"Rifleman's Rifle"

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If you're referring to "A rifleman's rifle", then, yes. A Model 70 in .30-06 is a prime candidate...

...but if you're referring to THE Rifleman's rifle, that would be a Winchester Model 92 in .44-40... and since I'm presently very fond of lever carbines, I find your thread disappointing. Hahaha.

Your topic would be better served by adding either a capital A or the word, "The" to your thread title (if you wish to also discuss the Winchester lever gun design...)

I to was looking for comments on a model 92

Ok, maybe the TV character that Chuck Connors played used a lever action. I really doubt he would have hit much of anything, at 400 or 500 yards with his rapid fire antics. But, with a M70, you can. And that is the difference between TV fantasy and reality.

The M70 is an excellent action. It is smooth and slick in operation. Hardly anything breaks on the thing. It is a very well designed action, some beautiful rifles were built using the action, and the M70 is worth of being described as “The Rifleman’s Rifle”. But that was before the TV series.

I like the M70, be it in 257 Roberts



6.5 X 55 Swede



Or 308 Win

I always thought a serious, go anywhere 30 06 had to be in stainless and synthetic.

Winchester makes a fine platform. I was on the fence between their Extreme series and a Sako. I went Sako but only because I could not find, at the time, an Extreme Series to purchase. My Sako is stainless and synthetic too.

Let us know how yours shoots.

The problem here is, some of you guys aren't old enough. Us old guys knew immediately that the Winchester Model 70 was always referred to as "the rifleman's rifle".

Don

THE Rifleman owned an assault rifle???

But only if made before 1964

I saw a nice looking M70 at an LGS today, .243. LOVE me some wood and steel Winchester rifles!!

I want one BAD in .30-06 set up like how the Marines had them when a small number of them were used in WW2. VERY cool guns.

I on the other hand expected the thread to be about the Model 70. Guess Chuck Connors would be disappointed in me.

I have never owned one, shot a few and have wanted one forever. Followed pre-64 and CRF discussions, and once again with recent FN production, even though I love a 7mm 08 Tikka T3 Lite that I own, given a chance I will finally scratch the itch in .243 (maybe go bigger with .30-06 or 7mm Mag?).

Congrats on a fine rifle!

That is my sister's deer rifle choice. Pre '64 in .270. I think she has taken 100+ deer...so far. when she picks it up, it really is"ready,aim, jerky" A 62 yr old grandmother, deer hunter, rifle woman...and she can shoot!

She would brag on you for your choice in rifle hardware.

Mark

USSR said:

The problem here is, some of you guys aren't old enough. Us old guys knew immediately that the Winchester Model 70 was always referred to as "the rifleman's rifle".

Don

Click to expand...

ding ding ding WINER. You're right. They're are NOT old enough. I seem to recall a cover of a magazine (American Rifleman perhaps) with a Model 70 and the term "THE (definite article usage-meaning there is only one) Rifleman's Rifle. When I saw the thread title, I immediately assumed pre-64 Model 70. (That is not to say I didn't grow up watching re-runs of the TV show "The Rifleman" starring Chuck Connors.)

H-R, The Model 70 Classic Stainless is an excellent working rifle! Congrats!

Robert, that is a beautiful rifle! A LGS near me has one like that, but the lumber isn't as nice as yours. As it happens, I recently picked up a Custom Shop Special Build version, built in 2002, in 416 Rem Mag. It is all stainless, including the cross-bolts, pistol grip cap and inletted swing swivel studs, and has very nice upgraded wood. My problem is, I can't find any ammo for the beast anywhere near me!

In my opinion you've just purchased the perfect all around North American big game rifle. The SS Classics combine the best of the pre-64 design with some modern improvements without the high cost of some of the pre-64's collector status. Lots of chamberings will work, but 30-06 is never a bad choice.

Over the years I've picked up 3 of them used at very good prices, less than $1500 total. I have 2 sporters, one in 30-06 and 300 WSM. The 3rd is a SS FWT in 30-06.

The 30-06 sporter is the most accurate and my favorite. A target at 200 yards from a recent range trip. Top 3 shots are 150 gr TTSX's @ 3050 fps. Middle 3 shots are 165 gr Nosler Accubonds @ 2900 fps and the lower group are 165 gr Hornady Interlocks. I'd hunt with any of them, but really like the accuracy of the Accubonds.

I believe it was Jack O'Connor that first developed the moniker, and it was exclusively applied to the model 70 in .270 win. He used it to take all African and North American game, except the big pachyderms.

As I remember it the M70 was always called the rifleman's rifle and set the standard for which all other bolt action rifles were measured against. I am an old fart now and I still prefer wood and blued metal even though intellectually I know that stainless and synthetic are more popular.

I have had a M70 featherweight in .30-06 (which I consider to be perfect all around caliber) for years. This one was made in 1956 and shows it's years of hunting in it's bumps and bruises. The finish is worn on the metal of the floorplate from being carried many miles in search of game. It even still wears it's period Kollmorgan Bear Cub scope which still has clear optics even after nearly 60 years of use.

I figure it's going to be good for a few more years.

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hightower, that is a magnificent example. I'd be proud to own one in similar condition. In fact, thanks to this thread I'll be looking for a solid example made perhaps in '55, the year I was born.

My apologies to the OP. I took to shooting at an early age but did not own my own first rifle until the onset of middle age (whenever that is). In my preoccupation with Cooper's writings, I overlooked the Winchester Model 70 for the Remington 600 Mohawk, etc. (though I seem to recall he has mentioned the 70).

In either case, my post was almost disrespectful to all riflemen of the time. I should be old enough to remember, but... I now sit corrected.

When was the Model 70 first chambered in .308? I must assume it was at some point...



Edit: I am reminded that the .308 cartridge was introduced in or about 1952, and I see that the Model 70 was chambered in nearly all worthwhile cartridges and calibers. A '55 Model 70 Featherweight in .308 is now on the bucket list, and the sooner the better.

Good luck finding a old model 70 but you can get lucky and catch one in the early 2000s. I traded my Model 70 2001 in 300 WSM for a 358 highly customized GSR.

When I read the thread title I very much expected it to be about the famous (even today) Winchester m70.

When the new CRF actions came to be I first read about them in Guns & Ammo in the early 90's I think. Not long out of college I didn't have much money but I wanted that rifle. Mine is a FWT in 243 bought new in '93 or '94. Lots of bolt guns have come and gone but that m70 has been with me ever since. Other bolt guns have been more likely to go hunting (if I even bother these days) but none have the same quality and craftsmanship as that m70.

A gentleman needs a few things in life. A set of well fitting golf clubs. A respectable 22lr rifle. A serviceable shotgun and a good bolt gun. As for the latter. Make mine a Winshester m70

Nice rifles. I have a 1975 or 6 walnut and blue Model 70 Deluxe in 30-06. I got it for my 16th birthday. I put a Weaver V7 on it. Took it out a couple time to the Adirondacks but most of the places I hunt are shotgun zones. I put it aside when I got a .444 Marlin for the rifle zone. I haven't shot it in 30 years and it's like new. I'll probaly give it to my son but he has a Savage 110L 30-06. Maybe I;ll save mine for a grandchild.

Yes beautiful rifles. I have one of the less popular iterations of the model 70. It is a post 64 push feed model 70 I bought in 1989. It is a ranger model. This meant it was the budget model. It was basically the same thing as what they called the standard rifle other than the fact it is in a plain birch stock & it is chambered for .30-06. From time to time I think about buying another deer rifle but I can't really come up with a reason to.

I had one of those cheap Model 70 Ranger rifles, and turned it into this: