300 dakota VS. 300 Win. mag.
Hey all, I would like to know if rebarreling my Pre64 model 70 to 300 Dakota would be worth the extra cost and trouble. Or is it smarter to rebarrel to 300 Win Mag. The barrels cost the same but the rounds differ in price greatly.
Thanks Fred.
Thanks Fred.
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In my opinion unless your model 70 is in poor condition anything you do to it as far as modifications will decrease it's value by a large % and for what gain[?][?][?] Buy a new rifle in the caliber you want and either keep the model 70 the way it is if original. or sell it to fund your new rifle. Just my $.02 0 -
win2shoot,
I continue to disagree with those that contend that ALL Winchester Model 70 Pre-'64s are collectible. And since you restore Model 12's, I am forced to believe that you have read up on this or are at least aware of the values.
There were multitudes of .30-06 and .270 Win. rifles manufactured which have lesser value than those manufactured and chambered for other cartridges in smaller numbers. There are also a sizable number of the M70 Pre-'64s which have undergone some form of modifications prior to being owned by someone who now wishes to re-barrel.
Besides the fact that not all M70 Pre-'64s are collectible, there resides the overriding fact that some of us want to have one of these in a different cartridge or barrel configuration without being made to feel guilty about changing something that isn't THAT collectible in the first place. In addition and something that needs to considered strongly is the fact that finely made custom rifles using Winchester M70 Pre-64 actions are highly collectible and extremely valuable in their own right. Doubt me? Check on some of the older Griffin & Howe along with some of the more contemporary master works.
Now, as to cartridge selection, skip the Dakota. The brass isn't quite up to the quality that the price should indicate.
The .300 Winchester Magnum is seeing increased usage by the military including the Navy. This bodes well for availability and price control. The military call out is: MK 248 MOD 1 .300 Winchester Magnum.
Nosler and RWS manufacturer quality cases if the mainstream Remington, Winchester and Federal don't meet your needs. There is a ton of reloading data which supports lots of accuracy loads for all bullet weights. Berger is even testing a couple of new hybrid designs this month.
You won't be disappointed with the .300 Win. Mag.
Best.0 -
I'm not a great fan of either caliber, but if you're a hunter who travels, I'm a strong believer in bringing a gun in a caliber that you'll be able to locate when you go left and your ammo goes right in transit. It's rare, but it happens. The .300 Win is on just about every gun store shelf in America. I've yet to see .300 Dakota in any retail establishment.
Since they're generally going to be used for similar game at similar distances, personally I'd rebarrel to a caliber that a) I can locate in a pinch, and b) will have a decent resale should I need to send it packing. Based on the difference in availability and popularity between the Win and Dak rounds, (in the same gun) the very well established caliber will win out over a proprietary one more often than not.
As always, mine is just an opinion; take it for what it's worth. In the long run it's your gun, do with what you want and have fun with it!0 -
Thanks for the Info. I appriciate the help, This model 70 is very beat up and the bore is ruff otherwise this old shooter would stay just the way it came out of the Winchester factory. I have always been a fan of the classic safari gun, English walnut stock, quarter rib, banded front sight and so on. So this gun might get the full treatment. Thanks again for the reply.
Fred. quote:Originally posted by nononsense
win2shoot,
I continue to disagree with those that contend that ALL Winchester Model 70 Pre-'64s are collectible. And since you restore Model 12's, I am forced to believe that you have read up on this or are at least aware of the values.
There were multitudes of .30-06 and .270 Win. rifles manufactured which have lesser value than those manufactured and chambered for other cartridges in smaller numbers. There are also a sizable number of the M70 Pre-'64s which have undergone some form of modifications prior to being owned by someone who now wishes to re-barrel.
Besides the fact that not all M70 Pre-'64s are collectible, there resides the overriding fact that some of us want to have one of these in a different cartridge or barrel configuration without being made to feel guilty about changing something that isn't THAT collectible in the first place. In addition and something that needs to considered strongly is the fact that finely made custom rifles using Winchester M70 Pre-64 actions are highly collectible and extremely valuable in their own right. Doubt me? Check on some of the older Griffin & Howe along with some of the more contemporary master works.
Now, as to cartridge selection, skip the Dakota. The brass isn't quite up to the quality that the price should indicate.
The .300 Winchester Magnum is seeing increased usage by the military including the Navy. This bodes well for availability and price control. The military call out is: MK 248 MOD 1 .300 Winchester Magnum.
Nosler and RWS manufacturer quality cases if the mainstream Remington, Winchester and Federal don't meet your needs. There is a ton of reloading data which supports lots of accuracy loads for all bullet weights. Berger is even testing a couple of new hybrid designs this month.
You won't be disappointed with the .300 Win. Mag.
Best.0 -
What caliber is it now?
I bet you are setting yourself up for boltface and magazine alterations as well as a new barrel to get a magnumb.0 -
Hawk Carse,
From the original poster:
"I have always been a fan of the classic safari gun, English walnut stock, quarter rib, banded front sight and so on. So this gun might get the full treatment."
Given the funding required to complete the above work, statements such as this would seem to accept the related but smaller cost of opening up the bolt face and making magazine/follower adjustments.
Best.
Examples of fine collectible:
Example of a 'standard grade' rifle:
Best.0 -
The pre 64 action will also handle H&H length cases. If the 300winmag isn't your first choice then how about 300 WBY or RUM. The conversion basicly is changing the bolt stop and the magwell sheet metal to handle the longer cartridges. I do however like the availability of ammo agrument, but sometimes we do feel the need to have something different just for the fun of it so don't let us talk you off the Dakota cartridge if it is calling to you... 0 -
For what gain you will achieve with all that extra recoil, and blast from the 300 Weatherby, 300 RUM, or 30-378 Weatherby, the 300 Winchester is your best bet. I have used the 300 Weatherby, 300 Rum, and 300 Winchester. The 300 Dakota is on the same performance level as the 300 Weatherby. The gain is minimal, compared to the problems that you will recieve.
Best
NN,
That is one beautiful piece of artwork in that picture. Quarter rib, exhibition grade stock plus some, octagon barrel...it has it all.0 -
I would go with the .300 Win Mag, It will not beat the snot out of you and ammo is more available. It is your rifle, if you want to rebarrel it, go for it. It sounds like any collector value was lost long ago and a nice custom gun could enhance your collection 0
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