FN Winchesters?

They have very nice lines and are finished very well and fit very well, but they are a little heavy for standard calibers. The fit and weight are the reason I bought a 338 and ran it out to 340 Wby, plus it has a 26" tube which I find essential for the 340. In standard cals I think I like the Featherwt better, but they aren't quite as nicely fitted and finished as the supergrades and you have to look long and hard to find one with any kinda figure in the wood. I do love the Schnabel and the checkering on the ftrwts though.
 
Maybe it is what you get used to over the years as the first high power bolt action I owned was a 1973 vintage M-70. It fit and served me very well. I was just really comfortable with carrying that rifle. As c-fbmi states they are a little weighty. I have a real nice Kimber 8400 Classic Select, very nice rifle, well made, and light with good feel and lines, but it's not a M-70. That's why I have 3 of the new FN 's. It's the rifle I am comfortable with. A lot of folks feel the same way about Rem 700's, Sako's, Cooper's, Savages etc. But my opinion is for the money at this time, the FN M-70 is a lot of very good rifle for the money.
 
hunter-4-life said:
What about for the magnums? Im lookin at a 300 wsm or 300 win mag either or will float my boat
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A couple of weeks ago Winchester listed the Featherweight for 2014 being avalable in 300H+H! Then within days of the Shot Show it vanished! Discussion on some sites (Nosler etc.), suspect an error or Winchester "testing the waters". Hope for some clarification from those who were at the Shot Show
Geoff
 
Like d-fbmi, I too "love the Schnabel and the checkering on the ftrwts". Especially the combination of stainless and walnut.
So, if any FN Win70 owners have replaced their factory walnut stock with a composite one, let us know - I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to acquire another wood stock. :)
 
-Savage- said:
Like d-fbmi, I too "love the Schnabel and the checkering on the ftrwts". Especially the combination of stainless and walnut.
So, if any FN Win70 owners have replaced their factory walnut stock with a composite one, let us know - I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to acquire another wood stock. :)
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I'd just like to add that I'd love to buy a nice synthetic stock for my FWT.
The wood is so nice I'd like to be able to swap in a plastic stock for those rainy B.C bush trips.
 
International Harvester said:
I have one in the Alaskan model, .375 H&H. Still haven't fired it. Any thoughts from the Winny Pre 64 experts on how the FN 2 piece bolt compares to the 1 piece original? That's my only pet peeve, that and the claw extractor doesn't have a shiny dark finish.
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Not that I'm calling myself a Winchester expert, but the splined on bolt handle has been in production on all the post 64 Model 70s. In 50 years, minus a couple years out of production how many bolt handles have come off? Theoretically I would prefer a one piece forged bolt, but in practice it just didn't make any difference.
 
We all seem to like the FN Winchester Model 70 Super Grade, but there have been reservations made about it's weight, especially in smaller cartridge sizes.
According to the Winchester website, the difference in weight between an FN Win M70 Super Grade and a Featherweight, both chambered for the same round, is: 1 lb

So where does this extra 1 lb come from?
The actions appear to be almost identical, but the SG's barrel weighs several ounces more.
The stocks are similar in size but different in shape, and that difference results in the SD stock weighing a few ounces more.
The bottom metal on the Fwt is aluminum whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few ounces.
The grip cap on the Fwt is plastic whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few more ounces.

A few ounces here, a few there .. it doesn't take much to add up to 1 lb.
And if you are carrying something all day .. especially over difficult terrain .. an extra pound is definitely noticeable.

Yes, I would like a new Super Grade. They are beautiful and wonderfully crafted.
But, if I bought one, because of the extra weight, she would be destined to be used at the range or take up residence as yet another safe queen.
Your thoughts ??


Win70_SG_vs_FWT_zps1476ceeb.jpg
 
-Savage- said:
... I too "love the Schnabel and the checkering on the ftrwts". Especially the combination of stainless and walnut.
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Yes, to my eye, these were among the most appealing rifles .. beautiful stock checkering, Mauser-style safety and CRF, flawless stainless receiver and barrel, light weight, great trigger, and points like a shotgun.
So why did Winchester stop producing them???

