Anybody handled one of these yet, or better yet, own one/fired one? Considering getting the wife one in .223 for a little varmint rig, would like get some field reports first, though...

Model 70, Coyote Lite, Stainless

tmoore4627
read this and check out the threads under my name before you buy a whinchester. I have a whole pile of rem 700's and none have ever given me problems.
Dr B

Dr B
one of us
Posted 13 September 2005 22:24

I bought a new in the box mod 70 .25 wssm. for whiteail and other small game. On my first trip to the range I brought some win factory loads 100gr supreme. When I fired them the bolt was difficult to lift the handle but I continued to zero the scope and the shoot some groups. This gun shot worst than any gun I have ever fired. 3-4 inches at 100 yards was the best group. so I checked the scope cleaned the gun and tried again another day the results were tyhe same. I could not belive my results so I took the gun to my gunsmith and had him remount the scope and then took the gun to a local guy that makes realy good custom ammo and left it with him to work up a load,after a few days He called me and said to come pick up my rifle that he could not make it shoot. I called winchester and the service people treated me like I was a idoit and were no help.Just told me to send them the rifle.
I talked to my gunsmith he said that in his experince that they would send the gun back and say there was nothing wrong with it. I belive Him after my conservation.
I'm stuck with a gun that I can't feal good about selling so I guese I'll let Kevin Weaver rebarrel and square my action. around $600.
Has anyone else had thes problemes with winchester.

Tmoore4627: I handled one yesterday in Missoula, Montana. I kind of liked its feel balance and looks.
My immediate thought when I first saw it was - imitation is the sincerest from of flattery!
And I thought of this old axiom at that instant, as the whole Rifle was simply a copy "ala Winchester" of the popular Remington LV-SF series of Rifles.
Granted the Winchester has 2" more barrel and I think that is a plus.
If one is attracted to the looks and feel of the Rifle it would probably be worth the investment to give one a try. At $881.00 (MSRP) it seems pricey - I have already forgotten what the real world price at Sportsmans warehouse was for this rig?
Good for Winchester though offering more models in more calibers!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I had a Winchester Model 70 classic in 7Rem Mag it shot great the action was smooth and groups were good at 100 yards .75 and less. I got bit by the 30cal magnum itis and sold it to a friend. It was/is a great rifle sorry to hear that yours was a lemon.

DrB, did you try having the gunsmith bedding it properly and adjusting the trigger? This will usually solve the problem and costs quite a bit less than a barrel job.