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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
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I bought a 7-08 Featherweight compact a little while back. Finally got it out shooting this year and took a nice WV buck with it. Fit and finish are good. Shoots great. No issues so far....
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,010 |
They are not as trim as the older fwts, glad it was not just me that thought that! I had a couple of the newer ones. They shot well but did not speak to me so they went away. Yep, I've had some as well and much prefer my classics and pre 64's.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,472
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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That's unfortunate. Your opinion/observations count at least double. I thought (literally) that everybody knew by now that, while I love M70s, I'm NOT a fan of the BACO's trigger.. Browning just HAD to screw up what could have been the finest trigger ever in a hunting rifle simply by refining/modernizing the original.... Dumbasses... Overall, I think the BACOs are a bit better in quality - but it's because of modern machinery and processes. But I truly despise that MOA trigger. (some were/are already on 'recall') . I have a bunch of NH M70s. I have one BACO, and I do not shoot it.. It's a relatively special one that'll increase in value as a collector but I'd take any NH over the BACO every day of the week and twice on Sunday.. For those that are not familiar with the NH's trigger system, I'll try to elaborate. From the factory, they're a bit heavy, they creep and they're not usually crisp. BUT - (and this is a biggie) if they freeze up or somehow fail to fire in the field the owner can remove the action, easily determine the problem, correct it with a couple very simple pocket tools and be back in business inside of 10 minutes.. When (not if) an enclosed trigger fails, maybe it just got out of adjustment and can be corrected. Most anything else and ya better have a back-up rifle available within reach. Give me a NH trigger and 20-25 minutes and I'll give you a trigger that nearly equals a Jewell or Trigger Tech and still remain that wonderfully simple/reliable design that's been tried and true for over 5 decades.. Browning could have done that same thing and cost 'em tons less than that pos MOA unit.. But nooooooooooo... Sorry to get started... Merry Christmas.. A enclosed trigger can often be flushed out in the field with lighter fluid without removing the action from the stock. I apreciat the design of the new haven trigger, but in practice they never felt good to me, even after tuned and they were made out of cheaply cast parts. Then there is the quality of the NH guns in general. Most sucked finish wise, lits of tool marks, etc. The 5 digit classics were better than the latter ones, but still a project in a box in most cases. Cast extractors, crudely cast bottom metal, etc.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,066 |
so.....are you saying the new portugal guns are of higher quality in your opinion than the winchester nh guns??
"Only accurate rifles are interesting"
Col. Townsend Whelen
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,188
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2009
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IMO... the SC guns were better made than the late NH guns. The early classics were pretty good though as were the push feed XTR's. I havent handled a Portugal gun, but will make it a point to when my kids cone of age. A compact Fwt in the 6.5 CM sounds like a great combo.
I also preferred the old trigger, but hunting with the new style doesnt give me pause, until I have an issue, then I'll prolly throw a toddler like fit. All guns are made up of little pins, springs, etc. that are depended on for proper function, all can fail when subjected to bad conditions.
Stuck in airports, Terrorized
Sent to meetings, Hypnotized
Over-exposed, Commercialized
Handle me with Care...
-Traveling Wilbury's
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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so.....are you saying the new portugal guns are of higher quality in your opinion than the winchester nh guns?? Yes.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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From what I've seen, I'd buy one in a quick heartbeat if I already didn't have too many rifles.
I've been hearing the made in Portugal rant for years now. It was an interesting topic in the beginning, however it seems Browning is unimpressed by dissatisfaction of a few.
Trigger? How many here have had a new one freeze up? The average guy fix an old Model 70 trigger in the field with his pocket tools? How many are going to do that? For the vast majority-like what 99%+-your trigger goes down mechanically, your gun is down until you get home or have a Smith look at it.
The new ones are an excellent rifle.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Dec 2012
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
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well i'm just at that age where a want a couple nicer timeless rifles to pass down to my 2 sons and i believe a featherweight and a supergrade will fit the bill. i just want to make sure that the build quality and the accuracy are there before a plunk down a coupla gs. i've got plenty rifles to hunt with so these 2 will be put in the safe for later on in life when i fell i just have to hunt with a classy rifle. till then my tikka t3's will do in spades. but, i'm sure one day all the plastic will get on my nerves........nah prolly not but it will be nice to have the all walnut and steel guns there anyway. keep the thoughts coming fellas please. the more i hear from y'all rifle loonies like myself the more i'm informed.
