how to make a winchester model 70 more accurate
Ruger made their receiver mounted safety look almost like … For shooter comfort, and again, an added feature, the stock, a small amount of cast-off to the right that makes aligning the eye to the scope reticle a no-brainer. That .416 Remington is a also a rifle that is near and dear to me; while I own a fair number of fine dangerous game rifles, I wouldn’t hesitate to grab that rifle to pursue any and all game on earth. Both the Mauser 98 and the Winchester 70 employ the fixed blade ejector, but while the Mauser uses a slot cut through the left locking lug, the Winchester 70 locates the slot lower, through the bolt face. This type of Production of the Winchester Model 70 started in 1935. By Chuck Hawks with Gordon Landers Both the Remington Model 700 Mountain Rifle and Winchester Model 70 Featherweight have previously been reviewed and those articles can be found on the Product Reviews index page. Perfect for teaching purposes or for lesser game where distance is not a big factor as velocity is a bit below the customary 3000 fps mark. One of the last of the New Haven-era Winchester Model 70s. Chambered for the .243 Winchester, the sporter weight barrel is 22 inches long, free floating, has a recessed target crown and the bottom metal is all steel with a hinged floorplate and trigger guard mounted on a one piece frame. It was my first Cape buffalo, and a moment I will not forget for the rest of my days, made even more special because I go to share it with my wife. The Winchester Model 70, known as “The Rifleman’s Rifle,” debuted in 1936 and has captured the imagination of the shooting public like no long gun before or since. My Winchester Model 70. Winchester Model 70s have a true bolt mounted 3 position safety that LOCKS the Firing Pin. It has gone through many changes over the years, but is currently still in production today. Ask for the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian. Check out the following articles:• 6 Ways to Fine-Tune Your Hunting Rifle• Review: Heym Model 26B Double Rifle .45-70• 5 Reasons the .300 Win. Many modern rifles are way more accurate than many/most pre 64 Model 70's. Custom line checkering in the form of a tradition point pattern with a bit of a flare at the base all add to the classiness of this rifle. This one came in at .546 inch. Out of the box, buyers paid for one handsome rifle! The New Winchester Model 70 Advertised MOA+ its your choose! 270’s Stainless finish is way better than the Hawkeye, and my Winchester has very little rust and scratches for an 8 year old rifle (I looked at serial # online, its a 2006 Model). The tradition continues today. Friday, August 28, 2020. Present day Model 70 rifles come in a wide variety of models and cartridges, but the “Super Grade” has always caught my eye as my interest in custom/production rifles never seems to wane. It looks as if you have covered most of the normal issues The Model 70 Super Grade is one heck of a rifle. Mag. Rules the Roost• Bolt-Action Rifles: Push-Feed vs. Controlled-Round-Feed• Scope Magnification: How Much is Too Much?• A Hunter's Guide to Staying Sane During the Coronavirus Outbreak• Is Walnut Dead? Winchester has stated that shooters can expect one minute of accuracy with the Model 70 with three shot groups. Oh ok. Get the American Hunter Insider newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. On the range on a quite summer morning, both the rifle and factory ammunition showed their mettle. It was the first morning of my honeymoon safari, and we’d cut buffalo spoor an hour after first light. Typical of this gun, and since its inception in 1936, the words “Super Grade” are engraved on the floorplate. Added to all this, there is a decorated steel crossbolt for strength and rigidity at this part of the stock. The rifle was a pleasure to use in operation and never missed a beat in loading or ejection loaded one at a time or from the magazine. I have 3 children that I want to pass a collectable gun to, when I pass away…so, I purchased a 3 rd Winchester Model 70. Operation of the bolt is smooth and straightforward and cycles on the controlled round feed and claw extractor principle. The famous New Haven, Conn. plant closed its doors in 2006, and subsequently the production of Winchester Model 70s had shifted. Thanks Mr.pistol If … The new Model 70 introduced labor saving A trigger, which was fully adjustable for weight and over-travel, was shrouded in steel bottom metal, and the one-piece bolt added further strength. With the safety in the middle position, the bolt can be opened and operated. There was no shortage of Cape buffalo in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia, so