Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 80's Winchester Model 70s

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.

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.

Found this one a few weeks ago.

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.

Still Browning owned? Where are they assembled now?

I've been considering one for some time now.

And he does great work!

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 !

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.

I have a 1970s push feed .30-06 that’s very accurate. Looking at a 1980s .30-06.

1985 special order 25-06 Featherweight.

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.

not arguing, just curious: what is it about the current production rifles that you dislike?

The current production are the best and most accurate Model 70s ever.

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 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

I got several lightweights a xtr featherweight and a ranger all shoot fantastic

6.5x55 XTR Sporter,25-06 XTR FWT,250 Savage Carbine.

Nice triple shot sqweeler.

My pedestrian .243 Win XTR Featherweight.

$400 featherweight xtr😜

That was a score!

Beautiful setting.