Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 80's Winchester Model 70s

Just bought a Model 70 Featherweight in 270. Serial # puts it as a 1982 model. All my other 70s are Pre-64s, so just wondering what to expect from the rifles of this era. Quality, accuracy, quirks, etc.?

Also, what model of Limbsaver fits these rifles? That factory pad is a hockey puck.

My dad gave my daughter a 257 roberts from that era. It will put them in the same hole every time. Much easier to find a good load with it than it was with my SC built 308.

Crappy hot glue bedding from the factory was not good back then.


If you aren't worried about keeping it original, I'd remove that bedding and glass bed it right. Make sure the barrel is properly freefloaing too. Personally I'd throw a red pachmayr on it, instead of a damn limbsaver too...

I bought my .375 H&H just about that time. Sub 1”, 5 shot groups @ 100 yards with my hand loads. I think that the fit and finish, action, and trigger are as good as you could want from a factory rifle. The “only” things that I did to the rifle was, adjust the trigger and put a Pachmyar Decelerator recoil pad on. memtb

Think you will be pleasantly surprised.

What you'll find is damn near the most perfect firearm made IMO. I love them. All of the ones I've had have had really smooth actions, shot near MOA or better, are well balanced, and are a classic looking rifle.

I'd not use a limb saver on that rifle. Get a red Pachmayr Decelerator pad on it and it will have the same classic look.

What does it usually cost to have a grind-to-fit pad installed on a rifle? There are quite a few things I have learned to do to rifles over the last few years, put that isn't one of them. I know it requires not only skills, but also a jig that I don't have.

Hmmm. $50!plus pad maybe?

Ask redneck. He’s the master at these M70’s.

Exactly... I hate those damned Limbsavers...

I tried a jig once or twice.. Sold it.. I install pads free-hand.. Usually runs between $35-45...

I have an Featherweight XTR from this era in 7x57. Awesome handling rifle, and an awesome shooter. You won't be dissapointed.

I have that one in 7x57 and another in .257 Bob. The 7x57 is a tack driver, the Bob? Not so much. Still working with that one. Both of my rifles are 80's models.
Paul .

Have a .270 and .257 featherweights from that era and my experiences mirror PJGunners - the .270 is an awesome shooter the .257 is OK (in all fairness haven’t played with loads in that one much).

PennDog

I had a Model 70 Lightweight in .243 bought new about 1986. I left the factory recoil lug bedding and added epoxy at the tang area. Very accurate, a push-feed rifle that fed upside down with no problem.

I owned quite a few of the push-feed model 70's and they all performed better than their competitors that came in a Green box.

I have owned a couple of the Model 70's with the hot-glue bedding and while I did not like the looks of it they grouped well enough that I could not see the point in doing a re-bed job on them - out of sight, out of mind.

drover

Apparently third person of this Thread with eighties era Model 70 pushfeed in 7x57, vintage '82. Joining the praise. The main lament concerning Winchester by then was the lack of CRF, which was solved in '91. Your rifle should reflect restored Winchester quality for some years since the "Horrible Hiccups!" Though most of my Model 70 rifles are pre '64, my hat off to "other worthy" editions! Yours such! Mine, pix below.
Best & Stay Safe
Johnd

Great guns, and sharp looking too. One of my big rifle regrets was selling my 1980s XTR 270 several years back. Always shot 1/2 - 3/4 consistently with factory loads. Not too much later, bought one in 257R, and while it's not quite as accurate, it is still sub moa with a few factory loads. Pretty sure you'll like your rifle.

Funny thing that you should say that. I picked up an M70 XTR in .270 at a gun show for a decent price. At first I thought it was a Featherweight with a McMillan FWT stock. I needed it like I needed another hole in the head but it called and I answered. When I asked the guy if it was accurate he said it was very accurate. I bought a couple boxes of Wallyworld Winchester 150 gr. ammo and took it to the range. First 5 shot group was .50". I shot three more 5 shot groups and the largest was .80" but the barrel was pretty hot when I shot that last group. The stock is apparently a McMillan from the factory as construction appears to be the same and a "Mickey" on my 30-06 Mauser. I used it with a 150 gr. Sierra Game King to take my antelope back in 2009. It's a keeper for sure.
Paul B.

I picked up an '81 XTR in 7X57 a couple months ago. Unfortunately, rotator cuff surgery has had me sidelined and I haven't been able to shoot it yet. It's a beauty, though!