"Only accurate rifles are interesting"
Col. Townsend Whelen
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,560
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have 3 SC model 70s. I am not an enclosed trigger fan, but the fit, finish and accuracy of these SC 70s is damn good. On the other hand, I have tried a Portuguese model 70 and a XPR and have been sorely disappointed in every aspect of these rifles. I have tried them-and now I am done with them. CP.
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Joined: May 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
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so.....are you saying the new portugal guns are of higher quality in your opinion than the winchester nh guns?? Yes. I’d say that, too.
What could be a sadder way to end a life than to die having never hunted with great dogs, good friends and your family?
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,742 |
I hope I get this right......
The SC guns were assembled in SC with American barreled actions (source of action unclear) and stocks made in Portugal. Now the assembly is done in Portugal with the same parts. Terry Wieland did a two-part article on this. He feels overall that the current ones are the best ever.
I never had trouble with the old trigger on a Pre-64 or two New Haven Classics I tweaked for my sons, but they're gone and the old and new ones aren't interchangeable, apparently, as the aftermarket models are different.
My only quibble with any of the "new" M70s is the multi-part bolt that fails at times. The cheezy weak extractors supposedly have been replaced with better ones (a weathy doctor I used to encounter at the range has a customized .458 he had built for Africa. His rifle had a replacement extractor. BTW, that feller could shoot! He was wearing out a target offhand at 100 yards with his cannon.)
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,494
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
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That's unfortunate. Your opinion/observations count at least double. I thought (literally) that everybody knew by now that, while I love M70s, I'm NOT a fan of the BACO's trigger.. Browning just HAD to screw up what could have been the finest trigger ever in a hunting rifle simply by refining/modernizing the original.... Dumbasses... Overall, I think the BACOs are a bit better in quality - but it's because of modern machinery and processes. But I truly despise that MOA trigger. (some were/are already on 'recall') . I have a bunch of NH M70s. I have one BACO, and I do not shoot it.. It's a relatively special one that'll increase in value as a collector but I'd take any NH over the BACO every day of the week and twice on Sunday.. For those that are not familiar with the NH's trigger system, I'll try to elaborate. From the factory, they're a bit heavy, they creep and they're not usually crisp. BUT - (and this is a biggie) if they freeze up or somehow fail to fire in the field the owner can remove the action, easily determine the problem, correct it with a couple very simple pocket tools and be back in business inside of 10 minutes.. When (not if) an enclosed trigger fails, maybe it just got out of adjustment and can be corrected. Most anything else and ya better have a back-up rifle available within reach. Give me a NH trigger and 20-25 minutes and I'll give you a trigger that nearly equals a Jewell or Trigger Tech and still remain that wonderfully simple/reliable design that's been tried and true for over 5 decades.. Browning could have done that same thing and cost 'em tons less than that pos MOA unit.. But nooooooooooo... Sorry to get started... Merry Christmas.. Thanks for taking time out to educate me!
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959 |
This has been a very informative thread.
😎
"For joy of knowing what may not be known we take the golden road to Samarkand."
James Elroy Flecker
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,092
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,092 |
Get you one if you want it!!
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 21,959 |
Get you one if you want it!! That's what I'm thinking. Either a Sporter in .264 or a FWT in 270 or dare I hope?-6.5CM?
Last edited by 340boy; 12/16/17.
"For joy of knowing what may not be known we take the golden road to Samarkand."
James Elroy Flecker
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,560
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,560 |
Pappy, I have a little different rendition of the story. When FN commenced producing the Model 70 in South Carolina, the barreled actions were produced in house by FN and the other components for the rifle were sourced through a number of domestic vendors. In short order, FN had issues with some of the outside vendors' quality and deliver schedules. In turn, they stared sourcing components from their international partners to offset the issues they were having with some of the domestic suppliers. Moreover, production of the Model 70 in the South Carolina plant was causing production conflicts with FN's primary business at that location of manufacturing military and police firearms. So, the move to Portugal was driven by a variety of issues.
I asked Winchester if the barreled action for the Portuguese Model 70 would always be produced in South Carolina and they told me "not necessarily". Everybody can draw their own conclusions from that comment. CP.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,066
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,066 |
thanks fellas for the posts and please keep em coming for educational value.
"Only accurate rifles are interesting"
Col. Townsend Whelen
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