Mod 70 308
- Thread starter USMC8541
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MMCSRET
Member
I have M70 from 1973, bought it new, shot out the throat and had it rebarreled to 338-06 in '93, Got a 1977 FWT 308 that is a beautiful rifle and fine shooter. I would not and have not hesitated on '70's vintage Model 70's. Have had several but currently only the two, all were good rifles.
Nothing wrong with any post model 70 I've ever owned or shot. The only thing I can say is any of them from 70 to 95 that have a wooden stock benefit from having the barrel free floated.
I'd buy that rifle in a heartbeat. It's not in OH is it?
I'd buy that rifle in a heartbeat. It's not in OH is it?
Not in Ohio, I think I will try and get it after the holidays. The wood looks nice, after looking the rifle over, I think it compares well with anything made today. Of course I will expect to get at least a 2" 3 shot 100 yard group at the range
AABEN
Member
Jump on it that is a good gun.
sgtstryker
Member
Hey Marine..that wasn't a Winchester you were plying your trade as an 8541..mine was a fine M40A1 out of Q town armory, back in 82-83...The Winchester is still a fine rifle and good deal.
It's true the first bolt action I fired was an M40A1 in 1982 ,My previous experience was with a Remington nylon 66 a 22 I sorely miss. Biggest thing I ever killed before the Marine Corps was a Jack rabbit. If I remember correctly it had a McMillan stock, hart barrel and new Unertl scope. Nothing wrong with that rifle, although we did wear the firing pins out pretty quickly. Love the 308 and right now I don't have one.
788Ham
Member
sgtstryker, USMC8541,
Thanks for your service! I was a swabby back in 67 - 71, hauling Marines around in Riverine boats off the coast of Nam, on the USS Gunston Hall LSD - 5. Welcome home!
Thanks for your service! I was a swabby back in 67 - 71, hauling Marines around in Riverine boats off the coast of Nam, on the USS Gunston Hall LSD - 5. Welcome home!
sgtstryker
Member
Aargh, matey, same to you..I have fond memories of being on the Newport LST, Austin LPD and the Nassau LHA. It was more fun being the passenger, believe me..
Winchesters from the 70's were spotty. Some were as good as any, some could be rather poor. $400 is probably more than I'd pay unless I knew the rifles history. Winchester was bought out by a group of investors who made a big push to improve quality starting in 1980. The rifles made from 1980 on up to around 2000 were some of the best Winchesters, and some of the most under-rated and under-valued. I often see very good rifles from the 80's and 90's priced between $200-$300.
By around 2005 or so quality started to slide again and guns made between 2000 and 2006 are also questionable. The new rifles made since 2008 when FN took over production are better built than any Winchesters, from any era.
I'm not sure excatly when Winchester started offering both short action and long action rifles. This may be a 308 built on a long acton, which would also make it less desireable. If it is a short action, I'd be more likely to buy it.
By around 2005 or so quality started to slide again and guns made between 2000 and 2006 are also questionable. The new rifles made since 2008 when FN took over production are better built than any Winchesters, from any era.
I'm not sure excatly when Winchester started offering both short action and long action rifles. This may be a 308 built on a long acton, which would also make it less desireable. If it is a short action, I'd be more likely to buy it.
sgtstryker
Member
That's good information on Winchester. Thanks.. That is a topic I am ignorant of. I do have a couple lever actions that shoot well.
sgtstryker
Member
Well, USMC8541, have you ever seen a .308 in a long action? Don't think I have. Should be easy to spot, tho.. Also, if I'm remembering correctly, the M40A1 has a modified Winchester trigger group. It was sweet.
I think I need to move nearer to jmr40! I haven't seen a model 70 at those prices since the late 80's.
I owned a nice one from the late 70's that I still regret selling. Beautiful rifle but a 7mm RM and I preferred the .300 Mag I had better.
Another (and my best model 70) is a Stealth produced in 2005. Bought it days after it was announced they were closing the factory.
You just have to look at what you're buying. If something seems wrong then pass. All my rifles are Remington or Winchester. You could get a lemon in Remington too. The gunsmith that builds rifles for me tells me it's the same with all makes, there are good and bad produced every day.
I owned a nice one from the late 70's that I still regret selling. Beautiful rifle but a 7mm RM and I preferred the .300 Mag I had better.
Another (and my best model 70) is a Stealth produced in 2005. Bought it days after it was announced they were closing the factory.
You just have to look at what you're buying. If something seems wrong then pass. All my rifles are Remington or Winchester. You could get a lemon in Remington too. The gunsmith that builds rifles for me tells me it's the same with all makes, there are good and bad produced every day.
HamiltonSD
Member
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- May 1, 2011
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Mod 70
I have a 1975 Model 70 in 30.06 and it is my favorite rifle ever. The closest thing I've had to a match rifle for accuracy. They just feel right: very balanced, and a very sweet bolt action. Mine loves 180 gr. Remington Core-Lokt SP Ammo.
In good condition $400 is good price.
I have a 1975 Model 70 in 30.06 and it is my favorite rifle ever. The closest thing I've had to a match rifle for accuracy. They just feel right: very balanced, and a very sweet bolt action. Mine loves 180 gr. Remington Core-Lokt SP Ammo.
