Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors gosh those old model 70s shoot !

I've never mentioned anything on the fire about any of my rifles' accuracy. All are pre-64 M70s of various calibers. But today I got a rather kick out of one of mine. I've just started shooting it for an upcoming bear hunt. Its a 52' vintage .375 with factory barrel and non-factory stock. I've had it bedded and the barrel is floated. Scope is a Leupold M8 3x. The bullet I want to use is a Barnes 270 gr. TSX. I bought a box of Speer 235 gr. for practice and sighting in. So after moving the scope back a bit in the rings and getting on target with the Speers, I shot a 3 shot group with the Barnes. Just under 3/4". I'd previously been shooting some 300 gr. Hornadys that shot almost as good. Realize this might be a fluke, but I kind of doubt it.

Sounds like a winner of a load and those 375’s shoot. Amazing shooting rifles most of the time!

Bear down!!!

I have been impressed with the accuracy of every pre 64 Win 70 in 375 H&H that I have either shot or seen shot. They shoot incredibly well!

Many people have come to the conclusion that precise modern bullets are largely responsible for the improved accuracy that we've come to expect, not better rifles or barrels.

My own pre-64, now owned by my son, was accurate enough for hunting, but never was really impressive, and the worn stock finish allowed moisture to affect the bedding so that I had to adjust the scope most years just before the season. Finally, I refinished it with multiple coats of matte poly spar varnish, including the inside, which stopped that nonsense. Then I discovered the wonders of JB Bore Paste. Decades of built-up copper were removed from the barrel. I worked up some hunting loads, first wih H4831 and Hornady 130gr SPs, then 160gr NPs over W780. The Hornadys produced some groups I'd be hesitant to describe for fear I wouldn't be believed. The 160s went about an inch or less for three. After a disappointing result on a close shot with the Hornadys, the Nosler load became the standard for that rifle (and the one that replaced it). Point being that the rifle was always capable of great accuracy, funky bedding screw and all, but it was held back by inconsistent bullets, and likely a dirty bore. I've seen those old M70 barrels described as custom-quality cut-rifled, and that one qualifies IMO.

I've always liked the pre 64 model 70 for their accuracy and ruggedness. You guys know the beauty in the pre 64 model 70. They are slick, they have awesome triggers, they feel good in the hands. The reason they are called the "rifleman's rifle". I hear what some of you guys are saying about modern bullets being better and more accurate, but dang if mine shoot the old bullets well too. And to the OP, the 375's have been known to be remarkably accurate. The one I sold to Gunner easily prints 3 leaf clovers on a consistent basis...