Kinda Concerns Africa, for Guys wanting a CRF for DG. Good news, I don't know what they will do for DG Rifles, but it will be interesting.

US made Winchester Model 70 back for 2008

Morgan, Utah - The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most respected bolt-action rifle designs in the world. Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 70 for 2008. The All-American Model 70s will be built by American craftsmen in Columbia, South Carolina, at the same state-of-the-art factory (FN Manufacturing) as the rifles and machine guns used by American's Armed Forces. They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality that the U.S. Government insists upon for military firearms.

For 2008 the new Model 70 has the all new M.O.A.â„¢ Trigger System, improved fit and finish and enhanced accuracy to go along with its classic Pre-64 Controlled Round Feeding, Three-Position safety and solid, sure handling.

M.O.A.â„¢ Trigger System. The new Model 70 M.O.A. Trigger System is the most precise three-lever trigger system ever offered to sportsmen. Operating on a simple pivoting lever principle, the trigger mechanism has been completely redesigned to exhibit zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel. The pull weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds and is factory-set at 3 3/4 pounds. Because of the enhanced ergonomics, wide smooth trigger piece and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the unique design geometry, it actually feels like half that weight.

Three-Position Safety. The improved three-position safety on the new Model 70 has proven effective and highly popular with hunters and shooters for decades. Convenient to operate with the thumb of the firing hand, the Model 70 safety lifts the firing pin away from the sear. Then the safety selector is in the middle position, the action can still be operated, allowing unfired cartridges to be cycled with the safety on.

Hammer-Forged Barrel. Model 70 barrels are cold hammer-forged from a solid billet of steel for accuracy and long life. Massive rotary hammers shape the barrel steel around a mandrel to create the rifling. The barrel is threaded, target crowned and installed on the receiver. The chamber is then reamed and the bolt is headspaced. This results in 1 MOA accuracy for three-shot groups using properly managed barrel, quality match ammo and superior optics under ideal weather and range conditions.

Blade-Type Ejector. The Model 70's blade-type ejector allows full control when ejecting a fired case. When pulling the bolt back slowly the empty case pops out gently, which is perfect for target shooters and varminters. Pulling the bolt back smartly allows the empty case to clear the port with greater force. The blade-type ejector helps to eliminate short-stroking malfunctions.

The new Winchester Model 70 will be offered in a Super Grade, Featherweight™ Deluxe, Sporter Deluxe and Extreme Weather SS models for 2008. All will feature a thick black Pachmayr® Decelerator® pad that will help take the bite out of recoil.

The Super Grade will be offered in 30-06 Sprg. and 300 Win. Mag and will feature a fancy grade walnut stock with contrasting black fore-end tip and pistol grip cap and a sculpted shadowline cheekpiece. Suggested Retail $1,149.00

The Featherweight Deluxe has an angled comb walnut stock with Schnabel fore-end and satin finish with elegant cut checkering. It will be offered in popular long and short action calibers, including WSM chamberings. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049.00.

The Sporter Deluxe features a satin finished walnut stock with cut checkering on trim fore-end and pistol grip, along with a sculpted cheekpiece. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049,99.

The Extreme Weather SS's premium Bell and Carlson composite stock features a trim, light feel with textured matte surface that gives a sure grip in any conditions. The Extreme Weather SS has a free floating, fluted stainless barrel to help minimize weight. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $1,149.00 tp $1,199.00. Delivery on all models will begin in June of 2008.

YES!!!!!

Please tell me they will be available in left-hand.

Thanks for the update.
SFC E7 (retired)

That's exciting news. When will they update their web site with this info?

That's great news.

I don't get how this wasn't leaked. If this is really going to happen in '08 they should have been setting up bids and securing equipment and contractors for a long time.

My dealer has a price sheet with photos of the models. No word on any Safari Expressot big bores. The upside to this is they finally may build a properly proportioned 375H&H again.

quote:

Originally posted by SFC E7:
Please tell me they will be available in left-hand.

Thanks for the update.
SFC E7 (retired)

I fear the worst for us lefties! I'm so glad I got my Safari Classic 375 H&H in 2004.

I like all the sig lines

Ex MM-1(SS) (E-6) DAV

I heard it is all happening as planned, on schedule, done this way to let the previous union contracts expire over the 2-year period while the subject Winchesters were not being made. Non-union labor now to make them profitable enough to start up again?

The info is on several web forums as it was leaked to industry types.

I'm not too enthused about the new trigger design, but I'll reserve judgement on that until getting one in hand. Best news I've read in a long time, gun wise.

