The eternal 70 Vs 700 debate..
- Thread starter ShrtRnd
- Start date
For a hunting rifle I far prefer a CRF M70 over a 700. I have had a number of 700's and they didn't suck too much but will never be as satisfying as a M70. Mostly it's the little things- 700's have been around a long time with many satisfied users, I just think there are better hunting rifles.
I’ve got a pile of CRF M70s, and about as many that must have been scared by a M70. My 700 pile is somewhat bigger, and bigger yet when you count the clones. I must like them all since I still have them.
I have noticed a trend with the two groups in my own use. When I go shooting it usually with a 700 or something that has more than a passing resemblance to one. When I go hunting it seems like the M70s and the like usually go with me.
It’s not an absolute situation; and admit than in my case the line between hunting and shooting gets a little blurry; but the general pattern persists.
If you want it to shoot; M700.
If you want it to work: M70.
I have noticed a trend with the two groups in my own use. When I go shooting it usually with a 700 or something that has more than a passing resemblance to one. When I go hunting it seems like the M70s and the like usually go with me.
It’s not an absolute situation; and admit than in my case the line between hunting and shooting gets a little blurry; but the general pattern persists.
If you want it to shoot; M700.
If you want it to work: M70.
That's a pretty good synopsis. - dan
^ Funny thing.
I'm completely the opposite of Dogleg.
I take the M70's out to play with and admire, but too pretty to go hunting.
I take the M700's hunting, cuz they are more accurate and I'm not worried about handling them.
I'm completely the opposite of Dogleg.
I take the M70's out to play with and admire, but too pretty to go hunting.
I take the M700's hunting, cuz they are more accurate and I'm not worried about handling them.
I’ve been around here long enough to notice more stock/semi-custom 700’s over 70’s, but also noticed that those that make the 70 recommendation on a thread really like them alot.
Which had me wondering what the differences might be on a personal level are as opposed to actual side-by-side specs ie; comparative models like a 700 Mtn vs 70 FW etc.
I guess the same could be said for those that offer an alternative (insert make here) over a 70/700 I suppose, but wanted to focus on these two specifically.
Which had me wondering what the differences might be on a personal level are as opposed to actual side-by-side specs ie; comparative models like a 700 Mtn vs 70 FW etc.
I guess the same could be said for those that offer an alternative (insert make here) over a 70/700 I suppose, but wanted to focus on these two specifically.
Way back when I started buying guns and reloading, I stumbled onto Remingtons. They all shot and I used them for a few years. Then I hit on Winchesters. No Remingtons since. For tactical guys or other competitive shooters yes Remingtons are tough to beat. Hunting guns, Winchester for sure.
Like I mentioned previously, it's the little things that make the difference to me for a hunting rifle. Both of them have an action, stock and barrel. Both are more than accurate enough for any hunting situation you may find yourself in. When operating properly both feed, extract and eject and load another round. Both actions are more than strong enough to do their jobs.
Why I like the M70 more is : CRF. There is less opportunity for a operator induced failure. Trigger is simpler and less inclined to get gunked up. 3 position safety. Big blade extractor gives positive extraction when things are not optimum, like in ugly conditions. Blade extractor makes slow ejection easier to grab your brass. The action itself looks and feels more like quality than just the tube of a 700. That last part is subjective, of course.
I really like the fit finish and feel of a 70, most cases a 70 will hold 1 more round under the bolt. Ie a 70 will hold 5 30-06 under the bolt and a 700 will hold four under the bolt even though loaded ready to hunt they both hold 4+1 just means that spare one round is not lost in a pocket.
The older open trigger of a 70 is imo superior to any 700 trigger. Don’t know about the new MOA trigger.
3 position safety is desirable imo
A 70 is the “rifleman’s rifle” can’t be a “rifleman” with a 700
700’s work just fine and the aftermarket support is unreal. They are just like Lego if your into changing and modifying things.
Pay your money, place your bet and wear out the one that suits you best.
The older open trigger of a 70 is imo superior to any 700 trigger. Don’t know about the new MOA trigger.
