Winchester Model 70, a few questions
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
Thats the plan. Im trying to find one in Ontario and am touching base with a couple local shops. If I cant find one cheaper than $1400 than ill end up buying one of them from out West.
I'll throw in my 2 cents. I spent a lot of time researching and handling Model 70's before I purchased mine. I wanted wood stock and blued.
The sporter would be a good platform for a build if you can find one used, but the quality of the bluing is nowhere near as nice as the others.
The featherweight was a very close second choice for me. I found a couple that had unusually nice stocks and the bluing is excellent on these. I likes the light weight and handiness. If you can find one lightly used, that would be a great value. I think the best price I found for a new one was on sale for around $1,100.
The Super Grade is a great choice. They have nicer wood, ebony tip, deep bluing, and 24" barrel which I think balances better. Some have OK wood, but I found a few that were gorgeous. Again, finding a lightly used one would be a great choice. I think the price difference over a featherweight is worth it. You get other nicer features like better bottom metal, grip cap, crossbolt, two-screw sling swivels, etc. They are definitely not as light, but are great sporting rifles with very good balance.
I ended up getting a French Walnut Super Grade. I found one I liked that was on sale and jumped on it. Heavier than a featherweight, but worth it IMO. When I do a Sheep hunt, then I'll get a super light rifle lol.
These are super smooth and refined rifles. The MOA trigger is a great upgrade, regardless of what people say about the old triggers. For the price, I don't think there is a nicer classic sporting rifle available. If you want something stainless/synthetic, then possibly another manufacturer, but the stainless Model 70's are also fantastic.
The sporter would be a good platform for a build if you can find one used, but the quality of the bluing is nowhere near as nice as the others.
The featherweight was a very close second choice for me. I found a couple that had unusually nice stocks and the bluing is excellent on these. I likes the light weight and handiness. If you can find one lightly used, that would be a great value. I think the best price I found for a new one was on sale for around $1,100.
The Super Grade is a great choice. They have nicer wood, ebony tip, deep bluing, and 24" barrel which I think balances better. Some have OK wood, but I found a few that were gorgeous. Again, finding a lightly used one would be a great choice. I think the price difference over a featherweight is worth it. You get other nicer features like better bottom metal, grip cap, crossbolt, two-screw sling swivels, etc. They are definitely not as light, but are great sporting rifles with very good balance.
I ended up getting a French Walnut Super Grade. I found one I liked that was on sale and jumped on it. Heavier than a featherweight, but worth it IMO. When I do a Sheep hunt, then I'll get a super light rifle lol.
These are super smooth and refined rifles. The MOA trigger is a great upgrade, regardless of what people say about the old triggers. For the price, I don't think there is a nicer classic sporting rifle available. If you want something stainless/synthetic, then possibly another manufacturer, but the stainless Model 70's are also fantastic.
Good idea, I’d love to give my mother in law a gun that goes off on its own….problem solved.
Don't know much about Rems but is it not the 700 that the bolt will open when locked and loaded and on SAFE? Am I mistaken??
Thanks for the detailed response, thats a beautiful rifle you picked up. Im hoping ill get to see a few examples in person and handle them myself before pulling the trigger. That's why im really hoping a local Ontario retailer gets some in stock.I'll throw in my 2 cents. I spent a lot of time researching and handling Model 70's before I purchased mine. I wanted wood stock and blued.
The sporter would be a good platform for a build if you can find one used, but the quality of the bluing is nowhere near as nice as the others.
The featherweight was a very close second choice for me. I found a couple that had unusually nice stocks and the bluing is excellent on these. I likes the light weight and handiness. If you can find one lightly used, that would be a great value. I think the best price I found for a new one was on sale for around $1,100.
The Super Grade is a great choice. They have nicer wood, ebony tip, deep bluing, and 24" barrel which I think balances better. Some have OK wood, but I found a few that were gorgeous. Again, finding a lightly used one would be a great choice. I think the price difference over a featherweight is worth it. You get other nicer features like better bottom metal, grip cap, crossbolt, two-screw sling swivels, etc. They are definitely not as light, but are great sporting rifles with very good balance.