I wasn’t overly concerned on the first day, but having been skunked in the Tanzania’s Selous Reserve—in a bizarre set of circumstances—I wasn't going to kick sand in the face of opportunity. The stock is finished in a rich, oil-type patina with a more than ample checkering pattern cut to 20 lines per inch on both the pistol grip and forearm. Stock of selected walnut with or without a cheek rest, hard rubber grip cap, black molded forestock tip and fine checkered grip and forestock.” For the most part, this has remained the same today. While there is a touch of a muted fiddleback pattern, Super Grade’s I have tested before had a lot more. The same goes for a long list of cartridges that started with the .22 Hornet and working up to the .458 Winchester Magnum, including some limited run models in .358 Winchester, among others. The 30.06 was the most produced followed by the .270 so most times those 2 calibers will be cheaper. Here in Alaska, we hunt all There are differences, but in spite of the changes in both features and locations, there is no mistaking a Model 70; you can pick one out from across the room based on the silhouette alone. It’s worth a few minutes of your time, especially if you are in the market for one of these rifles. It has gone through some changes, and not all were for the better, but to look at the longevity of the Winchester Model 70, there aren’t many other sporting rifle designs which can rival the Rifleman’s Rifle. Inside, there is a forged integral recoil lug that is bedded both front and back to eliminate any change in zero over the life of the gun. I am pretty sure the thread pitch is 1" 16 but would like to check to make sure. I have 2 Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 rifles, both in 30.06 calibers, and both in great shape. Mauser’s 98 was a military rifle first and foremost, and while the comparisons are inevitable, and though the Model 70 would see limited military service, it was designed as a hunting rifle. It’s all the little things that count. A checkered walnut stock and deep bluing rounded out the package, with a barrel that has the classic hump for the rear sight. In production from 1925 to 1936, the 54 would be kicked off the stage by the Model 70; little did Winchester know it had what many would consider the best sporting rifle of the 20th century. Mag. Much to the chagrin of the company, the rifle did not do as well as expected. 800-333-3288. The Winchester Model 70 is a classic .22-250 rifle made for the modern user. In some exceptional cases, a more detailed, accurate determination can be made by calling the Winchester Repeating Arms Historian at the Morgan, Utah office. It is, in the opinion of this author, the All-American hunting rifle, capable of handling nearly any situation you'd ask of it. Looking to pickup another rifle and have narrowed it down to the Winchester Model 70 EW, Tikka T3x or the Sako A7. I am a big fan of the classic-styled stock and from the ebony forend tip to the cheekpiece, the design team at Winchester sure earned their pay. Since then, dozens of model variations and calibers have flowed through customer hands. This recoil lug is machined as part of the receiver and not added on during assembly as a washer or spacer, keeping everything in perfect alignment front to back. Winchester is still making these. Winchester—long revered for its fantastic lineup of lever-action rifles—released the Model 54 bolt action rifle in 1925, based loosely on the Mauser 98 action. From 1939 to the present time, the rifle has become a legend in its own time. It was a stronger and more modern action that was more economical to produce. With factory ammunition, groups hovered around or below an inch, which is no surprise. The prize of the day went to its own Winchester 100-grain Power Point with the best group of the session coming in at a half inch. Many hunters lost faith in the new push-feed rifle, and the “pre-’64” Model 70 became a highly desirable rifle. Three hours later, with my new bride looking at me wide-eyed, we caught a glimpse of the back edge of the herd. It is your money 1 is Not No. In production from 1925 to 1936, the 54 would be kicked off the stage by the Model 70; little did Winchester know it had what many would consider the best sporting rifle of the 20 th century. Winchester’s Man in Africa, David Ommaney, inspired all kinds of daydreams, with a good number taking the plunge and heading for the Dark Continent. The trigger face has a natural curve to it and is smooth in finish. Winchester Model 70 A contemporary of the Model 700, the Model 70 is known as “ The Rifleman’s Rifle ” and produced by the world famous Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Privacy