Winchester Model 70 Magazine Box Question

[mmcu]

A quick question for those that know more than I do on this subject.

Will a short action 308 Winchester Model 70 internal magazine box work with the WSM family of cartridges?

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[PWS]

A quick question for those that know more than I do on this subject.

Will a short action 308 Winchester Model 70 internal magazine box work with the WSM family of cartridges?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Seriously doubt it. The box for the .308 will be too narrow to stack well and the bent in lips at the top will make it burp the WSMs. Luckily, the actions are pretty much the same and Winchester installs different guts for the different rounds. Should be a pretty simple part swap with this box: http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/winchester-model-70-magazine-box/U353071340

You might have to replace the spring and follower and the ejector will probably need to be shortened for the longer WSMs.

Good luck!

 

[mmcu]

Thanks PWS. That's what I thought but wanted to verify before proceeding.

 

[wapiti25]

I don't think the bolt will work.

 

[msalm]

You can swap the box and follower, and shorten the ejector and it will work. Goes from 2.850" oal to 3.050" oal on internal dimensions. Works great for 284 based cartridges too. Obviously with the WSM you'll have to address the bolt face and extractor.

 

[Dubbo]

I have a Win model 70 SA and am looking at rebarrelling it. I checked into the different boxes. The WSM box is SS, has no spacer in the back and the feed lips are straight, no bend. The springs are the same for the SA and WSM. I took the spacer out of the back of my standard box and did not have to shorten the bolt stop, not sure if that will be the case for all. Also there is a metal standard caliber short action follower that looks similar to the plastic WSM follower so it may work for the WSM. http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/ctgy/winchester-model-70-followers

One question I still have is are the feed rails cut different for the WSMs?