New Winchester Featherweight 22-250

S

Screech

New member
I am considering buying a "New Winchester Featherweight 22-250" for targets and varmints out to 200 yards. My questions:
1) Accuracy, is this rifle capable?
2) Are these new Winchesters short actions?
3) Buds sells 2 models,
1st is Win# 535109210 Cost is $761 or make offer. Discontinued Model by Winchester
2nd is WIN# 535200210 Cost $777 fixed price. Current Model by Winchester

What is the difference between these 2 guns?
Thank You
 
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...r+Blue+Walnut+5+++1+22-250+Rem.+Featherweight

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...210+M70+Featherweight+Bolt+22-250+Rem+22"+5+1

I assume you mean these.

I'm guessing, but Winchesters were made in South Carolina up until recently. New rifles are either being built entirely, or at least assembled in Portugal. I've heard both and am not sure. This is a fairly recent change and I'm betting the "discontinued" rifle is SC production. Same rifle, different stock numbers. But that is more guess than anything else. The word is the Portugal guns are actually a little better built.

The Featherweight rifles have a thinner barrel that is usually more than accurate enough for big game hunting where only 1-2 shots are normally fired. Longer strings heat up thin barrels and mess with accuracy. Probably not the best choice for precision work or varmints, but 200 yards isn't exactly long range. I like the FWT for big game hunting where shaving some weight is a good idea. While it could be used for varmints I'd prefer a standard or heavier barrel for precision work.
 
jmr40, Very interesting, I think you are correct in Country of Origin of the Model 70's.
I have a Rem 700 Varmint in 22-250 I got 40 years ago, very accurate. I want another 22-250 but not a heavy rifle. Looking at the Winchester because I like the features of the Model 70, safety, extractor, etc.
So, Which one to get:confused:
 
I prefer the Winchester action, my favorite rifle. If you already have a heavy barreled 22-250 this would fill a niche as a lighter walking around rifle in the same caliber. Who knows, it might prove to be just as accurate.

I wouldn't let $16 sway me either way. Might want to call Buds and ask for more info, they may sweeten the deal on the discontinued model or confirm country of origin. Otherwise you may as well flip a coin.
 
My favorite rifle is my Winchester Pre64 270. Picked it up in 1976 for $285. Added a Leupold 4x12AO scope and a McMillian stock. Never lost an animal using 130gr ammo, coyotes , deer, bear and 1 moose.
I no longer hunt so it has returned to its original stock and the McMillian was sold on ebay a few months ago.
 
Not impressed with the Portugal Winchesters

The made in Portugal or assembled in Portugal Winchesters with American parts that I've seen the fit and finish was pitiful especial the inletting, with that said I recently purchased a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 30/06 classic stamped "Made in USA, BACO, Inc,. Morgan, Utah". Cabelas had (4) 30/06 Model 70 Winchester rifles in 30/06 and I purchased the one with the best fit and finish and took it home. I would suggest looking any of the Winchester model 70 rifles you encounter over very carefully before buying. Winchester is still having production issues and I presume rifles so marked as mine was indicated the rifle was manufactured in Utah.. Grouping was 1" to 1 1/4" which is pretty good for such a light rifle in my opinion and good enough for shots out to 300 yards.. I also have a Winchester model 70 Featherweight Classic in 22/250 Marked exactly the same as the 30/06 that shoots 1" groups with 55gr Sierra using IMR4064 in R-P cases.. I have a third model 70 classic in .280rem made in New Haven, Conn that groups 1" also, I suspect at my age that is about as good as I can shoot.. William
 
Last edited:
I have a new M70 FW in .30/06, and am very impressed with the rifle. Wood to metal fit is excellent, and the action to stock fit is extremely tight. Floated barrel. If I do my part, I can get under an inch group at 100 yards. That's with hand loads. Mine doesn't seem to experience the accuracy loss that some people see with a warmer barrel. Mine was made in Portugal, with Winchester stamped on one side and FN Browning on the other. I actually heard about some quality issues coming out of the SC plant, so I'd steer you toward the newer rifle.
 
I recently purchased a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 30/06 classic stamped "Made in USA, BACO, Inc,. Morgan, Utah"
Click to expand...

The "Classics" were made 1992-2006 and will have New Haven CT stamped on them. I have 3 of those and I consider them the best all around model 70's ever built. They are better built than the pre-64's and command comparable prices to common pre-64's on the used market. Some of the rarer pre-64's will sell for more. Sometimes a lot more depending on the exact rifle.

BACO stamped rifles were made by FN in SC, the corporate office for Browning which owns both Winchester and FN is in Utah. That creates a lot of confusion since they don't have SC stamped on them anywhere.

Those rifles were made there from 2008 until last year. I have an early 2008 made Extreme Weather in 308 that has become my go-to rifle.

Exactly why and when they moved production to Portugal is a bit of a mystery. Based on what I've heard the SC factory was designed to produce military weapons and the 70's production was taking up floor space and with slowing down production of military weapons.

I've read, but have no personal experience that some of the last of the SC guns and the 1st of the Portugal guns had some fit/finish issues. I suppose that could happen with a transition. More recent reports of the Portugal guns has been very good.

I guess this is one of the negatives of ordering sight unseen.
 
Thanks to all who have contributed, great help! Maybe I will stay around this site, looks like there are some really good people here!
There are several Winchester rifles for sale on GunBroker. I will email the sellers and get some info on the rifles they have for sale.
I live far away from any gunshop with inventory, so my looking is done online.

Winchesters:
2 Mint M1 Carbines
1 Model 310
1 Model 320
1 Model 70 270
1 94/22M NIB
1 Model 69
2 Winchester M14's
Plus so many others I sold, traded and gave to nephews!
 
Dont forget cabelas gun library. You have to search "cabelas gun library" to get to the site. Some nice rifles there.
 
The 22-250 is a barrel burner, have you looked at the 6.5 Creedmoor for target & varmint shooting. Even the 204 Ruger.
 
I like Winchester rifles!!

My New Haven CT Winchester model 70 .280Rem has the best fit and finish of my (3) model 70's but not by much, all three have chambers cut near minimum dimension which makes me happy. FWIW I wouldn't purchase any firearm without handling and thoroughly inspecting before buying, Winchester's history is suspect at best with the different manufacturing sites over the years. I do think the New Haven CT factory probably built the best rifles as a group that Winchester produced in recent years.. Non the less I don't think I've owned a model 70 that I didn't like no matter where it was built!! I also own a 94AE in .307 and a 9422 TD that I like a lot too.. William
 
Last edited:
The current model 70 Classic Featherweight model 70 Featherweight chambered in 22/250 is built on the short action, my 22/250 will produce Sub MOA groups using Sierra 55gr F/Base bullets with IMR4064 and Leupold 4 X 12 Vari X II scope.. My 22/250 barrel is stamped "Made in USA, BACO, Inc,. Morgan, Utah", the rifle does have a long throat but I seat the bullets about .40" longer OAL to compensate for the longer throat.. Hope this helps!! William
 
I own many new and older M70's. The newer FN M70's regardless where assembled all seem to be excellent. Probably the best shooting M70 to date.
 
For 200 yard targets and varmits, I would pass on the 22-250. A .223 would be more than adequate at those ranges and a lot cheaper for brass and barrel wear.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top