Winchester rifle

[Moose23]

Hello everybody. New member here. Like the site.

I've got a Winchester Ranger B/A in .270. There are no model numbers or other identifiers other than the serial number. I've always assumed this gun is a bargain version of the post-64 Model 70. It's push feed action, top loads through the open bolt, with no checkering or engraving.

I've been unable to locate any info or references to the Ranger on any Winchester websites that I have been able to locate. My dad bought it new about 30 years ago, and gave it to me about 20 years ago when he stopped deer hunting.

Anybody know anything about the Ranger firearms? I've also got a Winchester Ranger pump 12 gauge (First gun I ever bought, at age 14. That both are Rangers is purely coincidental). Best scattergun I ever shot.

 

[d2wing]

I recall the Rangers. If I am correct, you are correct. They came out as a new line of Winchesters, and I think they were to compete with the Remington Express line as well as Savage and Mossbergs which were cheap in every respect in those days. They were revised versions of Winchesters normal production weapons.

 

[MMCSRET]

I had one, won it in a 4H raffle, 30-06, was Model 70 thru and thru except quality of wood in stock and finish and very cheap sights. The sights were plastic like the ones Remington used a lot of. 30-06 and a good shooter, just an economy version for sale by discount stores. Mine did say Winchester Ranger and caliber on the barrel in the same location as the Model 70, but no model #. Good shooter.

 

[Moose23]

I replaced the see-thru scope mounts the old man had on it with a set of Leopolds & removed to crappy iron sights. Not much to look at, but it shoots consistently where I point. The Ranger pump always goes "bang" when I pull the trigger. My buddies refuse to shoot against it. Had an Auto-5, an 870 & an older model Savage. But I always pick up the Ranger when its time to hunt or shoot skeet competitively.

Thanks for the info, ya'll.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, Moose23.

There was a similar inquiry a month or two ago about the Ranger version of a model 70. I believe it was produced in 1984 or '85, and was just a cheapened version of the M70, as you probably know. There wasn't a lot of info available.
Have fun with it and be safe.

I found this post.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=471258


NCsmitty

 

[jmr40]

The Ranger name has been used off and on for several years as Winchesters budget rifles and shotguns. I have a 1994 Winchester catalog showing them. For a while they offered a model 670, which was really the same budget rifle with another name. All of them should be just as good a shooter as the model 70. I have one with the featherweight barrel contour and iron sights that has excellent metal and iron sights. I have replaced the cheap stock and it looks pretty nice. Some had blind magazines and others had floorplates so they varied a lot over the years.

 

[Mike J]

I bought mine new in '89 it says Winchester Model 70 on one side or the barrel & Ranger on the other. It's not the most expensive or most refined but it's a good shooter. I saw a magazine article posted somewhere from back in the day when Winchester came out with the ranger model 70's. I may try google & see what comes up.

 

[MMCSRET]

Watch out for the Model 670 and 770, the bolt and firing pin assembly was different than the Model 70 of the same time period. The firing pins are somewhat fragile and there aren't any replacements available generally.

 

[Mike J]

I couldn't find that article & can't remember where I saw it. I may come back & try to scrounge it up tomorrow. It's getting a little too late tonight.

 

[chevyforlife21]

the ranger guns just have cheapened wood, they are the same gun internally and barrel/bore wise