Winchester 70--What have I gotten into

[Mantan]

The last few times I've visited my local gun store, the same rifle has jumped out at me, and last week, I just could not stop myself. I have always wanted something chambered in 25.06, and at last, the price had dropped yet again on a Winchester Model 70 in just that.

At the time of purchase, I thought this to be a super-grade. It has the ebony tip on the fore-end, and has a handsome walnut stock. However, there is no "super-grade" logo on the floorplate, and the asking price was only $600.

Also, I could tell the rifle was either gently used, or had just been bumped around in the rifle rack for a few years. Nothing but a few little dings and some light wear on the safety and bolt handle. Nothing a display model wouldn't show.

When I got home, however, the serial number proved this to be a 40 year old rifle, built in either 1976 or 1977, the year of my birth. So having not yet scoped and shot the thing, I'm already a little enamoured of it. The rifling is clean. The trigger is very crisp...far better than any of the newer guns I've owned.

Those of you that have owned M70s from the 70's--What can I expect from this rifle? Are these known as shooters?

 

[Nature Boy]

Where are the pictures?

 

[jmr40]

It'll probably be a decent rifle, but you over paid by a significant amount. Around $300-$400 would be a fair price. The post 64's made during the 1960's and 70's are the least desirable of the Winchesters. Winchester was bought by a group of investors in 1980 and quality improved significantly for about the next 20 years. By about 2000 quality began dipping again and by 2006 when doors closed they were making some lemons. FN bought the company and resumed production again in 2008 with some very nice rifles.

Your rifle is on a push feed action that came about in 1964 replacing the much more desirable controlled round feed rifles. Winchester brought back CRF rifles in 1994 for their top of the line rifles, but continued to make the PF versions in their budget line right up until the end. The FN made rifles are all CRF and a new Featherweight sells for about $700.

Quality during the 60's and 70's was spotty. Most rifles shoot pretty well, but they also made some lemons during that era as well. Take it out and see what it does.

 

[Old Dog]

Conventional wisdom where I was living was that by the early '80s, the post-'64 push feed Model 70 quality had gone significantly up; I've got a M-70 Featherweight from 1983 in .270, still gorgeous and accurate, that is one of my all-time favorite rifles.

I can't speak to that post-64 through the '70s quality, but I knew, and hunted with, plenty of folks that bought new Winchesters throughout the '70s who were happy with them and brought home a buck every November. If the fit and finish and the trigger is that good, and it proves to be accurate, be happy with this rifle. Also, know that there are still millions of opinions vis a vis push feed vs. controlled round feeding and what many consider "more desirable" often simply boils down to the usual firearms snobbery.

 

[CoalTrain49]

For what it's worth. I bought a new model 70 in 1970. Used it one season and gave the rifle to my brother. He had problems with the bolt and like me used it one season. My sister has it now but I don't think anyone has used it for 20 years. The rifle was accurate but it had issues. Sorry, but that was my experience.

My neighbor has a new FN model 70. Nothing to complain about there. Real nice rifle.

I have a new Howa that has push feed. Not an issue. Ignore it.

 

[Hopkins]

The push feed model 70 action is equal to or superior as a donor action to the Remington 700 action for a custom build. The action is forged and has a superior recoil lug and a flat bottom for more bedding surface. The downside is that the Remington has many more aftermarket stock, bottom metal and trigger choices. The 70 action has more receiver metal however for truing. The 3 position safety compares favorably to the 700's.

 

[stiab]

Pay no attention to the nay sayers, you got a nice rifle in a caliber you wanted at a decent price. My 1973 .30-06 M70 is beautiful, with excellent metal and wood finish,cut checkering, 3 position safety, and very accurate. You did well, congrats!

 

[joed]

I've owned model 70s from all periods, never had a bad one. Even like the push feed action as it works well. The .25-06 is my favorite cartridge, I've been shooting one for 40 years.

