Winchester Model 70

[1K6BRA]

 

[joed49]

Big fan of model 70s here. Here's one of the Featherweight Stainless .243 purchased in 2012.

 

[CaptainMal]

Around 1990 Winchester dumpe those push-feeds and went back to the pre-1964 claw, controlled-feed action. They also started to produce them in stainless and many with the original tunable muzzle brake called the BOSS (Ballistic Optomated Shooting System). Today there are lots of tuners and tunable brakes made in variations of that design.

I bought SIX of them in the 1990's. Two are in 270 Win, two in 7MM Mag, one in 338 Win Mag and another in 375 H&H. Flat out wonderful rifles that really shoot weak. All of them had a flexible bedding compound that needed no alterations and decent triggers that are easily adjustable. From elk to bear to mega-many deer, they are a delight today. On some sites, like Gunbroker, you can find them at reasonable prices.

The wood versions are fine but not the super high quality of the pre-64's. Having a few of them I can tell you these shoot super and probably better than the earlier ones, which shoot good. Not sure what they make today but let me tell you I never paid over $600 for any of the ones I bought new.

Here's a blued, wood 7MM with a small doe and a stainless 270 with a buck I killed this year. You can see the BOSS on the end of the barrels.

4B8FAC46-6131-4D8A-85E7-69B77A1FFDD3_1_201_a by Larry Malinoski, on Flickr
F5786B7A-D2AF-48AA-931B-8C8E3D6F5862 by Larry Malinoski, on Flickr

 

[joed49]

I've owned several Winchesters from the 1970s to 2012. Never had a bad one, all were decent shooters. Only own 2 at present, the Featherweight Stainless and a Stealth from 2005. The Stealth has been the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. Some have said quality was spotty during that time, couldn't tell it with that rifle.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I've had a few over the years, a "new pre-64" in .243 & a push feed coyote in .223. Sold them both off years ago...Currently the only one I own is a 1970 in .375 H&H. I'd like to have a stainless/syn in 7mm-08 or .308.

 

[Nature Boy]

My favorite hunting rifle is a customized .308 FN SPR (FNchester model 70)

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Was the salesman of the year for Winchester/USRAC during the year that Winchester first reintroduced the pre-64 controlled round feed, the first DBM model and the first 100% stainless model 70. They made a "reasonably decent" rifle in that timeframe in their new factory, though the rifles prior were suspect (after 1964). Accuracy from 64-94 was hit or miss and machining finish was dictated by bean counters.

Cannot speak to the new rifles regarding finish or accuracy, but if equal in quality to the post 94 models made by GIAT, I'd imagine they are pretty good.

 

[3Ackleys]

Like John Wayne said in a movie I watched a while back "Let's break out some Winchesters!"
I have quite a few but my favorites are:
A 270 Winlite - push feed, Mcmillan stock from the factory. Waited over a year for that one. They said Mcmillan could only make 40 or so stocks per week for them. Weighs 6.25 LB. shoots great has over 3000 rounds through it and a LOT of elk, deer, antelope, coyotes, and 1 moose.
A 220 Swift Heavy Varmint amazing shooter.
And my favorite a pre 64 30/06 that my grandfather bought new in 1952.

 

[AckleymanII]

100g and 120g were the rage back then. There were all kinds of drop charts used with the 100g bullet in advertising.

264's are really rough on throats.

 

[500yards]

A friend of mine owns one, its an excellent varmint hunting gun.

 

[MoneyWaster]

I own a pre-64 M70 featherweight that was my grandfathers. It’s chambered in .243, and it was the first rifle that I took to the deer woods in Pennsylvania when I was 12 years old. The walnut stock is a little worn, but the grain is fantastic! I love this rifle and will never part with it. I haven’t hunted since moving to NW Nevada, but I’m thinking of getting into it again, and the old .243 would be perfect for antelope and coyotes.

 

[Carryacolt]

Congrats on a really fine rifle in a great caliber - one of the greatest calibers of all time.

The Win Model 70 was my first center fire rifle in the late 60's equipped with a 3 x 9 Redfield scope. It was a 243 Win and I hunted everything with it from ground hogs to foxes to deer quite successfully. Even with factory ammo it shot fine and never failed me. Mine was the "push" feed action - I believe these new models have the old "control" feed actions like the pre-64's which is one of the finest actions ever designed. It was called the "Rifleman's Rifle" for a reason.

I was a one rifle guy in those days due to limited financial resources but the 243 was truly a multi-purpose caliber for me. Hunting year round with one rifle helped build my confidence and skills. When I started reloading I began to take advantage of the full capability of the rifle and caliber.

Good hunting with yours.