Policy • Contact Us • Warnings • FAQs • © 2021 National Rifle Association of America, Remington Model 700 American Hunter Rifle Project, Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Review: Heym Model 26B Double Rifle .45-70, 5 Reasons the .300 Win. While Winchester Model 70s for the most part have always been on top of their game, the newer versions like the Super Grade show what modern technology and machining can do. Realizing that loyal Model 70 fans had been pushed too far, Winchester officials eventually not only improved the appearance of the Model 70, but also a number of design details. I did some more reading and it appears they did offer their featherweight model 70 in a short action, though according to some folks, the model 70 has a longer bolt throw than most other short actions. Story of my new Model 70, 2012 Winchester Model 70 FeatherWeight, Feather Weight. It’s good looking, follows the lines set by the old masters, is priced fairly and accurate. From the bench, recoil is always pleasant with the .243 Winchester and groups fell into place consistent with this cartridge over the years. The year 1964 brought on a new Model 70 that the parent company hoped would overshadow the previous model. That’s not to say that all the post-’64 rifles are terrible. The bolt is a work of art, and complete with a long extractor adds to the overall classic looks and feel of the Model 70. It was the only bolt-action weapon available until the Mosin Nagantwas introduced. Whether is wears fancy walnut, or a simple synthetic stock, whether stainless metal, Cerakote or rich bluing, the lineup of Model 70s has something for everyone. Today’s Model 70s—and there are many different models within the line—are manufactured in Portugal, at the Browning/FN factory. However, it’s not the looks that Deer Hunting: Were the Good Old Days Really That Good? The 2005-vintage rifle has a dark chocolate stock, and because of that I named it ‘Cocoa’; it still prints sub-MOA groups with only a 1.5x-5x-20mm Leupold scope. Well, I should say there are new production 1873s with the Winchester name on them. The barreled action on any gun is what makes it all come together, and in this regard, this Super Grade has no equal in this price range. Seemingly, the Super Grade has taken over as the Standard rifle of the past and continues in the tradition of the famed Model 70. Recognizing that many shooters would quickly embrace a re-introduction of the pre-’64 action, Winchester introduced the Classic series in 1992. African Game Meat: What Happens After the Shot? My first Model 70 was a 1980s vintage Super Express in .375 H&H Magnum, and that rifle went on my first safari, in addition to hunting all over the U.S. and Canada with me. 2• Top 10 Mythical Game Species• Top 5 Monometal Soft-Point Bullets• Top 5 Subsonic .22 Long Rifle Loads• The Most American Rifle Cartridge• Tips for the Traveling Hunter• How to Choose a Gun Safe• Best Gun Cases for the Traveling Hunter• An Ode to the .30-06 Springfield• Top 5 Boutique Bullet Companies• Top 5 .22 Long Rifle Loads• 5 Reasons Round-Nose Bullets Are Still Cool• Top 5 Dangerous Game Loads• Top 5 Turkey Loads• 5 Rifle Cartridges That Need to Make a Comeback• Top 5 Safari Calibers• 5 New Year's Resolutions for Hunters• What Your Favorite Rifle Cartridge Says About You• America's Most Wanted Cartridges• America's Strangest Game Laws• What Your Favorite Rifle Cartridge Says About You, Part II• Top 5 Overrated Rifle Cartridges• Top 5 Underrated Rifle Cartridges• 5 Cartridges You Might Not Know About• Top 5 Wildcat Cartridges• An Ode to the Ruger Mini-14• Top 5 Hog Loads• Why .30-30 Winchester Will Never Die, E-mail your comments/questions about this site to: EmediaHunter@nrahq.org, For questions/comments about American Hunter magazine, please e-mail:Publications@nrahq.org, You can contact the NRA via phone at: NRA Member Programs1-800-672-3888, To advertise on American Hunter, visit nramediakit.com for more information. The pre-1964 Model 70, like all Winchester rifles designed prior to WW II, required a lot of hand labor. Especially because you choose a weapon built with the finest materials that can withstand all kinds of impacts. In a pleasing setting, the Model 70 Super Grade is a superb rifle for the price. Want to read more from Philip Massaro? At the rear of the receiver, a blade-type ejector can eject the spent case easily for target shooters who want to keep their brass or forcibly for those who might need a follow-up shot quickly. Other than that, the stock has a nice dark color with the grain running up towards the forearm consistent with the future stability of the wood over the years. For appearance, the bolt body has