Ugly 700, now what to do with it

[ebb]

Just because you have a great donor rifle and bought it right doesn't mean you have to make all these decisions and get started right now. It could go to the back of the safe and you could just have a picture on the reloading bench to remind you that there is much potential waiting patiently in the safe. Maybe something new comes along, maybe a good deal on a barrel. If its in the back of the safe, chances are it will be there when a great new idea comes along.

 

[ebb]

30-284

 

[Sandstorm]

25-284 is gonna be perfect.

 

[Preacher]

You will absolutely love a 25/284, rather your shooting the light weights or the new heavy's..

 

[J.D.Erwin]

I went down to the LGS shop today to pick up a lightweight 77 in 257 Robert’s I just bought. While they were running the 4473 I browsed their used rifles and found an old 700 in 270, beat to hell but the action wasn’t all that bad. It actually looks to have been shot very little. Everything works as it should, price tag was 250.00. That’s a deal but I had to ask if they would do any better, they did, 200.00 plus taxes. So I bought it for just under 220.00 out the door, hell the bottom metal is worth half of that.

So now what? I wasn’t gonna do any builds for awhile, atleast until I got caught up on the ones in progress but I have a soft spot for the early 700s and the price was a no brainer. I’ve owned a 6.5-06 AI and a 280 AI, enjoyed them both. However I called Zack to see what his thoughts were and what reamers he had. The two we talked the most about was a 25-284 or a 25-06 AI. I’m leaning towards the 25-284, set up to shoot 110-120s, maybe Berger 115s or 110 BIBs or 110 accubonds. I’ve never owned a cartridge based on the 284 Winchester, I’ve always want to too.

Thoughts? If I remember right when reading PO Ackley‘s books the 25-06 was one of the cartridges that didn’t show a lot of improvement in the AI version. I’m not known to have the best memory so I could be wrong. If you’ve owned either one of the quarter bores mentioned please chime in, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are. I know bullet selection in .264 and .284 is much better but that’s ok, there’s enough good bullets to make it work. I’m not really interested in the heavies, 130gr plus, I have that covered with other rifles. This would be more of walk about rifle, shots out to 500 and in.

Congrats you found a great project for absolutely nothing when you get it completed please post the before and have picture so we can all enjoy your find.
Jerry

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I would be tempted to put it as it is in a Grayboe Phoenix 2 stock, add a new trigger and shoot it for a while.
edit: sorry I was reading this thread backwards.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

By the way that was a whoopsie on that too large of a recoil pad installation. lol.

 

[nakneker]

When you decide on the stock and barrel, pls let us know.

Will do.

Great find bud! Years ago I had a Browning A-Bolt in .25-06, absolutely drove tacs for a light rifle. Wish I still had it. Lots of great choices in 25 cal today.
.25-284 would be very cool. Have fun and keep us posted.
Paul

Ironic, I had one of the early Abolts, matte with the black stock in 25-06 too. It was great rifle!

Just because you have a great donor rifle and bought it right doesn't mean you have to make all these decisions and get started right now. It could go to the back of the safe and you could just have a picture on the reloading bench to remind you that there is much potential waiting patiently in the safe. Maybe something new comes along, maybe a good deal on a barrel. If it’s in the back of the safe, chances are it will be there when a great new idea comes along.

I get what you’re saying but I’ve been thinking about a quarter bore along these lines for awhile. Finding this old rifle just reignited the fire. Patience is not one of my strong points.

You will absolutely love a 25/284, rather your shooting the light weights or the new heavy's..

I’ve read your posts for years on the 25-284, always found them intriguing.

By the way that was a whoopsie on that too large of a recoil pad installation. lol.

Right, lol. Probably came off one of the near by ranches would be my guess, it was a consignment.




I’m gonna build a 25-284 on this one. Slept on it, decision made. I’ll get with Zack and get everything coming, not sure what barrel, it’ll probably depend on what’s available in a Sporter contour that doesn’t take months to get. I’ll probably do a McMillan edge fill, basic stock. Should be fun. Zack has multiple reamers, I’m gonna do a faster twist but set it up for 110-120br bullets, I have the heavy bullets in dial a deer rigs covered. Thanks for all the input. 25-284 it is. Maybe a 25-05AI will happen down the road.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://mcmillanusa.com/product-cat...y-to-ship-stocks/limited-availability-stocks/

 

[nakneker]

https://mcmillanusa.com/product-cat...y-to-ship-stocks/limited-availability-stocks/

One of my favorite basic McMillan stocks for hunting. The McMillan hunter has that Sako Palm swell, it’s one of the better stocks for me for off hand shots. It’s pretty light in an edge fill too.

https://mcmillanusa.com/shop/browse-mcmillan-rifle-stock-models/hunting-stock-models/mcmillan-hunter/

 

[Bugs]

Any rifle that ugly has some stories to tell if it could talk. You done good ! ! !

