New Haven model 70 CRF

H

hookedonblacktail

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Hello all I have a couple questions that I hope someone can help me with. I have just received a barely used(appears to be anyway) stainless 300 WSM. Much to my surprise and initially a little bit of dissapointment when I opened the box it was New Haven stamped, from what I could see in the advertisement picture I just assumed it was the newer FN built ultimate shadow model.

So google tells me that quality started to drop at New Haven after about year 2000 which would therefore include this rifle seeing as when the WSM was introduced. Does anyone know of any specific issues they are aware of with said drop in quality?

The trigger, should I be happy about getting the old style? Seems people like it for it's simplicity. It's horribly heavy right now but I understand it can be adjusted somewhat with the scew. That being said have other people been able to take it down to 3lbs safely with that one adjustment screw or does it need to go to a smith to make other adjustments, possibly hone and adjust trigger and sear surfaces? Or am I better off getting an aftermarket trigger if I want the pull that light?

The two piece floor plate and 3rd action screw...what the heck's with that?


And lastly, does anyone have any of these New Haven CRF....do they shoot?
thanks for any responses
 
I have owned both a 270 Win and a 300wm in the stainless New Haven Winchesters both were great rifles, only sold because I have a 270 Brno and I wanted a 338wm.
 
I have the Classic Stainless in 30-06 with the New Haven ID.It's a solid MOA rifle to 300yds which is as far as I have shot it.It's on the heavy side,but a nice rifle IMO.I adjusted the trigger to 4lbs,and no issues.As I recall there was more than a single screw to adjust.I'm not a Mod 70 expert,I had wanted one for many years,and have no complaints.Killed me a big ole 6x6 elk in BC with it a couple years ago,so now it's the best rifle ever.
GJ
 
Winchester rifles have to be taken on a case by case basis and all used rifles can use a little extra suspicion. There's always been some great ones, some not so great and some that are probably good enough for someone else. I'm absolutely convinced that the latest manufacture have had their game bumped up a notch or three, but that doesn't make all the earlier ones bad.

How they will shoot usually has more to do with the ammo than the rifle. I'd be more concerned about feeding with the WSM. There are plenty that are less than inspiring in that area.
 
I had a New Haven CRF and loved the gun. It shot as well as ANY CRF gun I have ever owned. Like said above, the only thing I'd be worried about is feeding issues. I do not own a WSM but have 3 different friends with one each. They ALL say that the guns DON'T FEED WELL when the bolt is racked at slow or "normal" speed, but feed OK when they rack the bolt fast. None of those 3 guns are a CRF, so that might be a moot point with CRF. I think if there is no issue feeding, then you have a winner.
I believe that you will have trouble getting that trigger down to 3lbs without a gunsmith. Aftermarket will be your huckleberry.
 
The old style trigger is a marvel of simplicity and easy to set for weight and over-travel. A trained ape could get it working in the unlikely event that you got it so dirty that it would not function. Most are plenty good enough with a simple setting, or worst case stoning by a gunsmith, but it will never be a Jewel no matter what you do. Nor does it need to be.
 
Ok thanks. I have cycled it quite a bit now with snap caps and dummy handloads and it seems to work fine. All in all the action feels pretty tight.
Sounds like I should try and work with the trigger I have.....simplicity is good
 
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