Model 70 Featherweight in 9.3x62

[nonpcnrarn]

I am thinking (dangerous, I know) of rebarreling and rechambering my M70 Featherweight to 9.3x62 Mauser (.366 cal). It is a better cartridge than the 35 Whelen and used in Africa for dangerous game where allowed. It is popular in Alaska I hear. The round fits in a 30-06 sized action so no problem there. It uses the same bolt as my 270 Win. Since this gun comes in 300 Win Mag the stock should be ok as far as recoil stress of the stock is concerned. Obviously a larger diameter featherweight .366 cal barrel will need a larger forend barrel channel than is presently there. I could have the forend epoxy bedded to add strength while still keeping the barrel free floating. It already has a premium sorbothane recoil pad installed. I may wear a thin Past recoil pad too. Since this is not a long range varminter a 1x5 Leupold should be appropriate for close to medium range shots. The magazine will still hold 5 rounds. Any thoughts? I had contemplated the .338-06 but I like the thought of 320 gr bullets if needed with the 9.3x62. The only thing that would hit harder would be a 375 H&H. The 286 gr 9.2 mm bullet has the same sectional density as a 300 gr .375 cal bullet which ain't bad at all.

[tek4260]

The recoil is not that bad at all in my CZ 550 nor my Husqvarna High Power. The rifle will handle the round without a hitch. FWIW, the CZ 550 is a nice rifle and it may be better just to buy one and leave the Winchester as is or sell it.

[boxhead]

The gent above's comment regarding the CZ is dead on. They are fine rifles, always accurate. That said, I put my first 9.3x62 together in 2000 (when the CZ did not exist) with Cliff Labounty reboring a nice custom FN '06 I picked up. It has a slender 24" barrel and is dead accurate. I am a big fan of rebores owning four of them currently. Just need to have enough meat on the barrel. A call to Jim Dubell, who bought Cliff's business, will answer any question on reboring. Unless chasing buffalo a 320 gr bullet is not needed. The "puny" 250 gr Barnes X worked fine on this guy in 2002 along with a pile of other critters..

[nonpcnrarn]

Thanks tek4260 and boxhead. That was my other choice. Leave said Featherweight alone and get a CZ 550 FS in 9.3x62. Just as I have always had a thing for the classic lines of the M70 Featherweight I also have always admired the look of the full stocked Mannlicher carbines. I like the look of the straight buttstock of the Ruger International and M-S carbines. Plus the M-S carbines have the iconic butter knife bolt handle which really makes it unique. A CZ 550 FS has that hog back comb on the buttstock that takes a little getting used to. I have short arms so some of that butt end wood will be coming off to decrease LOP and make room for a sorbothane recoil pad. So some of the buttstock that dips down at the shoulder will be removed and replaced with the recoil pad. That will give the comb a straighter look. There has been contention as to whether the CZ has a 2 or 3 position safety and a plastic vs metal magazine follower. Tek4260 can you shed some light on those issues? Did you scope your gun or are you using irons? How is bolt clearance if you scoped your rifle? What power scopes are you using? Thanks much.

[tek4260]

I'll have to check on the safety because I can't remember. I bought mine in 2005 I think, so it has the metal follower. I have heard the newer ones have plastic, but they are so rare around here that I haven't seen one to verify. Mine is wearing a 3-9x40 Leupold and has plenty of clearance since it is also using CZ rings. Don't forget you also get a SST!

Here is a poor pic of mine that I took a while back trying to show the wood.



Not really sure, but the action may be a bit longer than a M70



And while you are at it, you need to pick up a sibling for it like this 222

[boxhead]

I suggest you take a look at the Ruger African too. Looks about perfect to me.

[nonpcnrarn]

Sept 28, 2011 11:00:28 GMT -5 boxhead said:

I suggest you take a look at the Ruger African too. Looks about perfect to me.

If I was considering the Ruger African model I would want a 416 Ruger. Anyone know why there is no 416 Ruger chambering for the African model? There is a 416 Ruger Alaskan so I know the cartridge wasn't dropped all together.

[450ak]

ruger only makes the 416 in the rubber stock because it breaks the wood african stock. so i asked them if they have tried a laminate stock.................................................no answer. do it yourself, the 416 is wonderful

[cas]

[majorKAP]

Regarding nonpcnrarn's inquiries from the 27th of September:

3-position safety, plastic follower on mine even though my serial number precedes that on tek4260's rifle, plenty of clearance with a 2x7 Bausch and Lomb in Warne rings.

And yeah, the single select trigger is nice as are the excellent iron sights.

Great rifle and caliber for the huge eastern KY bull elk.

[boxhead]

You can always swap out the backwards safety for a M70 style like was done on the ZKK 602 375 H&H I recently picked up.

[Deleted]

Sounds like a neat project. Sort of a European 35 Whelen, right?

[dougader]

That 9.3 x 62 is a great round. I like the numbers on the 375 Ruger too.