Got a new Winchester Model 70 300 WSM need help

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Hey everyone im new here. I just got a Winchester Model 70 in 300 WSM. It was a gift from my father and im just wanting to know the year it was made in. Can anybody help me out? Is there a site I can go to? Thanks so much.

Also, I was a handgun enthusiast and JUST got into the rifle seen how good of a round is the 300 WSM?

Thanks everyone.
 
Need more information to tell when it was made. Can you provide serial number or detailed pictures?

The 300WSM is a great cartridge in my opinion. Less recoil than the 300 Winchester Mag yet velocity/energy is very comparable. The only real downside is the cost of ammo.
 
Well Winchester introduced the .300 WSM in 2001 so your rifle isn't any older than that. If it says New Haven CT on the barrel then it was before the plant moved to South Carolina. So that would make it a pre January 2006 rifle, but realistically the best way to date your rifle is to call Winchester and give them your serial number.

As far as stated above the .300 WSM could have less recoil than a .300 Win Mag technically. However, they use nearly identical powder charges to produce the same speed so the recoil difference will be negligible. In most cases the .300 WSM might have more felt recoil, since it should be slightly lighter in weight because it is a short action rifle. If all things were equal there is less material needed to build a .300 WSM so it should wind up slightly lighter than a .300 WM in the end. If you compare current production M70's the .300 WSM usually weighs about 4ozs lighter than the same .300 Win Mag.
 
Thanks, yeah im use to shooting my Springfield Armory XDm 9mm but it was stolen from my house. Left me with no firearm. My dad kindly gave it to me as a gift and its beautiful. He told me its powerful I just need a scope. He works at a gun shop and said he couldn't pass this one up. He put a Bell and Carlson green metalist stock on it.

The serial is G355901. Thanks for any help. Also its the 24" model. Feels so good in my arms and its LIGHT!
 
Any additional information about this particular rifle would be great. This is like the new family heirloom. I can pass this down to my son one day. Like I said, I just need a scope.
 
Pictures would help but you really need to call Winchester's Customer Service number at (800) 945-5237 or (801) 876-3440 and give them you serial number. They will be able to give you the detailed information that you are looking for on your rifle. They'll be able to tell you exactly when it was built and what version of M70 you have. They might even be able to tell you what store it was originally sold through as well.

Get a good scope as it will handle the recoil of the .300 WSM better. Expect to spend around $300 minimum on a decent scope that will last a long time. Make sure it has a generous amount of eye relief to keep your eye away from the scope. Anything with a bottom magnification starting around 2-3 and a top end around 9-10 will serve you well on your rifle. Bushnell Elite, Nikon, Leupold, Vortex, Minox, and Zeiss are all brands I'd look at from personal experience.
 
Well its really light to me for a rifle and its got a 24" barrel length. I guess I have to call Winchester tomorrow unless somebody else knows anything. Thanks for all the help and recommendations. :)
 
With a 6 digit SN I'm fairly certain it is right around 2000. I have a 1994 Classic with SN 184*** and a one made in either 1999 or 2000 with SN 324***.

That is a good thing quality started to decline a bit near the end of production in New Haven in 2006. Anything made 1992- about 2000 are some of the best guns Winchester has ever made.

ADDED:

Reading Taylorce's post pointed out the 300 WSM didn't come out until 2001, so that really narrows it down. Yours was proabably one of the 1st of the 300 WSM's and likely 2001, or very close.

There is not a lot of online info on Winchesters made after about 1980.
 
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JMR: I dont understand are you saying I have a good Model 70 or a worst one then the other Model 70s. I havent fired it yet but im very impressed with its feel and action.
 
Winchester introduced the "Classic" line of rifles in 1992. This is what you have. They were some of the best ever made by Winchester in my opinion. Winchester quality started a gradual quality decline sometime after about 2000 and the New Haven factory closed in 2006. There were no Winchesters made until FN started up production again in 2008 with a slightly re-designed rifle.

The Classics made 1992-2006 are very good guns that are quite desireable. But the closer you get to a 2006 made gun, the greater the odds of finding one with some issues. Generally anything with a 6 digit SN is very good. Some of the later guns had a 7 digit SN. Even most of those are fine, and issues are minor. Mostly minor stuff that should have been caught at the factory and can easily be corrected by a gunsmith if you find a problem.

I think you have a fine gun that would make a good candidate for a family heirloom.

A few more details would help. They made several rifles chambered in 300 WSM. You keep referring to it as light. Would it be one of the Featherweight models, a sporter, or possibly a Super Grade. It sounds like possibly a Featherweight. You can look at stock styles here.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/category.asp?family=001C
 
Here's some pictures if it can provide any more info, not the best quality but I tried.

edit* sorry wont let me upload but if anyone is interested in seeing it and telling me more ill email them to you. Thanks.

edit#2* Just got off the phone with Winchester. It is indeed a 2001 Classic Featherweight.
 
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