The Model 70 Is Back!

Morgan, Utah - The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most respected bolt-action rifle designs in the world. Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 70 for 2008. The All-American Model 70s will be built by American craftsmen in Columbia, South Carolina, at the same state-of-the-art factory (FN Manufacturing) as the rifles and machine guns used by American's Armed Forces. They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality that the U.S. Government insists upon for military firearms.

For 2008 the new Model 70 has the all new M.O.A.â„¢
Trigger System, improved fit and finish and enhanced accuracy to go along with its classic Pre-64 Controlled Round Feeding, Three-Position safety and solid, sure handling.

M.O.A.â„¢
Trigger System. The new Model 70 M.O.A.Trigger System is the most precise three-lever trigger system ever offered to sportsmen. Operating on a simple pivoting lever principle, the trigger mechanism has been completely redesigned to exhibit zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel. The pull weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds and is factory-set at 3 3/4 pounds. Because of the enhanced ergonomics, wide smooth triggerpiece and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the unique design geometry, it actually feels like half that weight.

Three-Position Safety. The improved three-position safety on the new Model 70 has proven effective and highly popular with hunters and shooters for decades. Convenient to operate with the thumb of the firing hand, the Model 70 safety lifts the firing pin away from the sear. Then the safety selector is in the middle position, the action can still be operated, allowing unfired cartridges to be cycled with the safety on.

Hammer-Forged Barrel. Model 70 barrels are cold hammer-forged from a solid billet of steel for accuracy and long life. Massive rotary hammers shape the barrel steel around a mandrel to create the rifling. The barrel is threaded, target crowned and installed on the receiver. The chamber is then reamed and the bolt is headspaced. This results in 1 MOA accuracy for three-shot groups using properly managed barrel, quality match ammo and superior optics under ideal weather and range conditions.

Blade-Type Ejector. The Model 70's blade-type ejector allows full control when ejecting a fired case. When pulling the bolt back slowly the empty case pops out gently, which is perfect for target shooters and varminters. Pulling the bolt back smartly allows the empty case to clear the port with greater force. The blade-type ejector helps to eliminate short-stroking malfunctions.

The new Winchester Model 70 will be offered in a Super Grade, Featherweight™ Deluxe, Sporter Deluxe and Extreme Weather SS models for 2008. All will feature a thick black Pachmayr® Decelerator®
pad that will help take the bite out of recoil.

The Super Grade will be offered in 30-06 Sprg. and 300 Win. Mag and will feature a fancy grade walnut stock with contrasting black fore-end tip and pistol grip cap and a sculpted shadowline cheekpiece. Suggested Retail $1,149.00

The Featherweight Deluxe has an angled comb walnut stock with Schnabel fore-end and satin finish with elegant cut checkering. It will be offered in popular long and short action calibers, including WSM chamberings. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049.00.

The Sporter Deluxe features a satin finished walnut stock with cut checkering on trim fore-end and pistol grip, along with a sculpted cheekpiece. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049,99.

The Extreme Weather SS's premium Bell and Carlson composite stock features a trim, light feel with textured matte surface that gives a sure grip in any conditions. The Extreme Weather SS has a free floating, fluted stainless barrel to help minimize weight. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $1,149.00 tp $1,199.00. Delivery on all models will begin in June of 2008.

Media Contact:

quote:

They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality

I for one will be happy to see a return of the M-70 but for those that may not be aware of it the above quote means absolutely nothing re: quality.

I've been thru three plant certifications in ISO and can can say for a certainty that it's pure political bullshit and has very little (if anything) to do with quality!

Made in USA

Tom ga hunter-

Thanks for the update! Being a Winchester Model 70 fan, that's great news.

This isn't even up on the USRA web-site yet.

I'm glad to see they are going to manufacture it again. Just not sure why they had to ruin the best hunting trigger ever made?

quote:

Just not sure why they had to ruin the best hunting trigger ever made?

I am also curious as to the why and how of the trigger changes.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
I'm glad to see they are going to manufacture it again. Just not sure why they had to ruin the best hunting trigger ever made?

I just hope they don't change the geometry of the receiver so that a M70 trigger can't be retro-fitted.

I will say though that I was at Browning a few weeks ago and got to try the same new M.O.A trigger on a Browning bolt rifle - it was impressive. It's very clean and crisp feeling; by far the best trigger feel I've experienced on a factory rifle. The question for me is, how mechanically reliable is the new trigger mechanism? That's the big question and I have no way to answer it.

Are they going to chamber for anything larger than 300 Winnie??

Finally, an end to the inflated pricing of the model 70 rifles. I am sure this news will deflate some hopes of large profits on the premise that the "model 70 will never be made again" bullshit. Maybe now I will be able to get a Safari Classic in 416 Remington without the $2000+ pricetag. I knew 6 months ago this was coming around when I saw the new for 07 FN Tactical Rifle...with a model 70 action.

