Remington 700 vs Winchester M70

I own several of both models. I have a few custom Remingtons and a couple factory Winnie rifles. For ergonomics I prefer the Winchester rifles. Better bolt handle. I prefer the 3 position safety. The cheek weld of my supergrade fits me the nicest. But my custom Remingtons shoot extremely well. In total honesty though, of all of them I prefer the kimber the best. Has all the features of the Winchester I love plus the side mounted bolt release. The worst feature to me if the Remington is the tiny little bolt knob too close to the stock. I prefer the larger Winchester and kimber ball handle a little further out.
 
I own both M70 featherweight and a M700 mountain LSS honestly they are great rifles. The mountain goes out in the crappy weather for hunting and the featherweight gets fair weather hunting days. I'd say buy both and switch they up when you feel like it.
 
Huntin' Gun said:
Well, what advantage does crf really offer? I know the prevailing theories, but in the practical use that I've experienced in the field hunting deer. elk and coyotes, as well as at the range, I've seen no difference between crf and push feed. I've had no more feeding issues or extracting issues for one system vs the other. I've been using both systems for nearly 30 years, and it hasn't made a hill of beans worth of difference. The extractor on R700's is just a little chintzy clip. You'd think if one were to experience an extracting issue it would be with that system. I've had stuck bolts in the R700, and more than once I've (or watched someone else) use a rubber mallet to bang the bolt open. The clip didn't break and the brass came out. Sako style extractors, like on a Tikka, also work fine. The one time I've seen the biggest extraction issue was on one of my dad's guns, which was a Ruger, and it is a crf. It completely failed, and the brass was left stuck. I'm sure there are people in the world who have had the R700 clip extractor fail on them. Just like I've seen a crf system fail. Statistically speaking, anything can happen when you have a large enough sample size. Maybe if I were to go hunting elephant, water buffalo, or lions I might 'think' I need a crf rifle, just because everyone says so, but for non-dangerous game it really doesn't matter either way in my experience.
I've also had a jam (at the worst possible time) with a crf rifle not feeding. So, it can happen to either system.

The crf system is fine, but so is the push-feed system. For myself, I wouldn't select one rifle over the other just based on that one criterion.

I've owned modern crf rifles, like a M70 Extreme Weather SS, and I still didn't like just pushing the round in and having the large extractor snap over the head of the brass. I've tried it, but it scores the brass and it seems to me like the edge of the extractor could still potentially chip. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
I got rid of that particular rifle, but it had nothing to do with the feeding/extracting system. It was too chunky in the pistol grip and I just didn't like the feel of it.

The accuracy and feel of a rifle are much more important than if it is crf or not. I'd far rather have an accurate and comfortable push-feed rifle than a crf rifle that doesn't shoot or doesn't feel good.
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Well written, and I can not disagree with your logic. I bought a new M-70 push feed in 30-06 back in 1973. We went on 30 yrs. of trips together. The rifle always worked never had a an extraction or feed issue. Have only ever shot Rem 700's at a range. I found they were no more accurate than my M-70's. I prefer the features of the M-70 such as the floor plate release and the 3 position safety. the Remington I find does have a better stock design, for my body fit anyways. I prefer the M-70's as I have had many decades of trouble free service from them. I have 4 newer M-70's now, plus one Kimber 8400.
There is nothing wrong with the M-70 push feeds in reliable functioning or accuracy, and you should be able to find very good used ones at reasonable prices.
 
I have a couple of CRF Winchesters, and one push-feed M70. They work fine, and are reasonably accurate.
My CRF 325 WSM is very accurate, in fact.
But my collection has a lot of M700's in it, and they are still my preferred action. Never had an extraction issue
nor a feeding issue. In fact, my M700 Classic in 6.5x55 is on it's third barrel, and has the original clip-type ring
extractor, which works just fine. The 700 classics just fit me well also, and I have several. Dave.
 
Owned and hunted with a win70 classic sporter pre 64 action for many years..... sold it....bought a rem 700 older model .308...... didn't like the safety or the bolt handle..... misssed the winchester so went and found the exact model i sold and hunted with that for a few years..... sold it and got another rem 700 custom this time...... didn't like it either.... just felt wrong for me. Then I did a trade and 1/2 the value came as a nicely worked over (joe dlask) Ruger M77 MK II .... and .... well.... I don't own and winnies or remingtons anymore :evil:
 
There's nothing a Winchester 70 can do that a Remington 700 can't. It really comes down to personal preference. When buying a new rifle there's not really a fair comparison to be made because the M70 is much more expensive. Get them to the same price point, meaning add some upgrades of your choice to the 700, and then it's a fair comparison.

For example, is a Winchester 70 Extreme Weather SS better than a Remington 700 AWR with a Trigger Tech upgrade? You can debate this all your want, they would both be amazing rifles. I'd pick the Remington, and that's entirely based on personal preference.
 
