Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Can I get a pre70 FWT down to 6 pounds?

I grew up hunting with a 30-30. So I've never hunted with a 10 pound beast, or any sort of magnum.

I wouldn't mind a Montana 300 savage...It would probably kick like my fwt 06, but would be a fun little rifle to have..

With a 130TTSX going around 2900+ it is a nice push compared to a 165 from my Model 70 .308W FWT.

If you want a 6 pound fwt, I'd think about a Kimber.

....and yes, Scott is the reason this rifle was put together. The .300savage is a sleeper that was ahead of its time.

Leave that fine rifle alone and use it as it is.

You could save it's stock from wear and a pad by getting a lightweight syn. stock and save some weight also.

Instead buy a Kimber 84M. They are the state of the art for lightweight rifles.

Dakota: I will add my 2 $ worth to your question. A pre-64 70 featherweight action weighs 45 oz. A Rem. 700 long action 43 and a large ring 98 44 oz. so there is really not a lot of difference in action weights. The pre-64 aluminum floorplate is .75 oz. and the trigger guard is .86 oz. so a blind magazine is not going to save you much if anything. That leaves the barrel, stock and optics. The featherweight barrels are .560" at the muzzle which, depending on caliber is quite light, although in a .270 you might get down to .500". Talley lightweight mount/rings is quite light but I didn't weigh mine prior to installing.

However, here is some food for thought. There are some real trade-offs in superlight rifles. I prefer a much heavier rifle, even for mountain hunting and I am 66 years old. I've hunted with pre-64s almost exclusively for the past 30 years. I just got back from a Kodiak Island mountain goat hunt and my rifle was a pre-64 with 25" Douglas barrel in .300Win.weighing almost exactly 9 #. After a very hard climb along with the excitement, I am very glad I had a heavier rifle for holding steady. For mountain hunting, I would personally never want anything less than 8 lbs. I believe the disadvantages of the super lightweight rifles far outweigh the advantages when the moment of truth comes. Good Luck.

No doubt heavier will hold a little steadier, but when shooting at the vitals the size of big game from field positions the advantage is not all that great. I've proven it to myself more than a few times.

Balance is the key to a great LW rifle.

Addition: Differences in individual body strength and size are also factors of what weight is best for one person over another. I'm on the LW side of the people scale. What works best for me may not be the same for a much bigger/stronger individual.

Funny in that I just saw that thread.

Ok will give it a go in a couple days with the Kimber. My printer is out of paper. Will make some up at work on Friday. Although the vitals of BG are obviously bigger than the circles, it should be a fun challenge.

Funny in that I just saw that thread.

Ok will give it a go in a couple days with the Kimber. My printer is out of paper. Will make some up at work on Friday. Although the vitals of BG are obviously bigger than the circles, it should be a fun challenge.

I already have the XTR FWT at 6.25 and a Kimber Montana short action at 5.25. Neither has a stock that I really like for ergos. I'm really just focused on what can be done with a factory pre64 as I prefer the action and will put it into a very light synthetic stock. It sounds like I can get pretty close.

A good trigger goes a long way buddy. I'm wondering if the newer MOA was a benefit when I shot the other day. It just seems to break smoother with no creep as compared to the pre 64. The weight of pull is about the same, but as much as I hate to admit it, the MOA is smoother

BSA, have you ever put a smooth and flat India stone against your Pre64 triggers? I polished mine just enough to erase the tool marks that were left behind on the Pre64 and a few Classics. Seemed to really help with everything, pull weight and any creepiness. It really doesn't take much at all and they are as smooth as my Ernie's sprung MOA trigger was.

BSA, have you ever put a smooth and flat India stone against your Pre64 triggers? I polished mine just enough to erase the tool marks that were left behind on the Pre64 and a few Classics. Seemed to really help with everything, pull weight and any creepiness. It really doesn't take much at all and they are as smooth as my Ernie's sprung MOA trigger was.

I won't buy another new model 70 (made in Portugal bs). This one is the first year FN (2008), which is better..