| Winchester Model 70 |
Article Index for Winchester Model |
Website Links For Winchester Model |
Information AboutWinchester Model 70 |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT WINCHESTER MODEL 70 | |
| bolt-action rifles | |
|
The Winchester Model 70 was a Bolt Action Rifle originally manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and later manufactured by U.S. Repeating Arms . MODEL 70 VARIANTS Pre '64 Model 70 In 1936 Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt action rifle to the American market. This original Model 70 was and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called "The Rifleman's Rifle." The Model 70 was offered in many grades, styles, and chamberings including: 22 Hornet, 225 Winchester, 220 Swift, 243 Winchester, 250-3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 264 Winchester Magnum, 270 Winchester, 7mm Mauser , 300 Savage, 30-06 Springfield , 308 Winchester , 300 H&H Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, 35 Remington, 358 Winchester, 375 H&H Magnum, and 458 Winchester Magnum. These pre '64 Model 70's were made up until 1963 after which time significant changes in the design and manufacture of the rifles were made. Pre '64 Model 70 Winchester rifles can best be identified by Serial Number . Model 70 rifles with serial numbers below 700,000 are the pre '64 variety. The United States Marine Corps used the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifles as their standard-issue sniper rifle from the 1950's, until they were replaced by the Remington Model 700 series bolt-action rifles in the mid-1960's in which the Remington Model 700 became the basis for the M40 series sniper rifle that is in current U.S. Marine Corps service today. One of the reasons why the U.S. Marine Corps replaced their Winchester Model 70s was that the post-1964 variants of the Model 70 did not meet up to the U.S. Marines' standards, thus they were replaced. Despite the introduction of the Remington Model 700 rifle, the pre '64 Winchester Model 70 were still used by the US Marine Corps' scout/sniper teams during the Vietnam War alongside the Remington Model 700 rifles. The original wood stocks were found to be warping in both rifles after a few years of service, and were given Fiberglass stocks to remedy the problem. Existing Model 70s still in service have had their stocks replaced with a McMillan fiberglass stock, such as that found on the Custom Extreme Weather variant {Link without Title} . One of the best known U.S. Marine Corps snipers who used the Winchester Model 70 as their preferred sniper rifle during the Vietnam War was Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock who used a Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield as his preferred sniper rifle of choice (The Winchester Model 70s the U.S. Marine Corps used before adopting the Remington Model 700 were chambered in .30-06 Springfield). The modern Model 70 line The modern Model 70 is an extensive rifle line that boasts nearly all of the features of the original line, but with some updated equipment, such as using the Controlled Round Push Feed action and synthetic stocks. The popular Shadow variants feature hollow black (WSM) and Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM) cartridges, which are magnum loaded rounds, but are shorter in length and wider in diameter, so spent cartridges take less time to eject and use less powder. The Winchester Model 70 series rifles are marketed as sniper rifles for military forces and law enforcement agencies under the Fabrique Nationale banner (Winchester Repeating Arms and the US branch of Fabrique Nationale are owned by the US Repeating Arms Corporation (USRAC)) as the Special Police Rifle (SPR) and the Patrol Bolt Rifle (PBR). The FN Special Police Rifle has the standard Winchester Model 70 rifle action, receiver and magazine system but the rifle is fitted with a heavier barrel and with the McMillan series tactical rifle stocks. The FN Patrol Bolt Rifle has the standard features of the original Winchester Model 70 rifle but the rifle is designed for use by police officers in patrol cars with the rifle having a short and compact barrel so it would allow the rifle to be stored in a police car. The FN Patrol Bolt Rifle is also marketed with a compensator on the muzzle of the rifle's barrel. Model 70 Classic Winchester introduced a new Model 70 rifle called the Classic Model 70 in response to shooter's requests. This rifle was essentially a reintroduction of the pre '64 Model 70's that are so highly revered by many shooters. Later, Winchester expanded the Classic line, putting the Classic action on all their modern stocks, giving a wide range of choice in rifle types. This basically lets the buyer choose an action, then choose a stock to one's liking. It is entirely up to the end user of which action is better; both of the actions have their strengths and weakness. WINCHESTER MODEL 70 ACTION TYPES Pre '64 & Classic Model 70 Action (Controlled Round Feed) The pre '64 Model 70 actions have several features that distinguish them from later models of this rifle. First is the extraction and ejection system used in the feeding and extracting of cartridges. The pre '64 model 70's have a bolt with a non-rotating claw type extractor that captures a cartridge as it is fed from the magazine and controls its journey into the rifle's chamber. This type of cartridge feeding is called "controlled round feeding" and is favored by a number of shooters, especially those who pursue dangerous game, because of the proven reliability of this type of cartridge feeding system. The pre '64 Model 70 rifle utilizes a blade type ejector. This type of ejector allows the shooter to control how far the empty cartridge case is thrown from the rifle by how fast the bolt is pulled back after firing. Other significant features of this action include: A three position wing type safety, a cone faced breeching system, machined steel trigger guard and floor plate, one piece bolt construction, and a trigger adjustable for weight of pull and overtravel. Winchester's Classic line of Model 70's still use this action due to its high popularity, and there is no sign of its use deteriorating. Many hunters still prefer this action over Winchester's newer "push type" action for its high degree of control, however, some dislike this classic action for this very reason; while the claw action is certainly not finicky, it does require a slight degree of discipline to use, as one must guide the bolt to its home position after ejecting the cartridge. Post '64 Model 70 Action (Controlled Round Push Feed) Rifles manufactured from 1964 to 1968 and from 1968 onward differed from early Model 70's in some of the following ways. First, the non rotating claw type extractor was replaced with a small wedge type extractor that does not capture and control the cartridge movement from the magazine to the chamber but rather pushes it. The blade type ejector was replaced with a spring loaded plunger type ejector that offers less control of how far spent cartridges are thrown from the rifle. Second, the machined steel trigger guard and floor plate were replaced with parts made from an aluminum alloy to reduce weight. Third, some models featured walnut stocks with checkering that was impressed onto the wood rather than cut into it as on the early Model 70's, reducing cost. Any modern Model 70 rifle that is not designated as a "Classic" will most likely have this action. This action was criticized by riflemen for its lesser amount of control and its unreliability, making the original action even more prized over. This eventually paved the way for the Classic Model 70 line when shooters complained. There are still a few benefits of this action; One is able to load cartridges directly into the chamber, and the spring loaded ejector makes for faster and easier cocking. This action has been improved over the years, and is now considered on par with the Classic action. END OF THE LINE On March 31, 2006 U.S. Repeating Arms closed the New Haven, Conn. plant where Winchester rifles and shotguns were produced for 140 years.. This ended the production of the Model 70 as well as the model 94 lever action rifle and 1300 pump action shotgun. Other Winchester models however, will still be produced in other regions such as Asia and Europe. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|