First post from a new member.

I recently picked up a new Model 70 Super Grade and didn't notice until I got home that the magazine follower doesn't go to the very top of the magazine. Upon close inspection, there's a small rise in the metal casting of the magazine chamber that makes the follower stop about a half-inch below the top of magazine. As a result, when only one or two cartridges are in the magazine, they're too low for the extractor claw to latch onto them properly. Works great as a push feed but practically useless as a controlled-feed. I figured this out after comparing the action to that of my Columbia,SC made Model 70 Featherweight. Can't say I've ever purchased a new rifle with a defective magazine follower, and especially one that carries the cost of a Super Grade. The rifle is currently awaiting assignment by a gunsmith at the Winchester Service Center in Missouri. This is definitely something that anyone buying a new Model 70 should check before taking it home. Hopefully, Winchester will send me another one rather than a new one that's been grounded down to make the parts fit.

Just wanted to post a follow up to my original post in hopes it may help someone who has seen this same problem down the road.

The Winchester Service Center sent my rifle back after replacing the magazine spring, which had no effect on correcting the problem. I decided to take a closer look myself, and after removing the magazine floor plate and magazine box, I found the top sides of the box were bent slightly towards the center of the box, kind of like what you see with some detachable magazines that keep the top cartridge centered in the magazine. Not sure if this was by design or not but whatever the case, it kept the magazine follower from reaching high enough to keep pressure on a single cartridge sitting at the top of the magazine. I simply straightened each side of the box at the top, put everything back together, and the rifle now control feeds perfectly.

I would be very interested to learn if anyone else has seen this problem on Model 70's chambered in a short-action caliber, as I'm thinking the shorter casing might be less forgiving on a controlled-feed action.

I cannot say anything "bad" about my Classic Featherweight in 270 caliber. I fell in love with it the day I found it over the register in a bow hunting shop on consignment. It is my Go To rifle that has taken its well spring of game. 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips shoot lights out from it, but I do not like how they "blow out" on the back side of the game. 150 gr. Nosler Partitions have NEVER failed me, shoot slightly less accurately (best group is 0.5" at 100 yds), and anchor game in its tracks, which is necessary as the swamp is thick adjacent to me and going after someone's wounded hog on hands and knees under the palmetto palms is a recipe for disaster.

As far as I know, stuff happens in the manufacturing process and perfection is fleeting. I would not get wound around the axle about the "new" but abused magazine follower. Yours is a story to tell. Unique in that.

Mine is also unique. In the barrel stamping process, they did not fully get the name "Feathweight" on the barrel. Instead, mine reads, "featherweig ". I posted pictures and that story in the Model 70 Forum.

I want to put new furniture on it as I dropped it 17-feet from a tree stand cracking the stock at the bolt about four inches forward. It still shoots lights out, but it reminds me of several abused days that rifle had to endure. I mistakenly purchased a short action XTR stock, which would have been beautiful, but they do not fit the long action of the Featherweight.

Here, if you had not already found it, is a decent OENM and aftermarket parts supplier:
https://www.midwestgunworks.com/winchester-model-70.html

For 28-years I hunted and preped food plots on 305-acres in Union County, Bishop Road, at Fairforest Creek. I took a lot of venison home to Florida from that land. The Regional Wildlife Biologist is my personal family friend. It was his land at the time and while he worked, I hunted.

Good luck in and around Columbia.