Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles M70 - Classic DBM 30-06 vs XTR Featherweight 243

Stopped in a local pawn shop today that had both of these on the rack. I picked up the Featherweight first and shouldered it. Such a sweet feeling rifle! It had a Burris Fullfield 3-9x40 with the RAC reticle, apparently a fairly scarce reticle option for that time. I then picked up and shouldered the Classic 30-06. I was amazed at how heavy and bulky it felt in comparison to the Featherweight. I have standard weight Pre-64s, but they don't have the bulky feel of that 30-06. Is this something others have noticed, or just me? Do the DBM models have a different, thicker stock than the standard sporters? That was the first M70 I've ever encountered with the DBM. The Classic had a cheap BSA scope on it if that matters.

BTW, the Featherweight came home with me. Checked the serial # and it's a 1986 model.

Congrats you made a good choice.


Featherweights are great rifles!!!


I’m not a fan of detachable magazines unless it’s an AR or a 1911 where they are relatively cheap and readily available.

Go back and get the classic if it’s reasonably priced ... you couldn’t go wrong with both rifles

Good choice on the Featherweight.
I own a few of the same vintage as yours. My go to rifle is a 1990 mfg. Featherweight in .280 Rem. Killed whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, and elk with that rifle.
Great rifles !

WB

The Featherweight is a beautiful rifle. My favorite rifle is my 7X57 Featherweight. I scoped it with a Burris 4X from back in the 1980s. That rifle goes with me everywhere.

I have two of the XTR Featherweights, a .257 Roberts and a 7x57. The 7x57 is a tack driver but the .257 doesn't impress me very much regarding accuracy. I'm gonna have to play with is some more. It definitely does not like the 100 gr. TSX or the 120 gr. SpeerHot Core. I have some 100 gr. Sierras to try but just haven't found the time.
Paul B.

If you decide to let loose the .257 Roberts........
I need one of them for the collection.

WB

There is not gun that feels better in my hands as a M70xtr featherweight.

I agree. I have 2 M70 Featherweights: a .308 push feed (1989) and a 6.5X55 Classic (2002). They are superb handling and easy carrying accurate rifles.

I have a new model 70 in .280 and the stock is noticeably thicker than the classics and xtr’s.

The new models don't feel nearly as good as the XTRs and Classics.

Agree 100%. But it’s one hellova shooter.

Those FWTs are da bomb...

The BDM rifle can be swapped over to blind magazine or hinged floor-plate, you just need the parts. Rem 700 DBM can't be swapped to hinged or blind, but M70 Winchesters can be in just a few minutes.

You need the properly inletted stock, internal box magazine, spring/follower, and either trigger guard (Blind) or TG/floor-plate.