Winchester Model 70 Safari Express - American vs Portugal assembles rifle quality

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Loosehead

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G'day. I've learnt that the new(west), FN-made models assembled in Portugal are universally considered the "best" of all including the pre-1964 versions. But they were making some good ones before production moved offshore.
Question: is it worth holding out for and spending more on a new one? What are some things I need to look out for with the previous generation?
I'm looking at the Winchester as I already have one chambered in .270 so am comfortable with the platform. FWIW, CZ-550 is another option but I've yet to handle one of those - but I have a CZ LRP in .22LR wot I love so if I cannot get a model 70 I'd consider a CZ-550.
Thanks in advance.

EDIT - TITLE SHOUD READ "AMERICAN MADE VS PORTUGAL ASSEMBLED RIFLE QUALITY"
 
I have handled and shot one assembled in Portugal, it's a nice balanced rifle.
The fit and Finnish was very nice, not sure how it compares to an American made one though.
 
The new ones are excellent. I've had the "pre-'64" style American-made featherweight (late 90's? in 6.5x55mm, sold for an engagement ring) and a current Browning Viana-made featherweight in .270 Win and the current one had a much higher standard of fit and finish, nicer wood, better recoil pad, smoother feeding and cycling, and a more positive safety. It wasn't very light though so I let it go.

Bear in mind my sample size is one of each. And the only Model 70 I still have is a push-feed from the early 90's.
 
Thanks for the replies. While the new ones are “better”, I don’t think by much. The model 70s made in South Carolina were manufactured to ISO9001 standards and that plant is a major supplier to the US military. They seemed to have some initial supplier issues but they resolved those. Fingers crossed, I get a good one! Mine (well, soon to be mine…) was made in 2012.
Now, I have fingers and toes crossed it arrives in time for the ORA intro day next week :)
 
I prefer the New Haven versions. Look less mass produced.
I have a beauty NH 338win supergrade red pad terrific wood rifle I took to Africa a long time ago. It’s a hard act to follow and I unfairly judge the new ones against it. No comparison.
 
Loosehead said:
Thanks for the replies. While the new ones are “better”, I don’t think by much. The model 70s made in South Carolina were manufactured to ISO9001 standards and that plant is a major supplier to the US military. They seemed to have some initial supplier issues but they resolved those. Fingers crossed, I get a good one! Mine (well, soon to be mine…) was made in 2012.
Now, I have fingers and toes crossed it arrives in time for the ORA intro day next week :)
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Todays Winchester model 70, hence the takeover by FN Herstal of Belgium, is the best made. Sure the pre 1964's were well made, however they are terribly over valued and priced. With French and American walnut stocks, accompanied with great function, fit and finish, a hunter cannot error on the purchase of this rifle in today's market.
 
The M70 is a terrific gun, accurate, great fit and finish and feels Lively in the hands and at the shoulder. The 550 is a good gun, decent fit & finish and handles like a 2x4. No comparison, the M70 wins. You say that you recently "found out" that the Portugal rifles are "the best." I do not know where you heard that, but in my experience they are all pretty good, where the gun was manufactured or "assembled" would not be the deciding factor for me on an M70 destined for hunting greatness.
 
The American made rifles from roughly 2008-2012/13 are South Carolina built and generally are exceptional. Nothing wrong with the current generation of Portuguese rifles either. Either way you’d be in good shape!
 
meatsticks said:
The American made rifles from roughly 2008-2012/13 are South Carolina built and generally are exceptional. Nothing wrong with the current generation of Portuguese rifles either. Either way you’d be in good shape!
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Thx! That's what I guessed once I learned about the SC plant. I find out tomorrow! Have to book a lane for after work :):):)
 
track said:
Todays Winchester model 70, hence the takeover by FN Herstal of Belgium, is the best made. Sure the pre 1964's were well made, however they are terribly over valued and priced. With French and American walnut stocks, accompanied with great function, fit and finish, a hunter cannot error on the purchase of this rifle in today's market.
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Add to this 1) some years were better than others and 2) the premium people are willing to pay on these has brought a lot of fakes to the market so you have to be extra careful.

