I need a Muse for my donor action decision...280ai project

[<*(((><]

Anyone have any experience with the Bell and Carlson stock that comes on the M70 EW series. It seems to gets mixed reviews online, some like it some don’t. I’m wondering if it will satisfy long term with this project (the stock that is), or if it’ll be another item that I will eventually want to replace.

just weighing the value that is in the M70 EW, as that stock is about $200-300, correct?

 

[LoonWulf]

Theres some on ebay, ranging from 100 bucks for a short action bull barrel stock to 220 for a new ew stock....personally i WOULDNT buy a rifle to get a B&C stock specifically. They are a notch above standard injection molded plastic stocks, but you wont save weight, and the newest ones dont feel that great to me.
I WOULD be willing to order and older one to replace a stock I really didnt like, but where saving weight wasnt an objective.
Id also order a raw stock straight from B&C, and sand it to fit my personal taste, then send it back to them to have them finish it. Ive contacted them on that, and they are happy to oblige.

 

[Gtscotty]

Theres some on ebay, ranging from 100 bucks for a short action bull barrel stock to 220 for a new ew stock....personally i WOULDNT buy a rifle to get a B&C stock specifically. They are a notch above standard injection molded plastic stocks, but you wont save weight, and the newest ones dont feel that great to me.
I WOULD be willing to order and older one to replace a stock I really didnt like, but where saving weight wasnt an objective.
Id also order a raw stock straight from B&C, and sand it to fit my personal taste, then send it back to them to have them finish it. Ive contacted them on that, and they are happy to oblige.

I'd agree with most of this except my newer B&Cs felt better to me than the one older version I've owned. All of the B&C's I've had experience with were the factory stocks on EWs, the newer ones were short action and the older EW I had was a long action, so that may be the real driver of the difference in feel.

I don't think the B&C Medalists are a bad stock, compared to floppy factory plastic stocks, but they are not a McMillan, Manners, Brown Precision or anything like that.

 

[<*(((><]

I'd agree with most of this except my newer B&Cs felt better to me than the one older version I've owned. All of the B&C's I've had experience with were the factory stocks on EWs, the newer ones were short action and the older EW I had was a long action, so that may be the real driver of the difference in feel.

I don't think the B&C Medalists are a bad stock, compared to floppy factory plastic stocks, but they are not a McMillan, Manners, Brown Precision or anything like that.

Most comments on the B&C are that it is a little thick throughout, but for the sake of managing cash flow I would live life with it for a few seasons if it doesn't fit my needs while I search for a new stock.

 

[Bill M.]

Maybe just buy a Model 70 in .280 Rem? And "improve" it?

 

[<*(((><]

Maybe just buy a Model 70 in .280 Rem? And "improve" it?

I've considered this, however the 1:10 twist is less than ideal when shooting 160gr+ sized projectiles.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've considered this, however the 1:10 twist is less than ideal when shooting 160gr+ sized projectiles.

Yep, also I think they've discontinued their .280 rifles. I would have had one a few years ago if they had brought it out with an 8 or 9 twist, but they inexplicably saddled it with a 10 twist even though their 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem Mag are twisted 9.5.... Unfortunately Winchester seems to be asleep at the wheel in terms of product development or offering new and interesting variants, if you want anything more than a slightly different type of wood on the stock these days, you're asking too much. Ruger and Kimber are much superior in that regard.

 

[ochsen]

I’ve kind of been playing with the same idea as you, down to the caliber and action. I’ve been looking at Montana Rifle Co. rifles lately. They use actions based on the Winchester/ Mauser type actions. I believe they also piller and glass bed their actions as well. They also have their all weather Xtreme rifles that use either composite or carbon fiber stocks. I’ve noticed Sportsman’s Warehouse has been advertising sales on these lately. Something to think about anyway.

