Gents,

Just a post to discuss my initial M70 Winchester Van Orden Sniper Rifle, ammo, and range performance.

Here's a picture of the rifle on bench:



The rifle was built last year, and I just had the chance to tune the optics, clean them and adjust them at the range. It took quite a while.

Built on an early (1937) Winchester M-70 action that was tuned, and blue printed rifle has a Douglas Match barrel made to the original specifications. Once trued the barrel was fitted and chambered. All work was top notch...done by Nelson's Custom, Corvallis, Oregon.

Initial sighting in took about 8 rounds using the following load:



.30/06 Winchester (Serengeti Reamer)
169 Gr. Sierra Match King
Winchester cases(new)
46.5 Gr./IMR-4895
Federal 210 Match Primer
OAL: 3.30"

Velocity was:

1. 2,627 FPS
2. 2,641 FPS
3. 2,639 FPS
4. 2,631 FPS
5. 2,612 FPS

Minimum: 2,612 FPS

Maximum: 2,641 FPS

AVERAGE: 2,630 FPS

Also, I shot M72 1967 Match Ammo using a 173 gr. M2 Boat tail bullet:



[url=https://flic.kr/p/2pV6uE8]

The M72 load shot just over and under 1 MOA.

Accuracy for the 169 Gr SMK load was under 3/4 MOA.

All in all a fun day with a rifle that is a bit of history. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Wes

Beautiful rifle! Can you share more information on that scope?

flesheatingvirus,

The scope is made by Unertl and is a 10x model. The "sniper" marked Unertl's were 8X and are VERY expensive when you can find one...

It features external adjustments (1/4 MOA) and is all steel. Very heavy, but it's basically what the Marines used Vietnam in the mid-60's.



Hope this helps...do you have any specific questions?

Wes

Very interesting. What kind of reticle does it have? I'm assuming plain crosshair.

What a neat gun and an amazing history once I looked it up. Thanks for posting. Did you mean for it to be in Suppressed Weapons?

Gents,

The scope has a standard crosshair. I put it in the suppressed section by accident.

Wes

Beautiful rifle -- the stock looks great. I like it.

The scope...not so much.