Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Educate me on the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

As many of us here do, I'm always trolling for a better mouse trap and after handling about every make and model of firearm past and present, I have a few things I like. A couple of those things are controlled-round feed (and I'm not debating anyone about that) and a three-position safety. That being said, I've only owned one Model 70 in my life, it was in the early 90's and in a weak moment, I sold it prior to firing it.

I'm interested in the current manufacture/BACO M70 Featherweight in 270Win or 7mm Mag, but know little to nothing about them; enlighten me.

Is the MOA trigger a decent trigger or just marketing hype that needs replaced?

As far as accuracy is concerned, how do they compare to what is currently on the market?

Are the barrels made in-house and are they twisted properly?

I'm not a huge fan of McMillan stocks (gasp), so who makes a nice light-weight aftermarket stock?

Are the actions appropriately sized for the cartridge or is it a one size fits all system?

Any insight you can provide is appreciated.

Nothing wrong with baco made model 70's. The MOA trigger is a good one, I replaced the spring in mine with Ernie trigger spring kit. You will see guys putting Timmney triggers in them but that's just wasting money. I have a extreme weather and it shoots pretty damn good. Barrels are made in house and are twisted right for what your looking for. Stocks I can't help you there BSA and other can help with that. They do not use one action fits all, they have true short/long etc. you will not regret picking one up. They are a great rifle..

The M70 Featherweight as currently made is, in my opinion, as good as any Model 70 ever produced.

The MOA trigger is not bad, but a bitch to get the glue off of in order to adjust it...

Accuracy is more than acceptable for a hunting rifle. You may want to bed the lug and/or skim bed...but I'd sure shoot it first...with decent handhloads you can expect MOA

Barrels are made in house in SC last time I checked...

Aftermarket stocks...I like B&C but like some of my other opinions, I'm sure they'll be challenged

The actions are either short or long...sized close enough for the cartridges you mentioned.

There is one mans opinion....

They did use one action fits all. At some point they changed. My post 64 FWT in 308 is on a long action. Its serial number dates it to 1982. It's a push feed.

What Ingwe said. Very much impressed by my recent M70 7x57.

The new ones are made in portugal, my dealer says they are better guns then the SC rifles. Good Solid rifle , not my cup of tea anymore .

In my opinion the Winchester M70 is the best overall bolt action commercially mass produced available today. Overall meaning best package.
There are few rifles out there that may beat the M70 in one or 2 categories, but taken as a package the M70 is the high-water mark of bolt action rifles, unless you go a to a fully custom made gun. Even then you can get a "nicer" rifle, but I doubt you can get one much better as far as function goes.

. Mid 80's is when they made the change to short and long actions. But back on topic he's asking about current production

And that's where the arguments start lol. But some say the first ones out of South Carolina are some of the best made. I know where a nib extreme weather made in 2009 in 325 wsm is at. If any one is interested.

Yes the first ones out of SC were outstanding as well.

IMO the Model 70's made today are the best ever, I have been so impressed by the new Model 70's My buddy has bought recently that I am buying a new Extreme Weather .300 WSM for Myself......Hb

What kind of accuracy are we talking about; hunting rifle good or Tikka good? There is a difference.

I picked up a SC made FW in 270 a few years ago. It is well made and shoots well under MOA. Replaced the springs with the ones from Ernies. My understanding is that they are now assembled in Portugal just like Browning shotguns have been for years, that would certainly not be a deal breaker for me.

My buddy bought an Extreme weather and a Featherweight both in 30-06, the Featherweight actually outshoots the Extreme Weather by a little, we tried 3 factory ammo's and the Extreme Weather shot 2 of them sub MOA (barely..like .9") and the other printed 1.25"-1.5" 3 shot @100 yds. The Featherweight shot all three loads sub MOA and Barnes Vortex 165gr TTSX factory loads were very accurate with all bullet holes touching, .5" or so.......Both of his rifles functioned flawlessly and had great triggers that broke cleanly around 3.5lbs (3.4-3.6lbs according to my Wheeler trigger pull guage).......They also feel like solid very well made rifles as fit and finish on his rifles is top notch.......Hb

Be patient and find a like new made in USA 1990's Classic. Best hunting trigger ever made. Thank me later.

Model 70's have been made on true short actions since 1985.

I have one in 7x57. The MOA trigger is a bit heavier than I am used to, but very crisp. I have shot factory Prvi Partisan, Winchester, Federal and in 140g, 145g, and 175g. All grouped ~ an inch or less and had similar placed groups at 100 yards. No more than an inch from the other. It was comforting to know I could use either load to take hunting with virtually the same sight in. The .375 H&H of the small caliber world.

This. There's no reason to pursue a Mod70 if you aren't going to get the good old trigger. There are a ton of Classics available on GB and such.

I have a like new Supergrade I will sell you. It is not a featherweight but the wood is awesome and
the rifle flat shoots.

The BACO featherweights are great rifles. I think it's one of the few that are just right out of the box.

Lighter fluid and burn it off maybe INgwe?

certainly would be a southern Oregon solution....