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?

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.

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.

I would go with a FWT in 270

I went FW 270 and a 3-9x40 conquest and have been very happy with it!

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.

By todays standards the Featherweight is really more of a standard weight rifle. The sporter is too heavy for my tastes.

I prefer the thinner stock as well go FW

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.

I have three Featherweights. I prefer both the looks and handling to that of the Sporter.

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.

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

the schnabel can be fixed...

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.

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!

FWT all the way.

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!

I'd go Featherweight...



in .30-06!

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.

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...

My LH 300 WSM uses std. contour barrel and FW stock like the combination in the 300 WSM . Probably would prefer the FW barrel in a STD caliber but lefties do not have that choice.

Go handle both of them and remember that a scope and mounts will add at least another pound. The Sporter is just too heavy for me unless maybe in a 300 or 338. The FWT isn't real light as it is.

Yeah, but what do you do with the little thing you call an extractor??

Don't think you will have an issue in muzzle blast from 24" to 22". Velocity minimal as well, at least non that a deer would notice.

Go with what feels good to you.

I much prefer the fwt over the sporter. The new fn made model 70's are pretty damn accurate too. The reason I like the fwt over the sporter is fit and feel, plus it's lighter and I don't care for the cheekpiece on the sporter stock.....I have both and actually took the wood stock off of my sporter and traded it for a pre 64 stock and slapped a synthetic (tupperware) classic stock on it and it fits me much better than the pos sporter stock.....

DOH!


I KNEW I forgot something when I put that gun back together!!

I always have had a soft spot for the Featherweight's ever since a high school frien showed me his 30-06 around 25 years ago.

Whilst one hasnt graced my gun safe, I think it may change soon and may add something in the order of the 243Win to 7-08 to it.

The 243 would be a sweet stalking rifle..........


Gus

Hey, someone has to support the model 70 pushfeed rifle and I think your just the guy for the job....

Same here, Gus. I remember seeing them here and there and in catalogs but was way out of reach. Sure were pretty rifles. It may be time...

The new ones are better than ever IMHO..

I shot a charging hippo upside down with that rifle once...


Granted, he couldn't charge that fast when he was upside down, but the push feed worked!

I always wanted one too so I ended up taking this one home with me:



Old or new, this style of fwt is my favorite......

Just what were you doing to an upside down hippo?

On second thought, I don't want to know...

If the rifle is to be used from a fixed position stand or off a bipod in open country I would go with a Sporter. If it is going to be carried a lot in rough country or used in tight cover the featherweight makes more sense.

I have both, a FW .270win. and a Sporter .25-06rem. I much prefer the Sporter for longer ranges where the heavier weight and more substantial stock aid in steady shooting.

Bob, there -- I fixed it for you...

I am partial to the FWT - I wish they chambered it in 358 Win.

Dogger that's a downgrade......

Or go with the Featherweight in 264 Win Mag or 300 Win Mag. You'll get the stock and the barrel weight in one package.

If i ever buy a stainless walnut featherweight in 270, I will have no need for my current crop of 25s, 7s, and 30s... I want one, but am afraid what it might cause me to do!!! I have a buddy with a 270, and he has no interest in buying anything else... scary.

I have a few featherweights and no sporters. Well, I had one sporter once in 243 and sold it to my brother.

Some of it depends on how big of a person you are (i.e. rifle balance and weight in comparison to your muscle mass). Featherweights are just right for me--not so light as something like a Kimber, but not too heavy either.

I favor the slimmer profile and the more handy/dandy feel of the FW. I've owned a few of both and my current FW, a classic in .280 sits in a McMillan Winlite and shoots circles around most other rifles I own...

Then I probably shouldn't point out that both Whittaker and CDNN have that model in stock at decent prices.

Thanks for the comments, guys.