 

[<*(((><]

I’ve kind of been playing with the same idea as you, down to the caliber and action. I’ve been looking at Montana Rifle Co. rifles lately. They use actions based on the Winchester/ Mauser type actions. I believe they also piller and glass bed their actions as well. They also have their all weather Xtreme rifles that use either composite or carbon fiber stocks. I’ve noticed Sportsman’s Warehouse has been advertising sales on these lately. Something to think about anyway.

I've researched them quite a bit in this process, and the reviews on the company are real hit or miss.

Which is what led me to the point I'm at. I've been at this for several years now.

 

[<*(((><]

A McMillan Adjustable Game Warden under a Ruger M77 Hawkeye All-Weather with a Timney trigger and a Proof research 24” carbon fiber barrel out front in 280AI would be a dandy hunting rifle.

I would agree with the M77 action.

My choices would be a Ruger 77/Hawkeye, or the Kimber Montana. All depending on preferred weight and barrel length.

So I'll be honest I'm pretty partial for this build towards a Win M70 action. But for sake of discussion what are each of your reasoning's behind choosing the M77 action versus the M70? Even if it's as simple as I like this company better than the other.

 

[Nature Boy]

As you're looking for suitable foundation for this project keep an eye out for a sporterized 03A3. It also checks all the boxes for your desired action

 

[<*(((><]

As you're looking for suitable foundation for this project keep an eye out for a sporterized 03A3. It also checks all the boxes for your desired action

A good reminder, I have had this in the back of my mind in the past but have since forgotten and it should be on the list. They do come up from time to time locally at pawn shops. Any downsides to an 03A3? I'm assuming the lock time would be similar to a M98?

 

[Varminterror]

So I'll be honest I'm pretty partial for this build towards a Win M70 action. But for sake of discussion what are each of your reasoning's behind choosing the M77 action versus the M70? Even if it's as simple as I like this company better than the other.

I’m usually pretty open here - I honestly enjoy Ruger M77’s.

Maybe one additional motivation for me - the Rugers are still Rugers, Winchesters aren’t still Winchesters. Still good rifles, but a lot of Winchesters are sold on the whimsy of a legacy which really isn’t. Will trademark licenses and production contracts sustain as long as an actual production line? Just sours me a little on new Winnies.

Either is a fine choice, and many folks would prefer the Winchester in most circles. But when it comes down to it, it’s swapping nickels to compare the two, so subjective bias is as good of reason as any.

 

[<*(((><]

I’m usually pretty open here - I honestly enjoy Ruger M77’s.

Maybe one additional motivation for me - the Rugers are still Rugers, Winchesters aren’t still Winchesters. Still good rifles, but a lot of Winchesters are sold on the whimsy of a legacy which really isn’t. Will trademark licenses and production contracts sustain as long as an actual production line? Just sours me a little on new Winnies.

Either is a fine choice, and many folks would prefer the Winchester in most circles. But when it comes down to it, it’s swapping nickels to compare the two, so subjective bias is as good of reason as any.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[LoonWulf]

I like Ruger, and I've been very happy with the m77/Hawkeyes I've owed.
I also like using weird stuff, ad there arnt as many "custom" 77s as m70s

If you prefer the Winchester I think that would be a very fine choice, especially if they offer a configuration that all you need to do is rechamber to get what you want.

 

[LoonWulf]

A good reminder, I have had this in the back of my mind in the past but have since forgotten and it should be on the list. They do come up from time to time locally at pawn shops. Any downsides to an 03A3? I'm assuming the lock time would be similar to a M98?

I like that idea as well, but yes I believe the lock time on the 03s is pretty slow.

 

[<*(((><]

Well I ended up finding a Win M70 EW in 30-06 that I bought yesterday. I’ll start saving now for a 280AI barrel and in the meantime shoot it and see how it does.

I’m one step closer but now need to decide on barrel for it. I’ll need to get the 30-06 barrel off of it and start getting some weights on the receiver and stock so I know what kind of weight I can afford on barrel scope and mounts. That’ll start narrowing down barrel profile.

Thank you all for your help and your thoughts, I was starting to reconsider the M70 a little for a M77 but since I aready have and plan on keeping my GSR I decided to go with a M70.