Model 70 featherweight or sporter?

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GunNewb

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Im trying to pick which new model 70, 30-06 to get. Theres only a difference of 4 oz in weight according to their site- and a difference of 2 inches on the barrel. featherweights at 22" and the sporter is at 24"

Im gonna hunt with this thing eventually but Im also gonna shoot it at the range as I dont even have my license yet. its gonna be my scoped full size rifle that isnt a .22.

Im worried the featherweight might have a thinner barrel and heat up right away, making it a bit lame to shoot at the range. As well- the sporter stock has a raised cheekpiece which is a bit more comfortable.

But the featherweight has classier looks and is a bit more carrieable/quick to point for close shots should they come up.

Does anyone know if the featherweight has a thinner barrel, who is the featherweight for?
 
I have a featherweight in .243 and a supergrade in 30-06. The barrel on the featherweight is slimmer than the supergrade.

In 30-06 the barrel is going to heat up at the range reguardless of model, the differences in barrel thickness for range purposes between the two will be negligible.

Yes the featherweight is a classy rifle that handles nice. The sporter is going to have a more solid feel to it, at least that is what the difference seems to me.
Both stocks are proportioned well for scope use. A heavier rifle will absorb the recoil a bit better, so if recoil is an issue wiith you this may be a consideration, not that a 30-06 is a heavy recoil cartridge.

Both my M-70's are the newer FN models, are well made, shoot well, and I have no issues with either. I have a friend who has a featherweight in 30-06, he doesn't use it much as he does not shoot much, but he really likes it when he does.

Best suggestion is get to a gun shop that has both models and pick the one you like best. It is a matter of personel preference.
 
I have an M70 featherweight in 30-06, trimmed down to around 20". You will notice your groups open up as the thinner barrel definitely heats up quick at the range. Recoil is more noticeable on the featherweight compared to others I own. If you take your time getting it dialled in at the range it will be a one shot deer rifle and you won't have to worry about a hot barrel in the field.
 
Shooting a light weight 30-06 at the range is not my idea of a good time. Depending upon your future interests, a calibre change might be worth considering. Maybe 7-08, 260 Rem, etc.
 
I have a 270wsm in the featherweight...yes you know your shooting something, but its not that bad(unless your a sissy):p

Once of the nicest handling, shouldering rifles I've ever owned, and very well made...I Absolutely Love It!:D
 
Ive had and shot a Mod 70 30.06 featherweight since about 1978. It handles good and shoots well up to 500 yards depending on the loads. I prefer 180s for my hunting, but it takes the range down a bit. The gun can kick a bit hard with max loads, but any adult male should have no problems with its recoil. A small teen or a girl might have recoil issues but that doesn't mean you have to load it with dynamite.
 
Id take the featherweight. They look handle very nice in the field, and look great. No need to get concerned about the barrel its not that thin and if its going to be used primarily as a hunting gun I would be worried about overheating the bbl.

Cheers!!
 
cosmic said:
Shooting a light weight 30-06 at the range is not my idea of a good time. Depending upon your future interests, a calibre change might be worth considering. Maybe 7-08, 260 Rem, etc.
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I agree 100% with this. Both the 7mm-08 and 260 are awesome. One can shoot them all day long with eaze and both are great venison getters.
 
Here's one more plug for the Featherweight - as long as we're talking wood stocks. It's lighter and shorter - not a significant difference on the range, but makes a lot of sense if you're going to hunt with it. I tend to lean towards barrels shorter than 24". There's never been an animal that could tell the barrel difference between 2", or 4" for that matter. Having owned several Featherweights and sporters, you will not notice any practical difference in accuracy either.
 
The basic question is, which do you like better? Pick the one you like and you'll enjoy using it, whether at the range or in the field.

Personally, I've always preferred the look of the featherweight. I"ve never seen the fun in carrying an 8 1/2 lb rifle when I can get the same calibre in a 7 1/2 lb. one, and for sure, you'll carry it a lot more than you'll shoot it.

The light barrel might heat up faster at the range, but it will also cool down faster. Just take something else with you to play with while you wait.
 
I bought the Sporter in 30-06. Love it. I would buy another in a heart beat. I target shoot lots which was one of the big reasons I went with the sporter.
 
thanks for the input all.

Im gonna swing by the shop and trade my featherweight in for a sporter I think. Winchester claims its only a 4 oz difference between the two and Ive been shouldering the heck out of the featherweight I have here. Simply seems the sporter had a better fit and the cheekpiece brings my eye higher up to where a scope would be.

the 2" of barrel lost or gained means little to me, though the featherweight is darn pointable!
 
For what the gun shop is going to allow for the featherweight to get the sporter you might as well buy the sporter outright.

Most shops will allow you 2/3's maximum of what they figure they will sell your used gun for. So if they figure they can sell your featherweight for $600 they will allow you about $400 on the trade for the sporter.

So for all your going to get for the featherweight and if your budget allows just buy the sporter out right, in fact get a super grade you will not regret that purchase either. Then you will have the best of both worlds.
 
GunNewb said:
thanks for the input all.

Im gonna swing by the shop and trade my featherweight in for a sporter I think. Winchester claims its only a 4 oz difference between the two and Ive been shouldering the heck out of the featherweight I have here. Simply seems the sporter had a better fit and the cheekpiece brings my eye higher up to where a scope would be.

the 2" of barrel lost or gained means little to me, though the featherweight is darn pointable!
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mrgoat said:
For what the gun shop is going to allow for the featherweight to get the sporter you might as well buy the sporter outright.

Most shops will allow you 2/3's maximum of what they figure they will sell your used gun for. So if they figure they can sell your featherweight for $600 they will allow you about $400 on the trade for the sporter.

So for all your going to get for the featherweight and if your budget allows just buy the sporter out right, in fact get a super grade you will not regret that purchase either. Then you will have the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...


its new in package, as purchased and unfired. gentleman on the phone told me if thats the case it shouldnt be a problem to switcheroo. not a problem.
 
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