I ended up getting a French Walnut Super Grade. I found one I liked that was on sale and jumped on it. Heavier than a featherweight, but worth it IMO. When I do a Sheep hunt, then I'll get a super light rifle lol.
These are super smooth and refined rifles. The MOA trigger is a great upgrade, regardless of what people say about the old triggers. For the price, I don't think there is a nicer classic sporting rifle available. If you want something stainless/synthetic, then possibly another manufacturer, but the stainless Model 70's are also fantastic.
From the prices im seeing online it looks like the Supergrade commands about a $1000 premium ($2,500?).
My FIL is great and all but I need to save some of this years gun budget for myself haha.
The normal Super Grade is a few hundred more than the featherweight ($1,200 up to $1,750) . The French Walnut Super Grade is about $1,000 more than the featherweight ($1,200 up to $2,250 or $2,500).
Not saying it will be the best choice for him, just wanted to lay out the added benefits of each.
Not saying it will be the best choice for him, just wanted to lay out the added benefits of each.
Your really can’t go wrong with a model 70 featherweight in 30-06. They are one of the finest factory hunting rifles ever produced, and imho always have been except for a few unfortunate years. Even the push feed XTR’s are very nice rifles, and generally shooters. Its a classic firearm and a nice complement to a Winchester lever gun!
Shooter_01
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Durham Region, Ontario
Agreed. I have a South Carolina made FTW in .243 and it’s my favourite rifle. They’re beautiful!
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have two older push feed Model 70 rifles - made in mid and late 1970's - take a look at the little tab that holds the bolt shroud in place. On both of mine, I have had to replace - not a very snug fit - very tiny engagement - so when opening the bolt, the shroud would rotate and not allow the bolt to be closed. I do not know if that has been addressed on the modern production or not - but worth to look at. I have a made-in 1955 Winchester Model 70 that has the same set-up - but that one appears to continue to work fine. Numrich refers to the part as a "bolt sleeve lock".
Y'all need to be using arsenalforce.ca to check inventory and prices - currently up to 40 retailers in Canada!
Shhh! We're not supposed to tell people about the push-feed Winchesters! they are great rifles but don't let the secret out! super cheap on the EE!
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
I had a few of the newer Model70's over the years - Super nice guns. I used Leupold standard bases and rings without any issues and I generally use that combo on the majority of my guns. As for scopes, depends on the area you are hunting but a leupold 2-7 or 3-9 is always a good thing. If in thick bush mostly then a 1-4 or 1.5-5 is nice. I have a 1.5-6 B&L Balvar on my 06 for northern Ontario with Leupold QD mounts in case it starts pouring rain and I'm far away from camp.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Honestly, if what he wants is a quality rifle I would say that you would be better off buying him a Pre64 Model 70. It will cost you every bit as a newly made one, but what you are buying is essentially a hand fit and finished rifle. This isn't a knock about newly manufactured rifles as by all reports the new production Model 70s are extremely well built and shoot very well. I would just be more inclined to buy him a Pre64 for it's classic status and quality of build. As a bonus, you could find one that was made in 1957, the year that he was born, say something between serial numbers 393775 (DOM Jan 3, '57) and 423751 (DOM Dec 6, '57...maybe a bit higher number as 425492 was made Jan 7, '58). Frankly I think that extra effort would make it worthwhile and a little more meaningful. I know that if someone gave me a 1978 Bronco I would find a lot more symbolism than if it was a 2022 Bronco. I would appreciate both, but maybe I'm just more appreciative of nostalgia than others.
Agree. It would make a more meaningful gift, in my eyes. - dan
That would have also been a good idea but I ended up going new. I've heard nothing but praise for the fit and finish on the new production M70's and this man has never bought a new rifle in his life. This will be a first.
I think he'll be a happy camper either way. That's a neat idea regarding the serial numbers, I might do something similar and get it engraved with some memento.
