[joed]

Been thinking about buying a model 70 for awhile. I'm leaning towards a FW but unsure of caliber.

I already have a Remington Classic in .300 H&H, Remington VS in .25-06, Remington VS in .22-250 and Win 70 Stealth in .308. So these cartridges are out, I want something else.

Maybe .243? How would this one work out with a .22" barrel?

[j1]

Never forget the Roberts one of the all time greats, and with a bit of panache too.

[joed]

The Roberts is an interesting thought. It wouldn't duplicate the .25-06 and could share bullets.

[mshootnit]

The new winchester 70 featherweight in stainless is an absolutely fabulous rifle. The 22" barrel is just right for hunting.

[lovethosesooners]

Model 70's are great rifles-1 of my absolute favorites is the Coyote Light with the Bell & Carlson stock and medium/heavy fluted stainless barrel

Also big fan of the .243....excellent shooting round with outstanding versatility

The Coyote light in .243 does have 24" barrel though (the .243 does perform better with a 24" barrel)

[Rudedog]

A Model 70 FW in .243 would be a nice choice. 22" barrel would be very good.
I have a Rem Model Seven in .243 I bought a few years ago and I often wondered why I haven't bought a rifle in this catridge a long time ago. It's very accurate even with factory loads.
If I get another bolt action, I'll probably get a Model 70.

[jmr40]

A Winchester is a great choice. To be honest you have your caliber bases covered. But all of your rifles are relatively heavy hunting or varmit guns. A FW is not especially light by modern standards, but would make a better rifle to carry around for general hunting than any of the others you already have.

A 243 is an option, but it is so close in between the 25-06 and 22-250 that I wouldn't go that way. I view the FW as the perfect big game hunting rifle for the guy who actually gets out and climbs up and down mountains for big game. Not too heavy to carry, not too light to shoot well.

I know you already have a 308 stealth rifle, but a FW in 308 would be a completely different rifle that could share ammo. One in 30-06 with good handloads will all but equal your 300 H&H in performance, but be in a much lighter, more compact package. I'd go with one of those 2 with what you already own. If you just want to branch out and have different calibers I'd look at 7-08 or 270.

A 243 is a darn good deer round, but for general hunting where larger game may be encountered you can do better. It is also a good varmit round, but you already own better varmit rifles.

[SlamFire1]

You will have to look on the used rifle market, but how about one in 6.5 X 55 Swede?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/M70%20pics/M70IMG_1523.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/M70%20pics/M7065SwedeBarrelMarkingsIMG_1526.jpg

[savanahsdad]

do you handload ?? if so I'd go with one of the short mags,

[joed]

A Winchester is a great choice. To be honest you have your caliber bases covered. But all of your rifles are relatively heavy hunting or varmit guns. A FW is not especially light by modern standards, but would make a better rifle to carry around for general hunting than any of the others you already have.

A 243 is an option, but it is so close in between the 25-06 and 22-250 that I wouldn't go that way. I view the FW as the perfect big game hunting rifle for the guy who actually gets out and climbs up and down mountains for big game. Not too heavy to carry, not too light to shoot well.

I know you already have a 308 stealth rifle, but a FW in 308 would be a completely different rifle that could share ammo. One in 30-06 with good handloads will all but equal your 300 H&H in performance, but be in a much lighter, more compact package. I'd go with one of those 2 with what you already own. If you just want to branch out and have different calibers I'd look at 7-08 or 270.

A 243 is a darn good deer round, but for general hunting where larger game may be encountered you can do better. It is also a good varmit round, but you already own better varmit rifles.
Bingo! I think I was going the wrong way thinking .243 and you just turned me around. I still hunt with these heavy rifles too, and I'm 63. But, it's starting to get me which is why I want a FW.

Now I'm thinking .308 or .270. Or maybe a SM?

All these cartridges appeal to me but I think something from above.

[shrewd]

I'd say thirty aught or .270, great calibers and fill holes in your collection, therefore further justifying the purchase!

Plus the 30-06 m70 is a very classic combo

[Ridgerunner665]

If I was buying a FW in a standard caliber...It would be an easy choice, 7mm-08.

I have had, and still have, several 308's...I've always wanted to try the 7mm-08, just never really had a need.

If a short mag was what I was after...it would be the 7mm version.

[murf]

the 22-250 is close enough to a 243 varmint-wise. you may want to consider a 270, or a 270wsm, to fill that gaping hole between your 25 and 30 calibers.

murf

[joed]

The 7-08 is a good choice, when I bought my .25-06 that was the first year the 7-08 was available. But after all the choices and suggestions I think it's going to be a .308, .270 or WSM. The .270 actually intrigues me, that's a classic Winchester cartridge, the first centerfire I ever wanted.

[jmr40]

Don't get the FW in one of the WSM's. They use 24" standard contour barrels that just don't look right to me in the trim FW stock. The 22" thinner barrels just look right in that stock.

I'd actually advise against one of the magnums, ( and I actually own a 300 WSM), but if you get one go with the Sporter or Extreme Weather version.

Just my opinion, but if someone wants walnut/blue the FW in a standard caliber is the way to go. The Extreme Weather is about the perfect rough country, go anywhere, do anything, no excuses rifle being made right now. I have one in 308 setting in a McMllan Edge stock.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/?action=view&current=targets005.jpg

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/?action=view&current=guns1001.jpg

It is 7 lbs 6 oz ready to hunt and shoots right at 1/2" almost all the time. I figure it is good on elk at 300-400 yards and deer at 400-500 if I'm good enough. I'm not, but the rifle is. One of the magnums won't kill anything any deader at those ranges and I'm not good enough to shoot any farther than about 400, so why bother. I'm seriously considering selling my WSM, because I just don't need it. Although it is a darn good round I have a lot of respect for.

[dbro822]

My dad just got one in 243, said he was thinking of my daughter if she wants to hunt. Sighted it in last week, all I can say is it is sweet! It feels very well balanced, very nice shooter. I've been eye balling one in 264 myself. To me the Mod 70 FW is the hands down best feeling rifle made.

[30Cal]

I've got one in 7x57mm and one in 30-06. Love them both.

[Savage99]

The 30-06 Springfield is the standard of the world.

A M70 Featherweight in 30-06 would do a lot.

Another landmark rifle is the Kimber 84M. Handle one if you can and see how you like it.

I have a number of them and the 243 is my most used rifle as it's also a varminter.

[claiborne]

I dream at night of owning a new 70 sporter in 264 win mag.

[GlockNation]

I agree with Slamfire 1. Get the Win Swede. Sell me the 300 H&H to me to reduce the guilt of buying another rifle:D

[Sergei Mosin]

When I think Model 70, I think .270 Winchester. But maybe I've read too many old-time gun writers.

[MistWolf]

You have read too many articles by the old timers, Sergei but if that's true, so have I. I would get the Featherweight in 270 Winchester. I had one once, but I let it get away, much to my regret

[H82miss]

I have a Model 70 featherweight XTR in .243 and it is by far my favorite rifle! I would like to get a matching one in 30-06 or 300 win mag. This rifle fits me better than anything I have ever shouldered.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r318/H82Miss/Hunting%20Pics/DSC00356_zps15dd6fcb.jpg

Love it!

[HDH]

The .308 round was introduced by Winchester in the M70 FW. . . therefore a classic combo. 30-06 would also be hard to beat in a FW. I have a new .308 FW and love it.