The eternal 70 Vs 700 debate..

ShrtRnd

ShrtRnd

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Like most, I’ve owned other makes (Weatherby VG2, Browning ABolt, Tikka T3’s & Savage 110/116’s) over the years, but never a Mod 70. However.. lately I’ve been drawn to want to try a M70 in some flavour (prob a FW model).

Barring any of either makes past manufacturing history issues or bringing up any other make/particular model or caliber.. What draws one to one or the other and bemoans the other? Is it like a Chevy Vs Ford thing?
 
I think I like the 70 over the 700… not sure why, I never owned either or! The old 70’s and the new 70’s(CRF) look better made than the 700 to me!
 
ShrtRnd said:
Like most, I’ve owned other makes (Weatherby VG2, Browning ABolt, Tikka T3’s & Savage 110/116’s) over the years, but never a Mod 70. However.. lately I’ve been drawn to want to try a M70 in some flavour (prob a FW model).

Barring any of either makes past manufacturing history issues or bringing up any other make/particular model or caliber.. What draws one to one or the other and bemoans the other? Is it like a Chevy Vs Ford thing?
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Had a 700 Mtn in 30-06, and a 70 Featherweight in the same, and also numerous of each model in other chamberings and only hated one of them.

Best to Best comparison, the Winchester is just a much prettier rifle, with glossier finishes and nicer details. You could find a 700 to match those more or less if that's all. There's something mystical of course about a CRF rifle, you sort of feel like Jack a little bit more or something. The CRF 70 seemed less forgiving of sloppy bolt work, so you felt a little bit like Jeff too.

My 70's were a little harder to find the good load for, but all passed my test with the same accuracy as any of the Rems, once I found that load. IDK why that is?

Worries about extractors or brazed bolt heads vs CRF and forged is mostly something nobody will ever wonder about in person. ETA: I also prefer hinged bottom metal, few of my 700's had detachable mags.

I'd have either any time, but I'd pay more for a Winchester Model 70 because of that IDK what factor.

ETA: I'm saying the last time I checked there were a couple of 70 FW on the EE, and you should try one, hate it, take my peace offering of 50 cents on the dollar by way of apologizing for steering you wrong, and let me get it out of your sight.
 
ShrtRnd said:
Is it like a Chevy Vs Ford thing?
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To some it might be, but there are many factors that make the M70 superior, especially the old ones (pre-MOA trigger)

Simplicity and reliability are hard to quantify.

Only downside of the M70 in my mind is weight.

-3pos safety blocks the firing pin

-2nd position allows tooless bolt takedown

-flat bottom receiver with integral lug

-claw extractor and mechanical ejector are as reliable as it gets

In my mind, 700 only wins when it comes to weight and accessories
 
I’ve had 3 or 4 700s over the years and none stuck around. Nothing wrong with them but didn’t hold my attention either. A few years ago I got my first M70 and I’m definitely hooked. It was a push feed featherweight 270. I no longer have it as I really have no need for a 270 but I have 2 others now. Everything just feels smoother with the M70 vs the 700. Bolt travel and magazine functionality especially. I’ve never used a crf and they are supposed to be even better.
 
Really not convinced that a claw extractor is by nature inherently more reliable than a good push feed, like a Sako TRG, Tikka, AI. Especially the Winchester 70 Classics from New Haven.

But I do think they handle nicer than a 700, fit me a bit better (without having to spend money on custom stocks) and I do like the simpler trigger even if I kinda prefer the pull on a good, well set-up enclosed trigger better. Which I do think can be plenty reliable enough (again, Tikka/Sako/AI). The 70 trigger is definitely more failsafe than a 700, and better than the X-Mark or newer Timney nonadjustables.

Overall tho, besides the handling/fit and being (doesn't matter most of the time in most places) tougher and more reliable than a Rem 700, I kinda just sentimentally like 70s.
 
About 40 years back I bought my first rifle , I had no idea what was what so I based my opinion on looks/ price range.
I ended up with a Winchester, I always thought the 700 was more in line with Savage.
 
For most guys it probably is like a ford vs chevy thing.
If CRF action is important to you then the only choice is m70.
If you research the manufacturing process though you will see a lot of differences. 700 has round action with the recoil lug being seperate, wedged between the barrel and the action. 700 has multiple pieces brazed together to make the bolt.... 70 has flat bottomed action with recoil lug machined into it, and 70 has one piece bolt.
No doubt the 70 costs more to manufacture.
Each model has had bad years of production as well. Remington was crap from around 2008? until they went bankrupt. The earlier 700's were good accurate rifles. Winchester quality went down from around 2004? until they went under as well.
I think the best 70's were the CRF classic series that were made in the early to mid 1990's because they had the good old style trigger and the smoothest actions. Find yourself a classic with a G prefix serial number, and a 5 digit or 6 digit serial number and you will never desire a 700 again.
 
Cost and history aside, I think the only real-world advantage of the M700 platform is the prevalence of aftermarket for it. The Model 70 is better in pretty well every way I can think of, but your options for stocks, triggers, bottom metal, etc. is sorely limited by comparison to its Remington counterpart.
 
SomebodyTookMyName said:
Cost and history aside, I think the only real-world advantage of the M700 platform is the prevalence of aftermarket for it. The Model 70 is better in pretty well every way I can think of, but your options for stocks, triggers, bottom metal, etc. is sorely limited by comparison to its Remington counterpart.
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If your use is precision shooting of whatever flavour, the 700 is much easier to accurize according to gunsmiths. It's obviously orders of magnitude more popular there, and it's easier to clone for those real Gucci rifle shops.

Remington designed a more cost effective/efficient way to build a good rifle that does a great job, similar to a William fellow who did so with a brand the OP didn't want us to mention. They're different for sure, and of all the ones I've had, the very nicest Remingtons and Bill's guns were as nicely finished as my 70FW, which was a CRF Classic model from New Haven I thought, IDK the build date, but it was beautiful, accurate and totally a pleasure.

Depending on your history, the Winchester name might have more cachet, or maybe the Remington.
 
In two locking lug actions the original 700 enclosed extractor system make the 700 the strongest, safest bolt action ever made. It is a far superior action for those experimenting with hand loading.
I have owned Mauser's, Model 70's, older Sako's, various Browning's and Remington 600's and 700's. Ever since the 700's came out they have set the standard for accuracy to this day.
I much prefer the 700's.
 
guntech said:
In two locking lug actions the original 700 enclosed extractor system make the 700 the strongest, safest bolt action ever made. It is a far superior action for those experimenting with hand loading.
I have owned Mauser's, Model 70's, older Sako's, various Browning's and Remington 600's and 700's. Ever since the 700's came out they have set the standard for accuracy to this day.
I much prefer the 700's.
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Where do you think you can expect a stock 70 to bottom out in terms of achievable accuracy with say nothing more than removing the hot glue gun bedding and redoing it properly?

Sub MOA for a 5 shot seems very doable and like something one would have every right to expect. But I understand some people want more accuracy than is needed to hunt, it wouldn't be my first choice for chasing that either....but curious

Same with someone doing something that has an above average chance of becoming dangerous to the firer
 
Even hot glued factory bedding seems to work well... it just breaks down within a few years.
Most factory rifles shoot pretty good these days. I expect most of them are capable of sub moa.
I have seen several factory 700's shoot factory ammo in the mid .300's.
With a good barrel properly installed and the bedding done right I would expect a lot of 1/2 minute groups on pretty well any action today.
 
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