Hmmmm, sounds like the second comming, almost too good to be true, industry hype, pre planned release to wet the taste buds of the baby boomers as they get long in the tooth and the babies before they get old enough to not trust big industry...

I have always thought the M-70 trigger was too good to improve other than a trigger job, so we will see..

Well, the bottom line is the M-70 is too good to die, but I'm betting I stick with the pre 64s..maybe its an old man THANG!

That is great news! Any word on DG calibers? Now I wonder why I went on a buying spree of every rifle I could find that was tied down when they announced they would discontinue it. Oh well, now I have them.

I'll be glad to see the Model 70 return. I have a Rem 798 in 458 win on order. If Winchester offers the safari grade in that caliber, the rem is on the market.

No mention of any African calibers in production...yet. Glad I bought mine in '05.

I shot the new guns last week at a media event at Browning in Utah. Believe it or not, the new trigger is better. There was no talk about left-handed guns. I asked about the Safari Express and was told they had to get caught up on their first orders - which, as you can imagine, is going to be a monumental task - before they can introduce another model.

You would be surprised how quick guns can be turned out with "modern" CNC machinery and competent employees that WANT to work. The quality just has to be better. I can't wait. Maybe now I will be able to get a Safari Classic in 416 Rem without feeling like I was mugged.

I am a fan and owner of several M70 Winchester rifles all of CRF persuasion. The pre 64 rifles appeal to me but I never owned one. I'm getting a bit long in the tooth but still hope to own a few more in interesting African calibers.(404,416Rigby, etc.) It is interesting that every post so far adheres to the company line about lazy overpaid employees in New Haven. Has it occurred to others that even young bright eyed illegals working for peanuts and paying no taxes cannot overcome consistently dismal management. Most of you are old enough to recall the roll pins,impressed (mashed in) checkering, and push feed actions. Other models suffered more problems. Then came the mgmt. buyout (U.S. Repeating Arms) and thankfully the return of something very close to the original M70. Next came FN (Browning to many younger gun nuts) which itself has undergone several upheavals and is presently owned by a regional quasi-government organization, or was. Then came the WSM calibers (I have two)then the WSSMs and a riduculous proliferation in models and names with push feed, CRF, and something in between. Then the market was flooded with scores of stock designs in hideous colors and combinations. I am a fan of FN and own two of those as well and doubt that the workers in Belgium work any cheaper than the folks in New Haven. At the end of the day it seems the M70 with CRF, external extractor, and a nice piece of cut checkered walnut costs more to produce than a 700 Rem. and I'mm O.K. with that . Make mine like the custom Safari Express and call when it's ready.(375.,404,or bigger!) My last point is that espenses including labor is the responsibility of Mgmt.

quote:

My last point is that espenses including labor is the responsibility of Mgmt.

Yup

Many articles (and posts) elude to the fact production of the M70 was stopped because of poor performance of the labor force. The real problem is management either failed to recognize the problem or failed to deal with known problems. Somewhere in the chain of command a problem was allowed to exist. The job of management is to recognize the problem and facilitate change to solve the problem.

Anway, glad to see the M70 is back.

Here is some info per press release
New Trigger
The most notable feature on the new Model 70 is its new trigger, one that is adjustable down to 3 pounds, though the triggers will come preset from the factory with a 3 3/4 pound pull. (If a heavier trigger pull is your thing you can set it to break up to a maximum of 5 pounds.)

The trigger itself is a simple thing, incorporating just three pieces. Winchester calls the trigger the M.O.A., rightly linking the need for a good performing rifle to have a good trigger, which the M.O.A. certainly is.

As the illustration shows, the actual trigger, called the “trigger piece†by Winchester, is a lever that bears against a pivot—or “actuatorâ€â€”that supports the sear, which in turn retains the firing pin. As the trigger pushes against the actuator, the actuator moves out of engagement with the sear. The sear then drops, allowing the firing pin to travel forward. Simple.

One benefit of this design is that there is zero takeup in the system. Likewise, while there is a certain amount of creep and overtravel—you need both for a mechanical trigger to function—the perception on the part of the shooter is that there is none. You get nothing but a clean break when you pull the trigger. This trigger feels very, very good. And for shooters who find the addition of safety levers to the trigger itself unsightly—a la Savage Arm’s AccuTrigger—the lines of the M.O.A. are neat and clean.

Adrian, what ever happened to a fair days work for a fair days pay. This is NOT the case where unions are concerned.... for the most part. There are some exceptions, but the Winchester plant was not one of them.