I was looking at a hunting magazine and saw an add for winchester rifles..I had a website..winchesterguns.com..and I went there and sure enough winchester has new rifles being made..I'm not sure how long they have been making new rifles..I like the look of the Model 70 design...It looks like the days of old..Anyways I hope I'm posted on the right thread title..Have any of you got or shot the latest Model 70 winchester rifles?...Carl
The New Winchesters
- Thread starter Chamacat
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They have been making them at the FN factory in South Caroilna for about a year and half now. They are not making many and are out there in limited numbers. I've seen a few Featherweights which were produced first and 1 stainless Extreme Weather model. The others are just starting to show up on shelves.
I have handled a few but not shot one. The stocks and checkering on the ones I have handled were mediocre but reports from people who own them are very positive. Great accuracy is being reported. I will probably find a way to get one sometime this spring or summer to hunt with next fall. I have always felt the Featherweight was the perfect blend of weight, balance, and good looks in a rifle.
I have handled a few but not shot one. The stocks and checkering on the ones I have handled were mediocre but reports from people who own them are very positive. Great accuracy is being reported. I will probably find a way to get one sometime this spring or summer to hunt with next fall. I have always felt the Featherweight was the perfect blend of weight, balance, and good looks in a rifle.
Uncle Mike
Member
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Compared to what...? The 'old' Model 70's...well that's a given, but compared to production rifles of today...which brand does the Winchester(FHN) Model 70 fall behind?
Compared to what...? The 'old' Model 70's...well that's a given, but compared to production rifles of today...which brand does the Winchester(FHN) Model 70 fall behind?
I went the website..I of course understand about marketing concepts and whatnot..I got the links that describe how the rifles are manufactured from raw stock..It is kinda of pictorial..Seems to me that there is alot of advanced cutting edge technology in use by Winchester..I'm surprised the that they don't gurantee sub-moa groups outa the box..But that doesn't mean it can be made into one with handloads..JMO...Carl
Uncle Mike
Member
Have you ever read those 'sub MOA' guarantees...?
What good is a guarantee if you have to shoot X type and or brand, bullet weight out of the rifle?
The new Winchesters I have been fortunate to shoot have not shot all that well, as compared to..... a 2k bench gun!
They do however exhibit run of the mill accuracy... on par with anything else out there...with the occasional exception of the Icons, which our customers say aint living up to their guarantees and the Savages which tend to shoot sub MOA right out of the box...with NO accuracy guarantee at all as far as accuracy limits are concerned.
The new (FHN) Winchesters do well enough....they are what they are, a well built 'hunting' rifle! Probably wouldn't be a good idea to shoot a long range match with one, but....
What good is a guarantee if you have to shoot X type and or brand, bullet weight out of the rifle?
The new Winchesters I have been fortunate to shoot have not shot all that well, as compared to..... a 2k bench gun!
They do however exhibit run of the mill accuracy... on par with anything else out there...with the occasional exception of the Icons, which our customers say aint living up to their guarantees and the Savages which tend to shoot sub MOA right out of the box...with NO accuracy guarantee at all as far as accuracy limits are concerned.
The new (FHN) Winchesters do well enough....they are what they are, a well built 'hunting' rifle! Probably wouldn't be a good idea to shoot a long range match with one, but....
Chamacat,
The reports I have read all indicate sub MOA groups with loads their rifles like. I would not put a lot of worry into Winchester not making any guarantees on accuracy, I think any of the new rifles will be just fine.
Uncle Mike,
My comments on the stock should not be considered a condemnation of the rifle. I think the new model 70 may be the best production rifle made. I admittedly have only handled a 3-4, but I was disappointed in the quality of the wood on all of them. The wood was rather plain, but serviceable. The checkering was the biggest disappointment. It almost seemed as if the stocks were checkered and then sanded partially off before finishing.
While I would like to see better finished wood, it is not enough to keep me from buying one.
The reports I have read all indicate sub MOA groups with loads their rifles like. I would not put a lot of worry into Winchester not making any guarantees on accuracy, I think any of the new rifles will be just fine.
