Learned Something Last Night

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I was watching American rifleman and of course they were talking about the model 70 winchester. During the program they were mentioning the guns thst were pre 64 and after 48 I do believe were the prime manufactured guns in America.Better metals etc. The point I was getting at is I keep seeing posts mentioning this pre 64 era. I never new the signifcance of it until last night. So I figure any firearms we get now are either poor quality or just better metalergy. Unless of course you have someone custom make a rifle.Just my $.02 and thoughts this morning without having a coffe first.:)
 
I'm sure some-one will come on & explain pre-post 64s for you but the jist is like this after 1964 Win changed the actions to push feed among others, I believe in an attempt to cut costs.
 
Yes they did mention that also in the program, They also pointed out it was a mistake for Winchester to do at the time.
 
I think a lot of that is BS. True they change the extractor from mauser type controlled feed to push feed wich pissed a lot of people off, but better metalurgy? I think not. As long as I don't have to cycle my bolt action upside down (??!??!) then I'll take my Remington 700 XCR over any pre-64 winchester. The grace of stainless wasn't around back then. CNC Machining tolerances also wern't around then. I suspect that he show was the typical old blowhard talking about how the past was the good old days and everything now is sh*t. The accuracy and durablility of modern rifles are unparalleled right now. Granted there is new cheap sh*t comming out like the Rem 710 and the defender, but compare rifles based on cost in inflation adjusted dollars and you'll see that these are good times for CGNers.

As for push feed vs mauser? Get the popcorn sit back and enjoy the flame wars. Each side has their proponents. Personally I don't give a rats ass either way as what Mauser type extractors do is fix a problem I've never had at the expense of potentially breaking your extractor in certain circumstances. The point is moot. I recommend that you ask yourself the same question I am doing right now. Why debate push feed vs mauser when you should be debating XCR vs Tavor. :D
 
FWIW, I recently cut up a scrap pre-64 barrel, needed some bits of steel. The bore was off-centre, and there were obvious hard spots when I machined it.
 
Pardon my intrusion, but what channel do you watch this show on? And how do you get it?
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It's on WILD TV. At Starchoice it's channel 456. And while we're talking about the Rifleman's Rifle, I can't wait to get my hands on one of the newer Model 70's they're building again :)
 
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Are the newer 70's forged or cast. That was one of the things I liked over Ruger or Montanna, not that there's anything wrong with cast, just think forged is better.
 
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I don't think any 70s used cast receivers or bolts, pre or post. Post '64trigger guards, floorplates are cast.
 
I often wonder how much glory would be heaped on the pre-64 70s if Jack O'Connor hadn't preached so many sermons on them over the years.
I have a pre 64 Sako Finnbear, which in any way you want to compare them, has to be superior to a pre 64 Model 70 Winchester. The push feed was considered an advantage, with the perported, stronger support for the case head.
Or, the Belgium made Brownings were beautiful rifles, accurate and finished to perfection. They had the same fault as the Winchester 70s had, they ere a bit heavy. And don't forget the Model 25 Remington.
 
It wasn't just the model 70, Winchester kind of messed with their whole product line that year. Gave Remington a good boost for shotgun sales when they scrapped the model 12 and handed marlin a bit of their lever action business as well.
 
Thats why I bought a Marlin. Pre 64 or after 64 dont matter-still good guns.
A post 64 model 94 is the only gun I have ever had that dropped parts on a deer trail. Good thing it wasnt my gun and lucky I found the screw and slide plate. I just picked up a Marlin Glendale 30-30 and even though it is supposed to be a cheaper version of the 336 the internals are all thick and heavy just like the 336. Their idea of going cheaper has more to do with sights and wood it seems. Nice looking gun though. And I can up the quality with available parts. I still like the Winchesters but dont own one and not planning to in the near future unless I come across a reasonable 38-55 of course.:)
 
You can still turn a push feed upside down and it will load just fine,the claw feed extractor can be stoned to where you can single load a loose round(the only problem is the claw is hard steel and will chew up your brass base)and the only avantage in claw extractors is they will hold your brass till ejected!

That might help if you try to short stroke a round,most people I know over power the bolt(damn near jerk it out of the action) Your choice but Winchester started useing pressed stock checkering,and no red W on pistol grip stock,I have a 70's model with the red safety tang that sticks out behind the bolt!

But by Damn it's a Mod 70 in .375H&H Mag!


Bob:dancingbanana:
 
In my lifetime thus far, I've owned 4 mod 70's. All were push feeds, never ever had a problem with them so I've never been hung up on CRF one way or the other.
 
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