"Rifleman's Rifle"

[Art Eatman]

The term came about in reference to the pre-1964 Model 70s. I don't recall just when, but likely in the 1970s.

While later model rifles from various manufacturers may shoot equally tight groups--or even better--that's beside the point. It was the mix of well-made as to the machining and well-fitted as to the wood that gave those Model 70s that nick-name. At the time, few mass-produced rifles could match those old rifles for the "fit and finish" we see today.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Beautiful pictures in this thread. Makes a guy look in the gunsafe for an empty spot to add a new implement.

 

[PabloJ]

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[Robert]

I got lucky on mine, I bought it from Sportsman's Warehouse and had it shipped from one of their stores in CA. They ordered two rifles of which mine was the best looking. The wood is nice, a satin finish. It might pop more with a nice hand rubbed glossy finish but then I'd be scared to touch it.

Now the bedding on the other hand was absolute, total crap. It was like silly putty, no kidding that soft. My rifle grouped like a shotgun the first few times I shot it until H&Hhunter (another Mod) shot it and figured out what was going on. A month before hunting season... A quick, and expensive, rush job at the local gun smith had it shooting like a laser. Turned out the crown was off too...

Last time I shot it I paced off 500y, of which I am pretty certain of my pace count, and put three round into an area the size of the palm of my hand on a cinder block from a seated position on the ground. It is one of my absolute favorite rifles to shoot. And the recoil from the 375H&H is easily manageable.

 

[Hardtarget]

Just sayin'...if I get a chance for one of the older mod. 70 rifles...something in my safe will just be forced to get up and give its seat to the Winchester!

Those are some very nice rifles and I'm getting old enough ...I don't need to wait much longer!

Mark

 

[Offfhand]

Speaking of Pre-64 M-70's, there are a couple dozen in this rack and another dozen or so in lower rack. Sometimes I buy them just for the actions, which are the basis of superb custom rifles, which are on another rack.

 

[Nature Boy]

If you guys have trouble finding a good pre-64 M70, blame Offhand as he seems to have cornered the market. (Nice collection!)

Would you guys who are pre-64 aficionados say the current designed rifle from FN to be as good? It will likely be my next purchase.....and my birthday is Saturday!

 

[Dr T]

I remember seeing the Rifleman's Rifle as an advertizing tag line in such esteemed publications as Outdoor Life when Jack O"Connor was still writing.

When I was young and stupid, I passed up one in 300 H&H.

I had to wait until the pre-'64 action was revived to get one. Mine is a stainless steel mixture of old and new: 375 H&H, Leopold 1.25-4x, synthetic stock. And, it will shoot 1.25" 3-shot groups with Winchester Factory Silvertips.

While it is not very practical for use down on the ranch in West Texas, it IS a classic.

 

[PabloJ]

Given rifles of appropriate weight and fit the .375H&H kicks about twice as hard as a .30-06. No problemo, si?

 

[ElToro]

Nice rifle collection! I'm. Jealous

I only have my late 50s m70 in 30-06 and I was given a recent production super grade in 25-06 as a gift from my gun mentor.

i do know a guy with a super grade in 220 swift pre 64. He had lots of interesting M70s. Including 7mm Mauser that he used to kill a lot of stuff

 

[Robert]

Twice as hard as a 30-06? Maybe on paper, but perceived recoil is much less. I have shot a 30-06 that had worse recoil than my 375H&H.

 

[joed]

I've owned my share of model 70's from the late 70's to 2013. Everyone of of them was nice and shot great.

Some don't like the push feed, personally I do, it has it's place. Any that I have owned with wood on them had nice wood. My best shooting 70 is a Stealth from 2004 in .308, I can't part with this one. Heck, I would hate to part with any of them.

 

[H&Hhunter]

The only guys who are scared of .375H&H's are those who have not spent any meaningful time behind one.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Although my Ruger M77 in .375Ruger recoils considerably more (consistent with original content, the M77 was an attempt to replicate the Win. M70 by Ruger);
-My recently obtained Winchester M94 .30/30 "hurts" more to shoot. Especially with a max load of LVR under a CT 150gr B.T. @~2,400fps. Shot about a dozen rounds three days ago adjusting rear sight to zero wearing nothing but a t-shirt (yeah, had pants on too...). Shoulder still hurts.
50rds from a new-to-me M1 Garand, didn't hurt like that first shot from that little Winchester...