I believe that if you go to the archives, you find that I reported this a few months ago.
Butch

RE: the traditional M-70 trigger. I for one will not be saddened to see it go as while it was adjustable for weight of pull and after travel it wasn't adjustable for creep and that required a trip to the surface grinder.

IMO there was room for improvement in the old M-70 trigger.

I agree with Vapodog. I am hoping that the "new" trigger is as good as they say it is, and can be retrofitted to the "old" model 70s. But I fear that nothing short of a custom job will take care of the slop inherent in the main trigger pin on most model 70s.

With regard to inflated pricing, those new suggested retail prices look conspicuously higher than they were a few years ago

Regarding the prices, if the quality is comparable to Browning's average quality, it will be worth the increase.

How bout' selling us M70 actions in the white ?

Or at least an affordable "chain store" model we can strip for the action.

quote:

M.O.A.â„¢
Trigger System. ... The pull weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds and is factory-set at 3 3/4 pounds. Because of the enhanced ergonomics, wide smooth triggerpiece and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the unique design geometry, it actually feels like half that weight.

impossible. everybody knows that the lawyers have made sure all triggers are lawyer triggers with three or more stages at ten or more pounds each. those damn lawyers.

quote:

With regard to inflated pricing, those new suggested retail prices look conspicuously higher than they were a few years ago

new machines cost money. sux but true.

Great, except for the part about the "new" trigger and the "improved" three position safety.

New and improved nowadays are synonyms for over-engineered and worse.

When will these guys learn to leave well enough alone?

Still, all in all it's good news - I love my Model 70s - and there's not much that a factory can screw up that a good gunsmith can't put right.

quote:

Originally posted by delloro:

quote:

M.O.A.â„¢
Trigger System. ... The pull weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds and is factory-set at 3 3/4 pounds. Because of the enhanced ergonomics, wide smooth triggerpiece and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the unique design geometry, it actually feels like half that weight.

impossible. everybody knows that the lawyers have made sure all triggers are lawyer triggers with three or more stages at ten or more pounds each. those damn lawyers.

Lawyers don't act out of the clear blue sky. The reason that they make the company overweight their triggers is because "those damn customers" f_ck up an then go out and hire a lawyer to make their claim for them. The lawyer is only the middleman, and if there were no lawyers and the company was being sued by some f_ck up they would make the triggers the same anyway.

I only hope you don't need a lawyer soon and can't get one.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:I only hope you don't need a lawyer soon and can't get one.

Me too!


As to my original post, I was being sarcastic, as I am a lawyer.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality

I for one will be happy to see a return of the M-70 but for those that may not be aware of it the above quote means absolutely nothing re: quality.

I've been thru three plant certifications in ISO and can can say for a certainty that it's pure political bullshit and has very little (if anything) to do with quality!

Agreed. After the certification team leaves it's back to business as usual.

Actually, I'm rather suspicious of anyone who advertises ISO compliance. The marketplace is the ultimate arbiter of quality.

Hey, good news. I like the Model 70 and am glad to have it back AND American made.

I, too, am a firm believer that ISO certifications are not so useful, except that they seem to be a necessary checked box on virtually any RFP to do business with the government or any large company.

I think it drives behavior to address metrics rather than actual root causes.

Been through the ISO and the Aircraft version of it a couple of times. "Say what you do and do what you say". There are no actual quality requirements, just plenty of rules to make sure you do everything the same each time. Makes no difference if you are making lead fishing bobbers with a slew of holes in them if you cross all the tees and dot all the i's.
I'd really like something along the lines of the classic LT in a classic caliber, hopefully at less than 9 lbs all up.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality

I for one will be happy to see a return of the M-70 but for those that may not be aware of it the above quote means absolutely nothing re: quality.

I've been thru three plant certifications in ISO and can can say for a certainty that it's pure political bullshit and has very little (if anything) to do with quality!

Yeah, but ISO 9001 sounds nice doesn't it??

This is all marketing hype if you ask me. They couldn't sell enough rifles so USRAC figured out how to create a new demand for them. GM does the same thing with their Camaro/Firebird line. How many times have the Camaros been discontinued now? Twice? They're supposed to bring a new model out next year and I bet they'll sell the hell out of them.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I agree with Vapodog. I am hoping that the "new" trigger is as good as they say it is, and can be retrofitted to the "old" model 70s. But I fear that nothing short of a custom job will take care of the slop inherent in the main trigger pin on most model 70s.

With regard to inflated pricing, those new suggested retail prices look conspicuously higher than they were a few years ago

Significantly higher prices even after dumping those overly-paid union workers? One would think the prices would go down, or at the very least stay constant? Corporate greed doesn't seem to have changed at Winchester.

Well, thank God for North Carolina and the minimum wage!

Unless they plan on offering ACTIONS in the white, they won't be seeing any of my dough!

The best news, as far as I am concerned, is that
working over a milsurp Mauser just got more cost effective!