Hi guys,
Sorry for the cross post..

I can buy an new in box Winchester Mod. 70 Heavy Varmint in .243 with the stainless fluted bbl. for $599 at a local gun shop. This is the "no longer made" gun with the HS precision stock.

Anyone want to compare this to the newer Stealth Varmint, which I have read good things about and is less expensive (wholesale)?

Thanks!

Rogerinneb:

Well, I like the Stealth I have in .223 Rem. Shoots .5 or better if I'm paying attention. The talk I've heard is buyers generally preferred the fat black barrels vs. the fat white stainless ones and quality, accuracy, etc. is pretty much equal, meaning both are tops.

One thing.....Winchester can't seem to make enough Stealths to go around. Buy it! Most shooters seem to want .308 Stealths, so they get snatched up fast.

rogerinneb I have two Winchester Heavy Varmint rifles. One a 22-250 the other a .220 Swift. I have yet to see one with a fluted barrel. My guess is some one had it fluted or that is an after market barrel. My guns the new gun was $500 dollars the used one was a bargin at $425 but like new and both shoot at .5 MOA and better. I'm very happy with them. Does the barrel actually have the Winchester inscription on it? It should say "Winchester Model 70 SA (caliber)" and below "Made in New Haven Conn.USA Winchester proof steel" on the other side of the barrel "Heavy Varmint". It it isn't like this my guess is it's not original.

[ 03-11-2003, 10:15: Message edited by: Oleman ]

Rogerinneb, I answered your post in the Small Cal section, but you guys have me confused now. My gun says exactly what Oleman wrote in his post. When I go to Winchester's website, my gun looks exactly like what they show as the Stealth. I just assumed they were different names for the same rifle. Should the barrel say Stealth on it somewhere if it was really a Stealth? Is there a true difference between the two?
Regardless, I think either one is a shooter. I know mine is. I wouldn't hesitate buying it.

Guys, this is a factory barrel, stamped as you described. One of the reasons I'm interested in the gun is that the Blue Book says "add $137 for fluted barrel" as a footnote to the listing.

The gun is an OK deal anyway, but that $137 added value (not that it really matters on a 11 pound gun, or that anyone else would be willing to pay that premium)was interesting. The flutes are well done, not very deep.

Of course, I need an 11 pound .243 like a hole in the head, but hey, when was it about NEED?

I have a Winchester HB Varmint in .220 Swift with the fluted barrel, it came from the factory like that. My buddy has my old .222 HB that also has a fluted barrel. I had a HB in .223 that had the fluted barrel, but it now has a Pacnor barrel chambered in .223 Imp.