The Winchester Model 70

The Model 70 was introduced in 1936. Model 70 is regarded as the most advanced version of Mauser’s control-feed design. It controlled the bolt-action market for 27 years before it was slashed in cost by a redesign that took it off the best-of-the-best BuyWinchester pedestal.

The pre-’64 Model 70s remain the rifle most hunters use and are coveted by collectors. However, guns made post-’64 are also popular.

History

Winchester Model 70, one of the world’s most famous bolt-action guns. It was originally designed as a hunting rifle but quickly gained popularity among hunters and competition shooters. It is the Model 70 is known for its reliability, accuracy, simplicity of use, as well as its long lasting. The Model 70’s quality reputation has helped keep it as the top-selling bolt action firearm for many decades. When technology for manufacturing improved but the Model 70’s market share declined to those which cost less and featured similar styles. When it was 1964, Winchester took the decision to implement some changes to keep it Model 70 competitive. The main reason for the changes was to make it easier to make the Model 70 more affordable while still retaining the features which had been so popular in the first place.

The most significant change was the addition of a push feed mechanism. The ejector was removed from the bolt and replaced with a small extractor which rode across the extraction groove. The cartridge could be put in the magazine, and it was then released by the bolt, without the requirement to use an Mauser sort of extractor. Also, the flat breech introduced a new bolt handle design which was more comfortable to grip while cycling the action.

In an effort to lower cost, other adjustments were made. The initial milled nickel-steel design of the bolt and receiver was replaced by a forging chrome-molybdenum variant, and hand-checkered barrels were substituted with checked by pressing to reduce the cost of labor. The bolt lugs were changed from the old-style screw-in into a guide lug that was a part of a track within the receiver.

The initiatives to cut costs were met by a mixed reaction. The public largely preferred the models prior to WWI, while a lot of people believed the post-1964 rifles were not in the same level of quality than their pre-war counterparts. There were some improvements made in Model 70 Model 70 in an attempt to BuyWinchester counter this notion for instance, a more reliable “anti-bind” feature, which was placed on the left locking the lug. The bolt is now more smooth and the improvement made a significant difference in rifle’s reputation for sloppy action.

The Design

Model 70 from Winchester. Model 70 is the bolt-action weapon that bears the catchy name “The Rifleman’s rifle.” While many centerfire rifles have earned this title The Model 70’s place within the sports world is unrivaled. From the forests of North America to big-game areas in Alaska and Africa hunter’s have been able to elevate the Model 70 to the top of their weaponry.

Model 70 was a huge success due to its superior trigger system. The Model 70 also had the advantage of its influenced by Mauser two-lug extractor bolt that gave full control of the cartridge as soon as it was removed from to the gun until it was completely eliminated out of the chamber. The flat breech with built-in support for the cartridge provided a superior fit to the barrel’s edge, and easier operation than competitors’ designs.

After World War II, however, Winchester began to see its position erode as new processes in the manufacture of firearms made it possible for other companies to lower the cost of production. To cut down on material as well as labor costs it took number of steps. The iconic Model 70 was redesigned in 1964. A few of its original features were eliminated. The cone breech was replaced with one that was straight and included a cartridge support. Meanwhile, the previous hook extractor was ditched in favor of a plunger ejector. The receiver and bolt that was forged were substituted by a milled aluminum alloy.

Some were not happy by the changes. For instance, many hunters felt that the Model 70 did not feature a controlled round push feed. Some hunters were pleased by the smooth surface of the bolt, as it didn’t need to be re-machined in the barrel Breech. Some preferred the stainless steel ring around the head of the cartridge’s case which could prevent uncoordinated firing.

Winchester introduced the controlled-round feeding action in order to resolve the issues raised by certain customers in the year 1992. Additionally, they introduced synthetic materials like those made by McMillan, Bell and Carlson and were more affordable to create than wood and more consistent with time.

The Development

Winchester developers set about on a redesign of the Model 54 to create a more sleek and light bolt-action rifle. Model 70 Model 70 was an instant hit and dominated the market for many decades. It was even dubbed “The Rifleman’s Rifle,” and is the most popular American bolt-action rifle that has ever been made.

After WWII, however, the Model 70 started to fall in comparison to modern manufacturing and design strategies. It was becoming more costly to make, and Winchester became losing its way on the Model 70 as it struggled to compete with new rifles available on the market.

The Winchester engineers started by improving the trigger in their Model 70, as it was a problem with customers. The override function of Model 52 rimfires Model 52 rimfire was adapted to the Model 70. This improved functionality, since the sear is now better isolated from the trigger assembly. The modern trigger more adjustable in pull weight and overtravel.

The other important improvement they implemented was the transformation to a controlled round-feeding operation an actual push feed. The updated Model 70 is cheaper to make and also requires less machining on the barrel’s front breech.

The stock and the forend were modified as well to make them more scope-friendly and compatible with scopes, which was a significant problem. The stock was flattened for instance the profile of the bolt handles so that they wouldn’t interfere with the ocular housing of the scope while cycling action. They also altered the design of the forend to be wider and flatter on the bottom so it can be laid over the shooter’s support hand while shooting.

Winchester continued to introduce various chambering modifications and variations in Model 70. Winchester continued to add chambering modifications and variations to Model 70 throughout the decades along with improving and upgrading existing models. By the late 1960s, but it became clear that consumers were dissatisfied with some of the changes and wanted more of the original model and features return. Over the next decade, the firm began adding features taken from the original Model 70.

The Production

During its early years, the Model 70 took the sporting world to the forefront. It was a favorite among many hunters throughout the United States, as well as other countries. Numerous rifles broke records around the world for shooting competition. Although it was of high quality it had a few shortcomings. Some examples are the lack of walnut of select grade and the choice of pressing rather than hand checkering as well as a barrel that had a channel that permitted excessive accumulations of grass and twigs in firing. This rifle still was a success despite these issues. Certain year-to-year production figures were higher than the 12 years that were produced for the Winchester Model 54.

Winchester came out with a new model of their Model 70 in 1964. This was done to combat the increase in sporting firearms like the Remington Model 700, and the cost of labour that was rising. In 1964, the previous cone-breech style of the Model 70 was changed to a flat-breech model. The older nickel-steel receiver/bolt model also gave way to a a new forged chrome molybdenum-steel design. The full-length extractor and an ejector mounted to the receiver of the old design were dropped while a smaller claw extractor and plunger ejector located in the bolt face were employed (similar to those of the Weatherby Mark V).

While these changes did not cause major problems with how the rifle operated, many shooters were unhappy about them. Also, it was not unusual for the Model 70 to malfunction after 1964. Model 70 to bind during loading or fail to eject completely.

It was this that led to the introduction of the sleeker Model 70 Classic action that has become the basis of the contemporary Model 70 line. Winchester modified the Model 70 action in 1992. It returned to the full-length extractor, as well as receiver mounted ejector of earlier models, as well as the controlled feeding mechanism.

Production of the Winchester Model 70 continues at the FN/Browning factory located in Columbia, South Carolina. Model 70’s are made conforming to ISO 9001 quality standards, including the classic control-feed function being the same. They are available in various styles to suit the needs of shooters, competitors and hunters. target shooters, including Super grade, standard grade light barrels, blind, and other.