 

[Bc'z]

Will do.

Ironic, I had one of the early Abolts, matte with the black stock in 25-06 too. It was great rifle!

I get what you’re saying but I’ve been thinking about a quarter bore along these lines for awhile. Finding this old rifle just reignited the fire. Patience is not one of my strong points.

I’ve read your posts for years on the 25-284, always found them intriguing.

Right, lol. Probably came off one of the near by ranches would be my guess, it was a consignment.




I’m gonna build a 25-284 on this one. Slept on it, decision made. I’ll get with Zack and get everything coming, not sure what barrel, it’ll probably depend on what’s available in a Sporter contour that doesn’t take months to get. I’ll probably do a McMillan edge fill, basic stock. Should be fun. Zack has multiple reamers, I’m gonna do a faster twist but set it up for 110-120br bullets, I have the heavy bullets in dial a deer rigs covered. Thanks for all the input. 25-284 it is. Maybe a 25-05AI will happen down the road.

Quarter bore sounds interesting.
My ODCR 6.5-284 700LA, Paul worked his machinist magic on the bolt.
When and if I shoot this barrel out I might go 338-284
My new Leupold arrived today, so the Athlon is going on my Creedmoor.

 

[Bill Norris]

Quarter bore sounds interesting.
My ODCR 6.5-284 700LA, Paul worked his machinist magic on the bolt.
When and if I shoot this barrel out I might go 338-284View attachment 1562166
My new Leupold arrived today, so the Athlon is going on my Creedmoor.

That is a cool looking rig right there Bro. Zack knows how to build them no doubt.

 

[Bc'z]

That is a cool looking rig right there Bro. Zack knows how to build them no doubt.

Shoots dots too!! 140gr bullets @3000

Bill I'm extremely fortunate and grateful to work with some of the best gunsmith's in the country Zack is top shelf, and his guns flat out hammer!!

 

[Bill Norris]

He has not sent me anything that would not shoot.

 

[nakneker]

Quarter bore sounds interesting.
My ODCR 6.5-284 700LA, Paul worked his machinist magic on the bolt.
When and if I shoot this barrel out I might go 338-284View attachment 1562166
My new Leupold arrived today, so the Athlon is going on my Creedmoor.

Thats a good looking rifle. 338-284, never even thought of that, fun! Zack is in the middle of a 338-06 AI for me, I had one and my cousin had to have it and I’ve wanted one ever since. Your rifle shoots too!! every rifle I’ve received from Zack has shot itty bitty, it’s been a lot of fun. One of the best builders out there for sure.

 

[Frankm]

Have 3 friends who built 25-06 AI s (tight necks) off the same reamer and shooting 133 gr Sierras (Blackjack) and 134 gr Berger’s …. They re 27” 8 twist barrels and talk about flat shooters and holding on to energy!! Quite impressive.

Recoil isn’t bad either…. Like a 270 Win

 

[10XSHOOTER]

25-.284 you will have to change the Mag follower to a Magnum. Bevel the bolt so it will eject. because of the rebated rim.
Go with the 25-06 AI less hassel and just as good of performance!

 

[boltfluter]

Shoots dots too!! 140gr bullets @3000
View attachment 1562174
Bill I'm extremely fortunate and grateful to work with some of the best gunsmith's in the country Zack is top shelf, and his guns flat out hammer!!

Damn! Great shooting buddy. Beautiful looking rifle as well!
Paul

 

[Preacher]

Thats a good looking rifle. 338-284, never even thought of that, fun! Zack is in the middle of a 338-06 AI for me, I had one and my cousin had to have it and I’ve wanted one ever since. Your rifle shoots too!! every rifle I’ve received from Zack has shot itty bitty, it’s been a lot of fun. One of the best builders out there for sure.

You need to think about the 338/284, I have one in a XP-100 that shoots the 180 and 200 grain BT's really nice, I have the reamer..