Share your Portuguese Model 70 experiences.

Just curious, it doesn't matter what model you've got, I just would like to know your impressions of your rifle, and any general experiences with the Portuguese 70's. Also, if you happen to have a newer Alaskan, a photo of it in reasonably good lighting would be welcome!

Thanks.

Llama Bob said:

I have a Portugal M70 Supergrade in 7mm mag. I have had zero issues, accuracy has been good (~MOA from a ruck with 175gr patitions at 2950 ft/s), and stock stability is pretty good for a wood stock too. The cold bore shot is in-group. It also looks nice. I would buy another one with no concerns. I do sort of wish it was a 1:9 twist instead of a 1:9.5, but that's not too big a deal.

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Great to know, thanks.

The Super Grade is on my radar as well. The wood-stocked models are actually a complete wildcard for me, as I don't even desire hunting with a wood-stocked rifle (I like being able to beat on my fiberglass), but I really liked the way an older Alaskan model fit me when I handled one, and I didn't particularly want to put it down. So I just can't ignore the Alaskan or Super Grade despite my search beginning with stainless actions and composite stocks.

Gtscotty said:

My latest two of several FN M70's were both Portuguese .308 Extreme Weathers. Neither would hold a respectable group with any of several types of bullets. One was returned for the other, and then the second was returned for a refund, so the customer service was pretty good. That said I really don't know if my issues were caused by slipping standards for the Portuguese guns, a bad batch of .308 EW barrels, or even just two rare lemons coinciding at just the right time. That's the problem with small sample sizes. I will say that the ultralight B&C stock that is shipping on the current EWs is much more shapely and lighter than the older B&C stock that came on my previous SC built EW, a definite improvement..

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That's unfortunate, but it's great to know that they'll work with you. It's more than I would've guessed they'd have done, anyway.

tbob38 said:

I recently bought a Portuguese assembled Model 70 featherweight in 243 Win caliber. I fondle it several times a day and am still looking very hard for a flaw. Have a couple other model 70's but they do 't get anywhere near the action this one does.I think I'll go in and check it over right now.

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This is the only reason I'm even considering one of the wood stocked models. They're just plain nicer to sit at the desk or on the couch and idly mess with. I'm only hunting a few days out of the year, one could argue that how much I like it outside of hunting matters more than how perfect it is for hunting lol.

Stubert said:

I have a new Alaskan in .375 H&H and love it. Sorry, no pictures I'm in Florida on vacation. Fit and finish are perfect. the Alaskan in .375 has 2 crossbolts even though the literature only shows one in the picture.

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Good to know. I'll most likely be going .30-06, but appreciate the info. I did toy with .375 as a choice, and did some light research into wood stocks and cross bolts and all that with the magnum, but I keep coming back to .30-06.

Also, slightly silly question, does the Alaskan have two-stud swivels like the Super Grade?

Wisco said:

This 30-06 Alaskan is good in fit and finish and holds about an inch at 50 yards with the Skinner peep sight from a sand bag. Stock is okay, but not a Supergrade.

Action is smooth. Feeding and ejection are positive.

Gold bead front sight isn't as precise as a blade for me.

I'm looking to sell as being made in Portugal is a dealbreaker for me. Rifle says "made in Portugal." Box says "made in USA. Assembled in Portugal." A bit misleading/confusing.

I probably shouldn't have shot it, but I wanted to compare to my pre64 30-06. The pre 64 is less accurate by twice as much.

All in all, I'm going to buy a Kimber 84 and have sights installed.

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Gorgeous gun. And I too would gladly pay an additional cost for an all-American rifle. Also, your 84 + sights plan is the other option that's on the table for me (the one I'm truthfully leaning the most towards). The Montana is the most practical choice of the rifles I'm looking at, but I loved the way the Winchester I handled recently fit me, so given the action quality, I don't want to dismiss them.

joed said:

I have to admit it bothers me that they can have the rifles assembled in Portugal cheaper then in the US. You'd think the shipping would kill it.

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It isn't my favorite scenario, but if quality doesn't suffer and Americans are still employed here, I'm less resistant to it. I'd obviously prefer it be all-American, and I'd pay for that too.