Huntin' Gun said:
Well, what advantage does crf really offer? I know the prevailing theories, but in the practical use that I've experienced in the field hunting deer. elk and coyotes, as well as at the range, I've seen no difference between crf and push feed. I've had no more feeding issues or extracting issues for one system vs the other. I've been using both systems for nearly 30 years, and it hasn't made a hill of beans worth of difference. The extractor on R700's is just a little chintzy clip. You'd think if one were to experience an extracting issue it would be with that system. I've had stuck bolts in the R700, and more than once I've (or watched someone else) use a rubber mallet to bang the bolt open. The clip didn't break and the brass came out. Sako style extractors, like on a Tikka, also work fine. The one time I've seen the biggest extraction issue was on one of my dad's guns, which was a Ruger, and it is a crf. It completely failed, and the brass was left stuck. I'm sure there are people in the world who have had the R700 clip extractor fail on them. Just like I've seen a crf system fail. Statistically speaking, anything can happen when you have a large enough sample size. Maybe if I were to go hunting elephant, water buffalo, or lions I might 'think' I need a crf rifle, just because everyone says so, but for non-dangerous game it really doesn't matter either way in my experience.
I've also had a jam (at the worst possible time) with a crf rifle not feeding. So, it can happen to either system.

The crf system is fine, but so is the push-feed system. For myself, I wouldn't select one rifle over the other just based on that one criterion.

I've owned modern crf rifles, like a M70 Extreme Weather SS, and I still didn't like just pushing the round in and having the large extractor snap over the head of the brass. I've tried it, but it scores the brass and it seems to me like the edge of the extractor could still potentially chip. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
I got rid of that particular rifle, but it had nothing to do with the feeding/extracting system. It was too chunky in the pistol grip and I just didn't like the feel of it.

The accuracy and feel of a rifle are much more important than if it is crf or not. I'd far rather have an accurate and comfortable push-feed rifle than a crf rifle that doesn't shoot or doesn't feel good.
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Thanks for the response! I like to hear from people their reasoning why and it proves my theory that you ask a question and you will get difference response. I use my Remington 700 for target (and used to hunt with a 700 as well) and I had the experience of a round bouncing out of the action during a PRS style drill. It's not a huge deal since it's only ever happened once and I'm sure I caused it. But ever since then I my thinking on the CRF vs push feed discussion has changed.
 
45ACPKING said:
Owned and hunted with a win70 classic sporter pre 64 action for many years..... sold it....bought a rem 700 older model .308...... didn't like the safety or the bolt handle..... misssed the winchester so went and found the exact model i sold and hunted with that for a few years..... sold it and got another rem 700 custom this time...... didn't like it either.... just felt wrong for me. Then I did a trade and 1/2 the value came as a nicely worked over (joe dlask) Ruger M77 MK II .... and .... well.... I don't own and winnies or remingtons anymore :evil:
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Ganderite said:
Owned both. 20 years ago they were Ford and chev. Pick one.

Today, buy Winchester.

If it was me, I would buy a Husky from Tradex.
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Lots of wizzdom here.
No Remgremlingtuns'ear.

Of the two, Winchester would be the flavour.
 
In my experience, the Husky's always seem to have wood cracks at the tang. Just get a Win and worry about other things. (Although, in reality, there is NOTHING wrong with 60's/70's Remingtons)
 
I picked up a M700 sps in 7mm mag recently and for the $800ish it is proving to be an excellent rifle for that money. At the very least a M700 will give you an action and an action, a credit card and a date with a gunsmith will get you any rifle you please.

Edited to add: a lot of m70 customs too but initial cost of an M700 sps is a lot less if your going to strip for an action and go custom route.
 
I have both types and I prefer the m70. Integral lug, bolt is easy to disassemble and the handle won't fall off. A used m70 ew for under $900 is hard to beat. My 300 ew shoots 168ttsx at .6" at 3225fps and weighs less than 8lbs scoped.
 
They are both great rifles. I have owned many of each. If you get the m70 you are pretty much good to go out of the box. You pay more for that. If you buy a 700 stainless, and upgrade stock, maybe trigger you are at about the same price. Maybe a bit less.
I've never had either action fail or had issues with either. I hunt and target shoot with 700 actions 80% of the time.
 
Tough choice. Off the shelf, my preference is for the Winchester 70's Controlled Round Feed but the Remington 700 tends to be easier to build upon in relation to accessibility of aftermarket stocks and parts. Accuracy tends to be reasonable to excellent with both models. After owning many of both, I have only encountered one Rem700 that did not shoot sub MOA, and that was one of the original Titaniums with the chippy barrel that gave me 8-10 MOA.

I like Kimber's lightweight controlled feed action but the accuracy tends to be finicky. Some guys are lucky and have found great shooters without a tailored reload. I worked on a Montana that was terrible and the dealer sent it back. Had another in hand that was Sub MOA with most factory ammo.

I love the Sako AV, 75, and 85. Great actions. I love my growing collection of 85s. Tempted to build a 35Whelen on an AV action.
 
+1 for the 700's of you want to customize it.

The best out of the box is IMO the Win 70. The newer versions are so good, some guys claimed that they are almost as good as pre-64's.
 
Rob101 said:
Thinking about getting a new hunting rifle for next season and I have been tossing around the idea of either the rem700 or winchester m70 both in .308. Just wondering what other forum members have to say about the two rifles. Both of my grandfather's hunted big game with old faithfuls (Enfield no1 mk3's) and my dad with his sporter No4 mk1.

Thanks in advance
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Over the past 18 years, Remington has gone south on it's quality. However, Winchester has gone the opposite direction. Since FN Herstal took control of the reins, their quality has really improved. Yes, purchase the model 70!
 
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