Owning two of them (300 WM and 243 W - this one has a cocking indicator in red) I don�t really know what I�ve got in my hands ... obviously I do know about its performance and what to expect about them ... but, what about its background ? How is this model "ranked" in the winchester family ?

In rather short terms I'm researching the history of the Winchester Model 70 XTR...

Can anyone tell me when the Model 70 XTR was first offered, and when it was discontinued. Also appreciated would be any additional info on the special feaures of the XTR (action, trigger, barrel type/length, stock characteristics, type of wood/metal used, calibers offered). The USRAC website isn't very helpful and indicates the XTR only came out in 1986. I've seen examples that date back to 1978! I hope that there may be some regulars with a little knowledge on Winchester rifles that can help me out here.

Thank you all in advance ...

Afrikaander

Afrikaander

I think they were between about 1971 and about 1980 and were characterised by the plastic angled forend tip. In fact they were similar in over all appearance to a Weatherby Mark V.

Most M70s I have owned have been 375s and they changed about 1980 to the Express (I think some name like that) and they had no forend tip and the sling swivel was shifted to the barrel.

About 6 months ago I was looking at a 375 from the mid 70s and it was far better made than the current walnut/blued 375.

Mike