Win70-SS-Walnut_28_zps4048c193.jpg
 
-Savage- said:
We all seem to like the FN Winchester Model 70 Super Grade, but there have been reservations made about it's weight, especially in smaller cartridge sizes.
According to the Winchester website, the difference in weight between an FN Win M70 Super Grade and a Featherweight, both chambered for the same round, is: 1 lb

So where does this extra 1 lb come from?
The actions appear to be almost identical, but the SG's barrel weighs several ounces more.
The stocks are similar in size but different in shape, and that difference results in the SD stock weighing a few ounces more.
The bottom metal on the Fwt is aluminum whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few ounces.
The grip cap on the Fwt is plastic whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few more ounces.

A few ounces here, a few there .. it doesn't take much to add up to 1 lb.
And if you are carrying something all day .. especially over difficult terrain .. an extra pound is definitely noticeable.

Yes, I would like a new Super Grade. They are beautiful and wonderfully crafted.
But, if I bought one, because of the extra weight, she would be destined to be used at the range or take up residence as yet another safe queen.
Your thoughts ??


Win70_SG_vs_FWT_zps1476ceeb.jpg
Click to expand...

My Supergrade is heavy with the 3-9 scope on it and medium sling. Not a big deal to me though, I am 240lbs and tall. Funny though, My 375 Alaskan with 1-4x scope is noticeably lighter and I imagine the featherweight short action must feel like a totally different rifle altogether. The SG is a joy on the bench and shoots really good but if you are walking all day you might want a wide strap or enjoy toting around a very heavy rifle. Plus, I think my 30-06 SG weighs more than published on the website..
 
I have a stainless M70 Alaskan .338 WM that was a SHOT Show Special 2 years ago (?), with a grey laminate stock. Build quality is top notch, love the iron sights. It is now dropped from production. I also have 6 other pre-64s and New Haven models, and the FNs are every bit as good or better. Emphasis on better. Buy one and see.
 
c-fbmi said:
They have very nice lines and are finished very well and fit very well, but they are a little heavy for standard calibers. The fit and weight are the reason I bought a 338 and ran it out to 340 Wby, plus it has a 26" tube which I find essential for the 340. In standard cals I think I like the Featherwt better, but they aren't quite as nicely fitted and finished as the supergrades and you have to look long and hard to find one with any kinda figure in the wood. I do love the Schnabel and the checkering on the ftrwts though.
Click to expand...

While not up to supergrade standards, lots of featherweights have half decent wood for the price.


 
-Savage- said:
We all seem to like the FN Winchester Model 70 Super Grade, but there have been reservations made about it's weight, especially in smaller cartridge sizes.
According to the Winchester website, the difference in weight between an FN Win M70 Super Grade and a Featherweight, both chambered for the same round, is: 1 lb

So where does this extra 1 lb come from?
The actions appear to be almost identical, but the SG's barrel weighs several ounces more.
The stocks are similar in size but different in shape, and that difference results in the SD stock weighing a few ounces more.
The bottom metal on the Fwt is aluminum whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few ounces.
The grip cap on the Fwt is plastic whereas it is steel on the SG - that accounts for a few more ounces.

A few ounces here, a few there .. it doesn't take much to add up to 1 lb.
And if you are carrying something all day .. especially over difficult terrain .. an extra pound is definitely noticeable.

Yes, I would like a new Super Grade. They are beautiful and wonderfully crafted.
But, if I bought one, because of the extra weight, she would be destined to be used at the range or take up residence as yet another safe queen.
Your thoughts ??


Win70_SG_vs_FWT_zps1476ceeb.jpg
Click to expand...

IMG_9924s_zps2c77b8d3.jpg


Carry a 9-10 pound .375 H&H around for awhile, then drop back to a Super Grade. :D

Could always put a McMillan EDGE stock on it for those times when rough and rugged demands lighter weight.

I love the Super Grade. And the Featherweight. And the Alaskan. And the Safari. And the Extreme Weather. And...you get the picture.
 
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diemaco said:
While not up to supergrade standards, lots of featherweights have half decent wood for the price.


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That wood one blows my last Supergrade away, and is on par with my first one. The first was from the early 90s when they got eye popping wood then inletted them with a back-hoe. Winchester and me have gone a few rounds, I want to love the M70 but they make it hard sometimes. Knew chick like that once.
 
I've been quite pleased with the wood on my FN Win 70 30-06 as well. Sorry don't have a photo handy to post. I've often wondered how they did such a good job within such a great price. I think I paid ~$700 to Lebaron taxes in about a year ago. I thought about the Super Grade as I liked the cheek piece but glad I didn't get it. The wood is good enough for me especially as my primary hunting rig.
 
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