Model 70 classic stainless not grouping well

[rickyw]

I recently acquired a used model 70 classic stainless in 30-06. Six digit serial number. It is in a plastic cheap stock which I free floated.

I took it to the range yesterday and sighted it in first with Hornady interlock 180 grain. It shot sub MOA. Then i tried Barnes ttsx 168, absolutely terrible. Then federal terminal ascent, over 2 MOA. Went back to the interlocks and shot another group sub MOA. Then tried eld x 178, 2 MOA.

My newbie question is this: could a more stable stock, bedded, improve accuracy of some of these loads even though it does so far shoot one load well? Or is it just being picky?

Thanks

 

[bottom_dweller]

I recently acquired a used model 70 classic stainless in 30-06. Six digit serial number. It is in a plastic cheap stock which I free floated.

I took it to the range yesterday and sighted it in first with Hornady interlock 180 grain. It shot sub MOA. Then i tried Barnes ttsx 168, absolutely terrible. Then federal terminal ascent, over 2 MOA. Went back to the interlocks and shot another group sub MOA. Then tried eld x 178, 2 MOA.

My newbie question is this: could a more stable stock, bedded, improve accuracy of some of these loads even though it does so far shoot one load well? Or is it just being picky?

Thanks

Maybe. Would it be worth the money? You don’t want to use 180 interlock? If that’s the diet it wants, that’s what I would feed it.

 

[rickyw]

Maybe. Would it be worth the money? You don’t want to use 180 interlock? If that’s the diet it wants, that’s what I would feed it.

It’s nice to have a a few kinds of ammunition that work if I can’t find one in stock…but I’ll try a few more this week.

 

[bottom_dweller]

How’s the crown look? I took a tip from YouTube video on crowning. The guy uses a brass slotted screw and valve grinding compound. You put the screw into a variable speed drill/driver and recrown. I had a rifle that was giving me fits until I did this. If it’s used, it couldn’t hurt.

 

[rickyw]

From what I can tell the crown seems okay. What was it about the crown on your rifle that made you recrown it?

 

[bottom_dweller]

If you look at it with a magnifying lens, or photographer loupe, you will see something that doesn’t look right on the departing edge. Usually a scratch or a burr.

 

[PRDATR]

Probably has a slow twist that doesn't favor longer skinny bullets.

 

[bottom_dweller]

I’m thinking that the problem could be fixed with being able to adjust COAL but it’s factory.

 

[Float Pilot]

Ricky...
Did you ever make any headway with this M-70?

 

[Delta Tenderfoot]

All good information here. Crown, Twist, Ammo. Used rifles can be like used cars. Was it driven like a rental? Bought a .303 British Enfield that had been a training rifle from Dick's for $10. First three rounds at 100 meters landed in the 5 ring at 11, 3 and 7 o'clock...sideways. I would inspect the barrel twist as it might be to slow for hotter rounds. Invest in a Jewlers Loupe and a bore scope.

 

[rickyw]

Ricky...
Did you ever make any headway with this M-70?

Thanks for checking in. I’ve been getting things together to reload. Powder has been somewhat hard to come by. I finally found h 4350 and bought the last two pounds. I have some bullets arriving hopefully soon. Will see how it goes. I don’t want to mess around with it too long, I just want it to shoot. If it isn’t looking good I may rebore it to 338-06 or rebarrel it with a pacnor. Or sell it

 

[bottom_dweller]

All good information here. Crown, Twist, Ammo. Used rifles can be like used cars. Was it driven like a rental? Bought a .303 British Enfield that had been a training rifle from Dick's for $10. First three rounds at 100 meters landed in the 5 ring at 11, 3 and 7 o'clock...sideways. I would inspect the barrel twist as it might be to slow for hotter rounds. Invest in a Jewlers Loupe and a bore scope.

That’s pretty dang accurate for keyholing!

 

[tvfinak]

That’s pretty dang accurate for keyholing!

I had a .220 Swift years ago that would group about an inch at 100 yds with most of the bullets keyhole-ling. The bullets weren't tumbling, but just hadn't stabilized.

I've read that .30-06 AP ammo would actually penetrate more steel at 100yds than at 25 yds. Apparently it took some distance for the bullets to stabilize.

 

[notyomama]

My newbie question is this: could a more stable stock, bedded, improve accuracy of some of these loads even though it does so far shoot one load well? Or is it just being picky?

Thanks

I'd definitely make sure it was properly bedded before putting a lot of effort into other things.

 

[revjim]

Try cleaning your barrel down to bare metal. Then start using the TTSX and similar monos. They will "settle down" after a few shots. The rifle is "used", probably shot with cup n core bullets only and that bullet fouling is non-copacetic with copper bullets. If you can ger hold of some EezOx, after cleaning, coat the bore with it, let dry overnight. Significantly cuts down fouling. Good luck to you sir!

 

[rickyw]

Thank you all. I’m actually just rebarreling to a 35 Whelen with pac nor. Wanted another one anyway. But I picked up another classic stainless 30-06 and it’s already shooting much better

 

[revjim]

I've only had one rifle with a PacNor, it was a 6mm Remington I had set up for prairie dogs/coyotes. It was a wonderfully made barrel. I used a Mod 700 Classic 35 Whelan ( I had Ackleyed) for 20yrs. I used the 250x at first, then the 200x, finally the 200 TTSX. I think you will be very pleased with yours! Have a ball sir!