Winchester M70 Extreme Weather

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Bobson

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Based on advice I collected from a number of you in two recent threads, I've set my sights on a Winchester Model 70 for my first rifle. After deciding I want a synthetic stock and stainless action/barrel, I narrowed that choice to an M70 Extreme Weather. Just about fell in love with it after handling one in Cabela's a couple days ago. I really like the look of the fluted barrel, the trigger feels great, and it shoulders like it was designed especially for me.

I was a bit torn on which caliber I would select, but knew I wanted either a .270, .308, or .30-06. Bud's has these rifles listed for $948, but I checked my local Sportsman's today, and found that they had two in stock. One was a .30-06, listed at $999. The other was a .270... for $799 :eek:

I handled it and asked why the $200 difference. The guy behind the counter told me it was because Sportsman's isn't selling enough of them in .270, and decided they won't carry the Extreme Weather in that caliber anymore. Then I noticed the 3rd position on the safety (the bolt lock) was broken. It wasn't properly locking the bolt down. I brought it to his attention, and he said they would have to send it back to get it fixed before selling it, and I couldn't have it placed "on hold" for me. I asked if he could order another M70 EW from another store for the same price; after he checked that another had them, he agreed. It should be here within two weeks, and they'll call me when it gets here.

Seems like $799 for a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather in .270 is a steal, and I have to say I'm pretty stoked to be saving almost $200 on one. I had already accepted the idea that I'd be buying one for $948 from Bud's, but decided to wait another week or so to make sure that's what I wanted. At $799, I don't think I can pass this baby up. What do you guys think? I'm making a good decision, yes?

Now the hunt for an optic begins... :rolleyes:
 
Love my M70 LRH in 7mm RMw/BOSS. Picked it up w/bipod, sling, and scope already attached at a gun show in S.Carolina back in early '00 for $900, guy said he'd only put one box through it to sight in the scope. He was selling due to hard times (lost his old job, new job didn't pay the same, so he was downsizing his gun safe for quick cash).

It's a much better rifle than I am a shooter, but I do love to fire it off.

Your hardest problem might be finding a rifle range with enough yardage to really unwind her and see just how far away you can hit a target.

Have fun, be safe.
 
Your hardest problem might be finding a rifle range with enough yardage to really unwind her and see just how far away you can hit a target.

Have fun, be safe.
Yeah, the range I usually visit does have a 1,000 yard "big bore" range, but I've never actually seen that part of the range open. Not sure how often it's available. The main range only goes out to 200 yards.

My BIL has a range-finder, so we may find a place in the desert and see if we can set up a target against some rolling "hills" (people who grew up here call them mountains lol) and see if we can get some hits out a bit further. :)

Will be safe. Thanks :)
 
Nice bit of luck, and you got the caliber I'd have chosen myself. When I bought my first centerfire I wanted either a .243 or .270. Interestingly I ended up with neither but those are top choices.
 
Great rifle at a good price. I found a used 308 EW a couple of years ago and it has become my favorite rifle. At first the 308 wouldn't have been my 1st choice, but that was the caliber it was in, and the price was right. I don't think you will be disapointed.

I'm not buying the 270 not selling though. It is always one of the top selling rounds. My guess is that they knew about the defect, and hoped to sell it to someone and let them deal with the hassle of returing it.
 
If I were considering a Model 70, I would try to purchase a Pre-64 version.
Most rifles of this vintage are hunting rifles and while some minor wear might be evident , they are certainly not "shot out" or otherwise not servceable.
I saw a Pre- 64 in .308 recently at the local FFL that was in very good condition with a Stith 6X glass included.
Another guy was examining the rifle and like a Dummy, I talked him into buying it for the bargain price of $350.00
Personally, I own six, including two Pre-War copies and the rifles are nothing short of great.
 
i have quite a few pre 64 model 70s and i love them but i also have 3 of the new model 70s and in my opinion they are every bit, if not better shooters than the holy grail pre 64 models. if you want a shooter/collector go for a pre war, pre 64 model 70.
 
My new production Winchester Model 70 Featherweight has been great. I put a 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest on top and couldn't be happier.
 
I'm not buying the 270 not selling though. It is always one of the top selling rounds. My guess is that they knew about the defect, and hoped to sell it to someone and let them deal with the hassle of returing it.
Those were my thoughts too. Especially here in AZ, .270 Winchester seems to be an extremely popular caliber. I can see that specific model (stainless/synthetic) being a bit less popular than others, but not the .270 Winchester caliber itself.

Either way, he agreed to have another rifle shipped in from a different store for the same price. I noted the serial number of the rifle with the broken safety, and I'll be sure to check the rifle that they order for me as thoroughly as I know how to.
 
Holy Grail pre-64's ??
Truer words were NEVER spoken.
Actually, we Old Timers are sometimes reluctent, ESPECIALLY when we have expirenced a FOR REAL WINCHESTER Model 70 first hand.
Respectfully, Zeke.
 
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Congratulations for a hunting rifle IMO the Extreme Weather is the pick of the Model 70's. Over here you can buy a Extreme Weather for a small sum of around $1800 (and our dollar is worth around $1.02-1.05 US dollars). You don't know how lucky you are, we pay around twice (at lea$t) for everything shooting related. Even most Hodgdon Powders that are made here in Australia but sold under the makers brand (ADI Powders) cost twice as much as what you pay for them. I purchased a cleaning rod in a town down the road (when I forgot mine at home) for $55.00, I just purchased another one from Natchez in the states (to keep in the truck) for under $9.00.

