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Ripp
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Loc: Montana, USA
The Winchester-model-70
      #350290 - 12/02/21 01:54 AM

An Ode to the Winchester Model 70
by Philip Massaro - Friday, August 28, 2020

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2020/8/28/an-ode-to-the-winchester-model-70/

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

Edited by Ripp (12/02/21 02:04 AM)


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DarylS
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350302 - 12/02/21 06:29 AM

I really like mine, in .30/06.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: DarylS]
      #350305 - 12/02/21 06:38 AM

Quote:

I really like mine, in .30/06.




I read some interesting info last night about the model 70 along with several other manufacturers in the DANGEROUS GAME RIFLES by WIELAND ..

As to the model 70--had 3 --inherited 3 more in the last year.. 243, 270 (YIKES) , 7mm Rem, 300 H&H (pre-64), 416 and 458..last two being for FN heritage since the takeover..have never shot the 416 or 458..still sitting in the box they come in..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350318 - 12/02/21 04:10 PM

Quote:

As to the model 70--had 3 --inherited 3 more in the last year.. 243, 270 (YIKES) , 7mm Rem, 300 H&H (pre-64), 416 and 458..last two being for FN heritage since the takeover..have never shot the 416 or 458..still sitting in the box they come in..




Glad to see no Creedmoor has sullied the Model 70 yet ...

I owned a Winchester Model 70 in .30-06 for a short while. A Featherweight. It was supposed to replace my Parker Hale M98. Bought it on a package deal with heavy crappy mounts and a huge steel variable scope. Winchester was flogging them off for a good reason. THEY DIDN'T SHOOT! I had it glass bedded. New lighter mounts. A different scope. SHOT SIX INCH GROUPS. Could not get it better.

Reluctantly and at a huge discount to my pocket sold it off to some poor buyer. Let the buyer beware. They already had the reputation of being a POS rifle. Looked nice but ....

During its limited use with me, I used to have the bullet seated to just touch the lands. With the M70 it resulted in a pulled bullets and the ball powder spilling all through the action. I had to seemingly remove every last grain to get the action to cycle again. Unlike a Mauser 98's reliability ... After this I stopped seating bullets to touch the lands. A small way off is fine and more reliable.

That model of the Winchester M70 was pure crap and badly made. I am not criticising other especially older M70's. However I will stick to Mausers in the future. A much better action.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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DarylS
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350319 - 12/02/21 04:44 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I really like mine, in .30/06.




I read some interesting info last night about the model 70 along with several other manufacturers in the DANGEROUS GAME RIFLES by WIELAND ..

As to the model 70--had 3 --inherited 3 more in the last year.. 243, 270 (YIKES) , 7mm Rem, 300 H&H (pre-64), 416 and 458..last two being for FN heritage since the takeover..have never shot the 416 or 458..still sitting in the box they come in..




nice, Art.
I had an opportunity to buy one of several pre-64's in .300H&H and could not afford one. I got the .30/06 instead.
Kinda glad I did, but one of the .300's would have been fine, too.

That's bad luck, John. my 1936 M70's best so far for 5 shot groups are .560" with 165's @ 2,960fps and .640" with 180's @ 2,745fps - shot with
a Lyman 4X Perma Centre scope.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: DarylS]
      #350338 - 13/02/21 07:01 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I really like mine, in .30/06.




I read some interesting info last night about the model 70 along with several other manufacturers in the DANGEROUS GAME RIFLES by WIELAND ..

As to the model 70--had 3 --inherited 3 more in the last year.. 243, 270 (YIKES) , 7mm Rem, 300 H&H (pre-64), 416 and 458..last two being for FN heritage since the takeover..have never shot the 416 or 458..still sitting in the box they come in..




nice, Art.
I had an opportunity to buy one of several pre-64's in .300H&H and could not afford one. I got the .30/06 instead.
Kinda glad I did, but one of the .300's would have been fine, too.

That's bad luck, John. my 1936 M70's best so far for 5 shot groups are .560" with 165's @ 2,960fps and .640" with 180's @ 2,745fps - shot with
a Lyman 4X Perma Centre scope.




Agree.. I am NOT a Winchester Model 70 guy per se, but the ones I have shoot well..

Having said that, not really a Mauser guy either.. .. probably just have not used one enough to appreciate what they are I suppose.. so no offense to anyone meant..

