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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,122 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,122 Likes: 2 |
Just bought a Model 70 Featherweight in 270. Serial # puts it as a 1982 model. All my other 70s are Pre-64s, so just wondering what to expect from the rifles of this era. Quality, accuracy, quirks, etc.?
Also, what model of Limbsaver fits these rifles? That factory pad is a hockey puck. Crappy hot glue bedding from the factory was not good back then. If you aren't worried about keeping it original, I'd remove that bedding and glass bed it right. Make sure the barrel is properly freefloaing too. Personally I'd throw a red pachmayr on it, instead of a damn limbsaver too... Exactly what I did with my '81XTR in 7x57, that I picked up barely used (probably never hunted) almost exactly a year ago. As it had several pressure points in a very roughly finished barrel channel, I took those out and full-length bedded it from recoil lug forward. That took a lot of epoxy and probably added a couple ounces, but that sucker is sealed. Shoots well too. sometime this winter I'll play with hand loading for it. Just because. Actually, I think I can shrink the group some from MOA with factory loads, 140s or 175s, but different POI. Also, the safety was not working - it had never been fitted at the factory. I replaced it with the Tubb system (fp + safety), but did not need to. Little difference in accuracy between factory - which was already good, as original, and Tubb. All after the bedding work Any one need a stock factory fp with spring and safety? Very little prior use. By the way, Redneck - you were right. The tooling marks I took out on the sear/trigger mechanism were all non-functional. But it is prettier now......... . Overall, the rifle isn't - I took it caribou hunting where it (easily) picked up a couple dents - I am not impressed with the factory finish at all as far as durability goes - seems very soft - looks like a single spray-on coat of lacquer - as if I cared. Likely give it a better finsh after another couple hunts. Just because. I'm still thinking about the recoil pad - the factory one is acceptable (to me) as far as recoil goes, but I've always been partial to Decelerators. Probably somewhere in the future - just because.
Last edited by las; 10/05/20.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,188
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,188 |
I had nothing but good luck with all the XTR’s I’ve owned. Picked up another Winlite last week in 30-06, grabbed a couple hand loads I had for another rifle and what do you know they shoot good. Today I zeroed it at 200 with 130 TTSX load, nice 1.5 group at 200 once zeroed. As far as rifles go from an engineering stand point, it doesn’t get much simpler than a PF M70. Extraction, ejection all contained within the bolt, less external moving parts. Less fussy on feeding. Still field strip-able bolt, old style open trigger. Just simple, I like’em.
Stuck in airports, Terrorized Sent to meetings, Hypnotized Over-exposed, Commercialized Handle me with Care... -Traveling Wilbury's
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
Found this one a few weeks ago.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,928
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,928 |
I had a mid 80s .270 in the cheap Ranger version. To this day it was one of the best shooting rifles I've owned. Did not have a problem with the bedding over many years of use, but not saying it can't be improved on.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073 |
My dad gave my daughter a 257 roberts from that era. It will put them in the same hole every time. Much easier to find a good load with it than it was with my SC built 308. Still Browning owned? Where are they assembled now? I've been considering one for some time now.
24HCF in its entirety, is solely responsible for why my children do not have college funds, my mortgage isn't paid-off and why I will never retire early enough to enjoy the remainder of my life.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,073 |
Ask redneck. He’s the master at these M70’s. And he does great work!
24HCF in its entirety, is solely responsible for why my children do not have college funds, my mortgage isn't paid-off and why I will never retire early enough to enjoy the remainder of my life.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215 |
Had a push feed model 70 Lightweight (not featherweight).280 from this period. Matte blue, Plain hardwood stock. Hot glue bedding. Shot like a damn benchrest rifle...... Not pretty but VERY effective !
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,361 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,361 Likes: 1 |
Funny thing? I have a post 64, pre 68 M70, a 68 M70 and my two Featherweights.Other that the FWT .257 Bob, the others have all shoot MOA at the worst and usually better that that. The .257 is still a work in progress. I just may have to pull it from the stock to see if my problem lies there.
My son in aw bought an FWT in .257 Bob and I helped him work up a load using the 100 gr. Barnes TSX. Found a good load right off the bat. Average groups in the mid .70s". Mine won't shoot that bullet at all. I tried the 120 gr. Speer spitzer and it hates that bullet as well. I know the scope is good as I took it off a proven rifle.
I'm almost tempted to try some my small supply of Norma factory ammo in that rifle. I hoard that supply for a Ruger #1 that shoots tiny groups with that ammo. I got 6 boxes of that ammo them came with the #1 when I bought it. I used one box to see how the Ruger would shoot. Too bad Norma doesn't make them anymore. That was one fine load. Paul B.
Our forefathers did not politely protest the British.They did not vote them out of office, nor did they impeach the king,march on the capitol or ask permission for their rights. ----------------They just shot them. MOLON LABE
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,371
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,371 |
I have a 1970s push feed .30-06 that’s very accurate. Looking at a 1980s .30-06.
Last edited by Swampman700; 04/19/24.
1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983 919th Special Operations Wing 1983-1985 1993-1994
"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,061 Likes: 1 |
1985 special order 25-06 Featherweight.
Last edited by sqweeler; 04/19/24.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,855 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,855 Likes: 1 |
I had quite a few of the new Classic CRF Model 70s from the the 90s, personal favorites but I'd take any push-feed from the 80s over any current production M70.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,835
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,835 |
not arguing, just curious: what is it about the current production rifles that you dislike?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,371
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,371 |
The current production are the best and most accurate Model 70s ever.
1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983 919th Special Operations Wing 1983-1985 1993-1994
"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,099 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,099 Likes: 8 |
I had quite a few of the new Classic CRF Model 70s from the the 90s, personal favorites but I'd take any push-feed from the 80s over any current production M70. I've had about 5 of the Browning rifles. I don't have any of them now. I still have all of my 80's pushfeeds. They are great rifles, all American made, and a big part of Winchester's history. The XTR FWT's have a pretty good following as well. Just could not warm up to the new Winchesters though. I also prefer the pre 64 and classic models. To each their own.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,917
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I sold an 80’s M70 FW XTR .257 Roberts to help fund an elk hunt at the time. Fine fit and finish and shot tiny groups with factory ammo and handloads. I had 3 Roberts at the time and all went down the road after I acquired a M77 .257R which is an excellent shooter and has sentimental value as it belonged to a late hunting buddy. But I wish I still had the XTR. CRF… bah humbug
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,744 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 14,744 Likes: 5 |
I got several lightweights a xtr featherweight and a ranger all shoot fantastic
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
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6.5x55 XTR Sporter,25-06 XTR FWT,250 Savage Carbine.
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,421
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Nice triple shot sqweeler. My pedestrian .243 Win XTR Featherweight.
"Their minds are dead" - Carmine Ricca
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Joined: Nov 2015
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2015
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$400 featherweight xtr😜
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 17,931 Likes: 11 |
That was a score!
Beautiful setting.
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