quartermaster
Member
Let us know how she shoots
comments on the new Model 70 - pic heavy
- Thread starter thomis
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Nothing wrong with a Vari X II at all. I have my share of Leupolds and they have all worked, even a Vari X I on a hunting rifle.
Great looking rifle. I bought one in 300wsm in December and couldn't be happier with it. I put a minox 2-10 on it. The first time I cycled the action I melted. Unbelievably smooth. I couldn't believe such an inexpensive rifle could have that kind of fit and finish.
Rancho Relaxo
Member
As others have said, you have a very pretty rifle. I would also say that your job of photographing the rifle is outstanding as well.
30Cal
Member
Wow! That looks nice! I got my first real rifle almost 30 years ago; a M70 Fwt in 7x57mm.
Recently picked up a second M70 Fwt at the local shop--a rather ratty looking 1963 model in 30-06 that actually just needed a cleanup to get it looking new. Somebody had slathered heavy varnish on the stock and left big varnish prints all over the metal (looked like rust). But the fit/finish on OP's is definitely superior.
Recently picked up a second M70 Fwt at the local shop--a rather ratty looking 1963 model in 30-06 that actually just needed a cleanup to get it looking new. Somebody had slathered heavy varnish on the stock and left big varnish prints all over the metal (looked like rust). But the fit/finish on OP's is definitely superior.
OP
OP
thomis
Member
few more pics
Regarding free-floating the bbl; I'll look into that after I put the rifle on a rest and give it a fair chance to see what it's capable of. I'm expecting a lot. I'm definitely expecting less than 1" groups at 100 yards when I find the right load and if I can do my part. I used the level level level last night to mount the scope. I'm very pleased with how it looks now. Did I mention I'm expecting a lot from it!
After my experiences with this Savage .308, I am determined.
anybody use this type of torque driver? i like it a lot
Regarding free-floating the bbl; I'll look into that after I put the rifle on a rest and give it a fair chance to see what it's capable of. I'm expecting a lot. I'm definitely expecting less than 1" groups at 100 yards when I find the right load and if I can do my part. I used the level level level last night to mount the scope. I'm very pleased with how it looks now. Did I mention I'm expecting a lot from it!
After my experiences with this Savage .308, I am determined.
anybody use this type of torque driver? i like it a lot
az_imuth
Member
As I recall, all of the FN M70 Winchesters are built with cold hammer-forged and free-floated barrels at the factory. That's one of the first things I checked after receiving my SG to make sure the walnut stock hadn't warped since it was coming from a humid climate to an arid one. It checked out okay at the time and I still check it on occasion to make sure there isn't any contact.
Fella's;
If FN/Winchester would get off the dime & start producing left hand bolt guns, I'd own a new Winchester. I do own a USRAC gun that's somewhat rare. It's a stainless LHB in .30-06 with both BOSS & BOSS/CR. I've got the CR on it because, after all, who needs a muzzle brake on a .30-06?
I'd really really like to get a left handed stainless/wood model 70 in 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser. But I'm not going to hold my breath either.
900F
If FN/Winchester would get off the dime & start producing left hand bolt guns, I'd own a new Winchester. I do own a USRAC gun that's somewhat rare. It's a stainless LHB in .30-06 with both BOSS & BOSS/CR. I've got the CR on it because, after all, who needs a muzzle brake on a .30-06?
I'd really really like to get a left handed stainless/wood model 70 in 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser. But I'm not going to hold my breath either.
900F
sage5907
Member
Following the comment by az imuth about the FN model 70's barrel being free floated at the factory I did some research. I found a good article on biggamehunt.net dated 2-8-11 titled Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Review Part 1 that went into the atributes of rifle in detail. The article said the barrel is free floated at the factory. Since I really like the performance of my Pre 64 Model 70's with their tightly fitting barrel channels the article left me feeling a bit cold. After thinking about the issue I would say the new Model 70 as manufactured by FN is probably comparable to the selling price. BW
OP
OP
thomis
Member
It's definitely free-floated. I can pass 4 crisp bills around the bbl all the way up to the recoil lug. But as someone mentioned earlier, climatic conditions may warp that stock slightly when I take it outside to shoot.
