I just bought a new USRAC (Winchester) Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5X55, and though I have not yet had a chance to fire it, there are some features that are new (to me, at least) that deserve mention. I've attached some pics.
The Good:
There are some very interesting changes. First, the "bottom metal" (the trigger guard, floorplate, and all) is one-piece. This is a massive change about which I knew nothing. It should translate into a stiffer, more accurate rifle, and it certainly is prettier when I open the floorplate. This was apparently previously available on the Supergrade, but this is the utilitarian Featherweight. Next, the screws holding in the bottom metal are no longer slot screws, but are hex. (I wish they were torx, but when I screw 'em up, they will be.)
Also, the bedding material has changed. Since 1984, the same semi-stiff yellow thermoplastic glop has served as the recoil lug bedding. It's now black and supports not just the lug, but also the tang of the action. It appears to me to be a solid plastic piece put in place and then melted. (No pic of the lug portion, as it has a serial number on it - sorry.) They feel more solid than the previous material seemed to me to be.
Though it may not be new, the trigger is very precise, with no apparent creep or overtravel. (See also. "The Bad.")
The barrel is now free-floated, with no "hump" at the end of the fore-end channel. The channel itself is nicely-finished and appears sealed against mositure that would cause warpage. (See also "The Bad.") A dollar bill will make it from the tip all the way to the receiver.
Edited to add: the recoil pad is unevenly applied, with gaps and overlaps. Clearly, it was pre-made for a certain size and had no final finishing after being attached.
The Bad:
The aforementioned trigger is a little harder to adjust than previously. It's still the same excellent design, but the adjustment range allowed me only to bring it down to 4.5 - 5 pounds pull. If the rifle shoots well, I'll have to decide whether to have a gunsmith install a lighter weight "trigger return spring," something I don't feel capable of doing.
The barrel is decidely off-center in the channel. It appears that this fault was discovered at the factory and the channel was routered out on the left side (picture doesn't show this well). There's a gap on the right side of the barrel and the wood on the left is significantly thinner. Had I not ordered the rifle and committed to purchasing it, I would not have bought this rifle off the rack.
The Ugly:
What can I say? I like the action, the trigger, and the balance, but the stock, with its schnabel tip and fleur-d'lis checkering pattern look just plain silly to me.
Pics, if I can post them. In subsequent posts if I cannot. Tang bedding, first:
Jaywalker
Edited to change from "I wish they were hex," which makes no sense, to "I wish they were torx."
The Good:
There are some very interesting changes. First, the "bottom metal" (the trigger guard, floorplate, and all) is one-piece. This is a massive change about which I knew nothing. It should translate into a stiffer, more accurate rifle, and it certainly is prettier when I open the floorplate. This was apparently previously available on the Supergrade, but this is the utilitarian Featherweight. Next, the screws holding in the bottom metal are no longer slot screws, but are hex. (I wish they were torx, but when I screw 'em up, they will be.)
Also, the bedding material has changed. Since 1984, the same semi-stiff yellow thermoplastic glop has served as the recoil lug bedding. It's now black and supports not just the lug, but also the tang of the action. It appears to me to be a solid plastic piece put in place and then melted. (No pic of the lug portion, as it has a serial number on it - sorry.) They feel more solid than the previous material seemed to me to be.
Though it may not be new, the trigger is very precise, with no apparent creep or overtravel. (See also. "The Bad.")
The barrel is now free-floated, with no "hump" at the end of the fore-end channel. The channel itself is nicely-finished and appears sealed against mositure that would cause warpage. (See also "The Bad.") A dollar bill will make it from the tip all the way to the receiver.
Edited to add: the recoil pad is unevenly applied, with gaps and overlaps. Clearly, it was pre-made for a certain size and had no final finishing after being attached.
The Bad:
The aforementioned trigger is a little harder to adjust than previously. It's still the same excellent design, but the adjustment range allowed me only to bring it down to 4.5 - 5 pounds pull. If the rifle shoots well, I'll have to decide whether to have a gunsmith install a lighter weight "trigger return spring," something I don't feel capable of doing.
The barrel is decidely off-center in the channel. It appears that this fault was discovered at the factory and the channel was routered out on the left side (picture doesn't show this well). There's a gap on the right side of the barrel and the wood on the left is significantly thinner. Had I not ordered the rifle and committed to purchasing it, I would not have bought this rifle off the rack.
The Ugly:
What can I say? I like the action, the trigger, and the balance, but the stock, with its schnabel tip and fleur-d'lis checkering pattern look just plain silly to me.
Pics, if I can post them. In subsequent posts if I cannot. Tang bedding, first:
Jaywalker
Edited to change from "I wish they were hex," which makes no sense, to "I wish they were torx."
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