Anyway back on topic
I second the Zeiss Conquest for your Extreme Weather (nice rifle deserves a nice scope).
 
The Zeiss Conquest will have to wait lol.

For the time being, I plan to top the M70 with a Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 (Accu-Range reticle).

That's about all I can afford to spend on the rifle/scope combo for now, especially if I want to shoot it. :p The original plan was to purchase a rifle in the $600 range, and top it with a $150-or-less scope, so I'm already a good bit over my original budget.
 
I have a Zeiss and Redfield. The Zeiss is better, but I wouldn't be surprised if you find the Redfield Revolution is good enough and forget about the Zeiss.

If you are not completely sold on the Redfield read this.

http://www.opticstalk.com/inexpensive-scope-comparison_topic21176.html

While the Redfield is good, they rate the Vortex @ $199 much better and the Burris in 2nd place with all others far behind. I have not used the Vortex, but would rate the Burris as better than Redfield based on my experience.

The Redfields are selling for about $160, The Burris shown in the test is being replaced with a newer version that sells for $200, but the old model is still available at closeout prices of $180. For $20 more, I think the Burris is a better value.
 
Congratulations for a hunting rifle IMO the Extreme Weather is the pick of the Model 70's. Over here you can buy a Extreme Weather for a small sum of around $1800 (and our dollar is worth around $1.02-1.05 US dollars). You don't know how lucky you are, we pay around twice (at lea$t) for everything shooting related. Even most Hodgdon Powders that are made here in Australia but sold under the makers brand (ADI Powders) cost twice as much as what you pay for them. I purchased a cleaning rod in a town down the road (when I forgot mine at home) for $55.00, I just purchased another one from Natchez in the states (to keep in the truck) for under $9.00.

If you don't mind my asking how does the median income in AU compare to median income in the US. (Trying to put this in perspective)
 
While the Redfield is good, they rate the Vortex @ $199 much better and the Burris in 2nd place with all others far behind. I have not used the Vortex, but would rate the Burris as better than Redfield based on my experience.
After reading reviews on the Vortex and Burris (already had read em on the Redfield), I may go with that Vortex Diamondback instead. It's actually $10 cheaper than the Redfield Revolution I was planning to pick up at Cabela's, and it definitely has better (while fewer) reviews.

Vortex Diamondback ($199) versus Redfield Revolution ($209)

Thanks for the tip. Will definitely be considering the Vortex :)
 
Thanks for the tip. Will definitely be considering the Vortex :)

My advice, you're free to take it or leave it, is to do the same routine with your optic that you did with your rifle. Go back to Cabelas and look through some glass, they have a great selection of scopes for you to compare the quality and clarity. If you're buying a zoom optic, zoom out and in and look for clarity and brightness.

The handling was a good idea for the rifle and I think it is a good idea for the optic as well. You might find yourself wanting to sink that extra $200 into a better $400 scope.
 
$209 is way too much for the Redfield. Look here

http://swfa.com/Redfield-3-9x40-Revolution-Rifle-Scope-P44469.aspx

www.swfa.com also has both versions of the Burris scope as well as almost everything else. Even if you don't buy from them it is a good site to easily compare the specs of the options you are considering.

The optics talk forum is a good source of info as well

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum2.html

At $400 the Zeiss Conquest really is a good scope, and if you could afford it I'd highly recommend it. The Leupold VX-3's have their advantages as well. But none of the other scopes you're considering are junk. Anything less expensive I could not recommend.
 
Thanks, jmr40. I'll check that site out.

Regarding rings... can one of you tell me what kind of scope rings these (first pic) are? I really like how they seem to bolt down right into the action.

Rather than this second type (second pic), which need to attach to a rail. I've used these kinds before, and couldn't stand them. But they're all I'm seeming to find right now.
 

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You said:
If you don't mind my asking how does the median income in AU compare to median income in the US. (Trying to put this in perspective)

Minimum Wage is around $17.50 per hour full time (40 hours per week so $700 per week). Tax is around 30% so take home pay around $490.00 per week after tax. With full time you get paid public holidays, 8 paid sick days a year (around 1 every six weeks) plus 4 weeks paid holiday pay and around 7.5% employer paid superannuation (I think you call this a 401K in the states?). The Average wage I suppose would be around $20-21 per hour with the same benefits above but what you have to realize is things cost a whole lot more here then in the USA. We also have government paid Medicare here so thats a plus.

I am a Carpenter by trade but I mostly build bridges (Formwork, Steelfixing, Concrete) and its not to hard to get between $40-50 an hour and you are classed as self employed so you dont get holiday pay or sick pay ect but I only pay 20% tax at the most (I actually only pay around 15% but you have to have alot of expences to claim like work vehicle, tools, work supplies ect). I ended up hurting by back and having a back operation and I am waiting for another so I now work from home building custom fishing rods, I also have 4 kids so I look after them and my wife works, shes a pediatric nurse so she makes pretty good money and has really good benefits.
 
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