Scope mounting problems on Mod. 70 receivers

04 April 2002, 14:10

Thunder child

Just discovered I need to shim the rear base .030" to level the rings on my Mod 70 stainless classic(using the leupold dual dovetail mounts). Is this a common problem with the winchester actions, or am I just one of the unlucky ones?

04 April 2002, 15:11

<Don G>

It seems to be more common in the last two-three years.

The Burris Signature line of rings is available with offset inserts of up to +/-.030. Fixes most problems.

Don

04 April 2002, 15:25

D Humbarger

No it's a comon problem with the mounts.

------------------
Doug Humbarger
NRA Life member

04 April 2002, 16:24

John Ricks

www.talleyrings.com/

Once you use them you will never look back.

If the M70 receiver is indeed that far off, then order blank bases (not contoured for the receiver or drilled) and have them properly machined and matched to the receiver. I do this for special sight and scope arrangements. Ain't cheap, but gets the job done right.

I sort of doubt if the M70 receiver is that far off, I would measure the receiver carefully and compare it to a known M70.

------------------
Currently in Exile on the Beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

Email Address is rifles@earthlink.net

Web site http://home.earthlink.net/~rifles/

04 April 2002, 17:52

<JBelk>

Thunder Child--

It's very common on new M70s and Winchester knows it. Call them and ask for a new receiver and you'll probably get it.

Tallyï¿½s first identified the problem and brought it to their attention.

Donï¿½t shim the back mount. Re-machine the front. It cost more but works better.

Custom mounts cost way more and make the job perfect, if done right.

04 April 2002, 19:55

Brad

I WILL NOT buy a Moel 70 sight-unseen. Often the front part of the receiver is overly milled to the point that it's not level with the rear portion... the front often points "downward" towards the ejection port... not good. I've been trying to locate a 338 Win Mag in stainless around here... all three of the one's I've looked at have this phenomenon... I won't buy em'... somebody at Winchester is getting carried away grinding metal!

04 April 2002, 19:58

Ray, Alaska

I had the same problem with a Model 70 (push-feed). I thought the scope was the problem, so I sent it back to the dealer and replaced it with a similar one. Later the folks at Leupold explained to me what the "most probable cause" was, and mailed me a shim free of charge!

The shim corrected the problem. But I only needed a .010" shim.

[This message has been edited by Ray, Alaska (edited 04-04-2002).]

05 April 2002, 02:23

Terry Blauwkamp

I have a M 70 push feed "dying" at Winchester right now. Same problem, .040 shim under rear base to level it.

Winchester called me once, and said it was "just fine" and that it shot ok. Told them, it alwasy shot ok, but the rear bridge was screwed up.

Said they would look into in further, and that 5 weeks ago. No returned gun or other news since.

Spoke with Lee Harris from Winchester at SHOT show and he said He "would take care of it". No news, no action, so far.

Spoke with Maria from Customer Service at SCI, and she said she "would look into it".

So far nothing from her either.

Really makes one want to buy another Winchester.

Next time I'll buy a HOWA.

05 April 2002, 02:39

John Ricks

Guess I have been lucky, I have not had a Classic yet with that much error. 0.005 or so, but not as much as 0.030 to 0.040.

Jack is correct, a part of any rifle project is ensuring the bases are proper for the receiver. This is why I machine to fit. Measure twice, cut once.

Think of a new rifle as "raw material" for a project and you will do just fine.

06 April 2002, 05:51

Muletrain

Thunder,
My new Mod 70 Safari Express is wearing a .025 shim under the rear base and probably could have used .005 more to make it perfectly level.

08 April 2002, 23:29

<1GEEJAY>

HMMM,I wonder why people keep buying winchesters?
1geejay

09 April 2002, 03:23

Terry Blauwkamp

Who sells Howa's?

Is there a web site for them?

09 April 2002, 09:33

<1GEEJAY>

Terry,
try my web site,Interarms is the current importer.
1geejay
http:www.shooting-hunting.com