Winchester M-70 .264 Caliber Conversion

[Colt4440]

I obtained a Winchester Model 70 Westerner in .264 w/mag. Barrel had been modified with JVC muzzle compensator and I wish to rebarrel to another caliber but don’t want to have to change the action, can a different caliber barrel be placed on this action without to much customization, if so what caliber? Thanks.

 

[Adam in WI]

A whole bunch of good options. 7mm Rem Mag would be closest. Depends on what you want to use it for, I guess.

 

[ebb]

Any chambering that uses the same bolt face diameter as the .264 win mag. look up rifle cartridge base diameters. The most common ones are those based on a 223 cartridge, the ones based on 308, 30-06, and magnum cartridges. If you decide that you want something other than a magnum the bolt can be bushed to a smaller size.

 

[Edd]

I obtained a Winchester Model 70 Westerner in .264 w/mag. Barrel had been modified with JVC muzzle compensator and I wish to rebarrel to another caliber but don’t want to have to change the action, can a different caliber barrel be placed on this action without to much customization, if so what caliber? Thanks.

Do you have a favorite caliber, bullet diameter?

 

[Colt4440]

.308 maybe, I don’t get to shoot much anymore, was just thinking of re-barrel it or convert to a more suitable caliber for hunting.

 

[Colt4440]

The rifle was manufactured in 1961, the JVC muzzle comp was added by a late relative to reduce recoil, which it did wonders for, but made the rifle ugly, Just trying to get an idea of what to do with it, sell it, keep it as is, or change cartridge and barrel.

 

[Bill K]

If it is a family heirloom and you want to hang onto it, yet re-barrel, discuss it with your local gunsmith and go from there.
If not and you are not attached to it, even though it is a pre-64 model and would probably sell for a good price, sell it and buy a new rifle in a caliber that you want, say the 308 Win. especially when you said you don't shoot much anymore, but you would have a rifle for a hunt/shoot and even some money, more than likely still on hand, from the sale.

 

[Edd]

.308 maybe, I don’t get to shoot much anymore, was just thinking of re-barrel it or convert to a more suitable caliber for hunting.

If you like a 30 caliber and if you reload, re-barreling to a 308 Norma Magnum would be as easy as it gets.

 

[Walt Krafft]

There are some new cartridges that use the magnum bolt face but don't have a belt. 6.5PRC would be close to what you have. I would remove the comp to make it look right and get 100 rounds of ammo. That should last a long time hunting. Get another rifle to shoot regularly.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Do you not like the caliber or the brake? You could easily just take it off and have the barrel cut and crowned. Likely only takes about 5/8" or less to get rid of the threads for most.

 

[Walt Krafft]

If the comp is threaded on, remove it and have a cap made to protect the threads. It can be done so it is barely noticable.

 

[Zero333]

You just need something with the same case head diameter of 0.532".

Most common would be the 300 winmag,.338winmag, 6.5 PRC, 26, Nosler,,.7mm PRC and a crapload or others.

If there is a specific caliber like .30" or 7mm or .338", let me know and I'll tell you what cartridge would work with your bolt face.

 

[Flycaster1977]

I’ll play devils advocate. Keep it 264 mag. I have one and its a ton of fun to shoot. It has great ballistics and you could hunt pretty much anything you wanted to with it. Just move your loads around to suit the game of choice.

 

[ebb]

I agree with Flycaster, A good look with a borescope will let you know if the barrel has any life left. If so shoot as is and get all the fun you can till its toast then make a decision. If the barrel is already gone than change to something you want.

 

[V509]

Sell the 264 to me and buy a caliber that you want and can use

 

[snert]

cut the barrel and recrown. Off you go.

264 isn't a bad cartridge. Stick with bullets in the right weight range and use a modern construction bullet and you should get lots of hunting use from it.