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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160 |
Gday folks, Im considering one of the new FN produced m70 featherweights in 30-06 and would like some feedback from owners of this generation of Winchester.
Cheers, Scott.
Speak softly and carry a big stick.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,065
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,065 |
Had a SS Fwt in 308, shot and functioned great! Was not a fan of the complicated trigger (vs old style) but otherwise it was spot on. That was 2 years ago at least, so I am not sure about current/Portugal manufacture.
"You know why nobody panic buys 30-06 ammo? ... Because men with 30-06's don't panic"
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,854 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,854 Likes: 1 |
Nothing but good reviews from me. Accurate, attractive, and handy, IMO. great rifle for the money.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Ive got one. I like it mucho, but Im gonna haft improve the factory bedding job...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,418
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,418 |
I don't have one of the new FN Featherweights but have 2 of the older New Haven models. One is a push-feed rifle purchased in the late 80s in 308 and the other is a CRF model purchased in the early 2000s in 6.5X55. Both have been trouble free and very accurate (especially the 6.5 Swede.) For me,their balance and weight are just about ideal for our whitetails. From what I've heard the newer FN mfg are even nicer.
Last edited by cooper57m; 11/28/13. Reason: spelling
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,209
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,209 |
Son-In-Law has a FN M70 Fwt. in 30-06 that shoots great, many loads under an inch. No changes made, just as it came from the box. My 7-08 isn't quite as good, usually 1 1/8 to 1 1/4. I've put a lighter trigger spring from Eddies gunsmithing in it and redone the bedding. Haven't tried any heavy bullets yet, but 120 NBT and TSXs, 140 Sierras, 140 AB , and 139 Hornady hover just over an inch with Varget, H4350, RL-15 and Big Game.
They are a solid reliable game rifle.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 874
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 874 |
I have a 2011 Featherweight in '06. It has functioned flawlessly and I was very happy with the fit and finish for this price point. It shoots 1" groups with 165 gr Fusion factory ammo, and I've killed two deer with it so far. I'm a happy camper.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160 |
.......so I am not sure about current/Portugal manufacture.  Portugal? This is a USA made rifle. Cheers, Scott.
Speak softly and carry a big stick.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,219 Likes: 25
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,219 Likes: 25 |
Ive got one. I like it mucho, but Im gonna haft improve the factory bedding job... +1, however the FN plant does a much better job at bedding than the old New Haven (USRAC) plant did. An erniethegunsmith trigger spring also does wonders. I've installed a few of them and get the pull wt down to right at 2.5 pounds. The only FN BACO I have left has a 2 3/8 pound pull that is very crisp.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,321 Likes: 9
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,321 Likes: 9 |
I have a Featherweight in .270 WSM and love it. Functions great, shoots great, and looks great. I plan to add more Model 70s to the stable down the road.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,901 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,901 Likes: 9 |
Ive got one. I like it mucho, but Im gonna haft improve the factory bedding job... Hey, If it has the Ingwe stamp of approval, what more do ya need?? 
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,296
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,296 |
Best out of the box rifle I've ever owned. Except for adjusting the trigger down just a hair, I've done nothing to it and won't. Fit&finish is great, accuracy and balance; even better. My Bass pro has 2 of the S.C. guns left, a .308 and a .270. I wish I could get them both to keep the .243 company.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,513 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,513 Likes: 1 |
i have 2 fn m70s. a supergrade in 270 win and an extreme weather in 308 win. great rifles imo. no problems with either, and they are accurate.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,009
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,009 |
I got a new FN Featherweight in 243 a couple of months ago. Accuracy is fine. My only negative with the rifle is the poor finish and rather shallow checkering on the stock. I've seen some that looked better than mine as far as finish goes, so maybe I was just unlucky.
"An open message for all Democrats; "Look you are nothing and your work is worthless. Anyone who chooses you is detestable."
Isaiah 41:24 (HCSB)
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,954 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,954 Likes: 5 |
.......so I am not sure about current/Portugal manufacture. Portugal? This is a USA made rifle. Cheers, Scott. Winchester is (or already has) moving production of model 70's to Portugal instead of SC. Not sure when this is supposed to happen. They may already be making them there.
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: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,723
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,723 |
Bass pro in Charlotte had two of the SC Guns left the other day, one in 30.06 and the other in 7mm08 the 08 followed me Home. 
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,140
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,140 |
Winchester is (or already has) moving production of model 70's to Portugal instead of SC. Not sure when this is supposed to happen. They may already be making them there. Curious as to your source of information on this. They haven't been making them all that long in SC and they're going to move to Portugal?
Kids are for people that can't have dogs
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 36
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 36 |
Here's a source from earlier in the year: The Firearm Blog They are still going to be manufactured in the US but final assembly will take place in Portugal. The SX3 and 101 shotguns are also assembled in Portugal.
Last edited by treefity; 11/29/13.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,192 Likes: 6
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,192 Likes: 6 |
Overall, I like the new Model 70 just fine. However, I have noticed a problem in the location of the extractor groove on the bolt head. This locates the extractor too far forward and reduces the amount of primary extraction available. I have talked to Winchester and FN about this and they choose to deny the problem rather than correct it. The distance from the front of the groove to the bolt face should be roughly .072". It should not be .049" like the two FN models I have in the shop. They have probably CNC'd a couple thousand bolts so don't want to correct the error. I think the shop foreman should be fired and the QC guy given a bolt suppository. GD
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,219 Likes: 25
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,219 Likes: 25 |
Overall, I like the new Model 70 just fine. However, I have noticed a problem in the location of the extractor groove on the bolt head. This locates the extractor too far forward and reduces the amount of primary extraction available. I have talked to Winchester and FN about this and they choose to deny the problem rather than correct it. The distance from the front of the groove to the bolt face should be roughly .072". It should not be .049" like the two FN models I have in the shop. They have probably CNC'd a couple thousand bolts so don't want to correct the error. I think the shop foreman should be fired and the QC guy given a bolt suppository. GD Interesing observation. Do they differ from the classic CRF bolts? I don't know why these azzhats felt the need to change chit like that and the trigger!!!
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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