The "Rifleman's Rifle" is back -- Winchester M70 slated for production

[ugaarguy]

good luck w/ that - that still puts realistic street price very close to $850 and up. for that kind of money, i'm building my own. and for the new, unproven winchester to come out and go directly head-to-head w/ the refined sako and super-accurate cooper...? hmmm... could be a short life for the m70.

I wouldn't call them unproven. The USRAC plant was a gashing wound losing money for FN. As soon as they closed it the tooling was moved to FNMI where the PBRs and SPRs resumed production. Take a look at the FNH USA website and poke around a little. Remember that the SPR underwent a torturous round count with retained accuracy test to gain the FBI contract.

http://www.fnhusa.com/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF006&gid=FNG005&mid=FNM0024
The SPR successfully passed a 10,000 round endurance test while achieving sub 1/2 MOA performance.

Hard to call that unproven. Actual retail will be only slightly more than what new Remington 700 CDL rifles sell for considering that Remington MSRP on those rifles is from $931 to $984. I'll spend $100 more for a Winchester with a full length claw extractor built at FNMI.

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

HOT DIGGITY DOGS!!!

One of my absolute favorite long guns.

Jeff

 

[GunTech]

Unfortunately, it looks like the new M70s are sticking with the WSM rounds and ignoring 'classic' rounds that have a huge following.

 

[Horsemany]

I am a long time fan and collector of pre-64 M70's but a lot has changed in the nearly two years since the closing announcement. The majority of the buying public are getting further away from classic designs and are voting with their pocketbooks. Just look at which gun companies are prospering. The companies who offer $300 - $500 guns are doing great. No one seems to mind guns riddled with plastic and mfg shortcuts. American consumerism as a whole is changing. We are always looking for the next new thing. This is a drastic change for the gun industry who for a large part has resisted change in the past. It used to be people would buy guns because "that's what Grandpa used to use". Today we want the next new thing. Just look at the new Bolt action offerings this year from almost every maker.

I sincerely wish the best for the new Model 70, but they have an uphill road to climb in my opinion. The benefits of the design are no longer appreciated by the majority of new gun shoppers IMHO.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

Quick Hi-jack,

What is a pre-64 Model 70? Yes I should know this but I don't.

Keeping on topic I wont get one unless I see it for less than $800.00.

 

[ArmedBear]

The benefits of the design are no longer appreciated by the majority of new gun shoppers IMHO.

That may be, but if you put a Featherweight Deluxe next to a Remington Model 700 or 7 CDL, I'd buy the Winchester in a heartbeat. I have had to mess around with rifles a bit to come to appreciate the differences, though, you're right. But the Winchester is going to look a lot better than the $800 guns from Remington, even to a neophyte, and it competes with both the "full size" 700 and the lightweight 7. And I'd buy the Winchester for the bolt-locking safety, nicer wood, light weight and great balance; I don't have to care about CRF to prefer the Winchester. In fact, I really don't care about CRF much, though I'm happy to have it along with all the other stuff. CRF is not all that Winchester offers.

What I never wanted were the endless variations on the M70 that they offered a couple years back, or the WSM's. But assuming these things are well-made, a new Featherweight Deluxe is something I'll have a hard time resisting.

Something interesting, BTW. This year, in the field during deer season, I didn't see one single rifle that wasn't blue and walnut. So maybe "classic" is better appreciated than people think...

 

[wraco]

I think there will always be the black and stainless crowd as well as the blue and walnut. Some want what's new and what's around the corner and others feel comfortable with classic designs from a time when workmanship was a proud achievement and the times and economy allowed for such. A time when a family was lucky to have one car and one bathroom with a toilet that flushed. Today, for some, our horizon of expectation is considerably wider, so prices must be less. But hopefullty there will be those who are willing to pay a little more for a classic design. $1149 works for me.

Regards:
Rod

 

[ugaarguy]

Unfortunately, it looks like the new M70s are sticking with the WSM rounds and ignoring 'classic' rounds that have a huge following.

Not according to the '08 dealer catalog & price list where I work. They'll offer their cartridges - the WSMs - and the classics. In fact a Model 70 Featherweight in .308 Win will be ordered as soon it can for my personal use. Ohh, and I'm in my mid twenties, so there are some younger guys who understand what properly built Winchesters are all about.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I own 5 Pre '64 model 70's two of which are pre-war rifles.
For my money if I decided I needed another bolt gun I would search in ernest for ANOTHER pre-64 model 70.
Not much one could do to improve a pre-64 model 70.
Before deer season at a sight in session my grandson shooting my pre- war
.30-'06(4x Leuopold) for the first time fired 3 rounds into one ragged hole at 100 yd. Shooting reloads of course.
The lad also dropped his first buck a week later.
Maybe when I see one of the F.N. rifles I'll think differently but for now I can't get excited about the new offerings.
Zeke

 

[kentucky_smith]

I'm 30 and I don't do Ruger, Remington, Howa/vanguards or other cheap bolt guns.

Sako's and Winchesters do it for me, and at a lesser level, Tikkas, CZs, Kimbers and Coopers.

 

[GunTech]

Anyone want to comment on what was wrong with the original M70 trigger?

 

[SSN Vet]

The model 70 would be my first pick.....but for price. That's just a lot more coin than I can affoird to pony up for a rifle.

I'm saving my pennies for a Savage 114 American Classic. I don't think I'll be dissapointed and will be left with $400 or more in the bank.

 

[SeoulMan]

Can anyone list the calibers that FN/Winchester will offer the new models in?

BTW, there's a great magazine called HANDLOADER that recently featured an article on naturally accurate cartridges in issue No. 249, and the 308 Win. really stood out. The article mentions others, especially the 300 WSM.

I'm a great fan of classic cartridges, but accurate rifles truly are the most interesting...even newer ones.

 

[Nhsport]

I know several folks that were working at the New Haven Plant. Knowing some of what went on (even allowing for sour grapes ) I wouldn't want to trust that outfit or anything they said.

 

[CB900F]

Seoulman;

I'd buy that 6.5 barrel off you if you're willing to sell it. It'll go to home on a left hand bolt model 70 stainless I own in another caliber.

I'd be very interested in learning if the new FN version is going to be available in LHB.

900F

 

[SeoulMan]

I sold that 6.5 Swede Rifle about 1 yr ago.... sorry.

I'm hoping the new M70 is chambered for this great cartridge... it's a favorite of mine. Great with RL22 and 140 grain bullets...