Winchester M70 Featherweight
- Thread starter Demonical
- Start date
@ Silverado. You've a keen eye! Those 2 primers are seated differently, which I initially thought primer depth was a possible cause.
I held those 2 up to talk to that idea, that was Feb 15th. But then after the range session Feb 20, I realized the primers weren't the problem and changed the original comments I was going to throw out about primer depth.
So I talked at length with the guys where I bought the rifle and discussed several options. If worst came to worst, they would exchange that rifle for me and give me a brand new rifle. But I don't want to go there, and it shouldn't require that anyway.
There's a shop in St. Albert that does Browning/Winchester warranty work and I'm taking the rifle there next Wed to get it looked at by their techs. I'm sure they will be able to resolve the issue.
I held those 2 up to talk to that idea, that was Feb 15th. But then after the range session Feb 20, I realized the primers weren't the problem and changed the original comments I was going to throw out about primer depth.
So I talked at length with the guys where I bought the rifle and discussed several options. If worst came to worst, they would exchange that rifle for me and give me a brand new rifle. But I don't want to go there, and it shouldn't require that anyway.
There's a shop in St. Albert that does Browning/Winchester warranty work and I'm taking the rifle there next Wed to get it looked at by their techs. I'm sure they will be able to resolve the issue.
Last edited:
Just a practiced history of messing up my ammo. Eventually I landed on always reaming and chamfering primer pockets on new brass and always using CCI BR primers. I prime on the press with the Lee setup.
That got me spot on primers with only quick die changes.
Good news on the appointment, should work out.
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Thanks for this. I've never taken mine apart before and did it just now in about 20 seconds. That's insanely easy.
^ If I told you I've never measured that in my life would that surprise you?
To elaborate; I load all cartridges to factory length and have never worried about distance to lands or any of that brainiac type stuff...
And since this is now officially a warranty issue, the action is back in the factory wood, and I won't touch a thing on it. Can't void the warranty eh?
To elaborate; I load all cartridges to factory length and have never worried about distance to lands or any of that brainiac type stuff...
And since this is now officially a warranty issue, the action is back in the factory wood, and I won't touch a thing on it. Can't void the warranty eh?
Last edited:
Gotta love the Mauser inspired bolt for the basic takedown. Bit of a pain to get the firing pin spring off the pin though. The Vanguard is a joy for that.
Demonical, headspace is the distance from the rim/back end of the chamber to a line partway up the slope of the shoulder (oversimplified explanation, I know). If theres too much headspace, the firing pin can knock the cartridge forward far enough that it doesn't hit it hard enough to go off. The cartridge's shoulder never butts up against the chamber wall to stop it and make it take the punch, so to speak.
If you have a low pressure cartridge, like lets say a very weak starting load, the primer will actually poke out the back of a case a little because of this. There wasn't enough pressure in the case for it to stretch backward and make the primer look properly seated again.
(and in my Tikka, gives me a shot of gas in the glasses, until the load becomes stronger lol)
Demonical, headspace is the distance from the rim/back end of the chamber to a line partway up the slope of the shoulder (oversimplified explanation, I know). If theres too much headspace, the firing pin can knock the cartridge forward far enough that it doesn't hit it hard enough to go off. The cartridge's shoulder never butts up against the chamber wall to stop it and make it take the punch, so to speak.
If you have a low pressure cartridge, like lets say a very weak starting load, the primer will actually poke out the back of a case a little because of this. There wasn't enough pressure in the case for it to stretch backward and make the primer look properly seated again.
(and in my Tikka, gives me a shot of gas in the glasses, until the load becomes stronger lol)
It could be your problem^ Well it's still nothing I've ever bothered with.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
You could try just neck sizing your brass to see if that works.
So just to explain more.
I had to go to Edmonton yesterday but didn't have the rifle with me.
While I was in the city I got a phone call from the dealer. He explained the warranty service from Browning, like they are totally willing to exchange it for a new rifle. Obviously that isn't necessary!
But then he told me how multiple guys have the same problem, so the dealer wants to figure this out and he set me up with the option to go to the warranty center in St. Albert.
I then phoned the warranty service guy and talked to him and he says it's actually a fairly common issue. I'm really interested to go see this guy, see what he says, see what we find with this bolt, firing pin, spring etc...
