A Bad Winchester 70?

Nope. They are all good, serviceable rifles. While there is a strong collector interest in pre 64 rifles, the post 64 guns are great hunting rifles. They are good to go.

I had a 90s model Model 70 and I hated it, I would not buy another one from that era. I LOVE my new FN 70 though.

For me I think the real problem with the post 64 Winchesters was the poor general quality. In an attempt to build down to a price it looks to me that the quality of machining, woodworking and fitting suffered. If you're buying a rifle just to be a tool, sort of an expensive shovel if you will, then that probably doesn't matter.

Winchester quality started slipping right after WW-2. Even the pre 64's made during the this time are not equal to the pre war guns, but are generally OK. Winchester had some spotty quality during the 1960's and 70's. The company was sold to investors in 1980 and became the United States Repeating Arms Company at that time. The USRAC rifles made after 1980 are some of the best Winchesters ever made. They dropped controlled round feed in 1963 and all of these rifles are pushfeed. This hurts value as most will pay more for a CRF rifle, but they are still great guns and can often be had at bargain prices.

Winchester brought back CRF in 1994. Their budget guns made after that were still PF, but the Classics as they called them were CRF. Any of these made up to about 2000 are truly great guns. Much better quality than anything made pre-64.

Sometime starting after about 2000 quality started to slip again up until the factory closed in 2006. The closer you get to a 2006 made gun the greater the possibility of a lemon. Since FN started making them in 2008 they are probably the best sub $1000 rifle made.

In a nutshell most of the Winchesters, even those made during years of hit or miss quality will be fine. I'd be careful of anything made 1950 through the 1970's. Even pre-64's made during this time shouldn't bring a premium unless they are in a rare configuration. Many folks overpay for these guns because they think any pre-64 is a collectors item. I'd also be careful of anything made from 2000-2006.

I may have asked this before, but how do I tell the new FN made ones from the older post-64s?

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The easiest way is to look on the barrel. FN made guns will have BACO stamped on it. Browning Arms Company. The older guns will say they are made in New Haven CT. FN makes their guns in SC.

My mid 80's M70 is nicer as far as fit and finish than my 1962 M70. They both shoot like a house on fire though.

When I was a kid, I used to avidly read Jack O'Conner and always wanted a Model 70. My dad wasn't ready to spend that kind of money, until one day in 1964 he surprised me with a new Model 70, the 1964 version. I think he paid $117 for it. Of course, I didn't know the difference. I've hunted with that same gun ever since and killed a ton of deer and one black bear. As Browningguy noted, it is one heck of a tool, almost an extension of my arm.

That being said, one of my sons picked up a new 70 Featherweight tonight. I'm definitely jealous. Nice finish, that Mauser bolt, and a really sweet trigger. Can't wait to see how it shoots for him.

Laphroaig

I've owned 3 model 70s from the 80s, 90s and 2012, never had a bad one. You never know when you may get a lemon but that can happen with anything. I wouldn't turn down a model 70.

I have one my dad bought me for Christmas when I was 16. I did not get to shoot it much between then and now, but as I was tuning up for my first elk hunt I decided to use it. Its a M70 XTR in 30.06. I found that if I do my part this gun will put 5 190gr. Berger VLD's into 3 inches at 500 yards. Not bad for a flat stock rifle made some time in 1977.

I'd also be careful of anything made from 2000-2006.

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I've heard this an awful lot. My second M70 was a Stealth from 2003, if there is anything sub-par on this rifle I certainly can't find it.

The only thing I've noticed with older Winchester, and most Remington bolt actions is if it has a wood stock it will have bedding issues. Other than that never had a bad one.