Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles M-70 Extreme Weather

Son is contemplating a new M-70 Extreme Weather, probably in '06.
Elk, deer, antelope primarily in western Montana area. Anything he should be aware of before purchase. Thanks for any input.

Write the check..............

I have the same rifle in 300 WSM. I recommended one to my buddy as well. He just picked up a M70 EW in 30-06 for the exact same purposes you outlined. They are a very nice rifle. Mount a lightweight scope in Talley 1-pc mounts and it will weigh less than 8 lbs.

I don't care for the stock, but the rifle is as good as it gets. I'd still recommend one even with the stock. I bought my 308 used 4 years ago. I used it in the factory stock until I ran across a used Edge here in the classifieds at a good price. Mine is 7 1/4 lbs including the leupold, McMillan, and Talleys. Shoots anything I load in it to MOA or less. Some handloads much less. The action is slick feeding with an excellent trigger.

I have one in .308 it is my favorite rifle. The action is smooth and the trigger crisp. I still need to find an edge for it though.

I have one in 270 WSM. The best out of the box rifle I've owned.

I'm also impressed with Tikka.

I have one in 30-06 in a McMillan just like the 308 above. Slickest action I've ever had and MOA with multiple loads.

Oh, pure blasphemy. It's a winchester, it's not susposed to be slick..

They are a really nice rifle - but a bit "clunky" in the long action, which is a full magnum-sized action. You'll see when you pick one up. The long action is about half a pound more than the short action. And the Bell and Carlson stock is heavy, too. Personally, I would probably go with a short action in the "ultimate shadow" - say the 300WSM, and replace the stock with a McMillan down the track.

No glory shot with the rifle but got this caribou with my model 70 ew in a 325 wsm using 200gr speer hot-cor bullets. Caribou was ranged at 395yds one shot two steps one dead caribou. I know this does not compare to kick ass whitetail hunting or Elk hunting but we had to do something in Ak to keep us busy.

If I had it to do all over again, I'd buy an Ultimate Shadow instead of the EW. I hated the stock on the EW and replaced it with a McMillan FWT stock Edge fill. I doubt the EW out shoots the Shadow, but I'm very pleases with the way my .270 EW shoots.

I see a pattern here

That is a nice rifle Matt. Are you still thinking of having it cerakoted??

I don't think so, the jury is still out but the look is growing on me!

I can't speak to the original configuration as I got mine from BSA already in the edge stock, but I don't find the long action clunky or too big at all the way mine is set up. It is 7.75lbs all up with 4 180gr partitions in her and balances like a dream making offhand shooting very nice. I'd gladly carry this setup anywhere to do anything. I do a lot of stalking and hiking in rough country where the rifle spends it's time in my hands rather than a sling and I absolutely love it.

That rifle does carry and handle very well. The weight is just about perfect for a 30-06 class rifle. If I were to buy another one, it would be set up just like that. The stock is nice too and very grippy as compared to the B&C that it came with. The B&C also seemed long and clubby to me. Here's Matt's rifle on a template that was designed by utah708. This gives a little perspective on how the B&C compares to the Mcmillan compact on this EW:

I also have one in .270 WSM. Just love it. It's great for sheep, caribou and I'd even use it on moose with a heavier bullet (150 gr. or so). Have your son get to the store ASAP & write that check before that rifle finds a different home.
Good luck to him.
Bear in Fairbanks

Has anyone tried these with the McMillan Winchester Hunter (Sako-like, not the Compact Hunter) pattern? Got pics?

IMO the Winchester 70 EW is a no-brainer. Just buy it. They are excellent rifles. The factory Bell and Carlson beats tupperware by a long shot. Upgrade to a McMillan if you find it clubby.

I didn't realize so many put their EW's into a McM. I might have to do the same. I'm not in love with B&C that comes with it but I don't hate it either. Whats a used EW stock fetch? Anybody want to buy one slightly used? Its experienced - killed several elk.......

B, the short action B&C's don't seem to be as "clubby" feeling as the long action stocks like the one that was on 444Matt's rifle. The Mcmillan hunters compact with the edge fill is a huge improvement over the factory stock. Also to the poster that said the B&C is better than factory Tupperware, I have to disagree. Some of my best shooters are in factory Tupperware and the factory stocks are not as slick feeling as the B&C. I absolutely hated the B&C in the rain and snow. Slick as a wet willie in a FN contest!! The B&C is also heavier than factory Tupperware and the aluminum bedding block is a joke...

My problem was I already had a m70 .30-06 FWT in a hunters compact, and the EW felt like I was handling a 4X4 fence post. I bought the stock my EW sits in from tdn in the classifieds so I didn't have much choice in the style. I'd rather have the compact stock again but the FWT edge fill is is a vast Improvement over the B&C stock IMO.

That's why I'd just buy an Ultimate Shadow and order an McMillan in your favorite flavor in an Edge of course.

