Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester M70 Winlite

I just picked up this nice Model 70 Winlite in 270 Win. I can't wait to see how it shoots! It weighs exactly 7.5lbs scoped and balances nicely. Anyone else have one of these? I haven't seen too many.

I put a take-off Winlite stock on my XTR Featherweight in 7x57 and it is an excellent combination and a very good shooter.

That is a high-quality stock. If it fits you as well as it does me, you will be very happy with it.

Had one I purchased on here about 2 months ago and then parted ways with it. I wish I hadn't now. Very nice balanced rifle. Shot as good as it felt. You will not be disappointed.

Yes it fits me perfectly. It's the first time I've picked up a synthetic stock that felt good to me.

Looks like it's in great shape.

Put this one together from parts. It's a .270 and weighs 7lbs 10ozs with a sling. Had the stock
hydro dipped a few yrs ago. Also removed the recoil pad to shorten the LOP. My understanding
is that these stocks were made for Winchester by McMillan. Kind of hvy for a synthetic but very stable.

That was one of the first synthetic stock rifles to come out, I first saw one in 1989 and had to have one! Finally got a .270 a few years later. About that same time Bushnell or B&L I think came out with a scope called "Armor Sight" which was made (in the USA) with a carbon fiber body instead of aluminum, so that's what I put on it. I'm not totally satisfied with that scope.

Mine seems to like 150gr bullets better than 130's. My brother was borrowing it when he shot an elk a few years back.

To this day I think that stock looks nicer than any other synthetic stock. I dislike the molded checkering nearly all plastic stocks have. I dislike the flexible rubbery plastic nearly all the cheap ones these days are made of!

Poole

The original Weatherby Fibermark came with a factory installed McMillan. Mine is a 1985 model.

I was also told the the Winlite stock was made by McMillan.

It is also one of the best feeling synthetic stocks I have encountered. It feels like a very strong stock with almost no flex in the fore-end.

I believe mine is unfired...the filler screws were still in the receiver and the bolt face looks new.

I believe the Winlite was. The Wby. Fiberguard had a McM like the Fibermark. I think there was a Sako similarly equipped in those days or a bit later.

Fibermark. OR Fiberguard ?

I had a Fiberguard--Vanguard Syn, - Green stock, (22") 20" bll.
poor memory.


Jerry

Yes ! I have a 70 Winlite in 300 WM and I love it.

Can't post pic now but will later.

Jerry

From what I could find for information, mine is the first year production with a blind magazine (1986). The following years had drop floor plates.

I have an original Fibermark. In the same store where I was working at the time we had them and the Fiberguard.

Here is my 70 Winlite--300 WMm bought in 2008



When I bought it, it had not been shot much. In the bolt face there was NO circle around the firing pin from primers etching their pressure presence.

Also that scope IF you call it 'scope', Simmons 8 Pt, their bottom feeder - cheeep ___, 3-9X40 was ON the rifle. I didn't consider the scope ANY part of the price. $370.00 OTD

I 'thot', well I'd try it. AMAZINGLY it adjusted perfectly and has MAINTAINED zero perfectly. Whoada thunk?

I have a Swift 4-12X40 waiting till the Simmons DIES.

This Winlite also has the BLIND mag. The weight scoped is questionable. I've weighed on 2 scales and don't know which is right.

To me the rifle is light, perfectly balanced, FITS me to a T. I killed several deer with in from 2008-2011. Where I'm hunting now, I really don't need a 300 WM, subsequently I haven't hunted since 2012. It ain't for sale.

Jerry

Yes M M, I knew Wby made both. The Fiber'mark' is hi er $$$ than the Fiberguard. Fiberguard is same as Howa 1500 action.

I just didn't know which one you meant.

Jerry

Nice rifle in a great chambering.

Here are a few I killed in 08-11 with mine in 300 WM

This one in 2010 - 8 pt - 17" inside, 140 yds.




This one in 2009 - 6 pt Crab Claw 17 1/2" inside, 389 yds




This one FIRST kill w/300, 10 pt 16" inside 180 yds *194 lbs.



I killed more than 1 per year, other bucks and does but don't remember WHERE the pics are.

I LIKE my Winlite 300

Jerry

My son inherited my Dad's first year Winlite, just like the OP's. He had a store at the time (1986) and as I recall the dealer cost was $265. They're great rifles. It was Dad's favorite rifle for years.

McMillan still makes that stock. I have a 9.3x62 and a .30-06 so equipped. It's a very trim design and works well for me with open sights or a low scope.

Jerry, that is a nice 300 mag. If I come across another in 7mm mag I think I will grab it.

I think they are all alike so you should like a 7 RM too.

Here are a few pics of a "Mercy Killin" in 09 or 10, don't remember. This buck had been shot earlier in the season and was wounded and had nearly starved to death.

For however long it was he had shed his antlers, had become gaunt, was infectious, and was limping. When I shot HIM I thot he was a doe - no antlers. He would take a step or 2 and try to eat then lay down. I don't remember how many times he laid down and got back. It's been too long.

