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What hunting rifle would you build on a Pre64 action?

XTR

F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
Looking for thoughts here. If you were to build a hunting rifle on a pre-64 Win action, (assume a 30-06 bolt face), what would you build?

Something light enough to carry on non-flat ground, and enough gun for game up to elk.

My thoughts are leaning toward a 280 or an AI even. Before someone says 30-06, my thought is that if you build it in '06 then you can just buy one rather than build one, and I really can't think of anything else that will give the performance of the 280 or 280AI with the 30-06 boltface.


Just pondering the idea on a bored Monday night.
 
In honor of Jack O'Connor, a pre-1964 Model 70 should be chambered in 270 Winchester. But it's hard to argue against a 280 (standard or Ackley).

The quarry list goes up to Elk. Maybe the next question should be where the list goes down to. If only medium to large game are on the list, why not do something like a 338-06 or a 35 Whelen?
 
I am thinking an old wildcat, like a 35 Whelen. Met a guy once who had a 35 Brown or some such...it was a blown out 30-06 with a very small shoulder...just for the cool factor.

Model 70's in 270, 30-06 etc can be bought. if youre gonna build it, go for some odd-ball. That is my thinking at least
 
For what ever reason I just can't find any love for the 270, esp with the capabilities of the 280.

I like 308 based cases for most anything east of the front range. I have a 7-08 that with 140s is my go to for pretty much any deer sized game. I have a 6SLR that I built as a tactical rifle, and since I have the full setup, I'm probably going to build another 6SLR with a lighter barrel for a hunter.

If I did do this one it would not the be the regular hunter, more for bigger stuff or those days when I've already gotten something with another other rifle and just want to carry something different or I was looking for something a with a little more legs than the 7-08.

I like the idea of the 35 Whelen, but I think the effective range would be a bit low. I'd like to get a single shot (Ruger #1, or a Highwall, maybe even some kind of Sharps) in that caliber.

What kind of effective range does a 338-06 have? I've heard of them but never looked into one. I'd think that the capacity of the -06 case would be a little low for the big 338s. What weight bullets will work in one? (cool thought gotta, ponder that one some more)

The thing that draws me to the 280 is the huge selection of 7mm bullets out there to choose from (accubonds and partitions come to mind. I use the Accubonds in my 7-08), and it's got the legs that if you can if you can reasonably take the the shot you can kill it.
 
Before someone says 30-06,...

Sorry, but in my mind, a classic action calls for a classic round.

270 Winchester or 30-06 Springfield.

I just don't picture "pre-64 Model 70" and "Ackley" in the same sentence. Yes, Ackley was around back then, and there are probably a bunch of AI'd pre-64's out there, but it's not what I'd do.

XTR said:
What kind of effective range does a 338-06 have? I've heard of them but never looked into one. I'd think that the capacity of the -06 case would be a little low for the big 338s. What weight bullets will work in one?

I have a 338-06, and love it. As for bullets and capacity, 225 is probably the practical upper limit.

I think the 210 grain Partition is a perfect combo for it.

I've also used 180 grain Ballistic Tips and 200 grain Hornadys in it.
 
^^^^^ Or 6.5x55 or .338 or 30-06. Crap. Guess that's why I own a lot of guns. I can't decide.
 
I'm going to agree with JoshB on this one and say 6.5x55. I had the opportunity to shoot one and it was great. Low recoil, great selection of bullets and the Swedes have been using it to take moose for years.
 
Although a .280AI makes good sense, I'd use the 'hotrod' of that time and build a 264 Win Mag! Sporter contour barrel with a 1:8.5 twist to shoot 130-140gr VLD types boolits. That'd be cool as heck on a pre-'64!!!
 
A classic deserves some cool factor...Long action pre 64 ..I'm going w a 338-06..plenty of opphff factor there & a nice cast bullet cartridge as well...Mike in Ct...
 
280AI, Nosler brass is pricey but it holds up well 12+ firings on them and no need to fire form. I push a 180 Berger VLD 2850 fps in a 28 inch barrel and 3000 fps with the 168s.
 
280AI, Nosler brass is pricey but it holds up well 12+ firings on them and no need to fire form. I push a 180 Berger VLD 2850 fps in a 28 inch barrel and 3000 fps with the 168s.
This is where I am headed, and these numbers are real world, not pipe dream.
 
280AI with a 1:9 or even 1:8 twist. Better see how long the magazine is in your rifle so you can tailor your barrel and load to match OAL that will fit in the magazine.

Steve :)
 
I was faced with this exact decision back in 1998. I used my boyhood pre-'64 M70 .30-06 as a donor, and had Chic Donnelly (Siskiyou Gun Works, Grants Pass, OR) fashion me my ideal elk rifle in .338-06 Ackley. It shoots the Nosler 210gr Partition at exactly 2,810 fps with enough energy to go end-to-end through a large 5pt bull, and has accounted for others with energy to spare. It reaches across canyons past 350 yds when asked, and has always anchored bulls with no run-offs. (24", 10-twist heavy sporter, w/Leupold VX3 1.5-5X)

The caliber is about a duplicate of what Elmer Keith called his .333 OKH, which he used extensively in Africa on large game. It won't have the flatness of a .280AI, but it will hit with much more authority at all practical hunting ranges.

My other remaining pre-'64 M70 will remain a .270 Win for deer, but for a dedicated elk rifle, my M70 .338-06 Ackley has proven itself to be an ideal choice, and I'd not change a thing.
 
280AI would be my preference. Feeding will not be a problem and the mag length is perfect.
Regarding the 6.5X55, the pre-64 mag is too long for this chambering, in my view.
 
The 6.5-06 AI can push 140s over 3200 and sometimes over 3300fps in a 26" tube. If it were me, I'd be tempted to set up a 270AI and shoot the new Berger 170s, but there aren't alot of 277 options so it might be too much of a gamble. Nothing wrong with a 280AI, but I do prefer the 6.5-06AI. In any case as has been mentioned earlier, the Nosler AI brass is a game changer for 06AI cartridges. I would definitely start with it, and build around it with my projectile as my very next consideration.
 
A classic deserves some cool factor...Long action pre 64 ..I'm going w a 338-06..plenty of opphff factor there & a nice cast bullet cartridge as well...Mike in Ct...
This ^^^^^. Enough added umph for the larger game and still suitable for deer.
 

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