Winchester mod 70 - stock stuck

[Charliefrank]

Years ago my father gave me his Winchester model 70 xtr featherweight in 270. Wood stock w/schnauble forend. Here's my question. I tried removing the barreled action from the stock so I could tighten a loose forend swivel. Removed the action screws and went to separate the two, no go. I was applying pressure to the point the stock felt it would break. Not even a wiggle. Thoughts? I'm thinking it may have been glass bedded without the release agent.

 

[Sunray]

Can you see any bedding material? If it has been bedded without the release agent(could be just in one tiny spot too), the stock will literally have to be chiseled off.
Mind you, a properly done bedding job can need a bit of persuasion in the form of either a rubber mallet applied to the bottom of the barrel near the forend or the barrel bopped on a mattress or pillow. Best thing is a futon though. My .243 is like that.

 

[MidRoad]

Is there a screw on the inside of the floor plate? Recoil lug may be glued?

 

[alcesgigas]

You may need to remove the action screws and spray Kroil or other penetrating oil (careful with a wood stock--use sparingly--as this will penetrate that too) in the now vacated space. Let set overnight and tap--not hammer--the loose action screws. Best bet here is to buy some 1/4x28 hex head bolts and substitute them for the original screws for this tapping business. Another way is put the rifle in the freezer overnight then repeat the process already described. This latter is almost mandatory with a solidly bedded synthetic stock. In any event good luck.

 

[Charliefrank]

Thanks guys, will give it a shot.

 

[hps1]

Years ago my father gave me his Winchester model 70 xtr featherweight in 270. Wood stock w/schnauble forend. Here's my question. I tried removing the barreled action from the stock so I could tighten a loose forend swivel. Removed the action screws and went to separate the two, no go. I was applying pressure to the point the stock felt it would break. Not even a wiggle. Thoughts? I'm thinking it may have been glass bedded without the release agent.

Never owned a featherweight, but I'm betting it is same receiver as the standard mod. 70 which has a third screw in center of action (covered by the floor plate). This screw should not be overtightened when re-installing, snug only.

Regards,
hps

 

[Bartojc]

Cannot add anything to what has been said. My XTR featherweight was tight, tight, tight. I like you feared I would break something taking the action out. It eventually came out, but wow. Looked to be like something was used to tighten up the recoil lug in the channel at assembly time ? I owned the rifle since new so it had to have been put there at the factory. Do what has been suggested and you'll get it.

-Jeff