Winchester Model 70

This is a Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum. This rifle is currently sighted in for its best known deer hunting load: 72.6 grains of RETUMBO under a 140 grain AccuBond bullet, using WLR primers, Remington Brass, seated to an OAL of 3.385 inches, and crimped.

Handloading: 7mm Remington Magnum

Estimated Muzzle Velocity: 3016 fps. BC = .485, Sight Height: 1.685"

I had been thinking about buying an accurate 300 Winchester Magnum. That caliber is very close to the 7mm Remington Magnum, and if I bought that, I would feel that this rifle is no longer needed. In that case, I would sell this rifle. However, I am starting to lean toward getting a 300 Remington Ultra Magnum instead, which is another step removed from the 7mm Remington Magnum.

So if I don't sell this rifle, then I should work to get better accuracy out of it, but avoiding any extreme modifications. I'm thinking that a good stock and better optics may help. Also, I could work harder to find a good load, based on what I've learned since I tried to develop a 7mm Remington Magnum load. Unfortunately, it might only be valuable to me if I can get good results out of the 162 grain Hornady A-Max. That's a lot of effort and money to spend on a rifle that still might not like that bullet. Is there a middle-of-the-road scope I can put on it? Nikon makes a reasonably priced 4.5-14x40mm side-focus scope for $290.

Maybe I could buy a Nightforce for my AR and mount it on this for a time to see if the gun can shoot properly. Since I'll have quick-disconnect rings on it, all I need is a Weaver/Picatiny base on my Winchester.