XTR Sporter Magnum versus XTR Sporter

[Potashminer]

So - I am looking at two made-in-1983 Winchester rifles. One has roll stamp on barrel that says "Winchester Model 70 XTR Sporter Magnum 338 Win. Mag." and other one says "Winchester Model 70 XTR Sporter 300 H&H Magnum". So, what was the difference between an "XTR Sporter Magnum" and an "XTR Sporter"? I see many ads on Internet for XTR Sporter in cartridges like 270 Weatherby Magnum, 300 Weatherby Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, etc.; also XTR Sporter Magnum in 7mm Rem Mag and others. Is not clear to me what is the difference. I do not have the "Sporter" in hand - just going from pictures.

 

[Potashminer]

Bumping my own thread - has been up for 10 days - 108 views, and not a single reply. Does anyone know what was the difference between an "XTR Sporter" and an "XTR Sporter Magnum"??

 

[Buckmastr]

Likely just a different name and a few years apart. (?)

 

[Potashminer]

I will verify myself when the "Sporter" arrives - but seller says was made in 1983 - which is when Internet says my "Sporter Magnum" was made. I guess maybe about cost - what does one get or not get with one or the other - if there is a price difference.

 

[MilitaryCollectorMark]

Possibly a different action length?

 

[Potashminer]

Possibly a different action length?

Might be?? But I am maybe hung up on older Mauser 98 terms where the Magnum Mauser was the longer receiver / longer magazine than was the standard length Mauser - so like a 300 H&H Mag, 300 Weatherby Mag, 375 H&H Mag are longer - but I see examples listed for sale in those cartridges as "Sporters" - then the "standard" length (30-06 length) cartridges - say like 7 mm Rem Mag, 338 Win Mag, often seeing those ads (and pictures) as "Sporter Magnums". So maybe Winchester marketing in 1983 did the naming backwards to how Mausers used to be named? Also seeing 6.5x55 XTR Sporter. Maybe was a difference in wood type / wood quality / wood finish or perhaps recoil pad type to make a difference?

Ha! - maybe too obvious - this "XTR Sporter Magnum" has a Monte Carlo comb - the seller's pictures show a straight top (American Classic ?) comb on that "XTR Sporter".

 

[Potashminer]

Getting weirder the more I look - see picture below, stolen from Internet advertisement - neither a "Sporter" nor a "Sporter Magnum" - just "XTR". And I used to own a made-in-1968 Winchester Model 70 (with anti-bind slot) in 375 H&H Magnum that only said "Model 70" - not even "XTR", then. (second picture)

 

[mikeyb]

My first .270 Weatherby was an XTR Sporter and marked as such. Sweet guns! I'm very partial to the push feed Model 70s, fine arms. Well built and nicely finished, even if the stocks weren't the fanciest.

 

[sjstrey]

There’s no practical difference at all. Same action length, both belted magnums, maybe just a different year and they changed naming conventions? You know you’ve got to get the 300holland (or PM me the sellers name and I’ll scoop it up).

To answer your second question, not all XTRs were sporters, and not all sporters were XTRs. The model is “sporter” this has to do with stock shape, sights and barrel configuration - same as today. The XTR had to do with fit and finish.

Both of these guns are push-feed model 70s, and as such, should not be overpaid for. The 300holland is pretty cool though. You don’t see them very often.

 

[Potashminer]

I am gonna "eat some crow" - serial number on my 338 Win Mag - the "XTR Sporter Magnum" - is G159###XA - go here and see that one was made in 1982:

https://www.winchesterguns.com/cont...ence/winchester-firearm-manufacture-dates.pdf Scroll down to page 30 to see the year end serial numbers for Model 70.

The 300 H&H was received today - the "XTR Sporter" - serial number is G187###X - which same source says was made in 1988 - so they were not made same year - made 6 years apart. Beside the comb differences mentioned above (Post #6), the "XTR Sporter Magnum" has a jewelled bolt - the "XTR Sporter" has a plain smooth bolt - at least as per my examples of one each.