He was less than 150 yds from me and I decided 'something' was wrong with this 'doe' so I shot him. When you see these pics you'll understand the surprise and disappointment that I felt. I felt so sorry for this buck after I checked him out.






He was also killed with my Winlite 300 WM.

Jerry

My Winlite is a .338 WM and it's been around the world, taken game from Alaska to Africa. I'm always haunting gun shows for other calibers. I too was "told" those were McMillan stocks and it will be one of the last to go if I don't go first.

I put together a Faux Winlite, with a M670 .270 Winchester. Unfortunately I shattered my leg and have been laid up and unable to play seriously with this rifle. 8lbs 7oz with Burris FFII 3-9X40 LRHS, 5 rounds and nylon speed sling.

O D S -

First let me say I agree and think you've found and are using an appropriate rifle for a wide range of hunting.


In response to your SIG line..

It's easier to carry 10 lbs on your legs/feet than...

a 10# rifle in your hands/arms.

We've had that discussion on more than 1 forum before. I normally carry a backpack for each day hunting, few hand tools (pruners,saw,light, etc.) plus drink & thermos, snacks, et.al.

It's nominal weight is 12 lbs. It's not any problem for me at all. I AIN'T carrying a 10-12# rifle in my arms. That TOTALLY diff.


BTW, I'm NOT 50 lbs. overweight. I'm 5' 10" and weigh 180 lbs.


Any of Y'ALL can carry all those CROSSTIES you want, it ain't for me.


Jerry

Guys, I don't want to Hi Jack this thread.

If we want to discuss rifle weights/packs/physical fitness, let's START a new thread. please.

Jerry

Sleepers...

I think so too. However some won't have one because it's not CRF>>and/or>> has a blind magazine.

They're not a problem AFAIC.


Jerry

I put the Classic CRF w/floorplate assembly barreled action in the Winlite FWT stock with no fit problems. I did have to close up the barrel channel some since it had been opened up for a sporter weight barrel.

I have one that's unshot in 7mm rem mag.

I have had two, a 30-06 and the current 270. Both shot very well and I love the stock. The 270 would only get possibly sold to fund another pre 64 fwt!
Tore down the 06 to make a 25-06 that was an epic failure, but that is another story!
They are not that common around here, but I always keep an eye out for another one!
They are what the 700 mtn rifle should have been!

I hope to find time this weekend to see how she shoots.

I can recommend 130 gr bullet, 60-62 grs IMR 7828, depending on chamber-throat. Some have hit 3100 fps.

I switched to 7828 yrs ago when H 4831 was UNpredictable. Never went back.

Good Luck


Jerry

B - PM me if you are interested in selling it.

Thnx

Jerry

Nice rifle, but it is not a Winlite. That is the Black Shadow model.

D D -

Ok, how can you tell? Where can I find the diff/designations.

It's a P F, blind mag, & 26" bll. I haven't weighed w/o scope and sling so I don't know bare rifle weight.

Seriously - what's the diff between the two?

Would you prefer 1 of them over the other?

I'll post close up pick of stock shortly.

Jerry

Here are the pics of my M 70, 300 WM ?Winlite Or ?Black Shadow?

I didn't buy it new from a dealer. It was 'barely' used at a Pawn Shop.

I 'thot' it was/is a Winlite ?

I am not sure what that is, but it's not a Winlite. The Winlite has a fiberglass stock by McMillan vs the Tupperware one you have. Hope this helps.

B -

Well, at least you know what a Winlite looks like and what mine looks like.

I have always liked the looks & feel of this stock. On top of that, I sighted the rifle IN--2008 and have not had to adjust it since.

WHATEVER I have is a good stock/rifle. I'm really curious to see the diff in a Winlite.

Can/wouldya please post a pic?

Jerry

Well this is a nice bowl of pudding. Here since 2008 I thot I had a 70 Winlite. I 'goggled' Win 70 Black Shadow and I saw pics of it and THAT is what I have.

I have ZERO complaints about the stock, in fact I like it. I wouldn't have bot it if I didn't like it.

As to price, I saw them mentioned from $400.00 to $619.00 at Cabellas. In 2008 I gave $370. OTD. The bolt face did NOT have a typical circle around the firing pin hole, there was NO wear on the bolt body, and there were no signs of wear/use/abuse anywhere on the gun.

NOW I'm trying to find pics of a Win 70 Winlite!

I doubt I'll like the looks any better than what I have. Actually I like the looks/feel of the Black Shadow stock.

Any help will be appreciated.

Jerry

" The Black Shadow"! !
I like it. I think I would have (wood of ) bought it anyway in 08 knowing it was a 'Black Shadow'.

I haven't counted but I promise y'all it IS the Shadow of Death for deer.

Jerry


ps - I had NO intentions or idea of de-railing this thread. Sorry

Please don't let me kill this thread.

