Winchester Model 70

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So I'm looking at maybe getting a new bolt gun. Any reviews or personal experience with the newer Winchester Model 70's? It will likely be a .30 06.
 
I'm a huge Winchester fan, I have pre-64s, post 64s and the newer FN Model 70s.

One I don't have is the USRA Model 70.

I believe the new FNs to be the best of the lot.

But you wont go wrong with any Model 70 Win.

Its hard to beat my pre-64 in '06 spouting an old El Paso 4X Weaver for pure class.

Contrary what have been said since 1965 there is nothing at all wrong with the post '64s.

You wont be disappointed in the New Model 70.
 
I only own one, an FN m70 Super Grade in 338WM I bought new in Nov of '14. I had one minor issue with it that I was able to address myself. Beside that minor issue, I have been completely in love with that rifle! It's beautifully made, and shoots well. I just put a new Leupold VX1 on it and need to get to the loading bench to make up some rounds to zero the new scope...


My only remaining problem with the model 70: I want at least two more!! LOL!


Yes, I would absolutely recommend a new m70.

Have fun!
 
To me, the model 70 Winchester is what a bolt action rifle ought to be.... As long as it has a Walnut stock. And the caliber ought to be 30-'06 or 270 Winchester. Mine is the Classic Sporter, in 270, of course.
 
I with you Pathfinder45 on the walnut thing... Synthetic just never appealed to me despite advantages they are said to have over walnut.
 
I picked up a used 70, 7mm rem mag, in a synthetic stock 4 years ago. It's the push feed type.
The first thing I did was shoot the rifle, it would stay barely under MOA with some loads I had good success with in my other 7mm rem mag.
I pillar bedded and Devcon Plastic Steel bedded the action, and added a nicer Vortex Viper to it, and then developed ammo for hunting with it, it now is probably my favorite rifle truth be known, like it so much I traded for another one exactly like it that had one box of shells fired through, (the owner did not dig recoil) . One of these days I may hunt down a 70 in a different caliber, but I'm almost at capacity right now and tough decisions will be made as to who's staying, my 70's will both be staying no matter what the heck goes....... I love these two rifles, also they have the old style trigger, that I haven't fiddled with yet, might this winter I guess...
 
I got a one of the so-called "Made in USA" Model 70 featherweight Baco, Morgan Utah guns. The gun is a special model, I forget the words, something like delux on the bottom metal. I think it might say "High Grade". Control feed like the pre64. I like the trigger as-is, and I have not tried to make any adjustment. I measured it at 3 pounds and no creep or over travel. I would prefer 2 but it is good. The manual says 3 is the min. The stock is an extremely nice fancy walnut. The pistol grip cap is steel and the sling studs recessed. It is just one beautiful gun. And a very classy old school thick red pad. It is a few years old, like new unfired in box when I got it.

I mounted a 4-12 Leupold VX II. I am very happy with this choice.

I only just test fired it one time. It seems to hate Remington core lock. The best accuracy that day was with federal premium 180 nosler partition 180 and those went 1 3/4 inch for five shots at 100 yards. I have a couple more loads to try. it is accurate enough for 06 size game with the federals. And Nosler is a great bullet.

This particular gun is a little heavy given the name. Feather weight it is not really. It has very soft felt recoil to shoot off the bench. For a light mountain gun, I would look at a Kimber Adirondack in a medium action. Regardless, I love this Model 70 and it is a keeper. I think this gun is best suited to 30-06 up to 375H&H size cartridges.

I have looked at quite a few pre 64 guns and I think the legend is bigger than reality. I prefer the current M70, as well as some of the latter control feed New Haven guns over the old stuff.
 
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The Sporter's are HEAVY and would be a good choice in a magnum cartridge. If you insist on walnut and want it in a standard caliber you want the Featherweight. Don't let the name fool you. In 1950 it might have been a featherweight rifle, but by 2016 standards their Featherweight is still heavier than most other Sporters.

The 70 Extreme Weather is probably the best all around factory rifle ever built. Mine is in 308, but I also have 2 of the SS Classics in 30-06 and 300 WSM. All 3 are in McMillan Edge stocks.

300 WSM and 30-06 SS Classics, and 308 EW after a day of 400-600 yard shooting.

 
The model 70 is on my short list of 3 bolt guns to choose from. I am a winchester guy and will snag one up if i can find one at a good price.
 
I've owned a few model 70 over the past 20 years from different periods from USRA and FN. Never had a bad one. My most recent is a Featherweight Stainless from 2013. Nice workmanship and shoots great.

I wouldn't pass on any model 70 in good shape.
 
My reason for the'06 is that I already have two AR-10's that are tack drivers in .308, I have a .300 win mag in an old savage 110 with a heavy ER Shaw stainless steel barrel w/McMillan stock, 2.5 lb trigger. And a .270 win Ruger M77. I want a light-ish bolt action 30 cal that's not as heavy as my .300 win mag or my AR-10's but will knock an elk down at 500 yards off a ridge.

So....i thought a Win M70 might just be that gun
 
good features

For the pre 64 and classic models: Three position safety, field strippable bolt, controlled round feed with big extractor. Plus there's a plethora of after market parts for customization. The one I have is an uncommon stainless southpaw .338 win mag.
 
My Model 70 is in .270Win. I bought it at Walmart on sale for $350.00 about 10 years ago. It had a cheap scope on it so I replaced it with a Nikon 3-9X40 Buckmaster. The first two shots went through the same hole with the third touching. It shoots Remington Corelokt 130gr with no issue. Being in California with no lead zones, I hand load Barnes TSX 140gr copper bullets for hogs. Works great...
 
At my LGS found a remmy 700 feather weight, drop box mag, camo synthetic stock 24" barrel $624?....'06. feels like about 6 lbs. Might do the trick....it's in the running with an M70
 
I dont know what a 700 light/feather weight is, but the model 7 was the best Remington (my opinion) for a light wood rifle, or mountain if you have mountains. It is a medium action that is reduced in diameter for rounds like 308 and 7mm08. No short magnums. It was offered with a factory (not custom shop like later) kevlar stock at one time. I dont think much of Remington these days. It is the complete opposite of a M70. I dont think there is a 6lb Model 700.

I guess for a low cost practical hunting gun there is the Ruger American compact that can be setup with an adult stock. They seem popular around here in 243 for deer. I would go route over a current Remington for a lower price option.

I wish you would at least just handle a Kimber adirondak if you are serious about a mountain rifle. They run about 1000 which means you wont be able to fill a safe with as many but just pick one up. By pickup I mean handle it. The kimber is another reduced diameter action and kimber has Mauser/M70 like features.

The model 70 is a great classic, but you wont find one any where near 6 pounds. They dont make a medium length action or reduced diameter action in a Model 70. I expect the current owners to stick with the nostalgia theme. I dont think there is even a stainless M70 any more.

Tikka makes a 6 pound rifle. I dont own one but they have an excellent reputation. They are a good value gun as opposed to a sister company Sako. Stainless & synthetic, light and practical.
 
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Don't be wavering now, Mississippi. Go with your original thought. Get the model 70 Winchester, even if it costs more. It's just a better rifle than the Remington.
 
I have had a fn/browning built 308 featherweight stashed for about three years. I finally shot it yesterday. load was 26gr of sr4579 on a 150gr nosler ballistic tip bullet.
at 50 yards I shoot two different groups with a cold barrel. both were a two shot group. the bullets touched each other. unfreaken believable.
scope was a 3 to 9 leupold. bobn

btw, been there done that with the cannon rifles. at 62 i don't like recoil any more.
 
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