Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New Winchester Alaskan

Anyone have one yet? Thoughts?

I handled one in a gun store a couple of days ago and can't get it off of my mind.


Okie John

Looks nice, but 8 1/2 pound naked rifles in chrome moly and walnut don't seem too "Alaskan" to me?

X2. What is Winchester thinking? A model 70 Extreme Weather is a much better choice for the Alaska climate.

I've had one for 2 1/2 years, it's by far the nicest rifle I own. Naked, it weights 7 lbs, 8 ounces. Trigger breaks at exactly 3 lbs, 6 ounces, with the usual smooth as butter bolt cycling. I'd be happy to share any knowledge I can about it.

I sold two to a pair of brothers a few weeks ago.. They're beautiful rifles - even for BACOs.. I DO like that old-style barrel bulge at the rear sight...

That barrel configuration was one of the rarest 375's in the pre 64 M70. Pretty cool.

I think the Alaskan name is more a nostalgic label these days. But then again an awful lot of pre 64 M70's in 375 H&H reside in Alaska. Or so it seems.

Agree on EW - but why the 26" barrel on them? I'd already own a 7RM if it came with a 24" barrel.

Bob,

That maybe so, particulary since few of Us will hunt Alaska ...irregardless I've always regarded it as a moniker for a stainless/synthetic rifle.

personally I feel it is advertising run amok.

Jerry

I was very interested in that particular model until I saw that it only holds three (3) rounds in the magazine. Almost all other Winchester model 70 rifles hold five rounds down.

Anyone have any idea why this particular model is limited to three rounds in the magazine?

I think all the new model 70s chambered in a belted magnum caliber will hold 3 down and one in the chamber. The standard caliber actions will hold 4 down and one in the chamber. I'm not aware of any difference in the action and magazine that's specific to the Alaskan model.

I think some of the pre-64 guns were called the Alaskan. They had 25" barrels and Monte Carlo stocks with a little more drop at the heel than the current ones, and they were chambered for the 338 Winchester Magnum and the 375 H&H. I don't think that any of them were 30/06's, which is why the new one I saw the other day caught my eye. I suspect that whoever thought a 25" barrel was a good idea on an "Alaskan" rifle had probably never been there.


Okie John

Not just that 'particular' model.. All the magnum-chambered M70s took 3 down in the magazine..

I guess if you need a fifth shot so bad you should go back to the bench and practice..

At first I thought you were referring to the Alaskan, but see you mean the EW. However, the Alaskans have 25" barrels, which some might question as well, especially in the one chambered .30-06. At least the others are magnums. But I do like seeing rifles with iron sights on them. Not that it matters to me, since they don't offer left hand rifles anymore. But while perusing their offerings, I see they are chambering M70's for 300, 270 and 325 WSM. Too bad they aren't offering 7mm WSM too.

Ouch !

I just inherited a NIB Alaskan in 300 Win Mag if anyone is interested.

Back to my original question. Why does the magazine only hold three rounds of 30-06 when every other model 70 seems to hold five?

Winchester themselves say on the model 70 Alaskan "Magazine Capacity 3"

Link to the specifications for the Winchester Model 70 Alaskan in 30-06

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produ...current-production/model-70-alaskan.html

In a pre 64 or the current variant?

Current variation. Didn't know they made a pre-64 Alaskan.

Typo! It will hold have 5 in the magazine. I had a shot-show Limited Edition Stainless w/Grey Laminated stock M70 .30-06 Alaskan a couple of years ago. Pretty sure it held 5, like all post 64 model 70 '06's. The .375 H&H and other belted mags however only hold 3 in the mag.

I could believe that. It also makes me wonder if the barrel length is correctly listed for the .30-06 Alaskan at 25".