Thoughts on Winchester M70 Sporter & Featherweight

[NorthernPF]

Hey Guys,

After my thread on the rifle and scope packages I thought I would do it right. Everything I've read on the Model 70 has been good but I'd like to know what some real Nutz think about it.

I did a search and didn't really find what I was looking for.

What are you thoughts on the Sporter/Featherweight models?

Thanks!!
Eric

 

[martinbns]

They are nice rifles I have had a couple of standard weight(sporter models) and they are pretty heavy guns for my taste. Winchester calls it a Featherweight, but it's really a standard weight rifle.

The Featherweight has a very nice stock design.

 

[kayaker1]

The FWT is awesome!

By 50 year old standards its light - when rifles were all steel, wood and had 24" barrels an average sporter was around 8lbs naked - like CZ's for example.

I think the FWT is the optimal 'all round sporter'!

 

[NAA]

The FWT is awesome!

+1

I recently acquired one of my firearm 'holy grails'.... a Win 70 F/W in 6.5x55mm Swede. And I'm very happy about that....

Wouldn't mind picking up one in 7x57mm to compliment it down the road, though.

Classic rifle, classic ctgs.....

NAA.

 

[BC Bigbore]

The Model 70 Featherweight is one of my favorite sporting rifles. From the swept back, knurled bolt handle to the fully adjustable trigger, to the sleek stock design with floral checkering and schnabel forend...ahhh. Accurate, dependable, rugged. In a hurry? Toss a shell into the open breech, slam the bolt home and you're in the game. No clips to fumble with or misplace. Weather changes from bluebird to -15C during your hunt? Takes 10 seconds to strip the bolt to the firing pin to clean it off. No tools required. Ain't no misfires due to sluggish firing pins with Model 70's my friends. Want a synthetic stocked, stainless rifle? They make those too. Building a one-of-a-kind rifle? The Winchester Model 70 is one most used actions for the basis of a custom rifle.
Currently I have three Model 70 Featherweights in the vault. A Fwt XTR pushfeed chambered in .270WCF, a Fwt CRF in .270WSM and a Fwt CRF rebarreled to .338-06. One day I'd like to add a classic pre-64 chambered in .300 H&H Magnum to the stable, just because I don't believe you can go wrong with a Winchester Model 70.

 

[shortaction]

There are great rifles. The sporters are a little heavy for my liking. The featherweights fit me very well. I have had great accuracy and function from both.

The biggest draw back for me is that they aren't available with a clip(detachable mag) and I can't seem to find an after market one. I have put up with this for the past few years but I think all my non clip firearms are about to go on the EE?

 

[jk123]

I have a featherweight, its great, Nice and light. I was going to get a sporter on 30-06 but ended up getting a sako in 3006 on a trade. I like both, the sporter is a bit heavy but both nice rifles. The featherweight in probably my favorite of the two, it just feels good to hold onto.

 

[iceclimber]

I own the M70 SuperGrade, and it is a terrific rifle. Yes, a little on the heavier side, but this does not bother me one bit. From the crf, to the safety, and wood quality, I love it. It shoulders well, is accurate as all get out, and is as good a rifle as most without going the custom route. The FWt and sporter should provide you with the same great quality and service>>>>>

 

[roadwarrior]

Here is a link with a few detailed pics of my 2008 Limited Edition Featherweight (300WSM) as I took it out of the box after purchase. Maybe it can help you make up your mind. Me, I would'nt want a more heavy rifle and I really like the slimmer feel of the rifle in hand. I base my comments as compared to my friend's push-feed sporter in 30 06.


http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322637&highlight=featherweight

 

[jbmauser]

I have a FWT in .308 and it is one of my favorite rifles. It handles and points like a dream, and accurate as well. Very well finished, smooth CRF action, three position safety, and no detachable mag. It has all the features I like in a hunting rifle.

 

[mudbug]

A couple days ago I had a couple young kids out shooting at the range and the 13 year old saved up his money and bought himself a stainless featherweight in 270 cal. That has to be one of the nicest looking and really nice feeling rifles out there. He was hitting the 18" gong out at 450yrds with it. He went 5 for 5 off the bench. I know this doesn't show the accuracy potential of the rifle but the kid was pumped. You should have seen his smile the first time he hit it.
The featherweight is now on the "want list" for me...

 

[philthygeezer]

I own the M70 SuperGrade, and it is a terrific rifle. Yes, a little on the heavier side, but this does not bother me one bit. From the crf, to the safety, and wood quality, I love it. It shoulders well, is accurate as all get out, and is as good a rifle as most without going the custom route. The FWt and sporter should provide you with the same great quality and service>>>>>

The supergrade is a sweet rifle. IMO it's probly much more pleasant to shoot with the extra pound of weight.

I had a .270 PF Win 70 once. I never really shot it and when I went to sell it I had got a spanky newish Remington Model Seven in .308. I believed from lots of reading that having a little carbine in a short action would be a far more effective combination. The .308 was supposed to be just as good as a .30-06 and I wanted something the same size as my 10/22.

When I went to sight the rifles in before I sold it, I found the heavier 70 was pleasant to shoot and gave me minute of angle groups. The first few shots with the short, lightweight Seven were snappy and harsh. I couldn't shoot the gun as well as the heavier 70 in .270.

Had I not already made the deal I would have kept that rifle. But I did learn a lesson: weight and length are nice to have.

If I can tote a 7.5-8 pound twelve gauge loaded with slugs all over the earth in case I meet a bear, I can handle an 8-9 pound hunting rifle when shooting a moose or deer is my primary purpose.