hoytcanon said:
The M70 is a terrific gun, accurate, great fit and finish and feels Lively in the hands and at the shoulder. The 550 is a good gun, decent fit & finish and handles like a 2x4. No comparison, the M70 wins. You say that you recently "found out" that the Portugal rifles are "the best." I do not know where you heard that, but in my experience they are all pretty good, where the gun was manufactured or "assembled" would not be the deciding factor for me on an M70 destined for hunting greatness.
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This was a consensus opinion by some (imho) decent writers - hence met use of quotes for "better". "Better" how? For what? What is important is that the component quality is there with fit and finish being consistently high.

I'm still new to the hobby so not familiar with too many rifle platforms. I own a 1964 m70 in .270Win (first model year for the push feed version) and like how it handles and shoots. I also own 2 CMS - a CZ Shadow 2 and a CZ-457 LRP. Both are really nice. The LRP was a step up from my first rifle, a Savage (Cooey) .22lr, the Shadow 2 was my first restricted. Based on those, I'd have expected the CZ550 to sound a bit more refined - I have still not shot one. FWIW, I've fired a Tikka at mat range (in .270 and 30-06) and those were nice too - the Tikka kicked far less than my m70 I thought at that time but I've since gotten comfortable with the m70.

Dogleg said:
I’ve done a fair bit of huntng and shooting with both the M70 and 550. Theres no contest,’get the M70.
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I did :)

Buckmastr said:
I prefer the New Haven versions. Look less mass produced.
I have a beauty NH 338win supergrade red pad terrific wood rifle I took to Africa a long time ago. It’s a hard act to follow and I unfairly judge the new ones against it. No comparison.
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Looking down the road I reckon a .338Win is in my future the I am ready to hunt an area that'll need 250+ yard shots and larger game. That or a 300 Winmag.

Thanks again for the opinions and comments, I'm confident I got a good gun at a fair price. Should be here tomorrow then off to the range tomorrow night.
 
I wonder about the quality of the latter pre 64 model 70, since the tooling was pretty worn out when they stopped making them. The current ones made either at the FN plant from 2008 - 2013 and currently at the Browning Viana plant in Portugal are very nice rifles. The model 70 action is still made at the FN plant in Southern Carolina, since they produce the hammer forged barrels for the model 70 and the different machine guns they produce. The model 70 and the Browning BAR are I believe the only firearms sold under the Browning and Winchester brands that have hammer forged barrels, since the barrels produced at the Vania plant are I believe button rifled, also the same is true for the Miroku Japan made Browning rifles. The Browning BAR barrels I believe are made by Herstal and sent to the Viana plant for final assembly, the same as the model 70
 
reomack said:
I have a 90s version, the one with controlled round feed (classic) and until I replaced the factory bedding it wouldn't shoot better then 3 moa. Since redoing the bedding it shoots inside an inch ar 100 yds. Fit and finish are quite good.
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Pretty wild that they left the factory with a squirt of hot glue under the lug.
 
Modern model 70s are awesome firearms. I've seen Alaskans and feather weights, and the fit and finish is top not. Honestly you couldn't ask for a better rifle then a fn herstal model 70 out of Portugal. They still have that old world build quality feel, while being made with high end fn barrels and modern machining. They get a 10/10 from me and I personally think everyone shouldld have at least one.
 
Loving my Portugal made CRF .243 Compact Featherweight… I’ve owned and customized (heavy bull barrels) many push feeds over the decades. Loved every single one of them. Not a single Winnie Model 70 I did not get along with!


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Now it’s just a matter of…. Can I hold it steady enough for that coyote?? Ha ha ha ha :wave:

Peace Be The Journey!


:cheers:

Barney!!
 

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