Fine tuning Model 70 Safari Express

[LVD923]

Hello folks.

Pretty pleased with my first DG rifle, Modern production Model 70 Safari Express in 375 H&H. Scored a free safari with Kuche Safaris to boot! But I digress...
This rifle has a decent wood stock, and I'd like to refinish it. But while its in the buff, some perspective on anything I can do to fine tune it would be appreciated. Not into blaming the equipment when im the one pulling the shots.

Thinking pillars and glass bedding to help tighten things up. May get a Timney trigger if I can't get the pull weight I want with the stock trigger. Modern iron sights are 50/50 for me, so a scope is a must. My available options are either a 1-6x24 Vortex Razor HD-E or a 1-4.5x24 leupold 4HD. With a dark horse being the 1-8x24 Vortex Strike Eagle. I like the price points and the fact I have some reticle placement to practice with. All said and done will probably use integrated scope rings, unless I can get these irons "regulated".
Sorry if this has been explored in the past, if there are any issues with the post ill take it down. Thanks again for everyone's time and consideration.

 

[Wyfox]

All sound like great moves to improve it. I'd opt for the beefy Razor 1-6 out of those choices.

Fyi, Getting the original poly finish off the stock is going to be a big headache.

 

[Nhoro]

I refinished my CZ stock and am very happy with the result. I scraped the finish off with a knife and just left the chequering alone. I have also bedded the recoil lugs (Cz has 2). This was to strengthen the stock and prevent cracking rather than accuracy. Also free floated the barrel. I think those are good improvements. As for trigger weight, I didn't want the trigger too light in case I am in a charge situation. I would rather a little heavier on the trigger as I won't take long shots anyway. All 3 scopes will work. It just seems a choice between highest magnification and whether you take longer shots.

 

[Hififile324]

Have you shot the rifle yet? If it is a honey and shoots MOA or better, I would not touch it. If it needs help do one thing at a time and try it. Bedding can be checked with marker compound. The new Model 70's I have, had decent bedding jobs. If you have the M.O.A. trigger and are not satisfied with it, I recommend the Timney Model 70, MOA replacement. It is easy to put in and provides for a zero creep, clean, crisp break. A great trigger will do the most for improving accuracy.

I have a new Winchester model 70, .308, that is so accurate I'm not touching it, and risking losing it's gilt edge.

 

[Doug3006]

I’m with @Hififile324. First, get it scoped. I believe you’ll find it better to invest in a premium optic than a lot of customization of the rifle. Spend some time at the range with your new rifle. Then determine what, if anything, is needed. I’ve bought several Ruger #1s over the years. They have a reputation of being less than accurate. Lots of gunsmithing advice is out there on the internet. As it turns out, every one of them shoots one MOA or better out of the box. I saved a bit of money checking them out thoroughly at the range before making a bunch of alterations. Make sure it feeds, fires, extracts and reloads flawlessly. Then find a load it likes. Unless there’s a problem, save the money you’d have spent on gun smithing and spend it on trophy fees, tips or good bourbon for your first safari!

 

[farmer_john]

I’m with @Hififile324. First, get it scoped. I believe you’ll find it better to invest in a premium optic than a lot of customization of the rifle. Spend some time at the range with your new rifle. Then determine what, if anything, is needed. I’ve bought several Ruger #1s over the years. They have a reputation of being less than accurate. Lots of gunsmithing advice is out there on the internet. As it turns out, every one of them shoots one MOA or better out of the box. I saved a bit of money checking them out thoroughly at the range before making a bunch of alterations. Make sure it feeds, fires, extracts and reloads flawlessly. Then find a load it likes. Unless there’s a problem, save the money you’d have spent on gun smithing and spend it on trophy fees, tips or good bourbon for your first safari!

Glass and pillar beddings not very $$ but can have major affect on group consistance and accuracy. Id recomend to be done on every firearm

 

[358 Norma]

EuroOptics has the Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6x24 on closeout for $699.99, you will not find a better scope for that kind of money! They are on the VX 6HD line and originally sold for $1499.99!

 

[Monski]

EuroOptics has the Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6x24 on closeout for $699.99, you will not find a better scope for that kind of money! They are on the VX 6HD line and originally sold for $1499.99!

This would be a good choice. Razors (and many others) have very wide eyepieces nowadays and may get in the way of a Winchester bolt when mounted as low as you would want. I've looked at but haven't tried the Razor so maybe somebody can say for sure. I've had this issue with a 1-6x24 Trijicon Accupoint on a pre 64 before.

 

[fourfive8]

A correctly done pillar bedding is about all you need to do. Nothing wrong with the MOA trigger. The only improvement would be to devolve the rifle back to an original Win 70 trigger which would not be practical. Stock finish is purely cosmetic and has nothing to do with “fine tuning”. KISS applies to scope and scope mounting. Then find a good, tough 300 gr bullet to shoot accurately or if reloading, a good tough 300 grain bullet for accuracy at about 2450 fps.

 

[mhunts]

EuroOptics has the Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6x24 on closeout for $699.99, you will not find a better scope for that kind of money! They are on the VX 6HD line and originally sold for $1499.99!

This^. I picked one up a few months back, unsure which of my rifles it may land on, and I'm very impressed with it. Since the new version came out, the price has effectively been cut in half.

 

[mhunts]

Have you shot the rifle yet? If it is a honey and shoots MOA or better, I would not touch it. If it needs help do one thing at a time and try it. Bedding can be checked with marker compound. The new Model 70's I have, had decent bedding jobs. If you have the M.O.A. trigger and are not satisfied with it, I recommend the Timney Model 70, MOA replacement. It is easy to put in and provides for a zero creep, clean, crisp break. A great trigger will do the most for improving accuracy.

I have a new Winchester model 70, .308, that is so accurate I'm not touching it, and risking losing it's gilt edge.

I've had trouble with the MOA triggers on both my .375H&H which went on safari with me last year fitted with a Timney trigger, and a brand new .416 Rem Mag MOA trigger which will not adjust below 5 lbs on trigger pull gauge (came from factory at 6lbs). Due to a minor surgery, I won't be able to shoot my larger rifles for a bit, so I'm going to send it back to Winchester and see if they dont resolve it, but it will likely wear a Timney next year when I head back over for buff.

 

[curt672]

As the 375 can be used for plains game also -- I like the 2 to 10 or 12 scopes that are available. The bedding will help strengthen the stock along with accuracy issues.