Uncle Mike,
My comments on the stock should not be considered a condemnation of the rifle. I think the new model 70 may be the best production rifle made. I admittedly have only handled a 3-4, but I was disappointed in the quality of the wood on all of them. The wood was rather plain, but serviceable. The checkering was the biggest disappointment. It almost seemed as if the stocks were checkered and then sanded partially off before finishing.
While I would like to see better finished wood, it is not enough to keep me from buying one.
Uncle Mike
Member
I agree with you 100%...I think for the money they cost, and the reputation of the name, FNH could have put a little zing into the stocks.
The metal is finished well enough, your comment concerning the stocks was not taken as condemnation but critique, and this is the foremost complaint, or comment, I should say, towards the Winchester's from our clientele.
It is sad you have to pay the big bucks to get a pretty stock as you do with the Super Grade....I guess that, if the Sporter and Featherweight stocks looked any better they would take away from the Super Grade.
Maverick223
Member
I have not shot one, but have handled several (a .308 when they were first introduced, and a .223, .308, and a .30-06 just two days ago). I was very impressed with the rifle. The action was smooth, the finish work was good, and it was priced right. I also really like the old school CRF action. The wood is not great (on the featherweight anyway, I have no experience with the other grades), but what I would call a good field grade stock. I would buy one tomorrow if they made a .260Rem, and I am strongly considering picking up a 7mm-08 or .30-06...I just can't make up my mind.
bigwinchesterfan
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Can´t wait to own one... but will have to, since it will be long before I can get one in Mexico.
Happy Thanks Giving Day to all. Best regards from your pal.
Happy Thanks Giving Day to all. Best regards from your pal.
Maverick223
Member
TY, and a happy Thanksgiving to you, bigwinnie, and everyone else tuning in.
Uncle Mike
Member
Yea everybody...Happy Thanksgiving!
Mav...hold your horses, Winchester tell us that they are going to bring the 5 models of the model 70 out in additional calibers in the near future.....
They did not say exactly when, but that is good news...as long as the calibers are good usable calibers and not some difficult stuff like the wssm flops.
Mav...hold your horses, Winchester tell us that they are going to bring the 5 models of the model 70 out in additional calibers in the near future.....
They did not say exactly when, but that is good news...as long as the calibers are good usable calibers and not some difficult stuff like the wssm flops.
Maverick223
Member
Plan on it, I have jumped into rifles, and it never turned out well. I have also heard the rumor that new chamberings are to be released, and that is what I am waiting on. I think I'll shoot Winnie an E-Mail and see what they have to say. Will update if and when they respond.
EDIT: Wow, they apparently don't have internet access, because they don't have a E-mail address listed (only a phone number: 1-800-333-3288). :banghead: I will update, if I have the time to call on Monday.
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I haven't seen the new rifles yet. I am glad they are being produced again, but the question is for how long. After the announcement that they planned to close the last plant I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one of the last model 70 Stealths in 308 Win. I've found this gun to be accurate enough although it only has 80 rounds though it so far.
Hopefully the new models will sell. I always liked the model 70.
My comment on Savage rifles isn't a good one. Owned 2 of these so far, a 10FP in .223 and a 12VSS in .22-250. The 10FP is the most accurate rifle I own. The 12VSS was an expensive piece of junk with bedding problems. I worked with it for awhile and sold it when I couldn't get any improvement. Replaced it with a Rem 700 VS in the same caliber that shot groups 1/2 the size.
Hopefully the new models will sell. I always liked the model 70.
My comment on Savage rifles isn't a good one. Owned 2 of these so far, a 10FP in .223 and a 12VSS in .22-250. The 10FP is the most accurate rifle I own. The 12VSS was an expensive piece of junk with bedding problems. I worked with it for awhile and sold it when I couldn't get any improvement. Replaced it with a Rem 700 VS in the same caliber that shot groups 1/2 the size.
Maverick223
Member
They are now being made by FN, I think they will be around for quite some time as long as sales are good (and I believe they are and will remain so).
BROWNING. I agree with jmr40 completely. The checkering is flat with no peaks on the ones I've seen and the one I have. My Browning X-Bolt is smaller, lighter, and more accurate. The checkering is so sharp it'll leave red dimples on your palms.
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