Does anyone hate the Winchester Model 70

[andrewdl007]

I'm seriously looking into getting a Winchester Model 70 (most likely one of the newer FN produced ones). I've heard a lot of good comments and some complaints. What do you out there dislike about the rife and is there anyone who downright hates the Winchester Model 70?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I do hate that their now assembled in Portugal, but mine was great (USA made/assembled). I'd definately buy another, especially if they brought back assembly to the States.

 

[EchoM70]

I just hate I can't find the ones I'm looking for. I want to go ahead and put an Extreme Weather in 300 WSM on layaway at Buds, however Buds hasn't had any in awhile. I'm guessing it's because of the Portugal switch. I plan on buying a total of 3 Extreme Weathers (300 WSM, 7mm Mag, .308) this year, guess you could call me a fan.

 

[jmr40]

While they are supposed to start assembling them in Portugal, I've not seen any put together there yet. Not a huge deal either way.

Out of the box they are probably the best USA made rifle right now, but there are a few minor issues I would change. The FN guns have one of the better feeling triggers made, but I prefer the rugged simplicity of the older design. It was not as smooth and crisp out of the box, but could be worked over to be as good as anything else. Only the Ruger trigger is as rugged and dependable as the old style. So far the new design is proving to work, I just trust the older style more. That is the only real design change from older guns.

Some of the newer guns have wood stocks that are not quite as well finished as on older guns. Others are just fine so the problem is inconsistent. There are some subtle differences in shape and feel. At a glance it is almost impossible to notice, but hold 2 side by side and the differences are there. I've read, but cannot confirm the stocks are made overseas, shipped here, and assembled. The B&C synthetic they use on the Extreme Weather just plain feels awful. I replaced mine with a McMillan Edge and it made a huge difference. The cheaper stock on the Ultimate Shadow is far better in my opinion.

I have 3 older New Haven made Winchesters and 1 FN produced gun. All are excellent and I'd highly recommend any of them to anyone looking to buy. Even with minor concerns.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Wish they made them in 6.5x55. Not sure about the Portugal thing either...hopefully the quality doesn't decline.

 

[EchoM70]

The B&C synthetic they use on the Extreme Weather just plain feels awful.

Different strokes for different folks I suppose. Those B&C stocks on the Extreme Weather fit me like they're custom tailored. I've never experienced any issues with rigidness either, overall been more than satisfied with them. I know compared to the McM Edge fill stocks they're heavier but a flyweight rifle has never been a need or want for me.

 

[MCMXI]

Out of the box they are probably the best USA made rifle right now

I have two Extreme Weather rifles but don't agree with that statement unless you add "at a particular pricepoint" to the above. I had to do quite a lot of work to my .300 Win Mag to make it acceptable whereas the .308 Win arrived in much better shape.

The B&C synthetic they use on the Extreme Weather just plain feels awful. I replaced mine with a McMillan Edge and it made a huge difference.

I don't agree with this either. The stock is really quite nice but it's heavy. I plan on upgrading both of my EWs to Manners stocks. I don't want anything to do with McMillan. I would add that if you buy an Extreme Weather with the intention of upgrading the stock, you should really buy a Montana since no upgrading is required. Just shoot, rinse and repeat!!

 

[USSR]

Does anyone hate the Model 70? I've got 5 of them, what do you think?

Don

 

[Walkalong]

a Winchester Model 70 (most likely one of the newer FN produced ones).

I love mine. I was convinced by USSR, with a little nudge from 1858, to buy it, and I'll say they did me a great favor. Very nice rifle. I am very, very happy with it.

FN SPR

The FN guns have one of the better feeling triggers made

Mine's definitely nice.

 

[Harvie]

I have had a .270 for forty-two (42) years. Not one problem. It still looks brand spanking new.

 

[sappyg]

The best bolt gun I have. It's about 20 years young and has no peer.

 

[sage5907]

The only thing I don't like about a Model 70 is that it makes me want to go hunting all the time!

