Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 1981 Win Featherweight ???

I recently picked up a minty early 1981 (#1,511,XXX) featherweight in .257 Roberts. It was purchased from the original owner who bought the rifle new in 1982 and practically never shot it. My question to whomever may know is....what's up with the double cross bolts? (see pic) I've never seen double bolts on a featherweight before and never this style of bolt....all I've ever seen on other featherweights is a single black plug at the rear above the trigger housing? Can anybody shed some light on this for me?

killzone -

I bought an '81 model, the first one to hit Hammond La. It was a 270 W so it had NO cross bolts.

Beats me, the only cross bolts I've ever seen were on Heavy kickers.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Not factory.

The rear one goes right through the screw hole which was covered with the "black" dot. It is actually a piece of plastic.

The front one was drilled too far forward.

I have a late 1981 fthwt, .30/06. I'ts just normal, just a black dot. I have never seen anything like that before.
Maybe a repair? Maybe the stock was swapped off a bigger caliber?

That stock appears to be boogered, unfortunately. I have seen some exemplary work that Mr. Karnis does on fwt stocks on this forum, maybe he can assist you in getting it un-boogered.

Custom shop?

Well I asked the seller about this and here is his reply...

"The cross bolts have always been there. I am the first and original owner. I bought four rifles from this retailer wholesaler (Bonanza Sports) sporting goods store in Medicine Hat - a 270, a 243 and two 257's. Both 257's and the 243 had the cross bolts feature. The 270 had a cross bolt but not of the patterned type but rather a plug. I never paid much attention to this at the time as I was only too happy to have got the guns as these rifles were very difficult to purchase and were in short supply. Over the years the cross bolts have attracted comments from others. Most collector types seem to tell me that as this was a transition rifle anything is possible. Also, in 1981 the cross bolt as a separate part was not available for private purchase. Others have mentioned as you have that this was a feature on the magnum series of rifles. Sorry but this is about all I can tell you about the cross bolts."

I had the same M70 FWT 257 Roberts, no mickey mouse cosmetic x-bolts but it did have a worthless short magazine for 243 length cartridges. Like every gun that was a mistake purchase ,it went down the road. Magnum man

That is after market, he had that done by somebody. Shoot the rifle first my guess he had a professional bedding job done.

Was the stock broken and then repaired?

I have an XTR featherwight in 7x57. Serial #62065xxx. It has a single crossbolt on the right side of the stock above the trigger guard. I have no idea why your rifle's stock has it's crossbolt configuration. But I am curious

Ditto for my 1981 257 FWT. Never seen a FWT with a stock like yours. If you find the answer, let us know!

I owned a 1981 M70FW in .30-06 SPRG from the first run, it had iron sights attached, but no cross-bolts.