Opinions on winchester model 70 featherlight

newtonator

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As the title states. I'm am looking for your opinions on this gun. I was handling it the other day and really liked it.I would like to hear your opinions the good the bad and the ugly
thanks in advance
Mike
 
My son purchased one for his girlfriend and it is a very well made and finished rifle. I set the trigger up a bit for him and the rifle TRULY shoots sub 1", 4 shot groups @ 100 mtrs. Its a 308 using 150 Nos solid base bullets (I have a stash of 1500 or so) and RL 15 I believe. She used this little sweetheart to terminate 2 black bears last Fri eve with no problem what-so-ever. It is one of the nicest rifles available today, under a grand.
If you're thinking of buying one I highly recommend them, FWIW.
 
I bought a new FWT in 270 wsm. Not sure why they call it featherweight. It's not light and the stock feels clunky. It didnt feed properly with a full magazine and the wood wasn't inlet properly and the bolt wouldn't come out due to the bolt release binding inside the stock. I expect more for under a grand.

My .02
 
IMO one of the best deals in modern firearms. Great crf action. Nice balance and point ability. 22 inch barrel is not the lightest, not the heaviest. Fit and finish are above par. Scope mounting options are excellent. Nice to look at too.
 
I bought a new FWT in 270 wsm. Not sure why they call it featherweight. It's not light and the stock feels clunky. It didnt feed properly with a full magazine and the wood wasn't inlet properly and the bolt wouldn't come out due to the bolt release binding inside the stock. I expect more for under a grand.

My .02
I purchased the exact same rifle and couldn't be happier!
Functions Flawlessly, and absolutely beautiful looking!
One of best values out there IMO!
Buy one you won't be disappointed!

P.S.
They shoulder just lovely! :)
 
The Featherweights point like a shotgun for me. So much so that I question whether trying any other pattern of stock in a McMillan replacement would yield a better ergonomic. All I have to do is look at a target, bring the rifle up and the scope is right there, no repositioning required.
 
I bought a new FWT in 270 wsm. Not sure why they call it featherweight. It's not light and the stock feels clunky. It didnt feed properly with a full magazine and the wood wasn't inlet properly and the bolt wouldn't come out due to the bolt release binding inside the stock. I expect more for under a grand.

My .02

WOW that's unfortunate, you got a Monday morning version maybe. All the ones I've looked at have been well above average in fit, finish and function.
I must say though, from the probably dozen I've handled and the one my son purchased this would be the exception rather than the norm with this rifle.
 
WOW that's unfortunate, you got a Monday morning version maybe. All the ones I've looked at have been well above average in fit, finish and function.
I must say though, from the probably dozen I've handled and the one my son purchased this would be the exception rather than the norm with this rifle.



I had bought a new extreme weather just prior to the FWT that also had issues. Had tool marks in the chamber that would cause spiral indentations on my brass and it has a series or circular scratches one inch from the crown. These two examples really put me off the new "awesome" winchesters they were supposedly building. Two Monday guns? Not taking another chance anyways.
 
WOW that's unfortunate, you got a Monday morning version maybe. All the ones I've looked at have been well above average in fit, finish and function.
I must say though, from the probably dozen I've handled and the one my son purchased this would be the exception rather than the norm with this rifle.

Same here, that's a bizarre experience. Every one I've handled and the one that I owned were absolutely exceptional. Literally twice the rifle for the same money as most other things on the market. I have a sneaking suspicion we have a bit of "internet" going on here, as quick research shows kman300's a Weatherby Vanguard owner/fan, Savage, and Tikka chap.
 
Same here, that's a bizarre experience. Every one I've handled and the one that I owned were absolutely exceptional. Literally twice the rifle for the same money as most other things on the market. I have a sneaking suspicion we have a bit of "internet" going on here, as quick research shows kman300's a Weatherby Vanguard owner/fan, Savage, and Tikka chap.

Not sure what the internet told you Ardent. I don't have any savage guns, had a tikka 695 some years ago. Was a good gun. I have a vanguard s2 in a mcmillan stock. It's a nice rifle too. Have several other guns as well. Not sure what the point of your post was.

Here are some pics of the brass that came out of the extreme weather chamber.

IMG_0519.jpg


IMG_0520.jpg
 
OP asked about the Featherlight, not the Featherweight, two different models. Featherlight is a ADL style McMillan synthetic stock,with a pencil weight bbl. The two I have had were in 270 (since rebarreled ) and 300 Win Mag. Lighter than the Featherweight, they are good hunting guns. - dan
 
I have a sneaking suspicion we have a bit of "internet" going on here

It's just as "internet" of you to imply that kman300 is embelishing his experience with brand "X" of rifle.
The new FN made 70's are a decent rifle, but it certainly doesn't mean problems can't show up here and there.

The "Featherweight" I owned in .270 was a tank , one of the biggest misnomers in the firearms industry. The marketing team saw me coming a mile away!.
I personally found it rather underwhelming, it fed and went bang, but so do the majority of "Rugeremchesters" I've owned at any one time.
No personal experience with the Featherlight model.
 
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I have seen posts on other forums that new M70's had chamber issues, and some had warped stocks, barrel touching on one side and 1/8 gap on the other, etc. They are not the be-all-end-all, but are still a good value compared to most.

OP asked about the Featherlight, not the Featherweight, two different models. Featherlight is a ADL style McMillan synthetic stock,with a pencil weight bbl. The two I have had were in 270 (since rebarreled ) and 300 Win Mag. Lighter than the Featherweight, they are good hunting guns. - dan

I was thinking M70 Winlite when I saw the title...

pop_wm_3027153.jpg
 
I have seen posts on other forums that new M70's had chamber issues, and some had warped stocks, barrel touching on one side and 1/8 gap on the other, etc. They are not the be-all-end-all, but are still a good value compared to most.



I was thinking M70 Winlite when I saw the title...

pop_wm_3027153.jpg

I dig the look of that one Blargon, what does it weigh as pictured?
 
Not sure what the internet told you Ardent. I don't have any savage guns, had a tikka 695 some years ago. Was a good gun. I have a vanguard s2 in a mcmillan stock. It's a nice rifle too. Have several other guns as well. Not sure what the point of your post was.

Here are some pics of the brass that came out of the extreme weather chamber.

IMG_0519.jpg


IMG_0520.jpg

Colour me wrong, that's as definitive as it gets. Shame as I've had my best experiences in production guns with late Winchesters. I'd come to the opinion Winchesters were no completely "safe" these days as a buy- clearly they all screw up and I was wrong.
 
My comments refer to the featherweight. I have one in .243. Well made and finished gun for the money. Will shoot consistant 1" five shot groups with 70gr. BT Noslers, at times a little tighter when I work at it.

Trigger pull was factory set at 4.5 lb. I adjusted it down to 3 as per owners manual instructions. Not rocket science. Hardest part is getting the factory epoxy off the adjustment screws.

As for weight, there are lighter rifles (Kimber) but it weighs less than a super grade M-70.

I would not hesitate in buying another M-70.
 
featherweights

I have handled alot of the older made in new haven guns. The shape of the stock is nice. They point like a shotgun. The fn models have changed in the grip area they now fell kinda clunky and heavy.
 
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