Picked up one of these in a trade not long ago. It is the synthetic stock, blind mag push feed number in 270. The stock actually fits me really well and does not have the hollow, cheap feel that most injection molded stocks have. I adjusted the trigger down to about 3lbs, scoped it and headed to the range with a grab bag of various and sundry 270 ammo I had on hand.

It shot just about everything reasonably well, but it really seemed to like the Hornady American Whitetail 130 grain. The first two shots would be touching 2" directly above the bullseye exactly where I want it, but the third, fourth and fifth would be off high and to the right by about 1-1.5". I did this three times with the same results. The barrel is not free floated, but it is glass bedded at the recoil lug and rear action screw. Looks like a decent job. I know the first shot from a cold bore is all that really matters, but that third shot being a flier every time just bugs me. Anyone have a suggestion for a remedy?

Free float the barrel and repeat the test.


Okie John

Hard to describe, but this stock does not look like it was made to be free floated. Maybe I just did not let the barrel cool long enough between shots. It was a hot day about 94-95F.

All stocks can be adjusted to free-float the barrel. Why do you think you can't remove some of the stock material to free-float the barrel, TnBigBore? Larry

The "glass" bedding from the factory is actually just hot glue.

They are a good gun and good stock, but you need to put a little work into it to have it right.

Go to the "Winchester Collectors" forum and ask about it there--they'll head you in the right direction.

Sometimes, all that's really needed with these is a good freefloat on the barrel. Make sure it's not the hot glue bedding the factory put in. If it is, grind it out of there and use some Devcon 10110, or at a minimum JB industro. Either will be much better than the hot glue bedding. You'll know that's what it is if it looks like this:

I am terrible at posting pics, but the application of the glue or bedding on my stock looks much more even than the above picture and is of course not a wood stock. I may try to remove some of the plastic and get the barrel free floated, but may not. I am going to shoot it again when the weather cools down just a bit. Since my first two shots were touching on three separate groups, maybe I can just get that third round closer by just letting the barrel cool properly. If not, I will get to work on it. It does seem like a well made rifle and of no lesser quality than non Wal-Mart Winchesters. Thanks for the advice guys.