Dr. Xxxx Xxxx
XXXX Xxxx Drive
Xxxx, State XXXXX
XXX-XXX-XXXX
[email protected]
Browning/Winchester Service
1 Browning Place
Arnold, MO 63010
To Whom It May Concern:
Please address the following problems with my newly purchased Winchester Model 70 Super Grade, caliber .30-06 Sprg. I have posted photographs at The High Road (dot org) for you to be able to view. Here is the link: [
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6282978#post6282978 ]. I do not have photo paper to be able to print them. My specific concerns include the barrel’s bore, the stock’s barrel channel and the floor plate’s hinge.
The first problem that I noted when I arrived home was that the stock was not properly torqued. In fact, I was able to move the barrel action sideways inside in the stock’s barrel channel. I used my torque wrench and torqued the front screw to 40 pounds and then the rear screw to 40 pounds. The barrel was very noticeably not running straight in the barrel channel. See the picture posted at thehighroad.org Regardless, I figured that this was a matter that could be corrected by Winchester or an approved agent with a re-bed or a new stock.
At this same time, I examined the whole rifle over. The floor plate’s hinge is quite simply messed-up. The floor plate has approximately one-half inch lateral movement in both the left and right directions. There is something wrong with that floor plate hinge. I have never had a firearm that had such play.
The final concern is that barrel’s bore is both rough and pitted. It appears that perhaps a piece of metal was caught between the barrel tube and the mandrel during forging. When you examine approximately 1/8th” to 1/4th” inside of the bore, you will witness what appear to be disc-shaped cuts in the rifling and lands.
Following two days cure time for the scope mounts and rings, I took the rifle to the range. I have posted a target for your viewing. The target was fired at 100 yards, from a bench with sandbags. The ambient temperature was 23 degrees, and there was zero wind. Following each 3-shot string, I allowed 5 minutes to cool the barrel completely. The first three-shot group measured approximately 0.30”. I fired a second 3-shot group with measured approximately 0.60”. The 3rd 3-shot group measured approximately 1.80” and the final 3-shot group measured 2.10”. Now I mean to tell you, I am a whole lot better shot than that. When I returned home, I checked the stock, scope base and rings for looseness. Torque had held solid. As I cleaned the barrel, I noted the bore.
Specifically, I am requesting that Browning/Winchester install a new Super Grade barrel .30-06. I a requesting that the barreled action be bedded into a new Super Grade stock, and finally, I am requesting a new magazine floor plate. I don’t understand how a Super Grade could pass quality control and leave the factory in this condition. Feel free to contact me when you receive this letter and the rifle.
Your professionally,
Dr. Xxxx Xxxx
16-February-2010
