Need Expert Winchester M70 Information

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Nunya53

New member
Hi All,

So I bought a used Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless in 300WM a while back with the standard synthetic stock. Hard information to find, but I believe it was manufactured in the mid-1990's. I'm looking to put a nice walnut stock on it, but need some expert opinion on a few points:

1. Since it is the "Classic", does it use a pre or post '64 stock? Or something else?

2. From what I can find, the 300WM in this particular model uses a standard Sporter contour. Say the same contour as the same rifle in a 30-06....

3. Is it the same action dimensions as the long action in say, a 30-06?

I know it is a lot of questions, but I'm having a really hard time finding information about the "Classic" line from the 1990's. I know there are some knowledgeable people here on this subject as evidenced in this old thread. I did find a source for some NOS stocks from USRAC in New Haven.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425942

Thanks!
 
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The .300 win mag is a long action. It should be 7 5/8" hole to hole. It should be a standard contour barrel though some of them have magnum contour barrels. The Classic is the modern variant of the pre 64.
The short action is where Winchester gets complicated. Some short action cartridges are built on short actions, some are built on long actions with blocked magazines.
 
Thanks for the good information, reynolds357.

I think the only thing I'm unsure of is where to use a pre or post '64 stock.

Nunya
 
There are 3 different stock styles. The pre-64's are completely different. "MOST" post 64's made prior to 2008 use 2 piece bottom metal. The newer guns made starting in 2008 use 1 piece bottom metal, but there were some guns made prior that had 1 piece bottom metal. Your Classic is most likely 2 piece.

Finding a stock designed for 2 piece bottom metal is a little harder to find, but there are ways to make it work with a stock designed for 1 piece bottom metal. I have a couple of the SS Classics in McMillan stocks designed for 1 piece bottom metal. You can simply place 2 flat washers between the stock and front action screw and it works. They make an adapter that sells for about $10. Or for about $100 you can replace the floorplate and trigger guard with 1 piece bottom metal.

I started with the washers, it is functional, but I eventually bought more bottom metal.

Bottom metal

http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/winc...-action-winchester-bottom-metal-aluminum.html

This stock should work, it comes with the adapter to make it work on your older rifle. FYI, there will be a small gap between the front of the triggerguard nad back edge of the floorplate if you use the bottom metal you have. New aluminum metal will cover the gap and be about 1/4 lb lighter than the steel on your current rifle. There are several options for stocks on this site

http://www.cdnnsports.com/winchester-post-64-westerner-long-action-stock.html#.Vln6h79KV5c
 
I wasn't aware they were doing that now, good idea. The only downside to using the adapter is that the 2 piece floor plate is slightly smaller and doesn't completely cover the cut out in the stock. There is a very small gap near the trigger guard. It is cosmetic and doesn't effect function. I had a photo at one time to show this, but must have deleted it.

My goal was to put together lightweight rigs and I used McMillan Edge stocks. All were bought used or from McMillians "Specials" page at discounted prices. Going with the aluminum bottom metal looks a little better, but my primary motivation was the 1/4 lb it saved me.

My SS Classic in 300 WSM in a McMillan Edge with PT&G aluminum bottom metal. Weight is 7.5 lbs as you see it including scope and mounts.

 
I haven't owned one, but what I've read is that Winchester made several improvements on the post-64 M70 in 1968 and corrected the issues that gave them a bad rep.

I know a couple of people that have them and they haven't complained, but then again they aren't gun guys and only pull them out once a year.

Nunya
 
any opinions on the post 64 m70. good gun or not.
Click to expand...

The rifles made in the 1960's and 70's are the least desirable. Winchester modified the rifle in 1964 to the point that it should have had a new model designation in my opinion. It isn't that it is a bad design, but it is so different that calling it a model 70 is really a stretch.

Winchester was actually bought by a group of investors in the late 70's who made an effort to really upgrade quality. The model 70's made in the 80's and early 90's are still pushfeed (PF) actions, but are very well built. They tend to be great bargains if found used.

In 1992 Winchester brought back the Controlled Round Feed (CRF) actions and called them the Classics. They are not an exact copy of the pre-64's, but are very close. They were sold until 2006 when the New Haven factory closed. They continued to make PF actions at the same time, but from 1992-2006 the PF actions were used to make the budget rifles.

By 2006 FN owned Winchester, they decided to close the factory and no Winchesters were made again until 2008 when production was moved to South Carolina. The FN rifle uses a different trigger than the traditional 70, but is otherwise pretty much the same as the Classic.

Which are good?

The 1964-1980 rifles are a solid design. But QC, fit and finish etc were spotty.

If you don't care about CRF any of them made 1980-2006 are pretty well done. The PF rifles made after 1992 will be budget guns with plastic stocks or cheap wood, but are still solid rifles.

The new FN produced rifles tend to be the most accurate out of the box and lots of folks claim they are every bit as good as the pre-64's. I just wish they had retained to old style trigger.

My personal favorites are the 1992-2006 Classics. They use the pre-64 design, but are manufactured on modern CNC machinery to closer tolerances than the older guns could ever be made. They also still have the old style trigger which I prefer. It often needs some tuning to get a good trigger pull, but is the most rugged foolproof trigger ever designed.
 
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