|
|
|
Discussion Forums
Forum Index
> Rifles general discussion
> Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current Production
Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current Production
@ 01:48 pm (GMT) |
John D. HaysHowdy,Since I have several Winchester Model 70 rifles, pre- and post-64 and this fellow's comparison videos are of great interest, comparing these and the current production Winchesters. He makes the latter models seem quite appealing. Here are links to the USOG videos. Thoughts anyone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZyHhryBfg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3nL2B4bWuc |
Replies
@ 01:26 am (GMT) |
Lane SalvatoRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionI have a 7 mm-08 that's absolutely gorgeous. I purchased it a year ago. It's a stainless model. Current production. I traded it last week because after trying everything I determined that it will not shoot. It's fine for regular hunting situations, but the 7 mm-08 is supposed to be a tack driving caliber after bedding, trigger work, etc. Despite our best efforts, the groups were still disappointing. Traditional hunting and traditional ranges, no problem. However, for precision long range situations it was a bust.I've also go a current production 25-06 Featherweight model. It will shoot lights out even though it's not a caliber known for precision and accuracy. I killed an antelope with it last year at 315 yards just throwing it over a makeshift rest, finding the shoulder and squeezing the trigger. It has become my favorite go-to rifle for hunting situations at normal distances for everything up to, but not including elk. My grandfather handed down his post-64 Model 70 (Push Feed) 270 Winchester to my father, who in turn handed it down to me. It always shot great. I recently had the barrel replaced after 50 years of moderate use. It shoots better now than before. The push-feed action got a lot of bad press when it first came out but I love it. Works great, simple to clean, etc. Killed two whitetail with it last week, both at around 200 yards. No big feat for a 270. I may be the only other Model 70 guy on this forum but I love them. |
|
@ 04:32 am (GMT) |
JOHN HAYSRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionThat would make an interesting discussion: Why is it possible to throw the kitchen sink at a rifle trying to hyper-accurize and still end up with mediocre results? I have certainly seen that with SCCA racing engines when I was a kid. Something just couldn’t or wouldn’t jell. When I got into performance training dogs, same thing. Just an occasional lemon. In the latter case it was because the darn dogs ”just didn’t want to”. It reminded me of Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener”.Individual rifles are probably the same. Back to the Winchester Model 70; Nathan has said the first step is to “true the action” but other than lapping the bolt faces I am not sure what he specifically means. That would be another interesting bit of discussion. With the advent of CNC machining it looks like we are seeing the resurrection of the pre-64 Model 70. Yet, these are not low-budget rifles. Beautiful though. |
@ 01:10 pm (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionLane Mate you are not alone . my main deer/big game/longish range rifle has been for the last nearly 30 years (man I feel old writing that) a mod 70 in .270 winchester.rebedded it using one of Nathan and Stephs kits 3 years ago .sighted it in the other day and the 2 shots fired were less than inch apart...guess you could say barrel isnt stuffed yet. |
@ 01:22 pm (GMT) |
Ben LawRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionQuote: Back to the Winchester Model 70; Nathan has said the first step is to “true the action” but other than lapping the bolt faces I am not sure what he specifically means. That would be another interesting bit of discussion. truing the action requires a gunsmith, they pull the barrel and square (true) up all the faces of the action and bolt. |
|
@ 04:51 am (GMT) |
JOHN HAYSRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionMike,I have a few Winchester Model 70s and my favorite is a pre-64 .270 as it is a sweet gun that just feels right. I recently put a scope on it for the first time in its life. It is a very fine rifle for normal hunting ranges, but . . . As it is a pre-64 it is also a collectors item and as such I cannot in good conscience start grinding, bedding and accurizing this .270 or my other two pre-64s These days, because of YouTube and Nathan’s example and unique expertise, I am quite interested in long-range hunting. I live in New Mexico where we have an abundance of long-range vistas 360 in most of the state, and most of it public lands. So, I will take a stab at bedding my Post-64 Winchester’s, and then move on to the new-purchase Remington 700s. But when I go back East to hunt in the woods I’m sure I will take the pre-64 .270 |
|
@ 05:04 am (GMT) |
John D HaysRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionBen,Thanks for the clarification on “true-ing the action”. That sounds like I need to find a specialist gunsmith shop that works on precision target/long-range. I will ask around, they are probably over in Arizona around Gunsite. In his book, Nathan suggests this procedure specifically for Winchester Model 70s. I wonder why? |
@ 07:04 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionHi John, when I speak of truing (or simply checking) the M70, this is in reference to if and when the barrel is swapped out, not as an immediate step. The lugs can be done immediately but this must be done with care towards ensuring the safety lever continues to work (without forcing it) while also ensuring primary extraction is not compromised. Little steps and continual checks are the key factors. If the safety needs to altered, this must be done with great care so as to avoid making it loose. Most M70's do not require such extremes but it is possible to come across these things once in a while. But again, the lugs on these actions normally true up without having to go to the extremes of safety lever or primary extraction issues. Scope base hole misalignment is another 'once in a while' issue.These things aside, it is the barrel that has the final say on accuracy, whether we are talking about twist rate or chamber / bore finish or dimensions. The factory M70 barrels can be extremely accurate, but like anything, some may be duds. In other cases, the barrels may shoot a particular load very well, but will not shoot the actual bullet or bullets we are interested in (Lane's rifle as an example). On the whole, speaking strictly from my own experience, I have found the M70 barrels to be of a better internal finish than most other factory rifle barrels. But alas, Winchester are these days really pushing the light weight models and while these barrels can be very accurate (sub half minute), many folk will never be able to exploit this without optimal technique. Even with optimal technique, things can go wrong when your heart is pumping from a heavy climb and the wind is buffeting you as you try to get your shot away. I quite like the M70, whether control or push feed. Having said this, I like a decent handle on my M70 and I prefer if possible, two action screws to three for the sake of torque settings and to allow the use of a longer Wyatt magazine box for the long magnums if this is required (needs machining). I would never make a good collector. I like my rifles to shoot straight so unless I am deliberately testing as is, they each get worked on in one way or another. |
|
@ 03:13 pm (GMT) |
JOHN HAYSRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionHi Nathan,Thanks for the reply and clarification on the Winchester M70s. I look forward to trying to accurize some of my Post-64s. Oh, but man o man, I need a lot more rifle practice to be able to do this long-range hunting. BTW, I am not a firearms collector. I am a firearms accumulator. I am like that nutty lady down the street who keeps taking in cats, cats and more cats. |
@ 03:01 pm (GMT) |
michael lavalleeRe: Winchester Model 70 - Comparison: Pre-64, Post-64, and Current ProductionQuote: Ben,
Thanks for the clarification on “true-ing the action”. That sounds like I need to find a specialist gunsmith shop that works on precision target/long-range. I will ask around, they are probably over in Arizona around Gunsite. In his book, Nathan suggests this procedure specifically for Winchester Model 70s. I wonder why? first post here,I've just received my book set and I'm going through it and the forum Mazy,s gun shop in Chino Valley does beautiful work with pre 64 m70 rifles If you tell him I sent you he might show you the one he's building for me in 35 Whelen Or email me I'm in southeast Arizona Michael |
Please wait
ABOUT USWe are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.
|
KNOWLEDGEBASE |
KNOWLEDGEBASE |