winchester model 70 heavy barrel varmint rifle 26in barrel

[knguyen]

would to get input from members regarding a botl action rifle i saw:
winchester model 70 heavy barrel varmint, 223 caliber, 26 inch barrel.
any opinions regarding this rifle. barrel too long??
what would be ideal barrel lenght for precision shooting up to 600 yards??

VERSUS: savage 10 PC 20 inch barrel in 223 caliber?

I currently have the savage 10 PC in the 308 and love the way it shoots

thanks
khanh

 

[jonbearman]

The first thing to ask the seller is what twist rate it is because if you want to shoot bullets heavier than 60 grains then the 1 in 12 twist isnt going to do you much good.If it is a faster twist like 1in9 then you can advance in weight accordingly.Are you planning on rebarreling? If it wont work I would by a pre threaded and chambered criterion,shilen,and many others out there and just rebarrel what you have.Basically a switch barrel.

 

[yenak]

If it's a true HBV it's a 9 twist. Those were manufactured in the 90's. The can't be beat. I have accumulated all 6 calibers they came in.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Those were some fine Winchester rifles.

 

[NateHaler]

would to get input from members regarding a botl action rifle i saw:
winchester model 70 heavy barrel varmint, 223 caliber, 26 inch barrel.
any opinions regarding this rifle. barrel too long??
what would be ideal barrel lenght for precision shooting up to 600 yards??

I currently have the savage 10 PC in the 308 and love the way it shoots

First, welcome to the Forum, Khanh.
2nd, why do you want another rifle? Your .308 should be just fine for 600y shooting. Lots of good factory ammo choices (such as FGMM 168 and 175), or easy handloading.
3rd, if you're set on adding a .223, then you're going to want to get a rifle with a sufficiently fast bore twist to shoot the heavier bullets, i.e. at least 68-69 grains. Which means you'll need at least a 1:9" bore twist like Yenak says.
4th, read about the Win 70 Heavy Varmint here: http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/feb97FTchoice.html

The .223 is less expensive and has less recoil, and longer barrel life. But were I you at this stage of my shooting career, I would instead spend my money on ammo and practice with the .308. With the right loads and right driver, your .308 will shoot to 1,000y also. So can a .223, but it requires more specialized loads in a very fast twist bore.

 

[knguyen]

thanks for replies;
a: it is a HBV (heavy barrel varmint gun)
b: it is 1:9 twist

I have younger kids that like shooting and I am now set up at home for reloading 223 , 243, and 308.
i love my Savage 308 PC: it is very precise rifle: my perfecdt loat it likes is Sierra 168 gr, set at 2.864 in using AA2520 at 44.0 gr,I am able to get 1/4 inch at 100 and at 200 getting 3/8 inch from benchrest: Scope is Millet LRS 6-24 x 56 milldot

it is always fun to try to worup new caliber for kids to shoot, they are smaller so recoil is an issue.

How much members think this gun is worth, this rifle i am looking at is basically NIB: less then 50 round down the barrel,
dealer is asking : $800 with harris bipod and leupold mounts, i have to figure out what scope to get if i decide on buying it

1:9 twist would be good for shooting up to about 400-500 yards??
thanks
khanh

 

[Area Man]

2nd, why do you want another rifle?

What kind of question is that? ;D

 

[fredhorace77]

2nd, why do you want another rifle?

im sorry but this has got to be the dumbest question ever asked on a shooting forum

 

[CatShooter]

I have one (and I had two of the 308 versions).. it is an outstanding rifle, with a H-S Precision stock - you will not find better at that price.

 

[knguyen]

since this gun is pretty new to me:
the stock that comes with it, is it a HS stock or just standard winchest stock??

the gun i am looking at is preowned.

literally the bolt is new as can be, there is absolutely no deposit at all on it.

i have never bought a used rifle before.

anything particular issues with this model?

 

[CatShooter]

If it is black synthetic, then it is one of the H-S Precision Kevlar with the aluminum bedding block.

 

[knguyen]

good, it is black stock> so likley H-S precision
sounds like pretty good price,
i will try to pick it up,
then the fun part then will be to fit a scope for it,
looking at getting another Millet LRS mildot scope for it. I have one on my savage 308 PC: love the scope also.

The only thing that worries me is how Darn Long the barrel, it is long at 26 inches?? any concerns for it being this long, detriment ? or helpful at such lenght?
I read article like : longer barrels not always more accurate. sometimes too long can have isuues of harmonic of barrel??
i am still learning
thanks
khanh

 

[CatShooter]

good, it is black stock> so likley H-S precision
sounds like pretty good price,
i will try to pick it up,
then the fun part then will be to fit a scope for it,
looking at getting another Millet LRS mildot scope for it. I have one on my savage 308 PC: love the scope also.

The only thing that worries me is how Darn Long the barrel, it is long at 26 inches?? any concerns for it being this long, detriment ? or helpful at such lenght?
I read article like : longer barrels not always more accurate. sometimes too long can have isuues of harmonic of barrel??
i am still learning
thanks
khanh

The barrel is heavy and 26" long. Do not worry about "long barrel harmonics".

All barrels have movement, heavier barrels move less than light barrels - and it is a moot point, like counting the number of angles on a pin.

Most guy's 1,000 yard rifles have 28" and longer barrels

Get it, load for it, enjoy it.

 

[yenak]

Quit thinking about it and buy it or i will. " if i knew where it was at" You can't go wrong with that rifle. My son liked mine so much 3 yrs. ago when we were P-Dogging that i had to locate one for him. "and naturally who do you think paid for it"

 

[pacificman]

That's funny yenak! I have one of those too...(Son) and have bought him a few rifles and would buy him another if he wanted. knguyen buy the rifle! you will be happy,happy,happy! ;D

 

[NateHaler]

2nd, why do you want another rifle?

im sorry but this has got to be the dumbest question ever asked on a shooting forum

I don't agree, and as a shooter that has owned dozens of different rifles, I realize the attraction for adding gear. The "why" is always important, even if it's "just because" -- which is one of the best reasons. We didn't know if the OP might have thought his .308 Win wouldn't be adequate at 600y. We didn't know that the OP wanted a lighter-recoiling rig for his kids.

As to the "dumbest question ever asked on a shooting forum", I submit that there are way better candidates, such as "Savage or Remington?", "9mm or .45?", "what scope should I buy", and "does voting Democrat mean I hate the 2nd Amendment?".

 

[Panzer22]

I just recently bought one set up as a match rifle for NRA ATC, and it is smooth running, and well built. Better than any Remington I ever had.

 

[jonbearman]

Please go buy it or give me the phone number and I will right now.LOL You need this gun,it is the most accurate rifle's out of the box they ever sold.

 

[dryhumor]

I think 26" is fine, as others have said "buy it". The triggers are great, and easy to adjust. They are good shooters as well.

I figured I'd go ahead and post a pic of mine, just to prompt you....

 

[Thomas Neal]

The heavy varmint is a great gun. I have the 223 and 308. Great shooters. Looking for one in 243