What caliber for model 70?

I would probably go for a 35 Whelen for a custom build especially since moose is on your menu. I have always wanted a 35 Whelen. I own a half dozen 30-06's in everything from a Garand to a Remington 742. I don't think you can go wrong with a 30-06 especially if you reload.

Though I would normally say .30-06 if I were doing a custom build with those particular requirements I think I would go with the .300 Winchester Mag.

I'm in a different camp, as I favor short actions.

I'd go 308.

7mm Rem Mag.

300 HH first choice, but given parameters of long action, it's 30-06. I do own custom 270 and love it, but 30-06 more versatile. IMHO. I guess I'm just an oldie.

Revolver Ocelot said:

I am building a long action Winchester model 70, and can't decide on caliber. I will be using it for anything up to and including moose.

Right now I'm looking at:

.270 win
.30-06
.35 whelen

But I'm open to other ideas.

Click to expand...

I have M70s in '06 and 300 WSM, a custom W. A. Sukalle in '06 on a commercial FN Mauser action.

I also have the dies for a 375 WSM (short action), but I've never got around to wildcatting the 300 WSM, the '06 can also be wildcatted to 375, but the '06 is the most versatile of the caibers in the poll. Also, I'd bypass the the 35 Whelan and go to 375 if you are a handloader.

Did you give any thought to a .375 Whelen?

Geno

.35Whelen.

Given the parameters offered in OP, .30-06 and not look back.

Given other options offered in this list, 7mm Rem Mag then .375 H&H, but full disclosure, I haven't shot the Brit mag...I only know what I've been told.

The Remington if you're worried about MPBR, the Gov if you want one rifle for every need in NA larger than a blacktail. The Brit if you want the coolest caliber on the planet that will do whatever you want it to do in Earth.

With inflation so low, that might not even be worth $.02...

Greg

I have a custom '03 Springfield in .35 Brown Whelen, the most radical form of the Whelen. As an elk and moose rifle, it's close to the .338 Win Mag, but for smaller critters it's a bit more than you need.

Of your three choices, I'd go with the .30-06. It's probably the most versatile centerfire cartridge even produced.

I said .270 but if you are going to hunt big game get the .300 Winchester Magnum.
It will handle anything from the smallest game (deer) to the largest game in
North America (moose, bear etc.). If it kicks too much for you get a Muzzle break
screwed onto it.

Zeke

Revolver Ocelot;

I voted before I read your initial post. The vote was for an "other". What I was thinking of was the short run of Winchester model 70 featherweights done in 6.5 x 55mm Swedish Mauser if you were looking to buy one. However, once I saw that you were building it yourself, and including moose in the uses thereof, I'll change it to .30-06.

I will say that I've got a 6.5 Swede, an ought-6, and a .338 Winchester magnum. Which one gets pulled out of the safe depends on the game and conditions, they all have their use. For instance, I do live in "Outer Montana", and hunt elk with my Swede. It can do the job, but I wouldn't take the chance on a moose or bear, that's what the .338 is for.

900F

Pre WAR M70 action?

Let's get period custom:
.284 OKH. (A 7mm '06, but it is just a better name.)
.334 OKH. (Fudge to .338-06 for bullet availability.)
.256 Newton.

I voted 30-06. Good general purpose caliber and I'd because I'd love to have a model 70 featherweight in 30-06.

Revolver Ocelot said:

Actually it is a post 64 push feed.

Click to expand...

I believe Jim was referring to my Pre war M 70 .358 Norma project.
No the .358 is not period correct and may go with .35 Newton if it looks like brass is available.

Yes, I looked at jim in Anchorage instead of the OP.

A post 64.
OK, .280 Rem., then.
A friend reports that, contrary to common wisdom, a .280 will not bounce off an elk.

7x57 or .280 Rem

Use Partitions and don't take unreasonably long shots.

If a chance encounter of a grizzly, I would choose 30/06 ove the ones I listed.

.257 Roberts

Fella's;

Now I would consider a .257 Roberts just a touch light for moose hunting. Not gonna say it couldn't be done, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with it. And yeah, I have hunted moose.

900F

My Gun Club President has hunted most things on this Continent, except bears. I talked with him about what caliber to use on Moose and he was positive on the 35 Whelen. While there are those who look at the long, long range capabilities of a cartridge, the 35 Whelen is fine out to 300 yards. Three hundred yards is a long distance and you should not be shooting at Moose at 300 yards. His experience, you want to keep them out of the water! Shoot one of those things and he dies in a pond, lake, or river, and you are going to have trouble getting the animal out. Plus Moose are huge. Might as well use the larger bullet.

His opinion was that the 270 Win was too small for Moose, great for most everything else, but big animals, not the best choice.