My first center fire was a M-70 standard wt, 243 win. I bought it in 1961, I was 17. For a graduation present, my parents bought me a Weaver 2.5 to 8 power with the triple wire range finder reticule.
Still have it. While stationed in Japan in 65, I had my father crate it up and send to me. I had a silver inlay put on the floor plate and scroll ingraving 6" down the barrel. Crows, woodchucks, fox, and many many cats, fell to that rifle before I left for the service.
The best shooting bullet was the Sierra 85gr hpbt. It would shoot .5" group all day with IMR-4350 or H-4831. I have taken deer with the 85gr and they justed dropped DRT.
I have it stored in the safe now, and replaced it with another M-70 Coyote hvy bbl 24", 243WSSM with a 4 to 10 Simmon's Aetec scope. l like this one even more than the first one.

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
Winchester Model 70's?? You could say I like them...
From .300 Win Mag to .223 Rem. Truly, the Riflemans Rifle.

Take care,
John

 

[K22]

My first center fire was a M-70 standard wt, 243 win. I bought it in 1961, I was 17. For a graduation present, my parents bought me a Weaver 2.5 to 8 power with the triple wire range finder reticule.
Still have it. While stationed in Japan in 65, I had my father crate it up and send to me. I had a silver inlay put on the floor plate and scroll ingraving 6" down the barrel. Crows, woodchucks, fox, and many many cats, fell to that rifle before I left for the service.
The best shooting bullet was the Sierra 85gr hpbt. It would shoot .5" group all day with IMR-4350 or H-4831. I have taken deer with the 85gr and they justed dropped DRT.
I have it stored in the safe now, and replaced it with another M-70 Coyote hvy bbl 24", 243WSSM with a 4 to 10 Simmon's Aetec scope. l like this one even more than the first one.

The Sierra 85 BTHP is my go to bullet for the 243 Win. And I've had the same experience as you with white tail with this bullet, just shoot broadside behind the shoulder in the vitals - they drop like a ton of bricks most of the time or run a few yards and crumble.

 

[Laguna Freak]

Recently looked at a 264WM...liked everything but 1:10 twist! 1960s still???
Not sure what the hell bullet I could ever stabilize in that, certainly not any .264 cal Berger.

Hogwash... Get off that berger stability calculator that ignores all implications of plastic ballistic tips (not that bergers have them) and fatally attempts to substitute elevation for temperature and barometric pressure. Try the JBM stability calculator with a variety of bullets. A reasonable standard for plastic tip length is 0.19”.

I bet you get results that indicate excellent stability. Then pick one and enjoy. Eg; the average 130 gr ballistic tip sports an Sg greater than 1.8.


Btw; new BACO 264 WM is 1:9 twist 26” bbl in Super Grade.

 

[Liven The Dream]

One more Plus for Winchester ! 1967 Ft. Dix NJ.
I got Handed a New M-14 to my Surprise above the Serial # was Winchester ?
Growing up a Up-Land Hunter with my Dad and His Friends , my Paper Route and Grass cutting
Got me a Winchester Model 12 $109.00 from the Blue Island Gun Shop.
$109.00 was a Big Deal back them. Had a used 97 also.

 

[JimT]

A couple nice ones!!

 

[JEFFPPC]

I've owned several Winchesters from the 1970s to 2012. Never had a bad one, all were decent shooters. Only own 2 at present, the Featherweight Stainless and a Stealth from 2005. The Stealth has been the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. Some have said quality was spotty during that time, couldn't tell it with that rifle.

I would love to see the Stealth come back. I started shooting benchrest in the IBS with one in .222 around 1997. According to the hang tag it was a 16 twist. All I did was put a Jewell trigger on it. I was never last at an IBS shoot with it, always beat some custom guns. Sold it to help finance my first Bob Green 6 PPC, which I still shoot, but sure should have hung on to it. 50 gr Nosler BT and 748, it was super. Then I discovered Barts 52gr and it got better. It was a fine factory rifle.

 

[webfoot56]

WISH I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A 222 HEAVY VARMINT WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE. I HAVE SOME OF THE OTHER VINTAGE 1990S ERA HEAVY VARMINT RIFLES AND A 223 STEALTH. WHEN I SHOOT THEM THEY DO NOT DISAPPOINT. FINE RIFLES.

 

[1K6BRA]

Here is a new model 70 sporter in 25/06 that I purchased recently. Hard to believe that you have to search high and low for a gloss finished scope these days but I guess that is a sign of the times.I found a good one, a Leupold VXIII 4.5x 14.Thought I would try a set of S&K mounts. I’ve only had it out shooting once using Barnes TTSX 80 grain slugs and H 4831sc powder gave me 3 shot 3/4 inch groups without any effort. Plan to fill my freezer with New York and Pennsylvania venison for the winter with this rifle.