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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 47
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 47 |
I'm thinking of picking up a Winchester M70 chambered for 270 Win. While the synthetics are more practical, I think I'll go for the wooden stock.
Reading through the rifle discussions at the 'fire, I see many references to the M70 Featherweight but fewer references to the Sporter. Perhaps wrongly, I get the impression the Featherweight is more popular even for long action cartridges. For those of you that have a preference for one or the other, what causes you to favor that model over the other?
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,076
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,076 |
I have both a new FN made featherweight in 7mm-08 and an FN made Sporter in 270. I much prefer the slimmer stock and lower weight of the featherweight to that of the sporter.
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,214
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,214 |
I'm going to buy a M70 Featherwieght in 7mm08.I've looked at both rifles. If i was buying a 270 though i'd get the sporter.
Why?? because i believe that the extra 2" of barrel will cut down on muzzle blast,i think the extra 2" will give you a slight edge in velocity {Might make a difference in long range shooting} and the added weight might aid in less recoil.
Of course with out shooting both rifles i'll never know if one or the other makes a bit of difference...just my theory.
Both the feather wieght and the sporter are the same price i believe.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,923 |
I would go with a FWT in 270
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343 |
I went FW 270 and a 3-9x40 conquest and have been very happy with it!
Roll Tide Roll, now lets go hunting!!!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
I would go with a FWT in 270 Me, too. Maybe not a light weight by todays standards, for most uses it is light enough...the 22" barrel is nimble in the thickets,and milks enough velocity from the cartridge that any differences in velocity between it and a 24" barrel are pretty meaningless. And the rifle is plenty accurate enough for any practical BG hunting in open country as well. If there is a classic American bolt action hunting rifle,suited for a variety of uses on most of the BG animals on this Continent, it's the M70 FW chambered for 270 or 30/06.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,922
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,922 |
By todays standards the Featherweight is really more of a standard weight rifle. The sporter is too heavy for my tastes.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,364
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,364 |
I prefer the thinner stock as well go FW
If there is any proof of a man in a hunt it is not whether he killed a deer or elk but how he hunted it.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,087
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,087 |
I have a Feather Weight in 6.5x55. Other thaqn that I doubt I'd coinsider any other cartridge requireing a long action, maybe a 7x57. The longter baqrrel's do bring out a little better preformaqnce but the shorter barrels are a lot handier. Most cartridge's on other than the 308 case have just enough more reciol that I wouldn't care for them. I do have three rifles on 30-06 the case. A 30-06, a 6.5x06 and a 25-06. Love them all but would not take them any where I want a faster handling rifle.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,237
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,237 |
I have three Featherweights. I prefer both the looks and handling to that of the Sporter.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,505 |
i just can't like the schnabel (sp) forend, so it would be the sporter if i was getting another m70. the difference in weight isn't a consideration ime. kind of a ford vs chevy thing.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,086
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,086 |
I found the sporter balanced better for me, as the 24" barrel in 30-06 family of cartridges.... IMO the perfect Featherweight is one with a 24" tube. So the WSM's are the flavor with a 270 or 7mm leading for me
Taking my rifle for a walk
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
i just can't like the schnabel (sp) forend, so it would be the sporter if i was getting another m70. the difference in weight isn't a consideration ime. kind of a ford vs chevy thing. the schnabel can be fixed...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,927
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,927 |
I have a USRAC-built featherweight in 7/08, a stainless synthetic featherweight in .270, also USRAC-built, and a couple of sporters in .30/06; one is a South Carolina-manufactured Super Grade.
I like the weight of the longer, heavier sporter contour for offhand shooting and I like the little additional velocity and little less muzzle blast of the longer barrel, admittedly splitting hairs here.
Last edited by Jocko_Slugshot; 02/15/12.
Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950 |
FW is lighter, handier, and prettier. I killed a bunch of deer with a FW 270. Great handling rifle.
Regarding the slight velocity advantage of a 2-inch longer barrel is absolutely, histerically laughable! Does anybody here actually know by knowledge or experience the real difference in trajectory, energy, and MPBR of an extra 50 fps in a rifle shooting 3000 fps? It means NOTHING!
Our God reigns. Harrumph!!! I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 7,578
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2004
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
FW is lighter, handier, and prettier. I killed a bunch of deer with a FW 270. Great handling rifle.
Regarding the slight velocity advantage of a 2-inch longer barrel is absolutely, histerically laughable! Does anybody here actually know by knowledge or experience the real difference in trajectory, energy, and MPBR of an extra 50 fps in a rifle shooting 3000 fps? It means NOTHING! Yeah, you can get that extra 50 fps if you put the rifle against a tree instead of your shoulder....the rifle won't move back from recoil and the bullet goes faster out the barrel that way.....I used that to kill a deer at 400 yards once.....never woulda got him without the extra 50fps.... It's true, I tell ya!
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,293
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,293 |
I'd go Featherweight... in .30-06!
This is a shooting forum, there is no place here for logic.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,927
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,927 |
FW is lighter, handier, and prettier. I killed a bunch of deer with a FW 270. Great handling rifle.
Regarding the slight velocity advantage of a 2-inch longer barrel is absolutely, histerically laughable! Does anybody here actually know by knowledge or experience the real difference in trajectory, energy, and MPBR of an extra 50 fps in a rifle shooting 3000 fps? It means NOTHING! Like I said in my original post, I was splitting hairs. I just prefer the "heft" and feel of the longer-barreled rifle. I have nothing against featherweights and I own some of each; I just prefer the sporterweight rifles.
Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,521
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,521 |
Well, I really like the 24 inch tube of the sporter and the balance that comes with it, slightly muzzle heavy which is good in all regards,
But I also really really like the ergonomics of the FW stock, frankly it rocks,The FW stock was a big surprise to me
Decisions Decisions, what to do?
Get a WSM model in the FW, best of both worlds, 24 inch barrel with some meat, not some salad eating croc wearing skimpy FW barrel, but a real barrel.
And then you will also have the FW stock to enjoy. Win Win...
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