I got a PR today announcing the Winchester M70 is alive and well - this time the plan is to make them in South Carolina.

More details please if you have them.

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 triggerpiece 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.

Thanks for the info.

Great news, in my opinion.

Anything in left hand?

quote:

Originally posted by jtinidaho:
Anything in left hand?

Probably not. Do they ever?

Nov/Dec 2007 Rifle Shooter Mag page 82 (by Wayne van Zwoll.

The FN/USA's Special Police Rifle, from 2000, and the Precision Bolt Rifle, 2004.
"Have a reciever indistinguishable from the Model 70".

And,"we have enough actions stockpiled, until the Carolina plant is tooled up to build more."


So it looks like it won't take much to turn out some standard sporters as well.

This is great news. Now maybe that one individual who has bought all the pre 64's on the gun broker sites will be unloading a few!

quote:

Originally posted by Moose-Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by jtinidaho:
Anything in left hand?

Probably not. Do they ever?

They did. I got lucky and bought a LH .375 Safari Classic just before they went under. Had no idea they were going bust when I bought it.

It's been a great performer.

Didn't notice in the list in the release that the Safari Classic is coming back. Maybe later. Would like to get one in .458 Win and upgrade it to the Lott.

There are quite a few left-hand M70's at Gander Mountain in Houston.

Makes me one happy camper. I love the Model 70 but at those prices I might as well get a Kimber.

This sounds Great ! Thanks for the report

Oh goody. Might as well write out the check now. What sort of project am I going to immerse myself in with one of those? Whatever it may turn out to be, I'm sure it will be devastating to the bank account, pretty pointless, and an absolute blast.

It looks like all of those people that bought up the model 70 rifles looking to make a large profit are either going to swallow some pride and sell them for something more reasonable...or keep them and cry in their beer! Sometimes you get exactly what you deserve.

Hopefully, the new Model 70 will be like the ones made in New Haven, Ct. I believe that the New Haven guns will still command a premium. This is great news in that the new Model 70 will be made in America. I'm looking forward to hold one. Thanks for the news.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
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.

Strange wording, AZ Writer. Wonder what it means?

A link w/some pix.
Click on each pix to enlarge it.
Look mighty fine to me, w/real recoil pads too.

http://www.howardcommunications.com/winchester_firearms...er%20Model%2070.html

Don

sell yer $2,500 m70's now and buy them for half the price next year.

boomie,
can't you resize those pix? or just use the low res pics from the link? Mang, they're huge.
Canuck

Yep! you must remember, "not everyone one has high speed".
"That's a bad boom"!

Maybe it is getting late and I passed over it, but what about 375, 416 Rem and Lott chamberings? And what about the Sporter Deluxe in "popular long action and short action WSM calibers"....again maye it is just late after a long shift at work.......

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
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.

Strange wording, AZ Writer. Wonder what it means?

Probably means it's like my old one, first three shots are MOA but a hot barrel is a garden hose.

howzat

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
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.

Strange wording, AZ Writer. Wonder what it means?

Lawyerspeak?

Must be, as I've never read it anywhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
using properly managed barrel


Lawyerspeak?

Could be, AZ, but I just read it in the same way as some guys say "If you hold your tongue just right"...i.e., if the shooter does his share by shooting competently.

properly managed probably means taken care of, cleaned of fouling etc. Also might mean dont shoot 20 rounds quickly and expect your 21st 22nd and 23rd shot to be MOA.

_BAxter

Exactly what I was thinking. Makes sense, and it condenses a lot of excess verbiage.

while the price is a little bit steep i'd still buy one in 243 win

suggested retail means about 25% less on the street.

A little on the high side aren't they!

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
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.

Strange wording, AZ Writer. Wonder what it means?

They probably got that from me,as I was saying it for a while here on AR.A rifle will kill properly or a barrel shoots accurately from a WELL MAINTAINED BARREL.

These models do not come in 338WM and 375H&H.[URL= ]mean jack-o-lantern[/URL]

The prices sound high, but they are about $200 more than Ruger MSRP and the Win. normally has had more markup than the Ruger.

Maybe F.N. was smart enough not to hire any of those idiot gunsmiths from the previous operation. Those were poor excuses for machine work.

I have High hopes for these rifles.
I bet they will be sold for around 800.00
A feather weigh model 70 in .308 and a standard model in 300 win would be just about right, A model 70 308 built on a real short action would tickle me...tj3006

The last rifles were Winchesters made by US Repeating Arms, Co.

Are they now defunct?

Will the new production be Winchesters by Winchester, Olin or FN on the barrel?