Pops is turnin 60, new rifle present Model 70...wait made in Portugal???

rocklobster

rocklobster

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Yeah as the title says, it is my job to purchase pop a 60th present and he loves Winchester, I was looking to get him a nice one in blue and walnut in 30 06, the lightning model but just found out that the new ones are made in Portugal... Last I had heard FN was churning them out in the good ol US of A and that they were fantastic.

How are the new ones stacking up???

Maybe I should just go for the safe buy of a Tikka Hunter?

Suggestions and help appreciated!
 
I thought they were made in North Carolina from I'd heard. If they have moved them to Portugal its news to me.
If they are still made with the same care and quality, that wouldn't deter me from getting one. They are one of my all time favorite rifles.
 
From Wikipedia:

The Model 70 was originally manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company between 1936 and 1980. From the early 1980s until 2006, Winchester rifles were manufactured by U.S. Repeating Arms under an agreement with Olin Corporation, allowing USRA to use the Winchester name and logo.[2] Model 70s were built in New Haven, Connecticut, from 1936 to 2006, when production ceased. In the fall of 2007, the Belgian company FN Herstal announced that Model 70 production would resume. As of 2012, new Winchester Model 70 rifles were being made by FN Herstal in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2013, assembly was moved to Portugal.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_70
 
Yep made in portugal. Winchester isnt really winchester any more. Try to find a pre 64 or something made in the 1990's is my suggestion if you want a quality american made winchester. If not the new ones are still very well made. Handled one at a shop in Vancouver.
 
Thanks gwes. I know that winchester is long gone but I guess that I was hoping for some semblance of the model 70. One that can be passed down and such...

I am not trolling here, I just want to make double sure the new ones are good.

Anybody have first hand on the newest model 70's?
 
Recently bought a new super grade and was quite impressed. Excellent wood (which I'm a fan of) and nice fit and finish. Negatives? 1) sticky bolt, already smoothing out after 30-40 rounds. 2) availability, for some reason they're like hens teeth to find. Unfortunately not home right now so can't confirm where it's made but would have been 2013-2014 model
 
rocklobster said:
Thanks gwes. I know that winchester is long gone but I guess that I was hoping for some semblance of the model 70. One that can be passed down and such...

I am not trolling here, I just want to make double sure the new ones are good.

Anybody have first hand on the newest model 70's?
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How about a nice gift card to his favorite gun store?
 
rocklobster said:
Yeah as the title says, it is my job to purchase pop a 60th present and he loves Winchester, I was looking to get him a nice one in blue and walnut in 30 06, the lightning model but just found out that the new ones are made in Portugal... Last I had heard FN was churning them out in the good ol US of A and that they were fantastic.

How are the new ones stacking up???

Maybe I should just go for the safe buy of a Tikka Hunter?

Suggestions and help appreciated!
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When Brownings were made by FN they were stamped made in Belgium assembled in Portugal.
Seems like those were pretty nice guns...IMO
 
The Portugal assembled Model 70's are likely the best of the last three. I've held a couple since they changed and the fit, finish and apparently the function are all great. The NC ones were an improvement over the New Havens too.

US of A manufacture is as reliable as China. Reality is now days it's no different than "made in Mexico", but you pay a premium.

I would buy a new Model 70 without hesitation.
 
FGR said:
Recently bought a new super grade and was quite impressed. Excellent wood (which I'm a fan of) and nice fit and finish. Negatives? 1) sticky bolt, already smoothing out after 30-40 rounds. 2) availability, for some reason they're like hens teeth to find. Unfortunately not home right now so can't confirm where it's made but would have been 2013-2014 model
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That's a problem for some reason trying to get hold of any of their products is frustrating to say the least. Trying to get one of the Winchester Miroku underlevers is like hens teeth.
 
I've a Mod 70 Super Grade in .308 Win that I had picked up late last year. Beautiful grain, fit/finish is excellent end-to-end, smooth bolt, very nice trigger etc. Unfortunately, haven't had an opportunity to take that to the range so far. Therfore, the jury is still out on that rifle. Personally, I have never shot an M70 (yet), however, based on the majority of reviews on the rifle, folks speak highly (oohs! and aahs!) of the product but in comparison I see few straight feedbacks in terms of inherent/consistent accuracy. :)

To be candid, I strongly prefer my CZ 550 rifles.....one more option that you may wish to look into.
 
rocklobster said:
Yeah as the title says, it is my job to purchase pop a 60th present and he loves Winchester, I was looking to get him a nice one in blue and walnut in 30 06, the lightning model but just found out that the new ones are made in Portugal... Last I had heard FN was churning them out in the good ol US of A and that they were fantastic.

How are the new ones stacking up???

Maybe I should just go for the safe buy of a Tikka Hunter?

Suggestions and help appreciated!
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Your old man has good taste. He will very happy with a new featherweight. As far as Tikka goes he will not like to see all the plastic that goes into one. Go buy him a Winchester he will love you for it.
 
Don gk said:
When Brownings were made by FN they were stamped made in Belgium assembled in Portugal.
Seems like those were pretty nice guns...IMO
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Not always but it started at some point and I think that is still how they do it. My HiPower is marked made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal and it is as you said a pretty nice gun. Flawless finish, works just as it should. If I wanted a new Winchester Model 70 I wouldn't be put off by the fact that it was assembled in Portugal.
 
Tikka-Hunter-Stainless-Fluted-30-06-Wood.

Theeeeee nicest off the shelf $1000 gun I've ever Seen-Held-Fired. Iam sure he would be pleased with it. Even secretly chuffed.
 
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Nothing wrong with the tikka, wonderful action and very accurate gun, however fit and finish do not compare to the Model 70. Having owned both I no longer own the tikka.
 
Fassteel said:
Nothing says love quite as well as a nice gift card.....
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We're talking Dads here, not wives. Nobody is getting sent to the dog house over a gift card to the gun store for your dad...

I say gift card is fine, but if you know hes a winchester fan boy (er, fan man? lol) and hes most likely gonna buy the winchester when he goes into the shop, I would buy it for him. It shows you know him, and know what he'll like.

On the other hand, if he has a decent chance of deciding he prefers a browning, Tikka, or whatever, then the gift card is the best option. If hes a picky guy that likes his stuff to be *just* the way he likes it, maybe he wants to pick the rifle, pick the caliber, and pick the scope. Certainly there is nothing wrong with a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, but maybe what he actually wants is a Tikka in 7mm-08...

Finally, nothing wrong with a gun made in Portugal. Browning has been doing it for years haven't they?
 
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