 

[Gtscotty]

I just ordered an Ultimate Shadow SS in .270 Win to go along with my Featherweight .243 Win. The tentative plan is to get rid of the synthetic stock and drop it into a Manners stock eventually. My 30-06 Extreme Weather had some repeatability issues, hopefully the .270 will be more like my .243, which has been an excellent shooter.

I'd say go for one of the new Win 70s, they cost a little more than most of the budget rifles that get suggested often, but in my opinion they are well worth the minor increase in price.

 

[MrBorland]

The FN guns have one of the better feeling triggers made, but I prefer the rugged simplicity of the older design. It was not as smooth and crisp out of the box, but could be worked over to be as good as anything else. Only the Ruger trigger is as rugged and dependable as the old style.

The FN SPR, a M70 in tactical clothing, has the old-style M70 trigger. The best of both worlds.

 

[HexHead]

Not sure about the Portugal thing either...hopefully the quality doesn't decline.

I wouldn't worry about the quality. FN (Browning) has been assembling Hi Powers there since the late '70s. I had both full Belgian and "Assembled in Portugal" HPs, and there was no difference in quality.

 

[Elkins45]

I hate that they don't make left handed versions.

 

[Robert]

I love my Safari Express. You might even say I am a fan boy but I do try to remain objective. When I bought mine a little over two years ago it would not group at all. Shotguns have a better group than this thing did. I was really starting to think I had a true lemon.

With the help of H&Hhunter we were able to figure out it was a bedding problem. I took it to the local smith, a damn good heavy rifle guy, and had him look at it. He tore it down with me there and showed me how soft the bedding was. In some places it was like silly putty. He then inspected the crown and found that Winchester had not cut it correctly.

With both of those items fixed, a week before hunting season started, my rifle now grouped amazingly well. It will clover leaf at 200y off a bag all day long. Of course 375s don't have to be super close to touch

The only thing I want to change is to add a new McMillian stock as the wood it came in is too nice to beat up in the mountains.

 

[MistWolf]

I had a Winchester Model 70 back in the 90's in 270 Winchester. It was a very nice rifle in a great caliber. The only thing I didn't like about it was the 3 position safety

 

[Owen]

The BARs, SX3 and Gold shotguns are also built at that plant, and have been for quite a while. The Portugal guns should be just fine.

 

[another pake]

About a year ago I was looking for a new Model 70. For reasons of my own I wanted a heavy, not a featherweight, and I settled on an Alaskan. Eventually I found a store with several of each and had a chance to look them over side by side. There were definite differences between them in fit and finish, particularly in the area at the rear of the receiver. I ended up chosing a stainless/ laminate version and I couldn't be happier.

Surprisingly, the same model from the same manufacturer sometimes feels different. Why? I don't know. Maybe it was just me. In any case they no longer offer that rifle in stainless/ laminate. It's now listed on the "historic offerings" page. I think that means they didn't sell enough to continue the line.

8^)

 

[roklok]

I certainly don't hate them, but I don't like them as well as the Remington 700. Well, the older 700s, that is. I have one Model 70 currently, a CRF 30-06, and while it is a nice rifle, I prefer my 700s. The biggest reason is the safety, I much prefer the 700s safety over the Model 70s. I can release the safety completely quietly on a 700 without taking my hand off the grip of the rifle. On a M70, I have to take my hand off the stock, and pinch the safety between my thumb and forefinger to keep it silent.

A current production Winchester 70 is a higher quality rifle than a new Remington 700 however. All my 700s are from the last century.

 

[Hangingrock]

Can't say that I do.

 

[Frostbite]

I like the way you say it Hangingrock!

 

[back40]

no hate here. my 30-06 extreme weather shoots sub moa with factory ammo. i haven't had the chance to handload for it yet, but am totally satisfied with how it shoots. the trigger is really nice,and required no adjustment breaking right at about 3 3/4lbs. the stock is just fine, but may get replaced down the road if i find a deal on a mcmillan. as a factory offering though, the extreme weather is a fine gun.

i'm on the lookout for an FN built safari express. when i start seeing reports and hands on reviews of the portugal guns, i may just order one. i don't really have any reason to believe that they will be any less than great quality.

 

[SwampWolf]

I don't "hate" any firearm. But I do love some.