Winchester M70 manufacture

[texgunner]

Has the South Carolina plant closed? I have three M70s, a Sporter in 30-06, a Featherweight in 7mm-08 and an Extreme Weather SS in 308. The Sporter has Made in USA on the barrel, the FW says Made in USA, assembled in Portugal and the EW says Made in Portugal.

Order of acquisition was Sporter, FW, EW. What's become of the Winchester factory in SC?

 

[Llama Bob]

I'm about 99% sure there is an FN factory in SC still. I think some supergrades may be made there?

 

[Nature Boy]

My FN SPR was made in the USA, I assume at their factory in SC

 

[Laphroaig]

My recollection is that the SC factory still makes government contract weapons, and the M70 parts.

The parts are then shipped to Portugal to be assembled into finished M70 rifles.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Maybe this will answer your question regarding your Mdl. 70.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...move-model-70-production-to-portugal-in-2013/

 

[texgunner]

Maybe this will answer your question regarding your Mdl. 70.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...move-model-70-production-to-portugal-in-2013/

Thanks. I'm glad the SC factory is still up and running.

 

[joed]

That's actually sad that it's cheaper to ship the parts to Portugal and ship the guns back then it is to assemble them here.

The fair trade agreement is anything but fair.

 

[mshootnit]

There was a brief time before FN that they weren't being produced at all. I just recently purchased a Montana 1999 that similar to a model 70. Serious rifle for sure.

 

[jmr40]

I answered the OP's question over on the Firing Line, but for the benefit of those who may not visit that site:

When FN closed the old New Haven factory in 2006 there were no Winchesters made until 2008. The SC factory is FN's military weapons factory where they manufacture machine guns and other military arms. The model 70's were made in that factory for a few years, but they were taking up floor space and diverting attention away from the far more profitable military weapons. At some point a few years ago parts were sent to Portugal for assembly, but only briefly. Full production of all model 70's has been in Portugal for 2-3 years now at a sporting arms factory that was already making other Browning products. There doesn't seem to be any loss of quality, the Portugal guns by all accounts are every bit as good as the USA built rifles.

 

[Sniper66]

One wonders if this will change with the changing political atmosphere.

 

[Dog Soldier]

All of my Mdl. 70s are old like me Pre-64. I am however impressed by the new FN Mdl. 70 rifles.

 

[texgunner]

All of my Mdl. 70s are old like me Pre-64. I am however impressed by the new FN Mdl. 70 rifles.

All three of mine are really nice, I just wondered about the differing markings on the barrels.

jmr40s post answered my question.

 

[Dog Soldier]

texgunner, I am not familiar with the markings. What calibers do you own? How do they shoot. I would like to see a return of the Mdl. 70 HB Varmint in .220 Swift.

 

[texgunner]

texgunner, I am not familiar with the markings. What calibers do you own? How do they shoot. I would like to see a return of the Mdl. 70 HB Varmint in .220 Swift.

I have a Sporter in 30-06 marked "Made in USA." A Featherweight in 7mm-08 marked "Made in USA, assembled in Portugal." An Extreme Weather in .308 marked "Made in Portugal."

All three are good shooters but the 7mm-08 is really sweet, sub-MOA. The 30-06 is a 1 - 1.5 MOA and the .308 would be sub-MOA but tends throw fliers.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Thanks for the up date. I have never talked to anyone who owns an FN Mdl. 70. The markings are a surprise. I just found out they were no longer made in "Old Dixie".
My old .308 Feather Weight 1956 had to be glassed. The High dry altitude caused the stock lose it's integrity. Thanks so much for your post.

 

[joed]

texgunner, I am not familiar with the markings. What calibers do you own? How do they shoot. I would like to see a return of the Mdl. 70 HB Varmint in .220 Swift.

I too miss the HB Varmint. I'm not sure exactly what the Coyote Light is but I don't think it has the heavy barrel.

I appologize for not being able to enter a message last night. Something has changed and for some reason Safari will not allow me to enter or reply on my Mac.

 

[Offfhand]

I would like to see a return of the Mdl. 70 HB Varmint in .220 Swift.

Three Cheers for Mr. Dog, I'd also buy a M-70 HB Varmint in .220 Swift if offered. Or better yet, A M-70 Target model in Swift, which back in the day a M-70 Target Swift with a Unertl Ultra Varmint scope was as good as it got. Wish I still had a few that I've owned. Closest thing I have now is this M-70 Swift I had restocked by Al Bieson several years ago.