Thats sorta what im thinking. Ive still got some fired brass. Ill go take measurements and compare them to my .280ai. Guessing 59-60gr will be compressed (64gr of retumbo, which is about the same size granual as 7797, is pretty cramped in the .280, but I've never tried to check max fill with RL-23) and about the most that will go in without actually crushing anything....I guess it depends on how much you can load out also the NP being flat base, you can get more contact than a BT withought sacrificing capacity to the tail end....might be able to get by with quite a bit of bullet out of the case.
The 6.8 WCF, or .270 AI, w/ 1:8 Twist Rate Rifling. (or .280 AI)
- Thread starter Garandimal
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If your forend isn't bedded, or only bedded for a few " in front of the receiver you could probably have them adjust the contour so that its stock thru that area, then reduce the tapper sooner and end up with a slightly more beefy muzzle end. Fluting would be a good option if you then want to move that balance back closer to where it originally was.
I would normally re-bed any floating lug gun after having barrel work done, as its entirely possible the recoil lug wont end up clocked the same as it came from the factory. Ive seen jigged lugs be enough off that a tight bedding job would torque the action on install.
One guy I know actually sets the whole thing up in the stock torqued down and uses his bedding to align the lugs when installing barrels. he doesn't install them super tight, and im not sold on the practice myself, but every gun I've seen him do has shot well.
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Garandimal
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These are just hunting rifles.
The ole M700, as old as she is?
Probably less than 500 rounds down the pipe, and well spaced at that.
Like the fluted sporter contour of the new FN/Winchester EW/SS.
Maybe go the same route.
Like you said, would bring the balance back closer to where it was.
May want the extra wt., given the intended loads.
Will think on it.
Now I'm wonderin' what I'd push down it, if the 160 NP/2850+ works out.
Save the 165 gr. ABLR (2900 fps/24" Bbl.), not a lot of interesting alternatives that the 160 NP doesn't cover.
... yet.
GR
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Garandimal
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Been researching this at length of late, and have precipitated some truths.
- PAC-NOR - says $605 for a 24"/SS/std. contour/R5 rifling/1:8 Twist Bbl./fitted/action trued.
Given that:
- 95% of my hunting is done at < 350 yds., and most of that at 250 or less.
- Double-base powders - like RL-26, necessary to drive .270 WCF/> 165 gr. bullets at useful velocities (> 2900 fps) would cut Bbl. life from b/t 1/3 to nearly half.
- The Nosler 160 gr. Partition - is an outstanding high SD and reasonably slippery (BC=.434) bullet that is stable from the std. 1:10 twist Bbl..
- The factory Barnes mono-copper 140 gr. TSX (BC=.404), is also stable from the std. 1:10 twist Bbl.. (And have a pile acquired on "liquidation")
- Both of these bullets can be/are driven to useful velocities from a 22" Bbl., (2800 and 2890 fps, for MPBR(+/-3")'s of 275 and 280 yds, respectively), with cooler IMR 4831 powder, as used in my std. 150 gr./Speer Grand Slam/2800 fps./ MPBR(+/-3") of 270 yds. load.
- The factory Federal Premium 130 gr. Trophy Copper(Nosler E-tip w/ groves), at just shy of 3000 fps, has a MPBR(+/-3") of 295 yds.,
... and is only 15" low and still 2200 fps (good expansion/energy) at 400 yds. (And have a pile acquired on "clearance")
So, what this means is:
- My current "Game Scythe", the FN/Winchester M70 EW/SS/22" Bbl./.270 WCF:
...Is perfect for my needs - and should last a long time w/ the current loadings.
Whereas the ole Remington M700/BDL/22" Bbl., (Re-Bbl'ed to 24"/SS/std. contour/R5 rifling/1:8 Twist):
... would be a long range (600 yd.)/ low round count specialty rifle, which may warrant a heavier contour, a-la M700-40-XB/USMC M40 Bbl.
PAC-NOR - for an additional $125, could match/true/install a Winchester M70 EW/SS 6-fluted 24" (.270 WSM) contoured Bbl..
Which, for ~ $605 (+/-$125)...? ain't bad.
GR
- PAC-NOR - says $605 for a 24"/SS/std. contour/R5 rifling/1:8 Twist Bbl./fitted/action trued.
Given that:
- 95% of my hunting is done at < 350 yds., and most of that at 250 or less.
- Double-base powders - like RL-26, necessary to drive .270 WCF/> 165 gr. bullets at useful velocities (> 2900 fps) would cut Bbl. life from b/t 1/3 to nearly half.
- The Nosler 160 gr. Partition - is an outstanding high SD and reasonably slippery (BC=.434) bullet that is stable from the std. 1:10 twist Bbl..
- The factory Barnes mono-copper 140 gr. TSX (BC=.404), is also stable from the std. 1:10 twist Bbl.. (And have a pile acquired on "liquidation")
- Both of these bullets can be/are driven to useful velocities from a 22" Bbl., (2800 and 2890 fps, for MPBR(+/-3")'s of 275 and 280 yds, respectively), with cooler IMR 4831 powder, as used in my std. 150 gr./Speer Grand Slam/2800 fps./ MPBR(+/-3") of 270 yds. load.
- The factory Federal Premium 130 gr. Trophy Copper(Nosler E-tip w/ groves), at just shy of 3000 fps, has a MPBR(+/-3") of 295 yds.,
... and is only 15" low and still 2200 fps (good expansion/energy) at 400 yds. (And have a pile acquired on "clearance")
So, what this means is:
- My current "Game Scythe", the FN/Winchester M70 EW/SS/22" Bbl./.270 WCF:
...Is perfect for my needs - and should last a long time w/ the current loadings.
