Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Saw my first NEW Model 70 Featherweight

Ugh! They ruined the stock by putting that HUGE wrist [pistol grip] on it. Way too thick!

270Win: ??? aren't the stock dimensions on the new FWT the same as the Classic FWT? Mine appears to be the same, although I haven'e measured it. (I'll do that later today)

That's why ice cream comes in chocolate and vanilla. My comment would be that they got the pistol grip right by finally making it thick enough.

Guess that's what sandpaper is for?

I've never been a fan of the M70 Featherweight French Whorehouse Stock and think the gold encrusted factory "engraving" on the floorplate is a fitting end to the French Whorehouse theme.

And it's overpriced...

But that's just me

Ok, I had a few minutes to compare. Laid my mid '90's FWT Classic, next to the new FWT. The stock appears to be exactly the same to me. I took a piece of string, measured the circumference of the pistol grips, and laid the string on a steel tape (not real precise) and both seemed to be the same. The only difference I could see is that the trigger on the new gun is a little farther forward in the trigger guard. Guess that would make the LOP slightly longer and perhaps make the pistol grip feel bigger?

I just don't know which I want more the new FW in 30-06 or the 300WBY I currently own.

I've owned a few Featherweights over the years and I noticed the fat wrist immediately. This rifle was in Sportsmans Warehouse in Kennewick WA. It's a 30/06. Maybe it's just this rifle. It's the only one they had. I don't know. $799.99 is a little much me thinks. They own the rights, why did they "improve" the trigger?

When did cartridge overlap ever become an issue? Silly.....

For me it's not a question of "if" I'm going to get a new one, The question is "when" and whether it will be the Super Grade in 30-06, or the Stainless, Extreme Weather, with the Bell and Carlson stock in 30-06. Currently, I have a Classic Sporter w/BOSS in 270 that shoots and feels superb. I would never part with it.

gonna hafta sell sumptin to get a new shootin' iron

Saw a Model 70 Featherweight at Northwest Armory in Portland today. It was one of the 'special' or 'limited' editions. Seemed pretty nice. Decent stick of wood, seemed to be inletted into the stock pretty well, and the bolt opening and closing was so smooth it would make you cry. Wish my stainless M70 (or any of my 700s) were that smooth. I think they wanted just under $800 for it... seemed about $100 too high.

At 8 1/2 lbs it is no "featherweight" despite the label but she's a classic 57 model year that has taken a lot of critters for me over the years, even in.243

My pre-64 M70FW in .270 WIN weighs 8 3/4 lbs field weight (w/ sling, ammo, scope, etc.) so its is more akin to today's standard weight rifles, but it works for me.

As you say, compared to the other rifles of it's time (1955) it WAS a featherweight!

And IMO, the pre64 FWT's and the classics FWT's, and now the FN FWT's, may not be super light, compared to the rifles of today...but they are just right...not too heavy, not too light. At least that's the situation, IMO.

Nice pics Pugs and Odessa. There is just something special about those Pre-64 M70s.

I picked up a new M70 featherweight in 270 yesterday,,I will put a scope on it next week and head to the range,,,I will put in updates as to how it shoots.

I went down and looked at them today. The 2 that I looked at (both F/W's) had above average walnut on them. The wood to metal fit was excellent on both the top and bottom. This is a point where most production rifles fall short these day's, even ones that cost much more. I really like wood stocked blued rifles and it was refreshing to find one that fit so well. The bluing was average and the floorplate engraving didn't impress or turn me off. Like always' the F/W style is a rifle you either like or you don't. While I don't gravitate to "American styled" rifles in general I have always' liked the F/W. IMO it just needs a nice little oval style cheek piece and exchange the Fleur dis lis checkering for a nice simple point pattern and you would have a rifle!

If I was in the market I would pay $799 for one and feel like I got a nice rifle for my money.

Terry

I saw and handled the new model 70 today as well. Featherweight Deluxe chambered for 30-06. Very nice rifle. I hope they shoot as good as they look.

p.s. No BACO found on the rifle at all.........

I stopped in Gander Mt last night and took a look at the (only) one they had. The trigger tag was marked BACO along with the BBL. I thought it looked well put together, the wood was fairly nice, and I liked the recessed crown over the "rolled" I see on most rifles. The price was typical Gander MT, $900+. They ain`t selling any to this boy at that point.

Saw my very first new one earlier today. A local shop recently got two of the FW models in; one in 30-06 and one in 270. Not interested in having one in either caliber though. I still fondled one of them. Looked nice enough to me. Thought it felt kind of heavy for what it is. Barrel was nice and centered in the channel. Overall fit and finish looked good, too. The stock had a funky spot in the wood, which made me not want that particular one. It was some sort of small swirl; maybe from a knot or something. Cycled the bolt, and it all felt good. Price tag read $949. That's list price, I do believe. Can get it for 10% off right now, but even at that it still seems too high. Can have a new Browning X-Bolt for even cheaper. By the way, all you Browning haters don't know what you're talking about! There's nothing wrong with Browning. Hellava lot more Brownings out in the woods every year than many of the other, so-called "better" options that are supposedly out there.