3 position safety is desirable imo
A 70 is the “rifleman’s rifle” can’t be a “rifleman” with a 700
700’s work just fine and the aftermarket support is unreal. They are just like Lego if your into changing and modifying things.
Pay your money, place your bet and wear out the one that suits you best.
I mean, when I think of the "ultimate hunting rifle" it's a stainless steel Echols Legend built off a Model 70 receiver, so there's that.
But if we're talking about rifles I can actually afford, I'd have a tough time deciding between a Model 70 Extreme Weather or a Model 700 Alaskan Wilderness Rifle. Kinda splitting hairs when you are getting a good example of either, really. There are a lot of other options out that compete well with either, I'm partial to the Weatherby Vanguard as well as far as guns that tick all my boxes in my price bracket.
I have both Model 70 and Model 700 and use them both in the field and on the range. I've had issues with the extractor on one of my Model 700s. I bought a new one from Western and the problem was resolved. Out of all the 70s and 700s I've owned, that is the only problem I can recall off the top of my head.
But if we're talking about rifles I can actually afford, I'd have a tough time deciding between a Model 70 Extreme Weather or a Model 700 Alaskan Wilderness Rifle. Kinda splitting hairs when you are getting a good example of either, really. There are a lot of other options out that compete well with either, I'm partial to the Weatherby Vanguard as well as far as guns that tick all my boxes in my price bracket.
I have both Model 70 and Model 700 and use them both in the field and on the range. I've had issues with the extractor on one of my Model 700s. I bought a new one from Western and the problem was resolved. Out of all the 70s and 700s I've owned, that is the only problem I can recall off the top of my head.
There are many 700 clones for sure ….But maybe that’s not such a great endorsement of the 700 itself.
And every one of the cut a slot in the third ring of steel. Lol.There are many 700 clones for sure ….But maybe that’s not such a great endorsement of the 700 itself.
P14/M1917 Enfield > all
Smoother action due to kock on close and angled bolt lug nuts.
All parts are forged.
Capable of the .460 weatherby magnum
They're quite similar to Winchester model 70s and Mausers otherwise.
Any innovation since the m1917 has been on how can we make the rifle cheaper.
Smoother action due to kock on close and angled bolt lug nuts.
All parts are forged.
Capable of the .460 weatherby magnum
They're quite similar to Winchester model 70s and Mausers otherwise.
Any innovation since the m1917 has been on how can we make the rifle cheaper.
I've owned two model 70's and it's kinda funny but they were the exact same model and caliber just a bunch of years apart. The first was a classic sporter with BOSS shooting system. I really liked that rifle except for the blast from that muzzle device and is why I sold the first one after a few years of hunting moose and deer. I actually hunted with my no1 mkII enfield for a few years but ended up taking the same model 70 in a trade with a fellow cgn'er as I had an elk hunt that season and wanted a better rifle for the task. Again after 2 seasons, I ended up parting with that model 70 too. Again.... loved the rifle..... hated the boss shooting system.... it worked great for what it was advertised for but never could get over the blast from that thing.
I hunted with other rifles until again in a trade with a fellow gun nut I took a beautiful Ruger M77 MkII 7mm rem mag into the collection. It has been my go to hunting rifle ever since and that is easily over a decade now since that trade..... maybe close to 15 years. During that time I also took a really nice custom stocked rem 700 in 338 win mag in a trade. I actually enjoyed shooting that rifle but it didn't stick around.
I know I don't see the Ruger M77 MkII in this discussion but I wouldn't part with mine , whereas I had no issues parting with the others.....
I hunted with other rifles until again in a trade with a fellow gun nut I took a beautiful Ruger M77 MkII 7mm rem mag into the collection. It has been my go to hunting rifle ever since and that is easily over a decade now since that trade..... maybe close to 15 years. During that time I also took a really nice custom stocked rem 700 in 338 win mag in a trade. I actually enjoyed shooting that rifle but it didn't stick around.
I know I don't see the Ruger M77 MkII in this discussion but I wouldn't part with mine , whereas I had no issues parting with the others.....
