New Model 70 F3atherweights

[floridaboy]

I'm interested in a new Winchester featherweight. Trouble is that they all seem to have that seriously ugly recoil pad. I can't buy something so cosmetically hideous. Is there no option for the red rubber butt pad like my 1980s 30/06 featherweight has?

 

[mudstud]

I'm interested in a new Winchester featherweight. Trouble is that they all seem to have that seriously ugly recoil pad. I can't buy something so cosmetically hideous. Is there no option for the red rubber butt pad like my 1980s 30/06 featherweight has?

Well, you could see if there is an aftermarket red pad available somewhere that would suit you, and have the black pad replaced. Otherwise, you could look for a 90's era Classic Featherweight, those had the thin red pad. One other thing that comes to mind is the LW Super Grade (available only in 7x57), which has a thick red rubber pad. There are several on GunBroker right now. but, they are a lot spendier than the standard Featherweight. Also, Cabelas had some special runs a couple years ago, IIRC, these had red pads. The Cabelas are pretty well dried up now, but you could always check with them.