Winchester M70 22-250

N

Nunya53

New member
Hey All,

Picked up a vintage 1966 Winchester M70 22-250 heavy barrel for a song. I'm curious if anyone here can tell me the twist rate on this rifle? I know I can measure it, but I'm being lazy and picking brains here first.

Gonna hit the range Saturday afternoon with a variety of 50 and 55 grain ammo to see how it shoots, but it doesn't look like it has been shot much.

Thanks,

Jerry
 
Thanks Jim,

Would 62 grains be too heavy? Not a problem if so 'cause I have a 223 Wylde (1:8) that can handle up to 75 grains easily....

Jerry
 
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I have that rifle, made a bit later (later 70s or earlier 80s), the push feed (post 64) version.

3/4" groups with 52/53gr match bullets, some days a bit less, when I'm on my game.

The only heavy bullet I've tried is the Sierra 63gr semi-spitzer. 2" or so is the best it will do. The gun was made for varmint shooting, not deer, and it has the traditional 1 in 14" twist, which works great with 55gr and under, but not so well with heavier, longer bullets.
 
The 64 grain Winchester PP should shoot in this barrel, it did in my Remington BDL HB. I loaded it under 38 grains of 4350, and it was actually the most accurate 200 yard load I ever found. Shot many many coyotes, a few javelina and a couple of deer with it. They should name it the "hammer of Thor" bullet because it works so well.
 
To measure your twist, here's what I do:

Mark a section of your cleaning rod, somewhere in the middle, and leave 18" to 20" between the mark and the handle.
Put a jag and enough patch to keep it quite tight so that it follows the lands and grooves of your barrel when inserted.
Insert the rod from the breech end where the mark lines up with a known spot (reference point) at the back of the receiver.
Push the rod inwards and let it rotate with the grooves.
When the long line makes one full revolution, mark that spot as it reaches the reference point on your receiver.
Pull the rod out and measure between the marks.

In this way you're measuring one full revolution, and how far it takes that revolution to occur.
 
Well, no so much fun at the range. I was lucky to get an MOA group at 100 yards but was expecting much better. The guy that runs the range is an Army trained marksman (sniper) so he agreed to give it a go next time I'm out there with a variety of bullets. It could be me, but I don't think so. If he can't get it to do better, then I'll have a decision to make.

I'll be back to brag or complain in about a week.

Jerry
 
Locate a smith or an avid shooter in your area who has a scope and check the barrel condition. It could be the reason you got it for a song is that the barrel is at the end of its life.

Another option you can do for yourself is to take a chamber casting with Cerosafe (sp?). Make sure to get the leade with your casting.
 
Good point, I know when I read this my first thought was not sure I would buy a used rifle in 220 swift/22-250 or 243.. notorious barrel burners. Unless I was prepared to rebarrel or I had someone measure the throat.
 
That is a pretty old rifle and the barrel may be shot out. Not sure what you paid for it but if you look around you can find a smith and a new barrel for a reasonable price, just depends what you consider reasonable. I'm guessing about $600. A new rifle will cost about that much but you'll have a better barrel.
 
The only help I can offer is every 700 or 70 I have with a wood stock has needed bedding work or they shoot slightly larger groups then 1".

You also didn't say what you have for a scope.
 
Thanks to a tip from a friend, back in the 80's I bought a pre-64 model 70 in 220Swift. It was real heavy and not that accurate even with handloads. I figured it was worth more to me if I sold it and bought a Ruger 77 Varmint. I did that, had money left over, and still have the Ruger.

If you keep the rifle, try IMR4064 or R15. Hard to beat either of those powders in that caliber. And the Nosler 55 gr BT is a great bullet for varmints.
 
I have a 220 Swift with 1-14 twist. I wouldn't count on much accuracy with ANY bullet over 55 grains. For "good accuracy" my 1-14 is 50 grains and under.
My 22/250 is 1-12 and it will barely stabilize the 63 grain semi-spitzer (and then only at max velocity) but is around 2" with Nosler 60 grain Partitions.
 
Many years with my Ruger 77 220 Swift with 1-14 twist let me try a lot of bullets. What worked very well were the 50 grainers, the 55 gr from Nosler and Sierra, and the Sierra 63 gr smp. The 63 gr shot great and was effective on a number of small to medium hogs and a few deer.

What didn't work were the 60 gr Partition (but was on the edge of stabilizing, and worked in some weather conditions), the 65 gr Sierra GK, and the 64 gr Nosler BSB.

I was sure hoping that the 64 gr BSB would stabilize, and thought it might, being just a small bit longer than the 63 gr Sierra, but it didn't. I suspect that the hidden message here is that the 63 gr Sierra is probably not overly stabilized.
 
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