New gun build M70 Pre-War Cloverleaf Action

[Justbryan]

I have sold all my Blaser R8's. I am a 6'2" long necked guy that hates shooting a 13.25" LOP rifle. So, I am custom building all my rifles to fit with exhibition grade walnut at 14.75" lop. I overpaid for the complete Pre-War action at $1450 but I could not find what I wanted.

So far, I have built M70 22-250 (in process), 6.5 CM (I know some hate), 300 WSM, and now I bought a Pre-War 375 action.

Here are my questions?
1. Should I build a 375 H&H from the Pre-War action (with original bottom metal and trigger guard) or another caliber (375 H&H recoil is not bad for me but I would not want a lot more recoil)? I want a bigger caliber but not a lot more recoil.
2. Should I use a Lilja barrel like my other M70 CRF rifles or buy a Pre-War take-off barrel (I have a few located at $650)?
3. Should I have the action trued or just go with it as is? Any other gunsmithing that you would recommend?

Any recommendations? I have fallen in love with having a properly fitted rifle.

Before having custom rifles built, I believed that only the bigger calibers needed to fit but now I see the benefit of all rifles fitting properly. In the past, I had a lot of issues with getting on a scope quickly and problems with scope rash. My goal is to no longer shoot short lop, 6-pound 300WM mountain rifles. I want a properly fit rifle, so I am building a Brown Bear, Moose, Cape Buffalo, do all rifle for Alaska and Africa. I can't wait for my next trip in August!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I say 375, built to weigh nine pounds after the scope is mounted.

 

[dchamp]

I like your idea of keeping it in .375H&H and adding a Pre-War take-off barrel. I think I would give it a barrel length of 24-25 inches and add some good iron sights. Many may disagree with me but I would consider giving it a high polished bluing finish.

 

[Fixfire]

Looking forward to responses. I’m mulling the same idea on a M70 375 pre action as well. LOP and weight are usually not an issue for me. Functionality combined with ascetics is what I’m interested in on this build.

 

[Justbryan]

I like your idea of keeping it in .375H&H and adding a Pre-War take-off barrel. I think I would give it a barrel length of 24-25 inches and add some good iron sights. Many may disagree with me but I would consider giving it a high polished bluing finish.

All my other barrels are high gloss blued so I am leaning that way. Thanks,

 

[Justbryan]

Looking forward to responses. I’m mulling the same idea on a M70 375 pre action as well. LOP and weight are usually not an issue for me. Functionality combined with ascetics is what I’m interested in on this build.

Even though I will have a custom stock built, it will be identical to the pre-war stock including checkering except with a 14.75" length of pull and the higher quality of exhibition grade walnut. My build usually takes from 6 months to 1 year due to busy gunsmith and stock builder.

 

[Justbryan]

Any other help with these questions?

 

[AZDAVE]

I understand the LOP problems, (5'10" long arms and neck 15 3/8 LOP)
In your shoes since everything isn't a completely original 375 H&H. I would just use the action and bottom metal, get the Lilja barrel, and the best exibition grade stock that meets what your eye says is "Exibition grade" ( some like a lot of crotch root pattern, some like a lot of fiddleback figure, etc)
Have the gunsmith true the action and lap the lugs, Irons, and a quality scope and go hunt!

 

[Fixfire]

I understand the LOP problems, (5'10" long arms and neck 15 3/8 LOP)
In your shoes since everything isn't a completely original 375 H&H. I would just use the action and bottom metal, get the Lilja barrel, and the best exibition grade stock that meets what your eye says is "Exibition grade" ( some like a lot of crotch root pattern, some like a lot of fiddleback figure, etc)
Have the gunsmith true the action and lap the lugs, Irons, and a quality scope and go hunt!

Well said.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

If I understand question number 1. correctly, you would like a caliber bigger than .375H&H without a lot more recoil? Look at .404J. I will never understand why the American LOP seems to be 13 3/4, but in the U.K. 14 1/2 plus seems to be the standard. Proper fit certainly reduces felt recoil.

 

[fourfive8]

Agree with previous posts. Use a new barrel. My preference is Krieger, have several. However I have a Lilja 8 groove 458 cal that is extremely accurate. And as has been suggested, true the action. Fewer gunsmiths can true those actions than those who can true the much easier cylinder, push feeds like the Rem 700. Also consider full length bedding with pillars. Don’t overlook the 416 Rem Mag.

Good choice on action/build selection and good luck

 

[Justbryan]

Thanks for input. My gunsmith says do Lilja barrel. He usually does not true M70 actions but does glass bed.

 

[Inline6]

Thanks for input. My gunsmith says do Lilja barrel. He usually does not true M70 actions but does glass bed.

Why is that? Lack of tooling? It is not as easy as a 700, if you are going that deep in a build. I would want the action true as possible. AJ Brown did a 7WSM for me many many years ago. It was a true .25MOA rifle. I get that most people do not expect that from a 375h&h, both my (had) Dakota Arms and my R8 will shoot inside of .5MOA at 100 yards with my loads. I'm very demanding of my rifles, that is the reason I don't own a double. Some people are good with 1" at 50 yards then people like me have an issue

 

[gbflyer]

I like the new barrel. Lilja can make a factory contour that matches perfectly if that’s what you want.

Folks like to argue truing factory actions all day and all night. If you paid to have it done, it’s the greatest thing ever. If you don’t do it, you’re likely not missing anything on a CRF Model 70.