Winchester Model 70
The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt action rifle originally manufactured by the Winhcester Repeating Arms Company and later manufactured by U.S. Repeating Arms. Pre '64 Model 70 In 1936 Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt action rifle to the American market. This orignal Model 70 was and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called "The Rifleman's Rifle." The Model 70 was offered in many grades, styles, and chamberings including: 22 Hornet, 225 Winchester, 220 Swift, 243 Winchester, 250-3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 264 Winchester Magnum, 270 Winchester, 7mm Mauser, 300 Savage, 30-06, 308 Winchester, 300 H&H Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, 35 Remington, 358 Winchester, 375 H&H Magnum, and 458 Winchester Magnum. These pre '64 Model 70's were made up until 1963 after which time significant changes in the design and manufacture of the rifles were made. Pre '64 Model 70 Winchester rifles can best be identified by serial number. Model 70 rifles with serial numbers below 700,000 are the pre '64 variety. Pre '64 Model 70 Action
The pre '64 Model 70 actions have several features that distinquish them from later models of this rifle. First is the extraction and ejection system used in the feeding and extracting of cartridges. The pre '64 model 70's have a bolt with a non rotating claw type extractor that captures a cartridge as it is fed from the magazine and controls its journey into the rifle's chamber. This type of cartridge feeding is called "controlled round feeding" and is favored by a number of shooters, especially those who pursue dangerous game, because of the proven reliability of this type of cartridge feeding system. The pre '64 Model 70 rifle utilizes a blade type ejector. This type of ejector allows the shooter to control how far the empty cartridge case is thrown from the rifle by how fast the bolt is pulled back after firing.
Other significant features of this action include: A three position wing type safety, a cone faced breeching system, machined steel trigger guard and floor plate, walnut stock with cut checkering, one piece bolt construction, and a trigger adjustable for weight of pull and overtravel. Post '64 Model 70 Action Rifles manufacutred from 1964 to 1968 and from 1968 onward differed from early Model 70's in some of the following ways. First, the non rotating claw type extractor was replaced with a small wedge type extractor that does not capture and control the cartridge movement from the magazine to the chamber but rather pushes it. The blade type ejector was replaced with a spring loaded plunger type ejector that offers less control of how far spent cartridges are thrown from the rifle. Second, the machined steel trigger guard and floor plate were replaced with parts made from an aluminum alloy. Third, some models featured walnut stocks with checkering that was impressed onto the wood rather than cut into it as on the early Model 70's. Post '64 model 70's have serial numbers greater than 700,000.
Model 70 Classic
Around 1990 Winchester introduced a new Model 70 rifle called the Classic Model 70. This rifle was essentially a reintroduction of the pre '64 Model 70's so revered by many shooters. It is still being manufactured to this date.
|
|