I will say, if I were to build a custom, which I do plan to do, I would lean towards the Winchester as the action I would use.. or something like Granite Mtn...

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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Homer
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Reged: 07/04/09
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350342 - 13/02/21 07:54 AM

G'Day Fella's,


Thanks for sharing Ripp.

I do like Phil Massaro's style of writing, and subjects.

I have only ever owned one M70 (still do).
It was originally a stainless synthetic, All-Terrain model, in 7mm Rem Mag (24" barrel).
I have restocked it (to a High-Tech Specialties), and Cerakoted it.
It shoots better than I can 1/2" to 5/8", 3 shot groups.
So I am very happy with it.

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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wkudu
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Homer]
      #350352 - 14/02/21 06:06 PM

The old 70s are my favorite. I have 2 300s and a 375 pre 64. all shoot great. One 300 is iron sights.

My dad loves his custom shop 375, he says one of the last ones.


Here is my 375. It's a 24in straight taper barrel made it 1947. I'm guessing that it was a custom shop deal as I thought the straight taper didn't make it past 1937-38 before being replaced by the 25in slimmer barrel. It also has proofs that I'm told are Belgian with stamps on the metal and stock from Belgium. It was a traveler for sure, pretty cool.

















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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: NitroX]
      #350355 - 14/02/21 06:44 PM

Quote:



That model, the Featherweight, of the Winchester M70 was pure crap and badly made. I am not criticising other especially older M70's. However I will stick to Mausers in the future. A much better action.




Don't get me wrong, I think the Winchester Model 70 is a good action, and in reality would not be reluctant to own one. That model of the Featherweight, was very badly made. Huge reputation for inaccuracy. I don't know why it was like it was. Other models have reasonable reputations. I was once going to use the Model 70 as a basis for a three barrel takedown rifle.

I do prefer a real Mauser 98 though. Far more reliable. I mentioned the inability to use the rifle when a stuck bullet ejected powder all through a M70 action, Took forever to clean and reclean before the action would cycle properly. Never had this sort of problem with the military Mauser 98.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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3DogMike
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: NitroX]
      #350376 - 15/02/21 02:08 PM

I’ve two Pre 64 Model 70’s........a 1940 production 30-06 and a 1956 production in .300 H&H. Really like them both, and they are 1” to 1 1/2” shooters. The .300 H&H is a clean, tho well hunting fields worn, example and a fine extended range (ie: scoped with a Leupold M8 4x) Elk rifle.
That said, there is no way to fairly compare them to my pre war (pre WW I or between wars) British retailed Steyr Mannlicher, Mannlicher-Schoenaur, or Mauser Type A sporting rifles......
- Mike
-

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields


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PatagonHunter
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Reged: 20/01/06
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: 3DogMike]
      #350385 - 15/02/21 09:54 PM

Hello,

I have a .375 H&H M70, made in 1954. I bought it here in 1992. It came with a Southafrican who arrives to settle in a just developed irrigation area. His plan failed. So he went back to SA but left the rifle here to a friend. By chance I contacted a friend of that SA friend and at the end I bought the rifle. It was well used but cared for! Came with two yellow Winchester boxes of that old 300 grs Silvertips.
The first I noted was the stock was cracked in the web just behind the trigger. And there was no contact between the recoil stop of the action and the stock wood...by about 0,5 mm!! So, I put there some thin metal sheets to fix it, in the zone, both vertical and horizontal contact surfaces. And fixed the cracked part.
The rifle feeds and extracts ANY cartridge with ANY bullet absolutely perfect! As if there where no cartridges at all...! And the magazine is for four cartridges. As all pre-64 H&H magnum rifles. The trigger pull was almost perfect in this rifle, without any drag before release but a little heavy, so I change the trigger spring for one a little less strong. The result was a trigger pull of about 3 1/5 lbs. Great! By the way, the lock time is much shorter than the one in a Mauser 98. The rifle groups almost anything in 3 cm at 100 m. With some loads better than that. Better than I can do...
Was my second serious big game rifle back then 1992, together with my DWM Sporting rifle.
Having said all this, I am a Mauser fan at heart. Period. I thing the M98 action design is much better and safer than the M70 pre-64. But for a .375 H&H I thing a good Winchester 70 Pre-64 is hard to surpase in function....

PH

Edited by PatagonHunter (15/02/21 09:56 PM)


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PatagonHunter
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Reged: 20/01/06
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: PatagonHunter]
      #350399 - 16/02/21 05:33 AM

Here the pictures.