 

[Bill.45]

I bought my Win. 70, .25-06 Oct. 2, 1981 new @ $251.81. It was my first center fire rifle. I lost track of the number of deer I took with it through all these years. Not ever a problem except it would field dress my deer. I still have that rifle and wouldn't exchange it for a new one. Longest kill was 281 paces.

 

[sage5907]

I think most of the newer Winchester 25-06 rifles have 22 inch barrels. If you were lucky enough to find one with a 24 inch barrel that would be good. Like joed I bought my first 25-06 in 1965 and and I have yet to have a bad one. They are easy to load for and it takes very little effort to find a good load. If you load your own ammo try 50.5 or 51 grains of Reloader 22 with a Sierra 117 grain GameKing. Winchester brand brass is available now so if you need Brass buy it now!

 

[Mantan]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm not too concerned about the push feed. I hunt deer from tree stands, so follow up shots are an afterthought.

I'm also fine paying $600 for walnut and blued steel.
It is a 24" barrel, which is one of the reasons I was happy to jump on it. I'm looking for a compliment to my m77 .24, which is a death ray out to 100 yards, but I'll be sitting some different stands next year, and would like a little more punch at longer ranges.

I'm in the process of trying to figure out how much I want to invest in a scope, so I won't know if she is a real shooter for some time. I'm extatic with the trigger and fit, though, so shooter or not, she's probably here to stay.

 

[sage5907]

When I buy a used rifle I always want to see those Weaver bases. That indicates right up front that the rifle has little use and that it hasn't been used much for a long time. I have several Model 70's that are hunting rifles and the perfect scope for me is a Leupold 3 to 9 power variable with a 40 MM objective and I mount them in low mounts. A VX 2 is good but a model I like even better is a used Leupold European because it has a 30 MM tube and it weight only 13 ounces. I also like the Leupold dual dovetail low mounts for that scope. You'll get all kinds of opinions on a scope but I'm just saying what I like best. You could make your shooting experience more enjoyable by installing a black Pachmayr Decelerator one inch thick pad.

 

[joed]

Beautiful rifle. I bought my .25-06 in 1977 for $238 when a bunch of us started groundhog hunting in OH. Mine is a Rem 700 VS as the store did not sell Winchester. This rifle has been bear hunting in Canada, deer hunting in FL and now coyote hunting in OH over the time I've owned it.

The 25-06 is my favorite cartridge and my first centerfire rifle. Not many people like long action cartridges anymore but I'll never part with this gun.

I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of that rifle. If you aren't happy with it let me know.

All the bolt action rifles I've owned have been either Remington or Winchester from the 70's till up to present day. Only advice I'll give you on it I've found most Remington and Winchester wood rifles to need bedding to shoot small groups.

 

[Mantan]

I will consider bedding for sure. I am also already looking into a better shoulder pad. That plastic plate is just proof that men aren't built as tough as they used to be.

All my other rifles have Leupold 3-9 or 2.5-8 in low mounts. Big fan.
I was considering a Leupold 4-12 with a 50 mm objective or possibly a Vortex 44mm in the $400 range. I'm afraid I just can't tell the difference after that. I feel like for deer hunting, you reach a point of diminishing returns after a certain point, scope wise. (unless you want to get into night vision

Thanks again for the replies. I'll post back after I've put together a few groups.

 

[joed]

I don't know where you live so not sure how far your shots will be so can't give much advice on a scope. When I used mine for deer hunting I used nothing but a 3x9 or 4x12 with a 40mm with a low mount.

You may find that a shoulder pad is not needed, mine doesn't have one and I never felt the need. Even on an active day of groundhog hunting with mine where 20 shots were fired recoil wasn't a problem.

You're going to find out why the .25-06 is my favorite cartridge.

 

[Mantan]

Really considering it a bean field rifle. Shot distance will only be limited by my abilities and confidence to make a clean shot.

As of now, the .243 is my only moa rifle. The rest are inconsistent, so hopefully this '06 will be capable of some 3-5" groups at 300 yards or so.

As to the pad, I generally add a little something for lop, so I may as well soften her up while im at it.