I agree buddy. The only thing your really lacking with the U shadow is the fluted barrel the EW has. Some guys could care less for that option anyway, so you are right about the U shadow from a price standpoint. You'd be dollars ahead and have just as good of a rifle

Yep, the flutes mean nothing to me I can take them or leave them. I bought the EW to see what all the fuss was about on these rifles. So I found a deal I could live with in one of my favorite chambers on a second hand EW, but when I got it and compared it side to side with what I already had I just about sent it down the road. There was no comparison to the way the EW handled against my other Edge stocked Winchesters, and the extra money to get a B&C stock and fluted barrel was a waste IMO. Ultimate Shadow rifles are the only way to go if you want a stainless Winchester rifle and are going to eventually replace the stock. The price difference alone almost pays for an Edge stock.

The bedding block in these is a curious thing to me. I've seen two of these rifles accuracy improve with a skim bedding of that block, especially tang area because it looked as if it needed the most help.

A knowledgeable friend said it was because both had only 20 or so rounds down the tube and the barrel wasn't fully broken in when they were in factory condition.

But I found it curious that both rifles went MOA at 300 yds immediately after being bedded, which was a significant improvement over their performance in factory condition.

According to my friends theory, I guess if the owner would have just fired one more shot out of each rifle before bedding he could have saved himself a lot of money...

(rifles were NIB in 25-06 and .270. bought by same guy at same time for he and son this past Christmas)

I like the longer forearm on B&C versus the McMillan Edge, but I use a sling or prop up a lot when shooting.

The Ultimate Shadow stock will not sell for 150-175 like the B&C, so be sure to compare the initial cost of both before you decide. All three of the EW's I have bought cost less than 750.00 used.




Extreme Weather threads....

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/7632682/2

I'll bring up one more thing that hasn't been mentioned here. Winchester currently has a rebate that runs through the end of the month. The rebate wipes out whatever sales tax your son would pay on the rifle, FWIW.

Dave, I agree with both you and taylorce1 on this. You are both making some very valid points. You are correct in that the duratouch stock is hard to sell for even $50.00 and the B&C will bring (on average) $150.00. However, I've had both in my hands and I actualy prefer the duratouch stock that comes on the U shadow. I'm one that likes the fluting though. I also like wood stocks, so this is what I did:



Back to the stock conundrum. Johnmoses is also right, in that, the aluminum bedding blocked rifles usually need to be skim bedded. This greatly improves the accuracy of the rifle. My barreled action skated around in this stock. The great guy I bought it from here told me up front that the rifle was loose in the stock and that it would probably need to be bedded. I paid $800.00 used (more like new) for this EW. Here's what the bedding and bedding block looked like:

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. Always amazed at the depth of knowledge on this site. Keep it coming if you have more to add, we are following all the comments.

I agree if you buy them both used they are about equal once you sell the B&C stock. If you're buying new you'll still have at least a $250 difference once you sell the B&C stock. Having flutes isn't worth the extra $250 IMO.

Only way to fly.

Good problem to have.

Even better yet, would be a pre 64 fwt in a hunters compact huh Bob

Problem is they don't make a pre 64 in stainless.



My daughter thinks she is going to claim this rifle, but I doubt she'll handle it well at only 11 years old.

My buddy just bought an 270 ew in a edge. Handles nicely and seems like a handy rifle.

I dont have one, but a Bud has had an EW in 338 WM for a couple three years now, it's outfitted with a matte 3.5-10 Leupold in a set of Talley LW's, it's his all-time favorite elk rifle, and this from a man that has hunted elk for better than 35 years that I know of.

High praise in my book.

Gunner

bsa: Classics are good. I have two here...you saw a group from one...or a rifle built on one.

I have had two EW's...both were accurate; the 300 WSM was ridiculous for a factory rifle and no tweaks.

Pre 64's are my favorite.

SS or CM, I will hunt any of them.And I don't take any pains to keep them dry.

I agree Bob. The poster that said the pre 64's weren't stainless was absolutely correct. I guess the next best thing would be to have one cerakoted .. New game plan for my 270 fwt huh Bob















































Don't worry, I'd kick my own azz if I let that happen

Whew! You had me worried!

I owned a pre 64 FWT once and it was a nice rifle, kind of half stainless. Sold it because I would have had to re-barrel it since I didn't want a .280, and wasn't going to put the money into it. I made it a good deal to a young man I'll probably hunt elk with in the future.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...at_s_it_worth_Pre_64_M70_cus#Post6451544

taylor, have a hung a few SS barrels on pre 64's....works pretty good.

Also I believe a few 264's and 220 Swifts had them, factory direct. But no 30/06's far as I know.

I remember that rifle. You stole that sob!!!!

Pretty much gave it away too. No regrets though, that young man and my daughter will be chasing elk together in a couple of years.

That's awesome taylor. Kudos...

Are you set on buying the EW in 30/06? I have two EW's. 270 Win and 300WSM. Go to a shop and feel the difference between the 06, family of calibers, then fell calibers in WSM. I have kept the B&C stock on the 300WSM, it's really not too bad, but I could not stand the bulky ass B&C on the .270. Like many others, I put a McEdge on the .270 Win. Take your son with you and let him feel the difference as well. One more suggestion, get an Erniethegunsmith, trigger spring, and put it in. It is easy to do, and you will make the MOA which is a decent trigger, a little better.