Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Featherweight Quandary

Bought a pre-64 FW in 270 Winchester yesterday at what I consider a steal.

It came with a Lyman receiver sight already mounted, the fold down rear sight is in place, all metal is in very good shape and complete, no extra holes, no pitting and the bore is pristine.

It also came with a 2.5-8 B&L scope in a set of Beuhler rings with a base that has a couple knurled wheels for adjusting scope height I suppose.

The stock has some really nice figure in it and is uncut, LOP is about 13.5" down to a plastic butt plate, swivels are complete and in good condition.

The little rifle needs a front sight hood and was covered very heavily with what I suspect is a polyurethane finish on the stock, it's being stripped off as I type so it will need a correct refinish on the wood.

Question is, would you men hunt this rifle with the receiver peep sight and say some 160 gr Partitions, or install the scope and run the 150 gr Partitions for a bit more range, I kinda like the idea of trying the receiver sight.

I'm with ya on the receiver peeps and heavies, adds some extra style points IMO pard.

Thanks Woody, I have a pre-64 standard rifle in 270 with a nice little 2.5-8 Leupold in a set of dual dovetail bases and rings, it fires the earlier mentioned load with 150 Partitions, it's a very nice killer in it's own right.

Leaning very hard towards leaving this FW as is and getting some 160's for load development, shooting out to 200 should be easily attainable with a good set of sticks.

Now I have to find someone that knows how to put a proper finish back on the stock.

I would switch the two rifles around for your intended uses.

The standard rifle with open sights of some sort.
The featherweight with a scope.

Thanks for your opinion DD, my thinking is the little short barreled FW would make a nice light tight stand and thicket walking hunting rifle.

My standard rifle is in a very nice stick of English [original stock was run over with a pickup] and is so accurate I fear messing with it. lol

Sell me the Lyman Receiver sight.

LOL, but it looks so dang good on that FW Vern.

Gunner, sounds like you got a good one. I know you are a great shot with the peep sights like the one on the model 71 I sold to you. I'd use the peeps if my eyes were good enough. Should make a very nice light fast handling rifle my friend. I was shooting my 270 fwt the other day in an hunting rifle shoot where we were using factory irons. I kept them all in the black (6 inch bull), but did not score real high. Good enough to put meat in the freezer, jut not the kind of groups I'm used to... Good luck with your new rifle, I'm sure you will really end up liking it. I know I love my 270 fwt. Probably one of the last rifles I'll get rid of...

Many Thanks BSA, hope the rifle likes the 160 Partitions and a nice dose of H-4831, may have a classic combo load in the making.

The rifle feels very nimble and handy, may explain some of the fondness for these rifles I've read over the last few days researching them on the web, and I thought everyone hated the 270.

Think I'll keep this one too.

Use the peep sights and go forth and kill game with it Gunner.

You can always add a scope later or sell me the Featherweight.

Hard to beat a 270 Fwt....

You bet Elk, got 4 boxes of 160's on the way and better than half an 8 lb jug of H-4831, aught to be able to make her gin with that.

If I ever decide to sell her, you'll get first crack.

Hope to find that out very soon PoconoJack.

Shoot the receiver sights!

Just try and sell it to me when I have money.

I used to hate the 270 until BobinNH and Raybass talked me into getting one!!!!! Damn enablers...

"THE GRAND POOHBAH" HAS SPOKEN..........................so shall it be.

Keep me posted on ' crop harvest times'

YUP! this sight along with AR has caused me to buy 3 double rifles, 2 Sharps and host of other weaponry I never knew I needed.

I'd use a scope but you definitely would earn style points rockin' the Lyman!

Eric