brnsvllyjohn
Active member
I have owned a pre 64 model 70 featherweight 30-06 forever. It basically became a safe queen around 1980. I still shoot it every year but don't hunt with it much. It was never a real tack driver but I did take a lot of deer with it. Now that we have to shoot non toxic (the gun doesn't shoot it well) and the fact I always wanted a 280 I once again made some calls to a local gunsmith to discuss a new barrel in 280 as well as some other improvements. Just like I was told 40 years ago the gunsmith doesn't like messing with a classic gun and thinks if I want a 280 I should just buy it or use some other action for a custom build.
I used to read Outdoor Life and Jim Carmichel did this exact same thing to a pre 64 model 70. He said that custom 280 was his favorite gun for deer sized animals. I still think I want to turn the gun in to something I would actually use instead of something that just punches paper every year. If my other guns are more accurate I have a hard time taking the old model 70 hunting.
Why not change the gun to something I would actually hunt with? It isn't that valuable as far as classic guns go.
I think I will make a few more calls to other gunsmiths.
I used to read Outdoor Life and Jim Carmichel did this exact same thing to a pre 64 model 70. He said that custom 280 was his favorite gun for deer sized animals. I still think I want to turn the gun in to something I would actually use instead of something that just punches paper every year. If my other guns are more accurate I have a hard time taking the old model 70 hunting.
Why not change the gun to something I would actually hunt with? It isn't that valuable as far as classic guns go.
I think I will make a few more calls to other gunsmiths.