After a lifetime of hunting, I feel I've found the perfect rifle. I've hunted with everything from Ruger #1's, Remingtons, a Savage, Blasers, Pre-64 Winchesters, post 64's, Kimbers and the like. All were fantastic hunting rifles.
Last year I bought a Winchester M-70 Fwt in 25 Wssm. It is fantastic!!!! It is all the rifle I've dreamed about. Compact, light and very accurate. I am in LOVE with the short action. Just a supurb handeling rifle. I don't think I could ask more. Any of you had experiance?

ldkier:
I have one just like yours, and I completely agree with your opinion. Great little rifle. I DO suggest, unfortunately, that you stock up on ammunition (or brass, if you are a handloader). It appears clear to me that you and I are in a definite minority!

the .25 wssm is a calibre that I am interested in but as olarmy said I am concerned about finding ammo and brass in a couple of years.

I got five hundred rounds of brass. Should keep me happy for a lifetme of shooting. WOW, why did Winchester go out of business? Finally, a fine rifle!!!! Of course, the 25 Wssm cartridge is about the ugliest thing I'd ever seen. Kinda like a Studebaker. But, does it ever SHOOT!!!! I bet this fantastic little rifle will one day be highly desired. I'm so pleased. I forked out about two grand for a custom Kimber in 25/284. The Winchester FWT in 25 Wssm wins hands down. Man, if I only bought two.......

Side note. Winchester brass sucks. Four to five out of 50 are rejects. Mostley folds in the shoulder. Think Winchester in their "death throws" got a little bit sloppy. I feel somewhat sorry about that, but, the guy in the brass mill was losing his job. We, as gun nuts morn the passing, but are ever grateful for a company that brought us to our endevour.
The Winchester name will always bring fond memories, if not a tear to the eye.

Yes. I went looking for a Featherweight in 243, and walked out of the shop with one in 243 WSSM. No standard 243s to be had. Since USRAC had just folded, I wanted a Model 70 (never know if we will see them again!). All the bashing about feeding, accuracy, sticky bolt lift, blah, blah, blah, had me a tad worried.

Long story short, the rifle averages 1.1 MOA with factory 100 gr Power Points. The best group was 1.2" at 200m. At 6.5lbs scoped, it is a dream to carry, and handles quite well. Feeds quite smoothly, with no hang-ups. Even has a nicely figured piece of walnut. Best of all, due to the massive discounting, it cost $ 420 AUD (about $ 1100 off retail).

Here's a quirk about brass/ammo. The unprimed cases are $40 AUD per 50. The loaded 100gr Power Points are $ 170 per case. Go figure.
I'm pretty sure I couldn't load 200 rounds for the $10 difference. Guess I'll just stock up on factory ammo, and worry about reloading when I have about 500 or so empties.

The funny thing? Having seen my rifle, all of a sudden everyone wants one. Too bad they left their run a little late.

I too would have liked a 25 WSSM (maybe replace my old, now long gone, 25/06?). Pity there are none to be found here in OZ. You guys who have them in the USA, enjoy them.

quote:

Originally posted by ldkier:
Side note. Winchester brass sucks. Four to five out of 50 are rejects. Mostley folds in the shoulder. Think Winchester in their "death throws" got a little bit sloppy. I feel somewhat sorry about that, but, the guy in the brass mill was losing his job. We, as gun nuts morn the passing, but are ever grateful for a company that brought us to our endevour.
The Winchester name will always bring fond memories, if not a tear to the eye.

Winchester ammunition is a seperate company from US Repeating Arms who made "Winchester" brand rifles.

Neither company went out of business, USRA just shutdown the plant that made the M70 rifle and some shotguns.

Just the same. It's shitty brass. I don't care who made it. Just a little diappointed.

I'll stick with a few disapointments. Thing is. It's a fantastic round.
When handling another lenght action, I become somewhat alarmed. Just that little differance, seems to be a whole lot.
I'm not going to bash any action, but seem to be a little spoiled when I compare the two, or three. I just LOVE the super short action. It's a hunting fit. I've dreamed of this all my hunting life, which is 60+ years. I LOVE super actions as much as I LOVE my wife. Can't love anything more, 'cause my wife is perfect. Happy man!!!

Browning is still cataloging the WSSM cartridges... so the ammo and brass should be around for a while...

It is however, not my cup of tea....

I got a 7mm wsm and a 223 wssm featherweight. My cousin has a 25 wssm ultra plastic stainless. We like them. Ive had 2 bang flops on hog and deer with the 7mm and 150 nos BT. My cuz let his grandson shoot his first buck with it a week or two ago. His bro-in-law has a 25 too. They are using 75 vmax's for deer. Bang flop. You dont have to have an exit wound to trail them if they dont run away.
One thing ive noticed is in the heat of hog killin the short stroke of the bolt makes follow up shots fast. If you dont shear the bolt handle off.

Ive been thinking about loading some 60 grain partitions for my 223 and hunting deer/hog with it.

I know many have been concerned about the bolt handle these late '70's shearing off. I have never seen or even heard of one doing that. I've cranked my bolt many times.....No problem.
Guess if I'm in the thought of hunting dangerous game, I'd have a good smith fix the problem.
Since these shorty '70's are aren't dangerous game rifles, I just crank 'em as normal.

But a rank hog CAN be dangerous.....So maybe that's a concern. On second thought.

If you are going to hunt DG with it, won't you need open sights for back up?

Seriously though, is there a problem with the bolt handles on the M 70's? If so, what to do? Get a spare while I still can? Or can they be repaired?

There are probably more pressing things to worry about. If (a big if) it ever happens, it's repairable.

I've recently had the opportunity to shoot a 25 WSSM and think it is teriffic - .375" 4 shot group at 200 yards.

I had a 243 Win. in a Remington Model 600. The damn thing felt like I should carry it in a holster it was so short. Sold it to a friend who wanted it for his wife thinking I would get one of the new WSSM's. When out and bought one of the Winchesters with the composite camo stocks in the 243 WSSM. The rifle shoots well enough to hunt with but is no barn burner. I have never felt a more sloppy bolt on any rifle. Doesn't seem to hurt anything but the bolt sure flops around in the rear position. I wanted the new shorter action for some reason and now that I have one I'm not sure what it would be good for if I ever wanted to change it.
Maybe another wssm. But what for? Now I've figured out that I really like traditional cartridges. They just seem to work.

quote:

Originally posted by olarmy:
There are probably more pressing things to worry about. If (a big if) it ever happens, it's repairable.

Ok. thanks. Good idea about stocking up on brass, too.
Since the clearance sales seem to be over here in OZ, the cost of ammo and component brass has increased markedly.