Mystery M-70's

Offfhand · May 2, 2020

This is one of the M-70 target rifles made by Winchester in 1994 or early ’95. At which time Winchester was interested in reestablishing their former target rifle dominance. As details in pics show, the rifle has a stainless CRF short action identifiable by clip slots in rear bridge and notched front bridge. The distinctive stock has adjustable features typical of HP target rifle stocks at that time. I used this rifles across the course at the 1995 High Power National Matches at Camp Perry, and there two other identical rifles fired there. I’m guessing that Winchester built at least 10 rifles like this, most of which were distributed to elite shooters for testing and feedback. So the mystery is where are they now, other than the three I know of?

horsemen61 · May 2, 2020

Not sure but that is a sweet looking rig @Offfhand!

Nature Boy · May 2, 2020

Dang!

Did McMillan make that stock?

jmr40 · May 2, 2020

That is really unique. Winchester did really step up their game starting in 1992 or 93 when they started making the "Classic" line of model 70's. At least for a few years. Around 2000 or so quality started to slip again but I've had 3 of those rifles. A 1994 Featherweight 30-06, a 2006 Sporter in 300 WSM and a 1999 Sporter in 30-06. None were true target rifles, but the 1999 rifle in particular is a tack driver. The 2006 made rifle needed some tweaking to shoot well, and I just never cared for the Featherweight so I only kept the 1999 made rifle. I'd like to take that one for a ride, I bet it is a good shooter.

sage5907 · May 2, 2020

Offhand, I have one question. On this rifle does the follower stop the bolt from going forward when the magazine is empty? I purchased a long action magazine follower several years ago and it was a surprise to me because I had never seen one before on a Model 70.

Back in the 1970's I fired a heavy barrel pre 64 Model 70 target rifle owned by a National Guard Sergeant who had been to the Camp Parry competition. The rifle was originally a 30-06 but the barrel had been changed to a 308. I fired it several times and because of the receiver sight I was amazed at how different it was from the hunting rifles I was used to using. I shot at a coyote at about 150 yards, missed him, and never knew what I had done wrong. In my haste to get the shot off I didn't think to use a 6 o'clock hold so I probably shot over his back.

DocRock · May 2, 2020

Sadly, I do not know where the other 10 or so are. But, I would like for one of them to be in my gun room...

Offfhand · May 3, 2020

Nature Boy said:
Did McMillan make that stock?

I'm quite sure the stocks were made by McMillan as they look like a stock shown in a McMillan brochure at that time. The other two rifles were the same except for differences in color patterns.

shooter1niner · May 3, 2020

@sage5907 look at the follower and view the slope at the rear. That slope should allow the bolt to close on an empty magazine without depressing it.

sage5907 · May 3, 2020

shooter1niner said:
@sage5907 look at the follower and view the slope at the rear. That slope should allow the bolt to close on an empty magazine without depressing it.

I did notice the slope on the back of the follower but I still wasn't sure. I went to my parts box today and pulled out the one I have and you are correct, it does not have a slope. Because this receiver has the clip slot I thought it would have a follower that stopped the bolt.

792mauser · May 5, 2020

dang that's pretty

Mystery M-70's

Offfhand

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horsemen61

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Nature Boy

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jmr40

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sage5907

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DocRock

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Offfhand

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shooter1niner

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sage5907

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792mauser

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