Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Scope?

I am looking for a scope for my new Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .30-06.

Being a lighter weight rifle I don't want a huge scope and would like to stick to a fix power, like 4x.

I am not real knowledgable on scopes which is why I am looking for recommendations from the folks that know more than I do.

Most of my current scopes are Leupold and Redfield. I do have a pre-64 M70 with a Weaver K4 that I really like.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I will also need a good set of rings and I need help with those also.

My pick for that rifle would be a Leupold 2.5X8X36. Light, trim scope and as far as rings, Talley Light Weights would be my choice,

Or a Leupold VX2 in 2x7 with the lightweight Talleys...

Thanks guys, just a quick question. Why the preference for variable versus fixed?

Either of these suggestions is great right down to the Talley Lightweights. I'd lean toward the 2.5-8x36 personally.

I've always had variables. There are many here with LOTS of experience and trigger time that prefer fixed power, especially 6X and many others are knob turners. Since most of my hunting ranges from up close to maybe 400 yards max, the variables work for me. In the case of the scope I recommended for example, I always have it dialed up between 6 &8 X, and after the shot when I'm walking up to the downed animal, as a force of habit I dial it down to 2X. A nice 6X36 or 6X42 would be good choices as well.

Or 6x36 LRD in Talley Lwt's.

I have all three of the above, and have had all three on M70 Fwt's. All work, but mounting is a bit more critical with the 2.5-8 and 2-7 because of a shorter tube length. If you go with either those you'll need to spin the front base around pointing backwards. X-Low's work with any of these three.

I've just about decided my Featherweight in 6.5x55 is getting a Weaver Grand Slam 2-8x36. I recently bought the same scope for a 308 and am quite impressed with it. Reports of reliability have been excellent, which is very important to me. Made in Japan and they can be had for a more than fair price. Hopefully I can use the Tally X-Lows.

Zeiss HD5 2-10x42 in Talley Lightweights.

Great glass, great durability and an excellent selection of reticles. I like the Rapid-Z reticles and would go with the 600 version on that rifle.

I'd get a Leupold FX-II 4x. Put it in Weaver-type rings on steel Warne bases.


Okie John

Mine wears a Leupold 3-9 Ultralight with LR Duplex in Talley Ex-lows.

Hey Blacktailer, can you provide the measurement for mounting length distance, outside to outside of the rings?

Weaver K4

5 5/16" Note: I had to do a little Dremel sculpting on the front mount in order to clear the objective bell.

I went with a 1.5-5x20 on mine...

Thanks!

Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 on one of mine. Woudn't change anything.

I have two M70 FWT rifles (308 & 6.5x55). They both now have 2-7 scopes on them: one is the Leupold VX2 and the other is a Bushnell Elite 3200. I used to have an old (1979) Leupold M8 3X on the 308 but that now sits on a Win M94 AE 30-30. I think the 32mm objective scopes looks perfect on these rifles. One has Leupold rings and mounts, the other Redfield.

If a modern Fwt I'd do a weaver classic 2.5-7 in talley lightweights, though you might need an extended front for proper eye relief. The weaver has help up and tracts better than my previous 2 VX2 2-7's. If you didnt want to go the extended ring route, than a Bushnell elite 2-7.

If we are talking a pre-64 fwt, than its tough to beat a Leupold M-8 4x in Leupold dual dovetails.

A good quality 3-9 or a fixed six would be my pick.