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: PatagonHunter]
      #350400 - 16/02/21 05:34 AM

One thing about my .375's, BRNO and Savage, including both .375/06IMP's, group all bullet weights from 235gr. to 300gr.
into 2 to 2 1/4" at 100yds & now mtrs. The 270's and 300's are usually in the same group, maybe 1/2" lower for the 300's,
but the 235's grouping 1 1/2" higher. Just about perfect bullet impacts patterns.
I have one 9.3x62 that does the same thing, with .232's, 286's, 293's and 300's.


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PatagonHunter
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: PatagonHunter]
      #350401 - 16/02/21 05:36 AM









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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
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Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: PatagonHunter]
      #350409 - 16/02/21 08:30 AM

Nice looking rifle Patagonhunter.

I have never liked the M70. Simply because of the fit,and lack of safety from escaping gas. Fit could be fixed and so could the bolt handle (looks only). However those I know who have them love them and most shoot well.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge case for making .270,35 Whelan, 338-06 etc. Tried one once and it did nothing my old 303 wouldn't do and did nothing for me. Yet I like the 308, go figure, I can't. Mind you 30 cal is the least used of my collection now. The old M94 in 30-30 used to get used a lot in my younger day.

Yes the M98's and M17/P14's have a slow lock time. The M70 sits between these and the Rem 700.


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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Rule303]
      #350495 - 18/02/21 06:19 AM

Quote:

Nice looking rifle Patagonhunter.

I have never liked the M70. Simply because of the fit,and lack of safety from escaping gas. Fit could be fixed and so could the bolt handle (looks only). However those I know who have them love them and most shoot well.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge case for making .270,35 Whelan, 338-06 etc. Tried one once and it did nothing my old 303 wouldn't do and did nothing for me. Yet I like the 308, go figure, I can't. Mind you 30 cal is the least used of my collection now. The old M94 in 30-30 used to get used a lot in my younger day.

Yes the M98's and M17/P14's have a slow lock time. The M70 sits between these and the Rem 700.




Agree, Nice looking Rifle...

Thanks for posting the pics..

Your comment on the .30 cal is interesting.. as it is one of the most commonly used calibers in the US... 30-06, 308W, 300Win Mag, etc.. are a huge percentage of the ammo sold each year... that is when you could still buy ammo..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350503 - 18/02/21 09:45 AM

Interesting on the ammo shortage. AFAIK, there is no ammo shortage here. Canadian Tire's shelves are full & that's 30' or more long & 4' high. I don't know how deep it is, but goes back under the stand up gun rack.
I think KKS's rack is also full - we only have the two gun stores.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: DarylS]
      #350517 - 18/02/21 05:50 PM

Quote:

Interesting on the ammo shortage. AFAIK, there is no ammo shortage here. Canadian Tire's shelves are full & that's 30' or more long & 4' high. I don't know how deep it is, but goes back under the stand up gun rack.
I think KKS's rack is also full - we only have the two gun stores.
......
......

It's the craziest damn thing I have ever seen..

Guns stores have moved other items where the ammo used to be otherwise the shelves are bare...
.
Sadly there are many who are sitting with no ammo..not prepared for the situation we are now facing..idiots..
.
We are told its because of Covid..or the 7 million new gun owners in the last year....whatever the reason..I have enough to last my lifetime..so they can take their price gouging and shove it where the sun doesn't shine..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350535 - 19/02/21 05:51 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Nice looking rifle Patagonhunter.

I have never liked the M70. Simply because of the fit,and lack of safety from escaping gas. Fit could be fixed and so could the bolt handle (looks only). However those I know who have them love them and most shoot well.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge case for making .270,35 Whelan, 338-06 etc. Tried one once and it did nothing my old 303 wouldn't do and did nothing for me. Yet I like the 308, go figure, I can't. Mind you 30 cal is the least used of my collection now. The old M94 in 30-30 used to get used a lot in my younger day.

Yes the M98's and M17/P14's have a slow lock time. The M70 sits between these and the Rem 700.




Agree, Nice looking Rifle...

Thanks for posting the pics..

Your comment on the .30 cal is interesting.. as it is one of the most commonly used calibers in the US... 30-06, 308W, 300Win Mag, etc.. are a huge percentage of the ammo sold each year... that is when you could still buy ammo..