In good condition $400 is good price.
Winchester offered only long action rifles for a very long time. Shorter cartridges such as the 308 used a spacer block in the magazine. I'm not sure when they offered a true short action. I think it was sometime during the 70's.
Tikka currently only offers their guns in a long action, including the 308.
The Army sniper rifle for decades has been a 308, but specifically built on long action Remington 700 actions. This was done for 2 primary reasons. The heavier bullets could be seated farther out allowing more room for powder. These rounds would not fit in a short action magazine. This also allowed them the option to simply re-barrel the same action and change bolt faces to upgrade to 300 Win mag. Which is exactly what they are doing. The army is phasing out the 308 in favor of the 300 mag and simply rebarreling the guns they have.
The Stevens 200, Weatherby Vanguard and Marlin XL-7 have killed used gun prices. The gun and pawn shops are filled with good old guns that cannot be sold. 99% of the guys coming in look at a 40 year old used rifle at $400 and a brand new Marlin, Vanguard or Stevens for $250-$350 and will pick the new gun every time. In order to sell the old guns the prices have to be equal to or less than what these guns are selling for. I can't say that I blame them. Many of these old guns are just fine, many are not. Why take that chance when they can buy a brand new gun, made with modern CNC machining for $300 that is literally guarantee to shoot 1" groups.
The new FN produced Winchesters have also hurt all old Winchester prices. Lots of guys think they can get $400-$500 for an old 1970's Winchester. And some guys are still paying those prices. That gun may have a lot of sentimental value to someone, but it would be foolish to spend that much when they can get brand new Winchester for $650-$700. The new Winchesters are far better than anything ever offered by Winchester.
sgtstryker
Member
I continue to learn much here. Never had a long action .308 in my hands. I do remember when the Army changed to the M24 back in the 80's, it was quite a load with all the accessories and hard case. It has served them well. Never thought much about the action, til now. Thanks, I am sincerely red faced. Not sure if those Army guys can take the pounding from the .300 WM tho..? just kidding.
You may have a point about the new cheaper guns dragging the prices down. I'd have a hard time throwing $400 down for an old model 70 that may need a new barrel vs a newer rifle. I may have to start looking for another model 70.
I've had a hard time with some of the prices the pre 64 model 70's are going for. Those guns are awfully old and probably have been shot to death. Then I think about the better steel on the newer ones and I wonder why people buy the older ones.
Interesting about the long action used in the Service. My friend was a sniper and had a .308. I thought it was just me but I remember it being on a long action.
Some people do not like a long action. I could care less as I look at it in the same way, there's lots of room for longer bullets. Some cartridges like the .257 Roberts are actually handicapped with a short action.
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Prices on older rifles also makes me wonder. I have a Remington 700 BDL VS that I bought new in 1978. I still remember paying $235 for it out the door. A few years ago I had a hard decision as it finally needed a new barrel. I rebarreled it with a Krieger and think I got away cheaper then a new rifle.
thomis
Member
Model 70 stock
Does the standard Model 70 featherweight stock come standard with raised cheek piece? i wonder if I could order one without the raised cheek piece on the stock..
Does the standard Model 70 featherweight stock come standard with raised cheek piece? i wonder if I could order one without the raised cheek piece on the stock..
Fullboar1
Member
jmr40 said:
I think you will actually find the reason the M24 (Rem 700 action) Sniper Rifles were built on long actions was because they were originally going to be chambered in 30-06 and who ever used those sniper rifles in the armed forces used standard case lots of 7.62 (308) Match Grade ammo (they dont load a special ammo with the bullets seated out farther just for snipers) or standard case lots of 7.62 ammo that others would use in other rifles like the M14.
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USSR
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmr40
The Army sniper rifle for decades has been a 308, but specifically built on long action Remington 700 actions. This was done for 2 primary reasons. The heavier bullets could be seated farther out allowing more room for powder. These rounds would not fit in a short action magazine. This also allowed them the option to simply re-barrel the same action and change bolt faces to upgrade to 300 Win mag. Which is exactly what they are doing. The army is phasing out the 308 in favor of the 300 mag and simply rebarreling the guns they have.
No, the .30-06 was never a consideration. The reason was that some in our armed forces wanted a .300 Win Mag instead of the standard service .308 round. The bean counters at that time refused to have more than one rifle firing anything other than the current service rifle round, but left the door open to rebarreling to the larger round at a later date by using the long action.
Don
Originally Posted by jmr40
The Army sniper rifle for decades has been a 308, but specifically built on long action Remington 700 actions. This was done for 2 primary reasons. The heavier bullets could be seated farther out allowing more room for powder. These rounds would not fit in a short action magazine. This also allowed them the option to simply re-barrel the same action and change bolt faces to upgrade to 300 Win mag. Which is exactly what they are doing. The army is phasing out the 308 in favor of the 300 mag and simply rebarreling the guns they have.
No, the .30-06 was never a consideration. The reason was that some in our armed forces wanted a .300 Win Mag instead of the standard service .308 round. The bean counters at that time refused to have more than one rifle firing anything other than the current service rifle round, but left the door open to rebarreling to the larger round at a later date by using the long action.
Don
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