By the way the new Model 70's made by FN in SC have serial numbers that start with 35.
By the way the new Model 70's made by FN in SC have serial numbers that start with 35.
OP
OP
thomis
Member
Way too much time has passed since I received this gun and made this post. We had baby # 2 and it got put way down on the to-do list. Yesterday, I finally got to take it out for some accuracy testing. Unfortunately, I can only squeeze out 75 yards at my house.
My other two rifles that I handload for really like IMR 4064 so most of the handloads I had worked up were bullets with various charges of IMR 4064. I did manage to load a few other trial rounds using Varget and H4895, and I'm sure glad I did. This particular Featherweight likes H4895.
Factory ammo did not group the best out of this rifle. I tried Rem Core Lokts and Win Super X, both 150 gr. They shot just so-so.
I still have some more fine-tuning but overall I think its a great shooter.
I would like to point out that the thin bbl heats up pretty hot after shot 3 so shot # 4 was usually starting to "walk". Accuracy testing should be kept at 3 shots in each set.
Here are some groups from yesterday:
[/IMG]
My other two rifles that I handload for really like IMR 4064 so most of the handloads I had worked up were bullets with various charges of IMR 4064. I did manage to load a few other trial rounds using Varget and H4895, and I'm sure glad I did. This particular Featherweight likes H4895.
Factory ammo did not group the best out of this rifle. I tried Rem Core Lokts and Win Super X, both 150 gr. They shot just so-so.
I still have some more fine-tuning but overall I think its a great shooter.
I would like to point out that the thin bbl heats up pretty hot after shot 3 so shot # 4 was usually starting to "walk". Accuracy testing should be kept at 3 shots in each set.
Here are some groups from yesterday:
Float Pilot
Member
I have a Featherweight in 6.5x55mm. It, just like all other lightweights, will overheat after two shots.... UNLESS.. I wait around with the bolt open and let the barrel cool. They are hunting rifles and not bench rifles.
The pressure point in mine was driving me nuts ( an USRA gun )The humidity up here in Alaska changes on an hourly basis...So I eventually fully bedded the action and barrel channel. With some hand-loads I can get half inch groups at 100 yards.
Even my 1957 Husqvarna 30-06 heats up pretty fast , but it too will shoot the first two bullets into the same hole at 100 yards.
The pressure point in mine was driving me nuts ( an USRA gun )The humidity up here in Alaska changes on an hourly basis...So I eventually fully bedded the action and barrel channel. With some hand-loads I can get half inch groups at 100 yards.
Even my 1957 Husqvarna 30-06 heats up pretty fast , but it too will shoot the first two bullets into the same hole at 100 yards.
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Abel
Member
I just got one in 30-o6 & couldn't be happier. I topped it off with Talley lightweight lows and a VX-2 3-9x40mm. Shoots Fusion 165gr into nice little 1.25" groups off of a rolled up coat at 100 yards. I think I can shrink that by a bit with a better rest.
Thomis;
Nothing wrong with 4064, but I will tell you that IMR4350 and one of the several 150gr bullets on the market will usually produce some very fine accuracy. One nice thing about the combination is that you don't have to go to some expensive exotic crud to get the results either. Sierra Gamekings, Speer, Hornady Interlocks, all good solid bullets that perform just fine in the ought-6 & one will shine with just a little work. Usually varying the seating depth from on the lands to about .020" off will do the trick. Just find what it wants to shoot & work with it. In most guns, something in the near neighborhood of 3000 fps is perfectly possible without pushing the safety limits either.
900F
Nothing wrong with 4064, but I will tell you that IMR4350 and one of the several 150gr bullets on the market will usually produce some very fine accuracy. One nice thing about the combination is that you don't have to go to some expensive exotic crud to get the results either. Sierra Gamekings, Speer, Hornady Interlocks, all good solid bullets that perform just fine in the ought-6 & one will shine with just a little work. Usually varying the seating depth from on the lands to about .020" off will do the trick. Just find what it wants to shoot & work with it. In most guns, something in the near neighborhood of 3000 fps is perfectly possible without pushing the safety limits either.
900F
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