Whereas the ole Remington M700/BDL/22" Bbl., (Re-Bbl'ed to 24"/SS/std. contour/R5 rifling/1:8 Twist):
... would be a long range (600 yd.)/ low round count specialty rifle, which may warrant a heavier contour, a-la M700-40-XB/USMC M40 Bbl.
PAC-NOR - for an additional $125, could match/true/install a Winchester M70 EW/SS 6-fluted 24" (.270 WSM) contoured Bbl..
Which, for ~ $605 (+/-$125)...? ain't bad.
GR
So for the 700 your considering going to the .270wsm?
Costs seems reasonable for the work.
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Garandimal
member
Nope.
.270 Win. (or possibly .270 AI) - but in the same Bbl. contour and length as the 24" EW/SS chambered in 270 WSM.
GR
A
Aaahhhhh got it. Yeah there's usually a premium charged when using a non standard profile.
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Garandimal
member
They said if it's in the computer - it's GTG.
Don't know if the conversion to a M700 receiver constitutes a change.
Think it's only $35, anyway.
Not prohibitive, considering... $735 to start.
Although, I'm thinkin'bout a M70 EW/SS in 6.8 WESTERN more and more...
...and a 170 gr. Partition at ~ 2900 fps.
8>)
GR
I'm curious about that round also. It looks Its basically a creedmoored .270wsm, which would certainly prove interesting as there's quite a few WSM rifles that come up an sell pretty cheaply.
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Garandimal
member
Looks to be a .270 WSM - w/ the shoulder/neck moved back 0.080", and a longer free bore/leade/COAL.
...and, of course, the 1:8 twist.
GR
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Garandimal
member
Did some ballistic analysis for the 1:8 twist 6.8 WESTERN, b/t the ABLR 150 gr./3100 fps v. 165 gr./2950 fps..
Not much difference and the 150 gr. shoots a bit flatter.
Also did a fictitious 170 gr. NP at 2900 fps... and that would be a beast.
But the 160 gr. NP at 2850 fps carries 1500 ft-lbs to 400 yds, and ~ 18" drop at that range, zeroed for a MPBR(+/-3") of ~ 280 yds.
... and the .270 Win will do that.
PAC-NOR said they could make the "M40" Bbl. (Rem H-1, Varmint Special) easy.
...and that drops it back down to $605.
Wonder if the 6.8 WESTERN throating for a .270 Win chambered Bbl., allowing long loaded rounds, would still fit in the M700 magazine?
EDIT:
The M700 magazine - will accept the 3.600" "long action" cartridge.
That's 0.260" longer than the SAAMI 3.340" .270 Win..
Could load a 150 gr. NP/GS (factory) a full 0.25" longer and still maintain 1 dia. neck seating depth.
...and still have 0.125" COAL left for longer/heavier bullets.
Likin' this more and more...
GR
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Garandimal
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Ruminatin' on this new Bbl.
24", Stainless, R5 rifling, 1:8 Twist, Rem H1 (light) Varmint contour, recessed crown.
...throated long(COAL 3.550"), w/ the 1*30' Leade from the .270 WSM.
Designed around the Nosler 160 gr. Partition, seated 0.280" into a std. 2.530" .270 WIN case.
Filled w/ ~ 60 grns. of RL-26.
Clockin' ~ 3,000 fps.
... an ole school 600 yd. rifle.
GR
24", Stainless, R5 rifling, 1:8 Twist, Rem H1 (light) Varmint contour, recessed crown.
...throated long(COAL 3.550"), w/ the 1*30' Leade from the .270 WSM.
Designed around the Nosler 160 gr. Partition, seated 0.280" into a std. 2.530" .270 WIN case.
Filled w/ ~ 60 grns. of RL-26.
Clockin' ~ 3,000 fps.
... an ole school 600 yd. rifle.
GR
Sounds like an old school everything rifle to me. A 160 partition at 3ks pretty spiffy, don't think there's any non-dangerous game it wouldnt do well forRuminatin' on this new Bbl.
24", Stainless, R5 rifling, 1:8 Twist, Rem H1 (light) Varmint contour, recessed crown.
...throated long(COAL 3.550"), w/ the 1*30' Leade from the .270 WSM.
Designed around the Nosler 160 gr. Partition, seated 0.280" into a std. 2.530" .270 WIN case.
Filled w/ ~ 60 grns. of RL-26.
Clockin' ~ 3,000 fps.
... an ole school 600 yd. rifle.
GR
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Garandimal
member
The new Bbl. would allow me to keep the 2800 fps GS woods load in the light EW/SS, and then switch to the Federal Trophy Copper load for cuts and pastures out to 400.
And then, the M700 for the wide open spaces.
Likin' this.
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Garandimal
member
Blueprinted slappin' a 6.8 WESTERN throat on a .270 WCF chamber w/ a COAL of 3.600".
Loaded to Nosler's seating depth spec for the .270 WSM, (which uses the same throat, w/o the extra OAL capacity of the 6.8 WESTERN:
Puts the base of the 160 NP at the base of the case neck.
Will accommodate any long, slippery bullet developed for the 6.8 WESTERN, with very little if any reduction in MV.
.270 LAWGR. (Long Action Winchester)
Ordering my new Bbl. for the M700 BDL Monday.
GR
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Awsome!!! Im really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out, I bet its pretty slick.
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Garandimal
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Maybe get it back early Spring of next.
Gives me time to find some RL-26 and H4831sc.
The new 150 gr. AB's should also be sweet.
And because the std. 150's still fit - can use the Speer 150 gr. HC's as load development and inexpensive long range fodder.
Their flat base and 0.455 BC generally puts'em in the same bug hole as the 150 gr. NP.
GR
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