Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles FN Winchester 70 EW vs Stainless ultimate shadow barrel contour question

I am looking to buy a stainless model 70 in 300 win or 300 wsm as my do it all rifle. I like the EW stock, but hate a fluted barrel. Does anyone know how the barrel contours compare between the EW and the ultimate shadow? I like a little heft to a barrel.
Thanks

I called FN/Win about two weeks ago and asked this exact question to one of their techs. He stated other than the stock and flutes, the stainless US and the EW are identical and the stocks will interchange perfectly.

Holy chit, what does it matter if the EW shoots lights out. So it doesn't have the "heft" what are you really out?

What does it matter if he chooses to buy one without the flutes?

I am rough with a rifle as I walk up to 10 miles Ina day of hunting. I also take it in an Argo where it can be banged around. I just don't like sharp edges on metal. I am hoping profile is same as I could slap an ultimate shadow in an EW stock and have what I am looking for ( I think).

I have a New Haven stainless Ultimate Shadow (24" barrel) in a Bell & Carson Ultralight stock which is the same as the EW stock.

Like I said above, according to Winchester you can. I would call them Monday and ask them yourself just to make you more comfortable about it.

I don't care for the looks of the fluted barrel either, and you can have it without flutes for the same price by buying the Ultimate Shadow and the EW stock seperately from Stocky's.

It's all personal preference. Some guys don't like the flutes and some do. This is what winchester says regarding their fluted barrels, "The fluted barrel allows us to give you a stiffer barrel profile that does not carry excessive weight. So the Extreme Weather SS feels very light but offers accuracy of a heavier rifle." . Both are great rifles in my opinion and offer excellent accuracy. If the OP can swing the extra dough for a mcmillan compact edge he'd also shave extra weight for those long days out on the hunt.

I like the EW's fluted barrel. But if I were planning on replacing the stock anyway would seriously consider going with the Ultimate Shadow if it would save me money. But the Edge I put on my EW is almost 1/2 lb lighter and not that expensive after selling the take off EW stock. I don't know if a used Ultimate Shadow stock would sell for enough to matter.

The going rate (ebay or classifieds) in re-sale for the duratouch (ultimate shadow) stock is right around $50.00 if that tells you anything.

I like the fluted barrel on the EW but abhor the chunky thick non-checkered slick azzed B&C stock, I would prefer the Ultimate shadow stock by far over the EW stock. I would love to have an EW action in a McEdge stock, now that would be the chit...In .300 WSM of course.....How much would I have in a rig like this?............Hb

If you sold the B&C to someone and could find a used mc edge stock like I did for $425.00 you'd be in the shizzle for sure....I like the combo, here's a pic of the EW in a compact edge:



One hell of a good rifle made even better. Like one poster said, sell the EW takeoff and be into the edge for even less. Just a thought...

Damn I'm jealous! I don't think that rifle is a .300 WSM it looks like a long action but an excellent rig for sure...................Hb

. You are absolutely correct. It is a 30-06. You've got a good eye .

Beautiful!

I just sold my US stock on eBay. It went for $20.00 and it wasn't worth that IMO. I'd have rather have had the 22" fluted barrel in .308 but my gun was cobbled together from a pawn shop rifle to keep the cost down.