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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 agree with most of the comments here. I've owned a bunch of both Pre-64s and Classics.
Among problems that I've found with the Classics are: safety lever breaking off during the first trip to the range, egg-shaped chamber on a .375 H&H that had to go back to USRAC for barrel replacement, and a stock with a large raised surface near the trigger guard and a finish that looked like a fudgesickle. USRAC, to their credit, was very good about fixing these problems.
I also recently bought a USRAC-produced Model 70 Classic stainless synthetic in .270 WSM and the bolt handle came off after bopping it once with a small plastic mallet, due to a stuck case. Those bolt handles were supposed to be both interlocked and brazed. This one definitely had the interlocking splines but not a sign of brazing. I took it to a welding shop and had it TIG'd in place.
The MIM extractors can be replaced with a Williams extractor.
I like the solid bolt handles of the Pre-64s but I wish Winchester had gone to one-piece bottom metal in them.
I still hunt with both but prefer the Pre-64s.
Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 545
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 545 |
Yeah, I agree with ya on those WSMs - that series of cartridges shoulda never left the drawing board IMVHO..  I do not want to hijack but what are the issues with the WSM's in your opinion. I am new to them and curious. I have a new SC Extreme weather. In 270WSM
"A .358 Norma Mag is not for everyone but then again Bear hunting isn't either."
Unknown Bear guide on the Kodiak coast
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
the Classic suffered from pretty indifferent assembly and QC;I have become fatigued at times dealing with things like egged chambers,barrels screwed on crooked,have seen one barrel with a section of rifling missing,sloppy bolt fit,lousy bedding,cartridges jumping from the magazine before their time,sloppy trigger fit,extractors that dropped cartridges, etc etc etc.
Jeez Bob, the only thing a 700 needs to be field ready is a trigger adjustment and maybe a drop of locktite on the bolt handle........... 
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,468 |
I have used both a 270 wsm and 300 wsm since 2004 pretty extensively with never a single issue of any kind. I have stacked up a nice pile of beast from that 300wsm.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
Southwind: Some WSM's behaved,no doubt...a couple I had,you could not rechamber fired brass...badly swollen cases from factory ammo.They fed passably OK but with one, cartridges would randomly jump the rails during rapid fire.I think it was te magazine box not being wide enough to hold cases,and you would cycle the bolt,and the next cartridge would jump onto the rails....jam.I'm sure there was a solution but it was annoying.
This was an early production 300 WSM.
OTOH a South Carolina rifle in 300 WSM behaved perfectly.
Last edited by BobinNH; 01/30/13.
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29,786 |
Well, this can go a lot of different directions and open even more questions for you. No functionally there isn't much difference.
Depending on what you are after there may not be much difference in price. I own both and love my pre 64's for what they are and the same for my new haven crf models. If you want a stainless then New Haven no question but as you look at caliber selection, rifle configuration, purpose etc. etc. you may be able to develop a better path of what my suit you best.
For me it's easy, you just buy em all. By God, I really, really, like your attitude!
These are my opinions, feel free to disagree.
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