Winchester Model 70 Youth Ranger

[imprezagm4]

Hi!

I purchased (from a pawn shop) a Winchester Model 70 (.243) about 2 years ago for a coyote rifle and I just noticed it has "Youth Ranger" stamped on the barrel. I know the "ranger" designation means it has a cheaper wood/finish... but what is the difference between the youth and standard models? I figure it is just a smaller stock but I am not sure if there is anything else. The stock seems to fit me fine.

I probably should have looked the rifle over better before I threw money at it, I was pretty new to firearms at that point though.

Thanks

 

[NCsmitty]

I wish that I could help with information on your M70 Youth Ranger, but all I found was that it was probably produced mid 80's.

If this rifle shoots well for you, I wouldn't worry about it. They are still fine rifles with a link to the Winchesters of the past.
Enjoy.


NCsmitty

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

Less length of pull 12.5" verses 13.5"
OAL 41" verses 42"
Drop at comb/heel - 0.75"/1" verses 0.5625"/0.875"
Weight - 6.5 lbs verses 6.75 lbs

Available in 243 and 308 only

(according to 1996 Shooters Bible)

 

[Smokey Joe]

Win. Youth Ranger...

Ahh, the memories! Bought one of those for my #1 son when he first wanted to go deer hunting. We'd looked for a year for a .243 that I could cut down for him (no dice--.243's stay in the family, and go through all the sons & daughters, then the nieces and nephews, and then are shot by the grandkids!) and finally gave up and bought the Ranger NIB, from a store.

Aside from the very heavy trigger pull it fitted him great from the git-go. We fixed the trigger pull ourselves, and that was that.

Of course, #1 son went and grew some more, so we finally had to buy an after-market full-sized stock for the Ranger, but he still carried it in the deer woods, and it served him well until he went off to college.

Underneath the "Youth" designation, the Ranger is a regular Model 70, so it's a basically good rifle. If yours fits you as is, that's great. Shoot it!

 

[shaggy430]

My first deer rifle was the exact rifle you describe. I've still got it. The rifle has killed 30+ deer between myself, brother, cousins, mother, neighbor's kids and I'm going to let my kids use it when they get old enough to hunt.

I still use it as a coyote rifle. It shoots .5 inch groups all day long with whatever you feed it. Probably the most reliably accurate rifle I own.

The main difference between it and a full size rifle is the length of pull and a slightly shorter barrel. One great thing about it is that you can swap any short action Model 70 stock and make it a full size rifle.

It is an excellent rifle.

 

[imprezagm4]

Wow... thank you for all the information! Very very helpful

 

[jmr40]

The Ranger series are great value. They can usually be picked up cheap and shoot as good as the rifles with walnut stocks. I picked up a Ranger 30-06 a few years ago with the cheap wood on it and it is a keeper. I have a better replacement stock ordered for it that should be in any day now.