The ones made in South Carolina. I don't know anyone who has one. I'm looking at buying one in .30-06.

Most comments have been positive.
If you go to the 24 hour campfire you can see for your self, the many happy reports.
I am hoding out for one in .375 H&H.
...tj3006

I bought one of the early limited edition featherweights in .270 WCF.....it's a seriously reliable and accurate rifle.

Believe it or not the trigger is actually better than any previous M-70.

The stock is a little thicker in the wrist section, and the barrel crown is typical Browning rather than the 11 deg of the usual M-70

I have no complaints with my gun at all.

I even added one of Will's elephant hide slings to it!!!

About two years ago, American Rifleman had an article featuring the New Model 70 and accuracy shown was not good at all, but overall did promote the rifle. Also was stated that their barrels were "farmed out," but just recently the TV show American Rifleman aired and it was stated that all of their barrels are now made in house and spoke about the extra effort they spent and how well finished they were and no ripples could be seen on the barrels length. Reports of magnum series of rifle on their way and when you check their price stucture, they are certainly competetive and would be good to see Winchester back in the winners circle.

So far so good. Triggers are good out of the box and user adjustable. The bane of the old model 70's was the contact patch on the bbl, now the bbls are free-floated.

John

I like mine, its a 3006 Fwt.deluxe limited edition . Real nice stock, about 3lb trigger. Its accurate too, I have not handloaded for it yet, but with federal 168hpbt it shoots awesome. I hope they make more large caliber ones.
Also taking a 10 pt buck this year with the rifle somehow made me like it more

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Jones:
Most comments have been positive.
If you go to the 24 hour campfire you can see for your self, the many happy reports.
I am hoding out for one in .375 H&H.
...tj3006

I've read quite a few comments on the web.....some of them unfavorable and of these, all of them were by folks that were reporting other peoples reports.

I've yet to read anyone comment negatively that actually owns one.

I have one in the Stainless "Extreme" version in .30-06. The rifle is nicely built and smooth as butter the trigger is easily adjustable and very crisp.

I had HUGE accuracy problems with mine at first. After a bedding and re crown job it settled in nicely at about .5 MOA. I am extremely happy with it now.

I've know of several other new M-70's with the same issues fortunately they were easily fixed.

I'm really sorry to hear that. I read the article in American Rifleman and was definitely thinking a M70 in 30-06 or 300 Win Mag or maybe even 375 H&H would be a nice gun to have. There's really no excuse for accuracy issues with a modern rifle today, particularly when one is built around a proven (pre-64 M70) design.



Chuck

My wife fell in love with the Featherweight in .308 about two weeks before deer season. We slapped a 3-9x Leupold on it and shot over the hood of the pickup in a snow storm at 100 yards with some factory ammo I had laying around. Less than 2" groups and no function problems.

I believe that the little rifle will make a decent hunting rifle but I'm waiting for better weather to wring it out

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
I'm really sorry to hear that.

I wouldn't expect too much in the way of attention being given to the bedding on any factory gun. I would expect a decent crown, unless the barrel were contractor supplied.

My new Model 70 Featherweight Deluxe with drop dead wood in .270 WSM is a real honey, shots one holers (3 shots touching at 100 yards) when the shooter does his part. It had none of the problems mentioned above and along with my New Haven Ultimate Shadow in the same chambering that my son and grandsons now shoot, keeps me busy loading. Good shooting.

Good to hear phurley, I was happy to see the M70 come back. I wish more American rifle makers would guarantee accuracy like Weatherby does even in their Vanguards (which were selling for less than $400 at Walmart!). A little quality control before the gun is shipped out means so much more than "making it right" afterwards.

The crown on mine was not cut concentric to the bore. The rifle was shooting laterally climbing groups as it heated up and was throwing fliers.

I was actually amazed at how it shaped up after the bedding and re-crowning. But it sure as heck did.

The gun smith who did mine had three other new M-70's in at the time for similar problems.

I own a Supergrade in 30-06. The trigger was 5.25 lbs out of the box. Getting that space-age glue off the adjustment screw was a PITA, but worth it. 3.5 lbs and it shoots well. The action is smooth and works as well as a controlled feed could. I can load 4 sized, empty cases into the magazine, and it will feed, extract and eject these empties with ease.

I have just bought a M70 Super Grade in 30-06. Shoots extremely well. Shot 4 x 3 shot group at 100m with charges incrementally increasing by 1gr and all groups were 3/4 inch or less. Bullet was Sierra 180gr & powder H4350/AR2209. Fit & finish excellent. By no means a lightweight though at just on 9lbs with leup 2.5 - 8 and Talley steel rings & bases. That scope really could be 1/4 inch longer and be better for it.

I would have been one of the people condemning the use of the new style trigger but by golly its awful nice. Very very crisp but perhaps the weight is a bit on the heavy side. Have not adjusted at all as I have not had action out of the stock as yet.

One of the "bargain" buys IMHO.

Oh, nearly forgot did not do the barrel break in thing either. Just sighted in & shot groups. Fired 16 shots total - cleaned with MP7 then wipeout & left overnight. Hardly any copper fouling evident. The barrel is pretty slick. Another +.

regards
JohnT

My 270 is the Feather Weight and it is very accurate. It is also the Model 70.