Question regarding Winchester 70 accuracy push feed vs. controlled feed (6.5x55)

[KAIFS]

Here is my question:
I am a 6.5x55 nut, so needless to say besides Swedish Military collection I also own number of modern 6.5x55 rigs... I always wanted to own a Winchester 70 in 6.5x55 (Partially because of great reports from other owners, granted in different calibers) and over the years had purchased two beautiful featherweight models (both are sold now) which I wanted to be 'shooters'.
Well, neither one could shoot for crap for me, no matter what loads and internet load recipes I tried. Both rifles had decent optics and overall scope set-up(s). Both rifles were PUSH FEED. Both rifles shot consistently 1.00-1.25" groups. Subsequently both rifles got sold as I could NOT get em to shoot any better no matter what I tried (lapping bolts, changing bases/rings/scopes, re-crown) and these two were honestly the two least accurate 6.5x55 rifles I have ever owned.

So some time ago another model 70 (owned by a friend) gets a chance at the range, my thought is that it will shoot like crap just as mine previous 2, however, this one gets just over 1/2" (but under 3/4") groupings with commercial Federal Power Shock 140gr ammo.
Overall not as good condition as my previous two, original crown (vs. my 11 degrees target), $150 scope with cheap rings, however, CONTROLLED FEED vs. push feed that I had.
is it a fluke or push feed vs. controlled feed makes that much of a difference? Its not that I need to have Winchester 70 in my collection, but this situation has been 'eating at me' and I just need to know .

Thank you!

 

[swd]

Push feed vs CRF has zero affect on accuracy. The difference in accuracy is simply the difference between rifles. Better barrel, bedding etc.

 

[RW]

I have had the experience with three push feed m70,s and only one controlled round m70 while I have had friend that will only have controlled feed, M70 purists you might say and hands down the push feeds that I have had were real shooters!!! One a 270 win that was a barrelled action bought in 1965 and I used to have a standing bet that I would shoot that rifle against any body with a factory hunting rifle!! I have rebarrelled others from time to time with custom barrells and when done right I would put them up against controlled feed any day not to say that they are any bettor just every bit as good. I have found them to be great and a lot of times you can pick them up for a good price!! Nothing wrong with them, in my opinion, just from my experience. Ron

 

[KAIFS]

All right, I will treat it i had two bad rifle barrels, maybe...
Single feed/chamber by hand rounds did improve a tiny bit but nothing significant, by the way, since I neglected to mention that in original post...
Thank you all.

 

[wboggs]

Have a push feed converted 22-250 action with a good barrel and bedding. Shoots around 1/2 MOA with 120 Barnes TTSX and Nosler BT's. 3/4 Moa with Win 140 factory loads but they are really underloaded and slow. I would give up on the factory barrel and bedding. Recently put a Factory Win Featherweight stock on it and it looks like a million dollars.
Bill

 

[FatBoy]

I currently have two push feed m70s. A stock 308 Stealth that is a 3/4" shooter and anot old m70 LA in 6BR and it's a .3" shooter. Like has been said, it how the barrel and bedding are installed.

 

[CaptainMal]

I regularly hunt with four different Model 70 "controlled round" rifles in different calibers. All have been with me a while because they shoot.

They shoot because they are good, tuned rifles with reasonable factory barrels. They do not shoot because of the bolt style. That is like saying Remington's don't shoot because they don't control the shell in the action.

Silly boy.

 

[KAIFS]

Well, that is why I asked this question, because for modern rifles in 6.5x55 I currently own and (few I owned in this list) all out shot my late Win 70s..
including: pair of 1994 Remington 700 Classics (all stock, except one is bedded); CZ550FS, CZ550 American, Ruger M77 MKii, Browning X-Bolt (yes, in 6.5x55 factory), Kimber of Oregon, Tikka T3 Sporter; owned in the past: Tikka T3 Lite, Sako A7, Sako M995 TRG-S (which I never should have sold, but needed the money) and few others.... I am not counting Savage that just got build for my wife as I have not had a chance to shoot it yet ...

In short, I just could not understand how all but Winchester rifles in 6.5x55 can shoot so good and those two just did not. As I said, the only difference I could see was the feed mechanism. But yes, my R700s shoot half inch groups with handloads and taken quite a few deer here in WI ... Maybe when I have the money, I pick one up again, just to try (70) - perhaps 3rd time is a charm .

 

[JayCutright]

The only thing that might contribute to the controlled round feed being more accurate than the push feed (IMO) would be the extractor and ejector on the crf is not touching the case head in any way when the rifle is fired.
The pf has a spring loaded extractor and ejector (sometimes a very heavy spring) pushing against the case head causing a slight misalignment of the bullet in the bore. The more the case is resized and the more neck and freebore clearance you have the more that little spring loaded ejector can cause a problem with in bore yaw. Yaw being a condition where in the bullet enters the rifling at an angle and then leaves it at an angle wich causes bullet instability.
The crf rifles with the big claw extractor do not have this problem if the extractor slot is milled correctly and the extractor is not worn out. The extractor will ride up onto the extractor slot when the bolt closes there by leaving the cartridge somewhat floating in the chamber with the amount of clearance around it determined only by the resize die and the handloaders attention to headspace clearance.
Some might say I'm splitting hairs with this theory but accuracy gained by a few thousand's of an inch is still better than accuracy lost to flaws in manufacturing or reloading techniques.

 

[hogan]

The deal is in the chamber... Win factory chambers were cut with standard reamer which is based on military 160gr ammo.

Probably find your gun shoots 155 Lapua and Norma and 160gr Hornady's very nicely.

Go with a custom barrel and reamer optimized for the bullet you want to shoot and you'll find things tighten up nicely.