Model 70 Question

[Acopperdawg]

I recently bought a .416 Rem in a model 70. I am trying to find a picatinny rail as a scope mount and I cannot for the life of me find a rail that fits this gun. The Model 70 long action rail that I have laying around seems to be similar all the rest that I can find online. the two mounting holes ahead of the action line up perfectly and the first hole behind the action lines up perfectly, but the distance between the two holes behind the action are much closer together than the rail I have. Everywhere I look online it seems that the distance between the first and second hole behind the action is much larger than what my gun has. I have looked up "Model 70 Long Action" "Model 70 Safari Magnum", pre 64, post 64 you name it and I cannot find one with the narrower spacing. Any help from the AH brain trust would be appreciated.

 

[One Day...]

I believe the floor plate may indicate the solution (?). It says Super Express, the predecessor to the Safari Express.

However, the rifle is a combination that I have not seen before: stainless bolt, blued action, stainless barrel, which may mean that it was assembled of various parts, in which case the floor plate engraving may or may not be relevant.

In any case, the scope mounts screws spacing has always been a complicating factor with Win 70 models, and the bases are typically marketed based on rear holes spacing. I am aware of 0.860" for standard calibers, 0.435" for pre-64 magnum, and 0.330" for post-64 magnum. A caliper is best to measure what you have, but the differences between these 3 are large enough that the holes spacing can be approximated with a tape measure.

Question: why would you want to put a picatinny rail on a .416 Rem?

Suggestion: since this will be a re-mount, I suggest drilling and tapping the existing 6-48 holes to 8-40.

 

[Mekaniks]

You definitely have a post 64 magnum action. The rear spacing is closer together because the action opening is larger for the longer carriages,

If the spacing is .330 like @One Day... suggests, they are available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Picatinny-Winchester-Magnum-Length-Action/dp/B01BGU13EY

 

[Graham Hunter]

I believe the base you are looking for is a Leupold cross slot #171342.

 

[30.06king]

Would a Picatinny rail interfere with brass ejection at all ?

 

[Graham Hunter]

No.

 

[TwoTracks]

Look at EGW, they usually have a drawing with dimensions for each of their full length bases. I have a pre-64 with non-standard screw spacing. I had an extra hole drilled to fit my action and it worked out great.

The full length rail on my pre-64 375h&h has not caused any issues. I have ran two different bullets through hard and it hasn’t even hiccuped.

 

[Acopperdawg]

Does anyone know where I can find Winchester Model 70 stock blanks? looking for an unfinished stock. My 416 has a heavier barrel profile so I want to make sure there is enough meet on left on the foregrip when I am finished floating the barrel.

 

[small bore]

Regarding Acopperdawg's question above about sourcing Winchester Model 70 stock blanks.

When I spoke to Winchester customer service about 3 months ago they had Safari Express stocks available for sale at reasonable cost.

 

[Acopperdawg]

Regarding Acopperdawg's question above about sourcing Winchester Model 70 stock blanks.

When I spoke to Winchester customer service about 3 months ago they had Safari Express stocks available for sale at reasonable cost.

Perfect, I checked their site and didn't see any stocks available for purchase. I am assuming you have to call customer service for that information?

 

[small bore]

Yes, I called them with a wish list of spare parts and general questions.

Very helpful customer service.

If you get a stock from them I'd like to know details about fit and finish.