My guess is a 10 minute fix and I'm gonna learn something(s).
But if this rifle does have a defective spring, or the firing pin has a flaw. which I doubt, but if either of those are the case, well then a replacement spring or firing pin is on Brownings dime. Jim.
FWIW...
"In a bolt-action rifle, "headspace" refers to the small gap between the face of the bolt and the stopping surface on the cartridge within the chamber, essentially the amount of space allowed for a cartridge to seat before the bolt fully closes, which is a critical measurement for safe and reliable firing; too much headspace can lead to dangerous pressure issues, while too little can cause feeding problems or failure to fire properly. "
I had to go to Edmonton yesterday but didn't have the rifle with me.
While I was in the city I got a phone call from the dealer. He explained the warranty service from Browning, like they are totally willing to exchange it for a new rifle. Obviously that isn't necessary!
But then he told me how multiple guys have the same problem, so the dealer wants to figure this out and he set me up with the option to go to the warranty center in St. Albert.
I then phoned the warranty service guy and talked to him and he says it's actually a fairly common issue. I'm really interested to go see this guy, see what he says, see what we find with this bolt, firing pin, spring etc...
My guess is a 10 minute fix and I'm gonna learn something(s).
But if this rifle does have a defective spring, or the firing pin has a flaw. which I doubt, but if either of those are the case, well then a replacement spring or firing pin is on Brownings dime. Jim.
FWIW...
"In a bolt-action rifle, "headspace" refers to the small gap between the face of the bolt and the stopping surface on the cartridge within the chamber, essentially the amount of space allowed for a cartridge to seat before the bolt fully closes, which is a critical measurement for safe and reliable firing; too much headspace can lead to dangerous pressure issues, while too little can cause feeding problems or failure to fire properly. "
Well the .270 is at the warranty shop to get the firing pin polished, as I'm sure is all it needs, meanwhile this Winchester bug bit me again.
The only rifle/cartridge missing from my gun safe was the .308Win. I've wanted to get one forever, and the other day I saw a M70FW for sale at Prophet River, and I had to have it. Because. You know?
So the .308FW is in the mail. When I get the rifle I'll post pics, plus I'll get a load developed for it and will share how it shoots.
Oh, and the Leupold Vari-XIII, 2.5-8x scope is going to find a use after all.
The only rifle/cartridge missing from my gun safe was the .308Win. I've wanted to get one forever, and the other day I saw a M70FW for sale at Prophet River, and I had to have it. Because. You know?
So the .308FW is in the mail. When I get the rifle I'll post pics, plus I'll get a load developed for it and will share how it shoots.
Oh, and the Leupold Vari-XIII, 2.5-8x scope is going to find a use after all.
Quick inspection. This barrel is even tighter than the .270Win. Couldn't even start a piece of paper, so def not free floated, even though I still think these are supposed to be? Maybe it depends on who you talk to.
I did not take the action out of the stock. Funny thing, even though this wood is 'prettier' than the .270Win, I don't plan on going to a fiberglas stock with this one.
I mounted Leupold 2-pc base, again went with Leupold med ht rings. I lapped the rings. These took more work than the rings for the .270Win, just cuz I guess, but looked pretty decent when finished. Imo...
Mounted the sweetheart Leupold VariX-III 2.5-8x scope.
Then took a quick look at the firing pin and spring, I don't see any issues at first glance.
Edit to add: Oh ya, she tips the scales at 7lbs 8.8ozs, that's without 4 loaded rounds or a rifle sling, which would likely bring it to about 7lbs 12ozs, 7lbs 15ozs?
I did not take the action out of the stock. Funny thing, even though this wood is 'prettier' than the .270Win, I don't plan on going to a fiberglas stock with this one.
I mounted Leupold 2-pc base, again went with Leupold med ht rings. I lapped the rings. These took more work than the rings for the .270Win, just cuz I guess, but looked pretty decent when finished. Imo...
Mounted the sweetheart Leupold VariX-III 2.5-8x scope.
Then took a quick look at the firing pin and spring, I don't see any issues at first glance.
Edit to add: Oh ya, she tips the scales at 7lbs 8.8ozs, that's without 4 loaded rounds or a rifle sling, which would likely bring it to about 7lbs 12ozs, 7lbs 15ozs?
Attachments
Last edited:
