Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Pre 64 Model 70 fwt.

Thinking about showing some class and getting a Pre 64 Model 70 FWT. in .308. I have a STD. in .243 and, in looking at it, the action is actually longer than the one on my Ruger M77 in .270. Are the FWT's true short actions? I am always hearing that a short action is stiffer and more accurate, so wanted to know if the Pre-64's were actually shorter in .243, .308, etc.
Thanks

All of the old M70's that I have are based on a similar length action.

The magnums, standard and short cartridges along with the Featherweights are the same.

Its the magazine lengths that must vary.

Those old M70's are and were fabulous guns. Don't worry about how they shoot no matter what.

Sheet metal spacers act to shorten the mag box, shorter followers and a steel piece attached to the bolt body that shortens bolt rear travel all work together to make a p64 receiver think it's a short action. All that extra stuff makes it weigh more than a Std length ctg receiver

These guys are right but I'll add a little. I recently aquired my first pre 64 fwt and it is one of my favorite rifles and one I'll never part with...I actually compare most of my other rifles to it as it is just about perfect for me. I love the way it fits and feels and it shoots lights out. I have absolutely no complaints about my fwt. It weighs right at 8 pounds all up loaded and ready to rock and roll...So in reality it isn't a real featherweight but much lighter than a standard weight pre 64 (I've got one of those too in the same chambering, 30-06). Both rifles are shooters and my other rifles try to keep up but sometimes get left behind....

I agree with BSA, honestly thats the only rifle a 308 would appeal to me in if that gives you an idea of what I think.

Love them oldies. Just got home with this .270 WCF. Made in 1951




Better wood than my other 2 Pre 64's

Nice. 270 just makes it specialer.
raybass, I'm just the opposite about the 308 deal. Doesn't make sense to me to pack around a full size action that "almost equals" an '06. That said, I love my 308Fwt. Just never hunted with it--too heavy.

I agree with ya 338, I prefer the 06 based cartridges to the 08 based ones. Gunnut I like that 270!

I bought my first Pre-64 in the fwt variety, a 30-06 just before Christmas.

Heck of a shooter with just about everything I try.

Its going elk hunting this fall.

I need to work with it from field positions now that the loads are developed and the weather is getting nicer.

Oh you lucky dog.....Nice snatch...

Let us know how she does. I'm always all ears on these beautiful old rifles...