Sporter or Featherweight???

Qc_BearHunter

Qc_BearHunter

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Just sold my Syn-SS 700 30-06 and I'm back in the market for a blued-walnut 30-06.

I hesitate between winchester model 70 Sporter or Model 70 Featherweight...

I already have 2 FW's (a 308 and a .270) and I have a tendency for the sporter because of the 24" barrel.

Wich one would you choose???
 
I would take the featherweight in any cal. They just look classier...

A .30-06 doesn't need a 24" barrel.
 
If you like a 24" barrel then go with the sporter. Don't let some random people on the internet tell you that you have to make your decision based on looks and not performance.
If you will be walking a lot through the bush and making shorter shots then I would go with a 22" barrel just for the easy of handling, but if you want the added velocity then the 24" will do well.
To be quite honest, with a 270 and a 308 I question why you are buying a 30-06. Seems a little redundant to me. Have you considered a 300 or 338 win mag? not because I think everyone needs a magnum and the 30-06 won't get the job done. But the 270 and 308 will do 95% of what the 30-06 will do. something like the 338 WM would widen that gap a little.
 
Nothing shabby about a Winchester model 70 feather weight. I had one in 7x57mm Mauser, great rifle. However, when I inherited my Dads model 4000 Husqvarna light weight in 30-06 I sold the model 70 to a friends son.

30-06Husqvarna.jpg


This one I'll keep and hand down to my Granddaughter, when the time is right.
 
StevieK said:
If you like a 24" barrel then go with the sporter. Don't let some random people on the internet tell you that you have to make your decision based on looks and not performance.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Except you need the FeatherWeight :D The difference between the way the gun feels, and handles in the two models you are looking at, is substantial. Go with the one that feels better in the hands, my money says that's the FW, not the sporter.
 
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What about the super grade? I was looking at that model and its about 3/4s lb heavier than the FW.
 
I have 2 of the featherweights right now (280 Rem Blued Wood & a 308 Win stainless wood) and I really like them. Have had and sold a few others to close friends as well. For pure quick shooting and fast handling I have not found another bolt gun that compares they just point naturally for me.

I also had a 300 WSM in the sporter model, it was really accurate and the extra weight made it nice to shoot but not so nice to carry all day. I found it very stable when shooting off hand, guess the extra weight came into play here as well. That firearm accounted for the longest shot I ever made on a White-tail.

Both are great guns. Personally I have/would chose the featherweight.
 
winchester featherweight

Maybe my imagination but do you guys notice any difference in the new FN made featherweight from the older winchester ones. The pistol grip seems clunkier with the FN guns. I handled two of them and they both felt different.
 
Well, A fellow gunnutter PM me a link yesterday and if the rifle still available, I'll get myself another Featherweight Deluxe in 30-06.... We'll see today! Thanks shortaction, it's much appreciated!

I remember when I was 12 years old, I was browsing the Winchester catalogue and dreamed of a Featherweight. Tastes don't change much with time, these are the most beautiful rifles ever produced. Glad to see that in life some dreams can happen. And boy they are accurate! Both of mine will do easy .5 to 1" with many loads. Awesome!
 
They sure are nice rifles. I went to Stainless Synthetic, the thoughts of scratching a beautiful rifle sickens me. My blued/walnut Sako stayed home the last two years.
 
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