I have a pre-64 Model 70 30-06 made (I think?) in about 1948. It weighs more than my Chevy pickup but it still is capable of shooting 1/4 -1/2 minute of angle with Nosler Partitions. I love it.
I also shoot a 30 year old Featherweight XTR which shoots the same as above. I love it too!
Next I have a spanking new A-Bolt Stainless Stalker 25-06. Again it shoots same as above or maybe even the best of the three.I love this one also and it killed the number three Caribou in Manitoba last fall instantly with one shot. I can't fathom where the "sloppy bolt" comes in. Mine seems crisp as hell and I really like the 60 degree bolt throw.
Now, I did buy one of the last of the New Haven Model 70 Featherweight 243WSSM's two years ago and the accuracy was awful. It is gone now and I am very wary of any of the short magnums.
All in all though, I was at Wholesale Sports in Winnipeg today and handled one of the new Model 70's in 30-06 and now I am really deeply in love but it has to be a 270.(For heavens sake don't tell my wife what I aqm up to because she thinks I have enough guns!!)
Folks who buy a new version Model 70 can't go wrong but I can find no fault at all with A-Bolts either.
Anybody who does buy a new Model 70, especially a standard calibre, please tell us how well it shoots!!
