Model 70 push feed versions

[elktrout]

What are the actual negatives about the push feed Model 70 rifles? I found a circa 1970s manufactured Model 70 that is in exceptional condition, and before I proceed I wanted to know what actual problems (not perceived ones) to expect with the push feed action. Does anyone know for certain of any feeding, extraction, or ejection issues with those guns?

I am not hung up on claw extractors, since I have owned two other push feed rifles for years and have never had a problem.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Robert]

The push feed is fine. Dangerous game hunters like the controlled round feed better, but that is for more reliable extraction when it may really matter. For your average hunter/ plinker the push feed is just fine.

 

[jmr40]

I prefer the CRF Winchesters, but the Winchesters are among the best of the pushfeeds. You won't have any problems with feeding or extraction as long as the gun is kept reasonably clean. If I were buying a pushfeed I'd seek out one of the 1980-2000 made Winchesters. They are undervalued and one of the best buys in used guns in my opinion.

Most folks completely miss the point of CRF. A push feed rifle is just as reliable in feeding, maybe more so. And from any angle including upside down. A CRF rifle has a more robust, rugged, and foolproof extraction and ejection system that "MIGHT" be an advantage if abused or if it had to be used in dirty, muddy, or icy conditions. Most folks will never notice the difference, but if hunting in harsh conditions I prefer the more rugged CRF design. But for more reliable extraction and ejection, not feeding.

If the price is right I would say go for it if you like the rifle. The only concern is that Winchester quality has been up and down really as far back as the late 1950's. Even the last 5-6 years of the pre-64's they were starting to decline. The 1960's and 70's were not the best years for quality. Most are fine, but there were some lemons made during those years as far as accuarcy and workmanship. In my experience the 1980's and 1990's pushfeeds are the best years before quaity started a gradual decline again in the early 2000's. The 2008-present FN made guns are excellent BTW.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got a delightful early 70's featherweight that has never had a problem.

 

[squarles67]

I've owned a Model 70 in .270 Win that was made in '73 since the early eighties. It has always been my deer rifle and is very accurate. I've never had a single issue with it.

 

[Slamfire]

As a push feed, the push feed M70 is one of the better ones. About the only mechanical weakness of M70’s is the cocking piece nose. Tubb makes a speed lock replacement. http://www.davidtubb.com/speedlock-win-70-cocking-piece. These don’t break very often, Highpower shooters I know never heard of a pre 64 cocking piece breaking till mine did. When discussing sending my bolt to him, my gunsmith actually gasped over the phone “A pre 64!!??”







Extractors wear on push feed rifles. Eventually you replace them on AR’s, and if you shoot a couple of barrels out on a push feed M70, you will need to replace it too. Actually it is very easy to take out, the trick is knowing which extractor is the proper one. An expert on this told me there are several variations.

The M70 extractor will last longer than a Rem M700 and is a more positive extractor, so it is no deal.

I know target shooters who went through many barrels on their push feed M70’s, it is a good reliable action.

I prefer the claw, but you must feed from the magazine with a claw, or it will break in time.

The Claw!

 

[Art Eatman]

After some 4,000 rounds through a push-feed Weatherby with zero problems, I gotta go along with Robert, Post #2.

 

[USSR]

I have 4 Winchester Model 70's; 2 pushfeeds and 2 CRF's. The pushfeed is a solid design that has a lot going for it, particularly for a match rifle. The CRF's are also good, and all you have to do is bevel the extractor a bit and they will single feed without using the magazine. George at G.A. Precision did that to my FN SPR, and it works like a charm.

Don

 

[adelbridge]

I bought a cheap black shadow M70 in the mid 90's. .270 push feed shot sub MOA all day.
Push feed is better if you want to hand insert a round and close the bolt behind it.

 

[Kachok]

Owned a push feed Model 70 I bought new in the late 90s and currently own a CRF FN Model 70 now. No contest the new CRF is vastly superior to the old one. Never could get my old one to shoot worth a darn, the groups from my new one you can completely cover with a quarter at 100yd. The CRF is better looking and has a smoother bolt too.
There is nothing "wrong" with a push feed design, many good rifles use it, but a quality CRF action is a different animal all together.

 

[FiveInADime]

The pushfeed M70 action is, IMHO, better than the 700 action. It has the flat bottom receiver and integral recoil lug just like the pre-64. The bolt itself is more robust than the 700, as well. The pushfeed M70s are as smooth as any action that I have felt.You may not get a tack-driver every time with ANY M70 CRF or PF but the two pushfeeds I have both shoot sub-moa with handloads. Even the later years when Winchester quality ''dipped'' the cheapest M70s still had better fit/finish than many of the beloved current rifles.

 

[Elkins45]

My first new center fire rifle was an M70 made in 1988. It has never failed to function and is a smooth and accurate rifle.

I have seen pristine push feed 70's selling for less than Savages at gun shows---a real undervalued bargain if you ask me.

 

[joed]

I own both types and see no advantage at all to CRF. I've found both reliable enough that I don't prefer one type over the other. In 36 years I've never had a misfeed in any Winchester or Remington rifle that I've owned.

I did own a Savage that was a crap shoot if the next round was going to feed or not. But that is the only rifle in my life that I wouldn't rely on for a followup shot.

When it comes to picking a Winchester there were good and bad batches. Some say they were terrible between 2000 and 2005. Not so, I have a Stealth from 2004 that is one of my favorites and the best model 70 I've ever owned and also the most accurate.

Were I looking at a used model 70 I'd want to work the bolt and see how it feels. I've owned new guns that were terrible from the factory. Even so they can be fixed.

 

[prestpat]

I've got one of each - a new production CRF in 375H&H that I bought new and a push feed in .223 that I bought used (haven't bothered to check the date on it though). They're both great rifles, but the push feed actually has a smoother bolt and a better trigger. The cheap steel cased .223 ammo doesn't feed OR extract very well but I don't think that's a push vs. controlled feed issue.

I don't want to sound like too much of a fanboy, but I think any Model 70 is a worthy choice.

 

[joed]

I've got one of each - a new production CRF in 375H&H that I bought new and a push feed in .223 that I bought used (haven't bothered to check the date on it though). They're both great rifles, but the push feed actually has a smoother bolt and a better trigger. The cheap steel cased .223 ammo doesn't feed OR extract very well but I don't think that's a push vs. controlled feed issue.

I don't want to sound like too much of a fanboy, but I think any Model 70 is a worthy choice.

You're right my older PF has a much better trigger and smooter bolt than my newer CRPF.

But, with that said I wouldn't get rid of either gun.