It's Dakota D's fault.

Jerry

Jerry,

I just picked up a 'Black Shadow' in 270 for $350 out the door. I just couldn't walk away from it for that. It looks to be unfired, but probably had a few rounds through it. I have not scoped it or shot it, but I recently put together a PF Winchester in 30-06 for my son and it was a real shooter. So I will see what this one does when I get a chance to mess with it.

Hey Nut -

What's your opinion of the looks--feel of the Black Shadow stock.

Jerry

The Winlite stock has the Featherweight profile with the schnabel fore-end.

Here is the McMillan page for the Winlite stock that is still available:

https://mcmillanusa.com/mcmillan-rifle-stocks/hunting-stocks-winchester-featherweight/

And here is Stocky's page for the same stock with pictures:

https://www.stockysstocks.com/mcmillan-winchester-70-featherweight-fiberglass-stock.html

They are nice stocks.

I like it. Might send it off to Mnt Boomer for some of his Duracoat magic.

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Here's my 9.3x62 with the current McMillan Winlite stock. This rifle has the standard sporter weight barrel rather than the featherweight.

Thanks. Nifty. and Nut

Get back to ya later

Jery

Nifty -

Yesterday I finally got around to Re reading P 1 and saw his pic. Thanks for the links as well. Even tho I have always liked the FTWT style stock I wouldn't say I prefer it---in synthetic.


Thnx

Jerry

I don't know why some are turned off by the Win Black Shadow stock. Maybe, blind magazine.

I have NO objection to mine and it feels good. I have a Rem 700 syn that is 'hollow' and it gets <COLD> like holding a punch bar. All I can tell you is that mine (sample of 1) is very stable.

Thnx Again

Jerry

now back to "Winlite"

Only the standard rounds had the Schnabel forend. The magnums used a regular forend profile.

I've had 4 of these over the years. First one was a 300 Wby, no schnabel, magnum contour 24" barrel and a floorplate. Then I had a 30-06 and 2 different 270's with blind mags. The last one was a 25-06 with a floorplate. There are very nice and lots of times a bargain as they are sometimes seen a just a push feed model 70 in a plastic stock. For those of us in the know they are far more than that.

Mines a 7mm mag with no schnabel and a blind magazine.

Can anyone say how a classic featherweight barreled action would sit in a winlite stock with standard barrel channel? Pics?

Don't think there was a standard barell channel. The schnabel style had a fw profile; the others a magnum profile...but there might be a few exceptions (it was news to me that brown made some!)

This stock I'm looking at does not have the schnable front end. Would that mean it's a magnum barrel channel then?

I think they did have a standard barrel contour option. IIRC I had a 270 classic sporter that I put in a winlite take off. It was way too muzzle heavy for my tastes. The featherweight winlites are a gem, perfect balance, good shooters IME.

If you have a fwt barreled action, I would keep looking for a matching fwt winlite stock or order a fwt stock from McMillan.

Thought I had found one for $257 at Midwest gun works....then I notice the big red letters reading SOLD OUT. Not interested in spending the money for a new one. Thanks for the info though.

Just looked back at one of my old catalogs and the magnum cals were all listed as 24" "sporter" barrels ... So that is what the non schnabel should have for barell channel. Don't have any of the magnum winlites to measure for you; perhaps bwalker could put a mic on his 7 mag.

The non Schnabel guns used a standard winchester sporter barrel contour.

The 300Mag that I had was with a standard sporter contour. I stupidly sold it.

Does anyone know for sure if they made any stainless Winlites? I have a push feed 70 stainless in 30-06 that's in what appears to be a Winlite stock, complete with hot glue bedding at the lug area. Winchester recoil pad was removed. I haven't seen them cataloged before so it could be a stainless model that was dropped into a Winlite stock. Either way it's a good one and not going anywhere.

I do not think that they ever made any stainless Winlites.

X2

I went the Faux Winlight route as I don't think any were made left handed. With the ultra light McMillan it is about 7.5 lbs with the chunky sporter (magnum) contour factory barrel.

Tempted to swap the barrel for more of a featherweight contour maybe the Bartlein 0 contour but the factory tube shoots fine and is comfortably muzzle heavy.

Only hicky was my 270 WSM action didn't match the barrel channel at all. McMillan rebedded for free but it looks like it was done on a Monday or Friday and they were in a hurry.
Some bedding compound will fix that.

Question for those who have worked with the feather weight stock. Is the edge version stiff enough to full length neutral bed or should I just float it? Only want to do it once.

Did a search on this after I posted and McMillan's FAQ said that about 98% of the stocks respond best to free floating the bedding. So unless someone has experience to the contrary I'll go with that.

Ive never had a fwt with the edge fill, but the winlites's Ive had shot very well with neutral to slight positive pressure. I had a classic fwt that shot miserable in its wood stock when the forend pressure was removed. I had a BACO that shot lights out floated from the factory, take your pick.