been jeweled and the slot at four o’clock works in concert with a mechanical ejector deep inside the rear of the receiver. Winchester Model 70 apart from other designs. Comment Post Cancel laker Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 91 Share Tweet #5 10-27-2013, 09:14 PM I've got a new model M70 Featherweight in .270 Win. It has an iconic place in American sporting culture and has been held in high regard by shooters since it was introduced in 1936, earning the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle". The following information is critical MUST HAVE knowledge when ordering parts or wood for your Winchester Model 70. Retaining many of the key features of the pre-’64, the Classic is a great rifle, and the used Classic Stainless .300 Winchester Magnum I picked up at the local gun shop fifteen years ago or so has become a dear friend. Not a big thing as there is a large number of these Model 70’s on the market and choosing one to your liking is not going to be hard, especially in the larger sporting outlets. Part of the package for sure and handled nicely on this Super Grade. 4 Ways to Fine-Tune Your Rifle During the Off Season, Choosing a Cartridge for North America's Big Game, The Ultimate Long-Range Hunting Cartridge, The Greatest Whitetail Cartridge Ever Designed, 5 Reasons Round-Nose Bullets Are Still Cool, 5 Rifle Cartridges That Need to Make a Comeback, What Your Favorite Rifle Cartridge Says About You, What Your Favorite Rifle Cartridge Says About You, Part II, Alaska Outfitter Defends Fishermen from Raging Grizzly with 9mm Pistol, Theodore Roosevelt and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, Boomstick Booners: Incredible Stories of Big Bucks, 2021 National Rifle Association of America. Interesting. These newer Model 70s, known as “post-64” rifles, were produced until 2006. Rules the Roost, Bolt-Action Rifles: Push-Feed vs. Controlled-Round-Feed. Winchester’s new rifle—released in 1936—would retain the dual locking lugs of the Mauser design, as well as the non-rotating claw extractor. The bolt is removed by pushing down on the release on the left side of the gun. To the masses, they simply took a fine rifle and instead of bringing it up to new and improved standards, seemed to have downgraded it. Besides all this, it’s a Winchester! This is because this system has zero take-up, zero creep and zero overtravel and the technicalities of this system are so interesting you might want to read about it in their printed matter or online. Hello Getting ready to thread a barrel for a Winchester 70. Like all custom rifles, a black forend tip cut at 90 degrees adds much class to this rifle. by Philip Massaro -
The catalog shows 13 models from the .243 Winchester to the bigger bores like the .300 and .338 Winchester Magnums with barrel lengths to match. On the Super Grade, Winchester went out of its way to make the gun distinctive and a standout from the crowd. “The Rifleman’s Rifle.” Man, that’s an incredible claim, but Winchester’s flagship rifle is, was and always shall be incredible. If you want a rifle that has a design and look you can appreciate, then you’ll fall in love with this rifle rather quickly. The action appealed to a great majority of hunters and sportsman, collector’s clamor for it at shows, and ask any custom rifle builder what the number one choice for barreled actions requested by customers is, and it will be the pre-64 Model 70. Almost a dozen years later, enter the Model 70. Ever since its inception, the words “Super Grade” have been emblazoned on the floorplate. Collectors seem to prefer the pre-WWII Model 70s for the attention to detail, though most of the rifles prior to 1960 are very well made. The bolt body is jeweled and is the same diameter back to the bolt handle that incorporates a knurled bolt knob. Like everything else on this gun, the forged receiver and related parts are steel, polished bright and deeply blued, adding a bit of class to this gun. Eland, gemsbok, impala, warthog, bison, caribou and more fell to that gun, and though it now belongs to a dear friend who cherishes it, it will always be one of my favorites. A Hunter's Guide to Staying Sane During the Coronavirus Outbreak, Is Walnut Dead? With the Federal 90 grain Premium AccuBond, we stayed around an inch and with velocity pretty much true to their specifications, it could prove to be an all-around load from larger, smaller game to plains game. This is not a hard and fast rule, but it is a common occurrence with these two particular cartridges. The Model 70 Alaskan in .338 Winchester Magnum is still a staple in the 49th state, being fully capable of sorting out all of Alaska’s game, including the great bears. Even the hand