The Winchester Model 70

It was first introduced in 1936. Model 70 is regarded as the highest-quality refinement of Mauser’s patented controlled-feed mechanism. It ruled the bolt-action market for a period of 27 years until an overhaul to cut costs in 1964 tore it off its pedestal.

Pre-’64 Model 70s remain the rifle preferred by many hunters and are coveted by collectors. But post-’64 rifles have their place as well.

The History

The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most iconic bolt-action rifles ever made. The model was initially designed for use as a hunting gun but quickly gained popularity among hunters and competition shooters. Model 70 is Model 70 is known for its accuracy, ease of use and its durability. Its reputation for quality helped to keep it as the most popular bolt-action rifle for a long time. When technology for manufacturing improved but the Model 70’s market share declined to those that were cheaper and had similar styles. Winchester implemented a series of modifications in its Model https://buywinchester.com/ 70 in 1964 to maintain its competitiveness. The main reason for the changes was to help make the Model 70 more affordable while still retaining the features which had created it such a popular.

The most significant change was the addition of a push feed system. The system was able to remove the ejector from the bolt’s face and replaced it with a short extractor that rode over the groove of extraction on the cartridge. The cartridge could be held in the magazine, and it was then released by the bolt without the need for an Mauser kind of extraction. This breech design was flat and also included a brand new handle for bolts that made it easier to hold when cycling the action.

To cut cost, other adjustments to reduce costs, a variety of other changes were made. In order to save on labor and to reduce costs, the nickel-steel bolt with receiver was changed by a forged chrome and molybdenum version. The hand-checkered barrels were replaced with checkered barrels that were press-pressed. The bolt lugs were also replaced from the screw-in style of the past in lugs to guide ones which was a part of a track within the receiver.

This cost-saving measure was met by a mixed response. Most people preferred the earlier Model 70 rifles prior to the war, however, many felt that the post-1964 rifles were not as good quality as their predecessors. Some improvements were made for Model 70 Model 70 in an attempt to alter this view including having a much more reliable “anti-bind” function that was placed on the left locking bolt. The bolt had a smoother action and the improvement made a a big difference to the gun’s reputation of being sloppy in its action.

The Design

The Winchester Model 70 is the bolt-action weapon that bears the catchy name “The Rifleman’s rifle.” Although other centerfire rifles have earned such a label, the Model 70’s status in the world of sports is unparalleled. The hunters have put the Model 70 at the top of their list for forests throughout North America, as well as in big game regions such as Alaska as well as Africa.

The Model 70’s success was in large part from its top-of-the-line variable trigger system. But it also had the help of its Mauser-inspired 2-lug extractor bolt with full control over the cartridge right from the time it left to the gun until it was fully expelled out of the chamber. And its flat breech, thanks to its integrated cartridge support made it easier to fit with the barrel rim and a smoother action that those of competitors’ designs.

After World War II, however, Winchester began to see its standing diminish as the development of processes in the manufacture of firearms made it possible for others to cut their production costs. In order to cut back on materials and labor expenses and increase efficiency, the firm took several steps. The iconic Model 70 was redesigned in 1964. Some characteristics that were originally included in the model had been eliminated. The cone breech was replaced one that was smooth and included a cartridge support. Meanwhile, the previous hook extractor was removed in favour of a plunger ejector. The forged nickel-molybdenum receiver and bolt was replaced with one that was milled from cast aluminum alloy for costs savings.

Many people did not like the new model’s design. In particular, many hunters were disappointed with the fact that the new Model 70 no longer featured the push feed mechanism that was controlled round. A few hunters were happy with the flat-surfaced bolt, as it didn’t need to be made again by the barrel’s breech. Others preferred the metal ring that was placed around the head of the cartridge case, to prevent erratic firing.

Winchester introduced the controlled-round feed action in order to resolve the issues raised by certain customers back in 1992. They also introduced synthetic stocks, such as those from McMillan, Bell and Carlson, that were cheaper to make than wood and stayed more consistent over the years.

Development

Designers at Winchester set out to rework their Model 54 into a lighter and sleeker bolt-action centrefire rifle. It was a hit, and for decades in the past, it was the Model 70 dominated the market. The Rifleman’s Rifle was even given the name. It is probably the most sought-after bolt-action American rifle.

Following World War II, though in the years following World War II, though, Model 70 started to fall in comparison to modern manufacturing and design methods. It was becoming more costly to build, and Winchester discovered itself at a loss with Model 70 Model 70 as it struggled to be competitive with modern rifles that were available.

One of the first changes Winchester engineers made to Model 70 Model 70 was to improve its trigger. This had long been a sore point with customers. They took the override trigger from their rimfire Model 52 and fitted it on the Model 70, improving its function by better isolating the sear from the trigger assembly. The modern trigger more adjustable in draw weight and the overtravel.

A further important modification they did in Model 70 was a significant change they made to Model 70 was to convert the controlled-round feed action to a push-feed action. The latest Model 70 is cheaper to fabricate and has less work on the barrel breech.

A few other minor changes were implemented to the barrel and forend in order to make the rifle more compatible with the scope, which was a significant issue for most hunters back then. The first was to flatten the profile of the bolt’s handle to help it stay clear of the scope’s lens housing while cycling the trigger. Additionally, the forend was created to be wider and more rounded in the lower part, so that it can be placed across the support hands of shooters while firing.

Winchester introduced new variations of chambering to the Model 70 over the years, and refined and improved the existing models. The 1960s were the time when it became evident to the company that its customers were unhappy with the new design, and they wanted more original features and https://buywinchester.com/ designs. The following decade saw the company began adding elements from the initial Model 70.

The Production

The first few years of its existence, Model 70 swept the sporting world. It was an extremely popular option among hunters all over all of the United States and beyond, and several rifles achieved world records in competition shooting. Although it was of high quality however, this rifle was not without issues. Some examples are a lack of select-grade walnut, pressed checkering instead of checking manually, and a barrel channel that was able to allow for an excessive accumulation of grass and twigs during firing. The rifle was still an excellent performer despite these problems. Some individual year production numbers were greater than the twelve years that were produced for the Winchester Model 54.

In 1964, due to increased competition from sporting rifles like Remington Model 700, in response to the increasing competition from sporting rifles like Remington Model 700 and rising expenses for labour, Winchester introduced a new version of its Model 70 with a re-designed bolt as well as other improvements. The cone breech of the original design was substituted with a flat breech, and the earlier milled nickel-steel bolt and receiver style was replaced with the forged chrome-molybdenum alloy unit. The extractor with a full length and the receiver mounted ejector of the old design were dropped while a smaller extraction claw and ejector plunger found in the bolt’s face were utilized (similar with those in the Weatherby Mark V).

Even though these modifications did not pose serious issues to the performance of the rifle However, they weren’t well-liked by the majority of gun owners. Additionally, it was not unusual for the after 1964 Model 70 to bind during firing or failing to exit completely.

This resulted in it was Model 70 Classic, a more refined action which is the foundation of today’s Model 70. Since 1992 Winchester once again revised the Model 70 action, returning to an extractor that was full length as well as a receiver-mounted ejector along with the controlled feed option of the earlier version.

Winchester Model 70s are still being produced at FN/Browning’s complex located in Columbia, South Carolina. Model 70s are manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001 standards. Its classic control-feed mechanism remains unchanged. They come with a range of designs to meet the demands of hunters, competitors, and target shooters, including the standard and super-grade lighter barrels, blind, and other.