What caliber for M70 build?

[skydiver386]

I cut a good deal on a used Winchester M70 long action at my local gunshop today. I'm planning a build for Pronghorn, Impala, Chamois and Deer size game, and anything bigger would bring a 30 cal out of it's case. The .25's seem to be almost made for this size of game at normal hunting ranges, so the .257 Roberts and the 25-05 might be my pick. I've also considered a 270 Winchester or 280 Remington for this build.

Edit: I stumbled across 200 new unfired Nosler .257 Roberts cases still in the factory boxes, in the same gun store, so brass for the .257 won't be a problem.

 

[Mekaniks]

Want to go with something classic, the .257 Roberts or .270 win are hard to beat.

Want to go a little more "modern" a 280 AI would be cool.

 

[dchum]

.270 win

Such an easy and sturdy cartridge.

130 -140 Barnes ttsx and 150 swift a frames make it a done deal. All of those are very available in accurate factory loadings!

 

[wolfhunter]

one of my favorite calibers (rifle) 257 Roberts.

 

[Fatback]

Can’t go wrong with any of them. I have a 25-06 and a 270 and enjoy them both and both have served me quite well. Not as familiar with the 257 or the 280. Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[Green Chile]

I'm going contrary to the majority of votes with the 25-06. It's a seriously underrated cartridge and you did say pronghorn but also little chamois, etc that offer longer shots. 257 Roberts is classic but lacks the punch of the 25-06 for longer shots. 270 is great too but consider the little 1/4 bore rocket.

 

[ActionBob]

270 Winchester because when I think of a Winchester M70, the first thing to go through my mind is Jack O'Conner with a Pre '64 Featherweight in 270 Win.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I’m a 25-06 proponent.

That said, everyone in my extended family uses the 270 for everything, and my father in law killed hundreds, if not thousands, of deer in Virginia over the years with his 257 Roberts.

 

[CZDiesel]

Without a doubt the 270 Win! A long range classic for deer sized game…

 

[RR 314]

I'm going contrary to the majority of votes with the 25-06. It's a seriously underrated cartridge and you did say pronghorn but also little chamois, etc that offer longer shots. 257 Roberts is classic but lacks the punch of the 25-06 for longer shots. 270 is great too but consider the little 1/4 bore rocket.

Even more contrarian—.257 STW. . Brass is getting a bit hard to source, but I love mine. .280 or .280 AI are solid as well.

 

[Pablo]

.270 Winchester gets my vote. That’s my go-to gun and I’m not afraid to shoot anything in the lower 48 with it.

 

[375Ruger416]

Another vote for the 25-06; my brother in law has one in a Sako that he loves for his deer, coyote, do everything rifle. A .257 Wby is even better, but you’ll pay the price for ammo. If I was a handloader, I’d have one anyhow.

To be clear, he is not recoil sensitive - also has a 338 RUM and 2 300 Wby’s, but that damn 25-06 seems to go everywhere with him.

 

[Nkawu]

7x64 Brenneke or 6.5x55

 

[AB2506]

25-06

 

[Certus]

25-06