I travel to the beat of a different drum I guess. I just like different calibres. I do have 2 308's and a 300SAUM, all are good shooters but get used the least.


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Ripp
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Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Rule303]
      #350553 - 19/02/21 09:17 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Nice looking rifle Patagonhunter.

I have never liked the M70. Simply because of the fit,and lack of safety from escaping gas. Fit could be fixed and so could the bolt handle (looks only). However those I know who have them love them and most shoot well.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge case for making .270,35 Whelan, 338-06 etc. Tried one once and it did nothing my old 303 wouldn't do and did nothing for me. Yet I like the 308, go figure, I can't. Mind you 30 cal is the least used of my collection now. The old M94 in 30-30 used to get used a lot in my younger day.

Yes the M98's and M17/P14's have a slow lock time. The M70 sits between these and the Rem 700.




Agree, Nice looking Rifle...

Thanks for posting the pics..

Your comment on the .30 cal is interesting.. as it is one of the most commonly used calibers in the US... 30-06, 308W, 300Win Mag, etc.. are a huge percentage of the ammo sold each year... that is when you could still buy ammo..




I travel to the beat of a different drum I guess. I just like different calibres. I do have 2 308's and a 300SAUM, all are good shooters but get used the least.




Not necessarily.. it's just that in the US the .30 caliber ranks very high as to popularity.. Probably much due to the 30-06 and then 300 Win Mag's introduction.. The 300WSM is more popular than the 7MM WSM as well.. the 7mm Rem. Mag took off like a rocket on it's initial offering and is still popular today..but not as much as the old 30 cals...

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350563 - 19/02/21 10:00 AM

I don't think there is a most popular round in B.C. nowadays.
Up until the 70's, it would likely have been the .303. Today, everything from .243's(very popular) through to the .375's is being used with quite a few larger calibre lever guns.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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9.3x57
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Reged: 22/04/07
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: DarylS]
      #350578 - 19/02/21 11:47 AM

Quote:

I really like mine, in .30/06.




The Classic.

I like mine, too.

Mid-50's '06.

Came w/ an old Weaver mount that flips over to the side so you can see the sights, along w/ a Weaver KV scope. I put a Leupold scope on it.



--------------------
What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?


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Ripp
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Rule303]
      #350613 - 20/02/21 02:15 AM

Quote:

Nice looking rifle Patagonhunter.

I have never liked the M70. Simply because of the fit,and lack of safety from escaping gas. Fit could be fixed and so could the bolt handle (looks only). However those I know who have them love them and most shoot well.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge case for making .270,35 Whelan, 338-06 etc. Tried one once and it did nothing my old 303 wouldn't do and did nothing for me. Yet I like the 308, go figure, I can't. Mind you 30 cal is the least used of my collection now. The old M94 in 30-30 used to get used a lot in my younger day.

Yes the M98's and M17/P14's have a slow lock time. The M70 sits between these and the Rem 700.




SO, what am I missing???

I stopped by a local gun shop on my weekly route.. they had M98 sitting there on the shelf.. so, I grabbed it .. worked it a bit, looked at it.. as you state on the M70, it did nothing for me as well..

NOT trying to start a war on NE because I am not enamored by the M98 action.. merely want to to know what others are seeing that I am not..

Perhaps I am just a country hick that doesn't enjoy some of life's finer items..

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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264
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Reged: 15/02/11
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Loc: NT Australia
Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: Ripp]
      #350636 - 20/02/21 11:43 AM

Im a Winchester M70 tragic, even like the post 64 push feeds!
Have owned and had good use of the Westerners, XTR's, featherweights, super express's, classics and extreme weathers
Also have some pre 64's a super grade in 7x57 , a featherweight in 264WM and a super grade 300 H&H on its way atm , looking forward to the 300's arrival.
Also have one unusual Winchester M70 in a 270 win manlicher style stocked push feed Only 476 made in 270 win.
Heres a few pics, cheers Mick
winchester M70 featherweight rebarell to 358 185 ACP 7m

extreme weather 325WSM

Winchester M70 270win mannlicher



Edited by 264 (20/02/21 11:55 AM)


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DarylS
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Re: The Winchester-model-70 [Re: 264]
      #350637 - 20/02/21 11:58 AM

Well done, Mic, as usual.
Kind of a nasty spot for that buffalo to be laying in.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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