I need your help...

[JAB528]

I love guns. That being said, I've always had to be cheap. I'm finally getting to a point where I can spend a little money, so I want to purchase my first jaw-dropper.

I have always wanted, and will soon have, a Winchester Model 70 Stainless Featherweight. I love the dark wood and the stainless barrel. It's just beautiful. After owning and shooting a variety of rifles, I just love the Model 70 action, feel, safety, etc.

So this brings me to my question: What caliber should I buy?

I have matching Model 70's in 30.07 and .243 (the cheap Ranger models). There is something I like about buying the Winchester rifle with the Winchester round.

It's mostly for deer in West Tennessee, but I hope to head west for elk with it as well. Also, availability of ammo may be an issue since I don't reload...yet. So please place your votes.

 

[Kimberman]

Something about a Win 70 Featherweight and 270 just go together.

 

[Model70Man]

Be careful what you wish for. I was just like you, wanting a great rifle with beautiful wood and all of a sudden I got it. I've shot it several times to site it in and have killed 1 buck with it. Now, I can't fathom getting any scratches on it at all. It has now been pushed to "Safe Queen" status. I will take it to the range for fun and maybe on a very easy hunting trip but that's it. It will never go with me on a trip out west.

 

[mr.big]

I have a Win Classic FW in 270 WSM I might sell,,I dont think JW will ever grow into it,

it is SUPER NICE 95-98% at least,,shot 40 times,,

if I had the box I would rate it 98% +

it has a deep dark luster of a blue job,,never been messed with unmolested..

 

[Hogbear]

The trouble with already owning a .30-06 and a .243 already is that you pretty much have it all covered. .270 or a .25-06 might be fun though.

 

[Tiny]

1- You got get the caliber You WANT,opinions be danged.

2- Better get it while you can as the Stainless FWT was/is a liminted run,Shot Show Special for 2010. Have been told but not confrimed that they will keep it in there line.

3- I might wish too take my own advice with 2 above been drooling over one myself but also drooling over a Super Grade both 30/06.

I would go with the 30/06 although I voted for the .300 WSM on your list. Reason you already have one so you wouldn't have to have other ammo around,and this is one that you will find anywhere you might go to with it on Gods Earth. Reason for the wsm over the others I like it better,but there isn't one thing wrong with any you have listed so go back to 1 and get the one You WANT you'll not be happy otherwise. ;)

Good Luck.

 

[Tiny]

Be careful what you wish for. I was just like you, wanting a great rifle with beautiful wood and all of a sudden I got it. I've shot it several times to site it in and have killed 1 buck with it. Now, I can't fathom getting any scratches on it at all. It has now been pushed to "Safe Queen" status. I will take it to the range for fun and maybe on a very easy hunting trip but that's it. It will never go with me on a trip out west.

Yep that can happen but I would still take to the woods might not often but it would go that is what it is for. ;) :)

 

[fastbs]

from the options given i say 308
check out ammo availability, options, ballistic, and prices.

270 is nice if you're regularly shooting over 200 yds. the 270 round slices through stuff a bit quick to do damage at shorter distances.

270 wsm gets u a couple hundred more fps than 270 but cost sky rockets.

300 wsm is great but ammo is high again and recoil is not fun for extended range sessions.

308 can get you to 300 yd easily, more with practice. quality ammo is cheaper too so you can practice more for the money.

 

[Model70Man]

Guns are tools for me as well. I just happen to have a couple that are works of art that gets used at the range and very easy hunting areas. In rough hunting areas those rifles will stay home and I will bring a different rifle. I use a certain gun depending on the terrain.

 

[JAB528]

First, I just noticed a typo..I do not have a 30.07. It is a 30.08 :^)

I've been leaning .308 simply because of cheap ammo and already having a 30.06.

Model70Man-- I notice that you have a McMillan stock, how "drop in" was changing out the stock? I've thought about getting some nicer stocks for my rangers. Heck, CDNN has some real steals, but they say 2002 and up, so I don't know how difficult it would be to put them in one of those featherweight stocks.

 

[Model70Man]

I have 2 different McMillan stocks, an Edge and a McSwirly. The Edge is long action and the McSwirly is WSM action length. They are basically interchangeable with the same action length, bottom metal type, and barrel type. One would have to sight the rifle in again if you were to change out stocks just to make sure it's on.

2002 and up IIRC uses the 1 piece bottom metal, and the later models use 2 piece bottom metal. I believe Brownells has the 1 piece bottom metal that fits in the 2 piece bottom metal.

The stocks should just drop in. You may have to do some sanding in the barrel channel to float the barrel and might have to find the right bottom metal (1 piece or 2 piece).

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

the model 70 and the 270 are married classics.

 

[UTGrad]

Wow, I didn't know we could run polls...very cool

 

[W.Seay]

I have a 300wsm in case I decide to elk hunt and I deer hunt with a 270.