M70 FWT barrel question

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ikesdad

New member
I have a Winchester Model 70 FWT, 1990s production in 6.5x55. I've had it a year or so and I am not the first owner yet it is in like new condition.
My question....this rifle has a 20" barrel. The crown does not appear to be re-cut. Was there ever such a factory critter? I thought all M70 FWTs were 22" barrels.
If it was cut, why would someone cut it back?
 
I'm jealous.
If I had one Winchester, it would be that model/cartridge.

Wish I could answer the bbl. length question for you.
 
fwts were all 22 inch. They did make a few light weight carbines in 6.5 with 20 inch barrels and maybe someone bought one and fitted a featherweight stock to it. Ive got a 250 sav lightwieght that i stock the original ugly stock in the closet and fitted a featherweight stock to. Id check the serial number with winchester and see what you have. I know they only made 500 of the 250s and i think they only made 250 6.5s so if it is one you might want to try to find an original stock to stick away if you ever resell it.
 
Are you really sure it is a Featherweight. Other then barrel length the stocks look quite simlar to some people. I've seen Lightweight stocks advertised many times on e-bay or gunbroker as Featherweights by folks who either did not know the difference or were trying to take advantage of buyers who did not know the difference.
 
I have a 257 Model 70 Featherweight from the same era, it has a 24 inch barrel. The barrel lenght were produced to fit the caliber. Some need to be 24 inch, such as the 270 & '06, some need to be 22 inch such as the 308 & 243, and some work fine with the 20 inch barrel, such as the 6.5X55, (Remember all the short barrel Swede surplus rifles.

The barrrel would say if its Winchester or not, a simple look see will tell you.

On the left side of my barrel it says "Winchester XTX Featherweight followed by 257 Roberts"
 
I've been gone awhile so here is what is on the barrel....

left side: Winchester Model 70 6.5x55mm
right side, in cursive: Featherweight

No sights
 
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it about had to be cut. by the way kraigwy. I have a push feed 257 roberts featherweight and mine has a 22 inch barrel. I bought it new. If I remember all the featherweights back then were 22s and they didnt make one in a 24 until they started chambering them in mag calibers but i believe those are all control round feed guns.
 
Silly me for asking,but,does it shoot?
IMO,it is what it is.Speculating on originality may be a factor in monetary value,I suppose.
That only matters if you sell it.It might matter if you are wondering whether to buy it.
If you already have it,the question is,does it work for you?If it does,enjoy!
If it does not,put some money in the jukebox,select Willie Nelson's "There Ain't Nothing I can Do About It Now",then decide whether to sell it or rebarrel it.
Its perfect for someone.
I don't generally buy rifles,I build them.From the new barrel blank,I shorten them to what feels right without measuring.I don't care if its 25 7/16 or 21 3/8.Its what suits me.I will concede I don't make ,for example,a 21 in 7 mag because it would be better as a 21 in 7x57 or 7-08.
There are better things to worry about.
 
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Aint nothing wrong with it.
Shoots just fine.
I dont want to sell it.
Its not an issue.

And I'm not WORRIED about it.
 
personaly i couldnt think of a better looking or performing whitetail gun then your 20 inch featherweight in a caliber like 6.5x55. I to wouldnt be worried about resale because if it shot well it would be my grandkids selling it anyway.
 
Am in possesion of a 1990's era 6.5x55 feather weight and it has a 22 in barrel. Measeured from tip to end of chamber.

It really likes Hdy 129 spire points, and has a long throat or lede. CDNN is/was selling surplus Win stocks at cheap prices, and may make good insurance for the future.

They are very nice rifles.
 
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