follower.
Flat, "no-hump" follower spring.

Those faulty extractors on the old M70 Classics: Was it an improper heat treat for poor spring function?
They bent or broke ?
Replacement M70 extractors were a cottage industry for a time by 'Williams ?"
Knowing the affected production period would be useful.

Also, when did they switch over to longer length of extractor instead of shorter ?
The short extractor rear end is exposed when bolt is in battery, see below:

 

[Riflecrank]

OP rifle has a short extractor, yep I would replace it whether it is good metal or not.

Seems to me that longer is better in the extractor, for both functional and aesthetic reasons.
Maybe the "short extractor" was reason enough for the rash of extractor replacements in the past.
Now I have a couple that need replacing.

 

[Riflecrank]

I have not seen a short extractor on any of the newer M70s from FN/SC/Portugal.
Below is a .338 WIN MAG M70 among the earliest to come out of South Carolina when FN took ove
from WRAC post-2007.
It is the same long action as used on the .375 H&H and .458 WIN MAG but has a longer rear bridge
making for a shorter ejection port.
It has a long extractor, the rear end of which is well covered (CYA):