checkering changed to pressed checkering. The .270 was Jack's favorite. The 1960s saw a decline in the quality of the Model 70, and in 1964 Winchester made a radical design change to their rifle, completely reworking the action, bolt, receiver, barrel, bottom metal and stock design. Hornady’s Custom Reduced Recoil brand came in at just under an inch with a noticeable reduction in the apparent recoil sensation. Oh, the rifle I was using? The “Rifleman’s Rifle.” Heard it more times than I can remember, and by rights, tenure and the reams of paper written about it, the Winchester Model 70 surely deserves the title. To me, these guns are those set apart from others in the line with better wood, highly-polished actions and crisp triggers, and of course, a higher price tag. Looking at the bolt face, twin-locking lugs secure the bolt to the breech while the massive extractor makes sure the spent cartridge is withdrawn from the polished chamber. Take note of the precision afforded to the inletting around the bottom metal. The classic bolt-action rifle that all others aspire to be - Grade IV/V fancy walnut, ebony forearm tip, Shadowline cheekpiece, polished blue finish, jeweled bolt body, Pachmayr recoil pad, pre … My Model 70s have been a vibrant part of my hunting memories, and may the rifle continue to help hunters make happy memories for another 80 years or more. The more we glassed, the more buffalo we saw, and we agreed on a hard-bossed bull of average width. History on the Super Grade from The Rifleman’s Rifle by Roger C. Rule shows an introduction in 1936 with a footnote added to the effect of that it is “Built in general the same as the Standard Grade with these refinements. When it comes to the buttstock, there is no line disturbing Monte-Carlo, but the cheekpiece is unique to many in the fold as it has a custom-looking shadow line. I have to say, that holding the rifle out at arm’s length; the lines of the stock are beautifully proportioned. The Model 70 used a receiver machined from bar stock steel, a one-piece bolt and a three-position safety which allows the low mounting of a riflescope, yet the safe unloading of the rifle. Synthetic vs. Wood Stocks. Wolfe Publishing Company | 2180 Gulfstream Suite A | Prescott, AZ 86301. For this reason, this particular Model 70 in 270 WSM is actually longer (44″ vs 42.5″) and heavier (7.25 pounds vs 7 pounds) than the Model 70 in .270 Winchester. At the 2020 Shot Show, a few more guns were shown, available in limited quantities to include Super Grades in AAA Maple, AAA French Walnut and a stainless version with Grade IV/V walnut. In 1964, Winchester redesigned the rifle and changed it from controlled to push feed. Though they are a push-feed design, I have had several of these rifles which were extremely accurate. Rifles, optics, projectiles and cartridges all continue to evolve, and somewhat impossibly, so does the Model 70. A Winchester Model 70 Featherweight may be one of the most handsome iterations of the rifle; the Schnabel forend adds a different dimension to the classic stock design, and though I've never owned one myself, I’d admired each and every one I've ever shot. Hi Erin, The Winchester 75 Target has the same rifling as the Model 52 Target and the chamber was cut the same as the 57 Target so accuracy is usually pretty decent. Chuck Hawks compares the Remington M-700 Mountain Rifle and Winchester M-70 Classic Featherweight in this full length report. In the middle position the safety remains “on safe.” Model 70s have hammer-forged rifling. It has been offered in cartridges as meek and mild as the .22 Hornet up through classics like the .300 H&H Magnum, and was greatly responsible in keeping the safari industry alive, as the ammunition for the big British doubles had all but dried up, and nearly everyone was carrying a .458 Winchester Magnum or .375 H&H Model 70. Advertising stated that the stock is profiled from Grade V or VI Black Walnut, which is correct most of the time, but the figure is limited on this gun. Winchester’s patented MOA trigger system seems to be the highlight of the gun and broke at 4.5 pounds. From the Standard Grade to Featherweight to Varmint and big bore, big-game guns like the Safari or Alaskan, there was (is) a model for all hunting needs. It’s been across America with me, taking bear and deer here in my native New York, pronghorn in Wyoming, aoudad in Texas and more. Group sizes shown here are the best groups of the morning. The Winchester Model 70 could be what you’re searching for if you’re searching for a weapon that’s designed to be the type of firearm that can be used for decades to come. While to many this may seem like a heavy pull, believe me it felt much lighter.