Remington 700 vs Winchester M70

Rob101

Rob101

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Thinking about getting a new hunting rifle for next season and I have been tossing around the idea of either the rem700 or winchester m70 both in .308. Just wondering what other forum members have to say about the two rifles. Both of my grandfather's hunted big game with old faithfuls (Enfield no1 mk3's) and my dad with his sporter No4 mk1.

Thanks in advance
 
It used to be a toss up between the two back in the 70's and 80's when Winchester was a push feed. Back then I liked the Remington better. Given a choice today between a M700 or a M70 I'm taking the Winchester every time.
 
Winchester all day long.... Modern day Remington's are too hit and miss when it comes to quality. Winchester's a great out of the box.
 
I would have to agree the Model 70 Pre 64 style actions are a little bit better than a Remington 700. I've always owned Remington 700 but I'm now that I've been hunting with a controlled round feed rifle (Husqvarna), CRF has become a necessity especially if I'm not packing a backup gun.
 
Function-wise, the Winchester 70 is the better rifle, marginally(CRF, better build quality) anyways. But keep in mind that a lot of the price of the Model 70 goes towards non-functional "appearance" things like better wood and polishing. If this is a rifle you will be tossing in the back of the truck and dragging through the woods to shoot deer, I think you would be better served with a Remington 700. I'd also consider the Mauser M18. Grandfather bought one and it is a very functional and well-made rifle (I think he paid $900). If budget is not an issue and you dont mind scratching/dinging a beautiful rifle, then go for the model 70.

Sorry for poor english.
 
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CaptainHook said:
Function-wise, the Winchester 70 is the better rifle, marginally(CRF, better build quality) anyways. But keep in mind that a lot of the price of the Model 70 goes towards non-functional "appearance" things like better wood and polishing. If this is a rifle you will be tossing in the back of the truck and dragging through the woods to shoot deer, I think you would be better served with a Remington 700. I'd also consider the Mauser M18. Grandfather bought one and it is a very functional and well-made rifle (I think he paid $900). If budget is not an issue and you dont mind scratching/dinging a beautiful rifle, then go for the model 70.

Sorry for poor english.
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I had noticed the price bran new which is a bit ridiculous local crappy tire wants a bit over $1500 for one it's been sitting there for over a year now. I have been eyeballing the classifieds but I have never purchased a firearm off the EE before and I have always done face to face deals. I had come across some real nice ones from the 60s 70s and one from the 80s on their but didn't have the funds available.
 
I own 3 R700 Mtn rifles, and 1 W70 XTR FWT (push feed). I own several other crf rifles, but none in a winchester. I don't find there to be any practical difference between push feed and crf for any hunting. The only thing I've noticed is that with the crf you need to make sure the round comes from the magazine, not just set on top then chambered. Doing this can damage the extractor.

IMO crf shouldn't be a deciding factor. A rifle that has more likelihood to be accurate and not have quality control issues is your main concern. I would be wary about buying a brand new Remington right now. I'm not saying I WOULDN'T buy one, just that I'd look it over very carefully first. An older R700 would be better.

If you're looking at the EE then surf and see what catches your eye. Lots of good options there.
 
Huntin' Gun said:
I own 3 R700 Mtn rifles, and 1 W70 XTR FWT (push feed). I own several other CRF rifles, but none in a Winchester. I don't find there to be any practical difference between push feed and crf for any hunting. The only thing I've noticed is that with the crf you need to make sure the round comes from the magazine, not just set on top then chambered. Doing this can damage the extractor.

IMO crf shouldn't be a deciding factor. A rifle that has more likelihood to be accurate and not have quality control issues is your main concern. I would be wary about buying a brand new Remington right now. I'm not saying I WOULDN'T buy one, just that I'd look it over very carefully first. An older R700 would be better.

If you're looking at the EE then surf and see what catches your eye. Lots of good options there.
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I liked your post, and this is going to sound very argumentative, but what is your reasoning for there being no practical difference (besides the QC and accuracy comment)? I ask because I'm genuinely interested to hear your response, and I also put this out although it's not as easy on a push feed action most modern CRF can have a round single fed through the top without the magazines. Most modern CRF rifles have a bevel on the front of the extractor now to accommodate this.
 
Well, what advantage does crf really offer? I know the prevailing theories, but in the practical use that I've experienced in the field hunting deer. elk and coyotes, as well as at the range, I've seen no difference between crf and push feed. I've had no more feeding issues or extracting issues for one system vs the other. I've been using both systems for nearly 30 years, and it hasn't made a hill of beans worth of difference. The extractor on R700's is just a little chintzy clip. You'd think if one were to experience an extracting issue it would be with that system. I've had stuck bolts in the R700, and more than once I've (or watched someone else) use a rubber mallet to bang the bolt open. The clip didn't break and the brass came out. Sako style extractors, like on a Tikka, also work fine. The one time I've seen the biggest extraction issue was on one of my dad's guns, which was a Ruger, and it is a crf. It completely failed, and the brass was left stuck. I'm sure there are people in the world who have had the R700 clip extractor fail on them. Just like I've seen a crf system fail. Statistically speaking, anything can happen when you have a large enough sample size. Maybe if I were to go hunting elephant, water buffalo, or lions I might 'think' I need a crf rifle, just because everyone says so, but for non-dangerous game it really doesn't matter either way in my experience.
I've also had a jam (at the worst possible time) with a crf rifle not feeding. So, it can happen to either system.

The crf system is fine, but so is the push-feed system. For myself, I wouldn't select one rifle over the other just based on that one criterion.

I've owned modern crf rifles, like a M70 Extreme Weather SS, and I still didn't like just pushing the round in and having the large extractor snap over the head of the brass. I've tried it, but it scores the brass and it seems to me like the edge of the extractor could still potentially chip. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
I got rid of that particular rifle, but it had nothing to do with the feeding/extracting system. It was too chunky in the pistol grip and I just didn't like the feel of it.

The accuracy and feel of a rifle are much more important than if it is crf or not. I'd far rather have an accurate and comfortable push-feed rifle than a crf rifle that doesn't shoot or doesn't feel good.
 
Ranger Dave said:
Winchester all day long.... Modern day Remington's are too hit and miss when it comes to quality. Winchester's a great out of the box.
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^^^ This... and I do own BOTH brands.

My Winnie Model 70 Featherweight in 308 is my low light stand deer rig. I own THREE Remmy M700 rigs that are all “switch “ barrel setup and that’s the best of all worlds. The Remmy get the Precision Rifle Range work, too! :cool:

Buy what works for your:

*budget
* game
* fondle factor (while sitting in deer blind)
* technical comfort level
* sales or discount shopping opportunities
* caliber availability (factory ammo or reload)
* feels cool factor
* accessories or accessorize ability or availability (I like Remmy aftermarket Shzt)
* balance, comfort, feel
* gut instinct....after all you are the owner and not us in the peanut gallery
* and finally, the Looks Cool Factor! Gotta look good in the mirror! Hahahaha. :evil:

Cheers, Barney

:wave:
 
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