Customizing the Model 70 Safari Express

[Captain Munro]

It looks more and more likely that the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express, current production, will be my first big game rifle. I was wondering about the what/who/and how of customizing the factory model to get something like what is posted in the link below (I know it is an old for sale post from this forum).
Drop box magazine, nicer stock with ebony fore end, red recoil pad, and pistol grip cap. I want that safari rifle look and the extra round in the magazine.

Rare Winchester Model 70 Custom African Express .416 Rem Mag

Up for sale is a rare Custom Shop Winchester Model 70 in .416 Remington Magnum. This style of rifle was called the Custom African Express and was made in the Custom Shop only from 1999-2006. It features many upgrades above that of the standard Safari Express including a 24” Krieger cut rifled...

www.africahunting.com

It is a shame Winchester is no longer offering these custom shop rifles. Would they be equivalent to a Dakota 76, give or take?
Would the costs of upgrading the stock and the magazine be more than just buying a Dakota 76 (used)?
Thank you for the information!

 

[Shootist43]

Call Wayne Jacobson at AHR (406) 363 - 8033, or Randy Selby at Randy's Custom Rifles at
(307) 587 - 6152.

 

[Captain Munro]

Is Wayne still doing work? I heard something about Matrix Gunsmithing taking over.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

For stock work, you can get a Claro Walnut stock from Accurate Innovations for a reasonable price. And you'll get their great bedding system along with it that does lightens up felt recoil a bit. You can of course go with other more expensive woods, but that Claro is very nice and with the bedding system you don't need those even harder woods.

@michael458 has and had numerous rifles in his B&M calibers with stocks from AI.

Home - Accurate Innovations Gunstocks

www.aigunstocks.com

 

[Shootist43]

Wayne quit working on CZ(s) that is what he gave to Matrix. He is still doing other work, what I don't know is if he is taking on new work. Give him a call, all he can do is say no.

 

[Captain Munro]

For stock work, you can get a Claro Walnut stock from Accurate Innovations for a reasonable price. And you'll get their great bedding system along with it that does lightens up felt recoil a bit. You can of course go with other more expensive woods, but that Claro is very nice and with the bedding system you don't need those even harder woods.

@michael458 has and had numerous rifles in his B&M calibers with stocks from AI.

Home - Accurate Innovations Gunstocks

www.aigunstocks.com

Thank you for the info! This looks like a good option if I were to go that route. I am just gathering information at this point.

 

[Captain Munro]

Wayne quit working on CZ(s) that is what he gave to Matrix. He is still doing other work, what I don't know is if he is taking on new work. Give him a call, all he can do is say no.

True enough!

 

[TOBY458]

I'd just buy a Dakota 76. Upgrades will add little to the value of your Winchester 70. And you may end up with something less reliable than a Dakota. I'm sure there are many custom shops to do the work, but at the end of the day, if you want all of those custom features, you'd be better off buying a good used Dakota.

 

[C.W. Richter]

If it were a Dakota, it'd cost $5K-$10K. See how it shoots first. Get an aftermarket trigger. Ensure it's bedded/crossbolted if heavy caliber. Get an HS Precision stock and make it easy.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If it were a Dakota, it'd cost $5K-$10K. See how it shoots first. Get an aftermarket trigger. Ensure it's bedded/crossbolted if heavy caliber. Get an HS Precision stock and make it easy.

Newer Safari Express M70's have two cross bolts. And the stock trigger is actually quite good IMO.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Captain Munro - I'd use a credit card and work a deal to get that Dakota 76 416RM in the classifieds. 416 will do everything you need and no upgrades will be necessary.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

I'd just buy a Dakota 76. Upgrades will add little to the value of your Winchester 70. And you may end up with something less reliable than a Dakota. I'm sure there are many custom shops to do the work, but at the end of the day, if you want all of those custom features, you'd be better off buying a good used Dakota.

What would make a model 70 less reliable than a Dakota 76?

 

[TOBY458]

What would make a model 70 less reliable than a Dakota 76?

If someone put a 4 round magazine in it and didn't know what they were doing. But I'm sure if done right, it would be every bit as reliable as a Dakota. But the main thing is, customization of rifles doesn't add much monetary value. Of course, if you don't plan to ever sell it, that doesn't really matter.

 

[WAB]

I can post pics if you like but many here are likely tired of seeing them. I have a number of custom model 70’s. Specific to your question, I have one in .375 H&H and another in .458 Lott. In both cases the metalwork was done by Gary Junk of Arctic Gunworks in North Pole, AK. The stocks were done by LeRoy Barry of Canyon Creek Custom Gunstocks. LeRoy did many, if not most, of the stocks that folks brag on Wayne of AHR for.

I will bore you with one photo:

The rifle on the left is my M70 in .458 Lott mentioned above. The rifle in the middle is an AHR upgrade by Wayne on a CZ in .458 Lott. The stocks on both rifles were done by LeRoy Barry, Canyon Creek Custom Gunstocks. As an aside, LeRoy did the metal and woodwork on my custom M70 in 7x57. His metal work is on par with his wood work.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I like the rifle on the right @WAB . It has my favorite kind of finish, well used.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I like fine walnut stocks. I sent my Model 70 Classic Safari Express to Aaron Little along with a blank, Sunny Hill dropped bottom metal, stock dimensions, and instructions to get the finished rifle down below 9 lbs. The barrel taper is too fat on the .375 H&H Magnum and the rifle with no scope weighs in at 9 lbs., 15 ounces with factory stock and no scope or sling. That's an 11 lb. + rifle with scope and sling - way too heavy for a .375.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Newer Safari Express M70's have two cross bolts. And the stock trigger is actually quite good IMO.

I've never known a stock trigger in a factory gun to be quite good as compared to an easily and fully adjustable jewell or timney trigger. With them the gun will be more accurate! Simple things that can save a life.

 

[michael458]

@michael458 has and had numerous rifles in his B&M calibers with stocks from AI.

As for wood stocks, I would not even consider anything but Accurate Innovations on a big bore rifle.... The aluminum chassis completely takes away any concerns of busted wood. Since its full length imbedded in the wood it also absorbs and distributes recoil throughout the stock, reducing felt recoil considerably. The Chassis absorbs recoil and not the wood. I have well over 25+ AI Stocks on rifles currently and 1/2 dozen not on rifles. Not only practical, but they can put out some really gorgeous work..........

 

[calling4life]

Accurate Innovations actually do recommend different woods for the larger calibers

They recommend English over Claro for anything over 300 caliber, and Turkish for anything 375 caliber and up.

For stock work, you can get a Claro Walnut stock from Accurate Innovations for a reasonable price. And you'll get their great bedding system along with it that does lightens up felt recoil a bit. You can of course go with other more expensive woods, but that Claro is very nice and with the bedding system you don't need those even harder woods.

@michael458 has and had numerous rifles in his B&M calibers with stocks from AI.

Home - Accurate Innovations Gunstocks

www.aigunstocks.com

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Accurate Innovations actually do recommend different woods for the larger calibers

They recommend English over Claro for anything over 300 caliber, and Turkish for anything 375 caliber and up.

Interesting, perhaps things have changed, they didn't back when I did mine in Myrtle.