Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester Customer Service For Poor Accuracy?

I think some M70 purists don't know the difference between "made" and "assembled".

Give a call back and either talk to a different representative or if you get the same one, and the same story, then demand to speak to a supervisor. If that supervisor does not provide satisfaction go further up the food chain. Don't settle for an answer from just whoever answers the phone, also get their name, title, etc and document every call.

It may help if you explain that if they do not fix the issue then you will be posting it on one of the largest forums with literally thousands of members. That should make them re-think their attitude.

I an issue with a target scope a couple of years ago after 3 returns and it still not being fixed I asked for a new or different scope, they refused. I mentioned that I would be posting my issues with them on a benchrest forum and within a week I had a new scope in my hands.

drover

I just read my Winchester catalog and it says "you can 'expect' moa accuracy " but it stops short of a guarantee.

Yea, i caught that too

p.s. - to my earlier reply.

A suggestion for when you talk to the rep at customer service, or preferably someone further up the ladder.

Let them know that if this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction then you will post your experience on your social media accounts. It really doesn't matter if you don't have one, or do not really intend to, they don't know that. What they do know is that social media has the power to reach millions of people and they know that one bad message can cost them many thousands of dollars, much more than the small amount it would cost to fix the issue.

"you can expect" is a tacit implication of a guarantee. They may try to wiggle on it but it is still a guarantee.

drover

Just picked up an all weather extreme. With the short magazine length, I can seat my bullets 240 thousands off the lands. Winchester said it was perfectly normal. Worst money I've ever spent on a rifle. Their costumer service isn't worth talking to.

Just tried again but they close earlier than I expected. Hopefully I will get a chance tomorrow while they are open.



BSA,

What did your buddy end up doing with his extreme weather?

TheKid,

Am I out of line in believing that winchester should be proving me with a shipping label to return the gun?

He put it in the back of the safe and started using his pre 64 model 70 308 fwt again. True story.

"Am I out of line in believing that winchester should be proving me with a shipping label to return the gun?"

NO.

You have an expectation that the rifle they produce should be reasonably accurate with reputable factory ammunition.

If it is not, let them prove that it is.

I'm not sure what the status of Remington since the sell out, but, Remington had a two year guarantee. It was pretty much no questions asked. You call in the serial number--they send you a label--that simple.

What chambering? Keep in mind that the S/A M70s are built for cartridges under 3" in OAL. Some of the rounds that fall into that range have SAAMI specs with long throats..

Weatherby rounds have long freebores and usually shoot very accurately. Just because you can't reach the lands doesn't mean that the rifle may not shoot very well. Quite frankly - the entire accuracy issue lies with the quality of the barrel itself - and most manufacturers have about $50-$75 invested in their barrels (with some exceptions) so you can pretty much figure it's a crap-shoot re: accuracy from rifles made by Rem/Win/Brown...etc.

So I just got off the phone with winchester again with slightly better results.

I think I may have spoken to the same person (stupid me forgot to get a name) but I was much more assertive and finally got him to agree to send me a shipping label.

The representative I spoke to claims that spec on the gun is only 1 3/4" and states that what is listed on the website is "just what could happen if you get lucky".

He then went on to tell me that if they shoot one group that is 1 3/4" they will just box it up and send it back with the target as proof. This rather annoys me because I have been able to produce groups around that size, not consistently but I have done it. Either way I don't think this is an acceptable accuracy spec for a rifle that has an MSRP of nearly $1300.

"Get extreme accuracy under any conditions. The Model 70 Extreme Weather Stainless utilizes a Bell and Carlson� lay-up composite stock that provides a solid feel and features trim and lightweight ergonomics. It has a textured charcoal gray matte finish for rugged good looks and improved grip in adverse conditions."

300 win mag.

I have only tried barnes bullets so far, at different lengths, with 5 inch groups. I'll keep trying, maybe there's a bullet out there it likes.

The bolt is rough, and the brass comes out of the chamber scratched. A sako it ain't.

Just figured I should update this thread a little bit.

I sent the gun back to winchester in November and received an email with a service number and a password so that I could check the status of the gun while in their possession.

I wasn't checking often figuring it would be a while before anything was done with it but last week I checked and it said they would be replacing my rifle.

I am surprised though that I have not at least received a call to inform me of this and maybe to tell me what was wrong with the original.

The status hasn't changed since last week but I'm not really in a rush, just glad to see they are making it right.

I wouldn't expect to ever hear about "what" the problem was with the original.

Glad to see they are replacing your rifle. And thanks for updating the thread with your experience.

Good to know that they are standing by their product.

1 more update to this. I finally received my replacement rifle and to my surprise when I opened the box the new one came with a black bell and carlson stock with gray webbing. I know this is only cosmetic but I do think it gives the rifle a little bit better look.

After checking the Winchester website it appears that this how they are being offered now.

Now if only this weather would break I could take it out and see how it shoots.

Nice!!! That is actually a pretty good customer service story. Any pics of the new rifle?

Here's a quick cell phone pic.

EW 7mm-08, Leupy VX3 2.5-8x36, Talley lows.

Nice!

Post how it shoots when you get to it.