So basically, opt for the other brands over a post-64 M70.
Ok, I was actually looking at the Sako 75 and Weatherby Mark V rifles, but then my eye was caught by the FN-made Model 70s. It sounds like they lack the soul of the pre-64s.
After WW-2 quality started to decline, especially in the late 1950's and 60's. The pre-64's made after the war were nothing special.
This is a really dumb statement. The finest production rifles made in the United States from 1937 through 1963 were the Winchester Model 70. This applies to workmanship, desirability, quality and accuracy. If you're going to pose as a Model 70 expert you need to limit your comments to something you know something about.
There is a bit of lore that by the mid 1950s, the Winchester machinery and tooling was becoming very worn and out of spec and as such was turning out rifle parts that were barely making grade and QC was starting to increase product costs. Not to mention, more items were reaching customers having gotten past QC while still being out of spec.
I've never been a fan of post-64 M-70's. But to be fair I must add that this push-feed, varmint weight M-70 in .225 Win is among the most accurate out-of-the-box rifles I've ever owned. And for the record, Winchester's .225 Win ammo from the same era is some of the most accurate factory loads I've ever tested. View attachment 944291 View attachment 944292 View attachment 944293
The scope is a Bausch & Lomb 6-24X variable made in the US by B&L back in the 50's-60's. It was, and is, one of the all-time best target/varmint scopes and incorporated several ground breaking mechanical and optical features. It was also expensive to make, which was reflected by the price tag, and why you seldom see them.That's one heck of a piece of glass. Not sure I've seen one like that before. Not to get too off topic, but would you care to give us some insight? Maybe in a new thread?
View attachment 944491 Picture of Carlos Hathcock the famous USMC sniper from the Vietnam era. Very interesting.
Picture on the left is Hathcock post war, post active duty with a Remington in a fiberglass stock. Picture on the right is not Mr. Hathcock.
I'll admit, without any pretext, that I am a fan of the Winchester M70. However, I was always biased AGAINST the push feed models until I bought this M70 Lightweight Carbine made in the mid eighties. This thing flat out shoots with the 180 grain blue box Federal ammo. I'm not sure why it doesn't like the 150's or 165's...I was hoping it did. While it didn't do at all poorly with them, it was sub MOA with the 180. It WILL let you know that it's there when you light one up, but it is consistently one of the best shooting m70's I have, and I have a few that shoot really well. It goes without saying that it has changed my position on the CRF vs Push feed debate forever. Even though I know that debate wasn't about accuracy, this rifle certainly has my attention. And, because it was a push-feed, I got it at a really good price.
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