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Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2016 7:01 pm
by krag96
I'm guessing stags30 is talking about the New FN made Model 70. Mine is an early 90's Classic Feather Weight made at New Haven in .308 Winchester. It's at it's best in the game fields, what it was made for and has become my favorite deer/bear rifle.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 10:37 am
by SHOOTER13
Let's see some pictures Krag...

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:24 pm
by krag96
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I made several changes to this rifle, first was to dig that ball of snot out of the recoil lug cut in the stock that Winchester called "Bedding" and replace it with Accuraglass. Next was a steel trigger guard from Brownells, and a front sight from NEGGC, (call me old but I like a back up to a scope). The scope is a Burris Mini 4-12x in Burris mounts and rings.

Bye the way, it is a true short action.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 10:07 am
by SHOOTER13
Very nice sir...

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 10:29 am
by redryder
Mr. Krag, your 70 is a beauty queen. The Burris is top-tier in rifle optics. The early leather sling with brass keepers completes a desirable package.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 12:19 pm
by krag96
That "queen" see's a lot of use, but is taken well care of. The Burris Mini was a luck purchase, the local gun shop had it on sale, the only Burris they had and a Burris is what I ask for. The sling is an older Boyt I had on my M-1 until going to a canvas sling. With the addition of the front sight and detachable rear, I have the package I always wanted...except clip guides. I do miss those from the pre-war and early post-war M-70's.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:40 pm
by redryder
I was thinking the sling was from a Garand. Then I am thinking...Naaaaaa...just resembles a Garand sling. I was married to a M1 Garand for 10.5 years. Saw canvas sling replace leather. Then M14 replace M1.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 10:00 pm
by krag96
It's a 1907? sling used on the 1903, M-1, and M-14. Later as more a dress and match sling, just my opinion the canvas sling was better for field duty. I liked em better anyway.

2009 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 6:54 am
by Indiana James
Thought I'd record some of my impressions and experiences with my FWT. I won this used rifle on Gunbroker. It is chambered in .308 Win. When I received it, it seemed to be new. I am not sure it was ever fired. Workmanship is very good - I could find no flaws. Glass bedding is neatly done. The free-floated barrel is nicely centered in the fore end. My rifle was manufactured in Columbia, SC. in 2009. I got this information from Winchester customer service quickly and cheerfully during a telephone conversation.

The rifle wears a VX-III Leupold 3.5-10X40mm matte scope in matching Leupold 2-piece base and rings, along with a black 1" nylon sling. I removed the stuff covering the trigger adjustment screws and adjusted the pull weight to 3 lbs-6 oz. The fully equipped rifle's weight and handling characteristics seem nearly ideal for this 65 y/o rifleman.

I have run a couple hundred rounds of factory and hand loads through the rifle at the time of this writing. Everything works exactly as intended. Accuracy is exciting, BR 3 shot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards are common, as long as I do my part. Today, my intention is to settle on a hand load featuring a 165 grain boat-tail spitzer bullet, probably from Speer, both for hunting and practice.

I have a mule deer hunt lined up for this fall. I am anxious to take this rig afield and apply it to its purpose. I have every confidence in the rifle. Practice will provide me the confidence I need in myself.

Jim

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:16 am
by SHOOTER13
Looking forward to pictures of that downed Mule Deer...

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:52 pm
by krag96
Mine is a .308 also. I bought it slightly used from a private party, was his sons and said it wouldn't shoot to their expectations. He was right with the factory bedding, a small ball of snot about the color and consistency of a pencil eraser. I dug that out and replaced it with Accraglass gel. It shoots very well now, 3 shot sub MOA off a bench with my handloads. It does tend to open up a bit after 3 shots to 1.5" though. It's a hunting rifle, I have other rifles for precision work if needed.

Re: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

PostPosted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:19 am
by Indiana James
It's been 15 years or so since I traded away my 1990s .270. Some memories may be hazy. However, I do remember being disappointed with its bedding material. Mine shot well, though, until it's barrel got hot. Just like you wrote, krag96, its a hunting rifle.

My .308 was made in South Carolina in 2009. Noteworthy differences from my earlier Model 70s are the one piece floorplate, neatly done bedding, and careful close-tolerance barrel free-floating. It is really quite a nice rifle. Mine was purchased used, too. But it certainly wasn't used much. In fact, the only evidence of use I found were the Talley rings mounted upon it when I received it. It is being used (and properly cared for) now!

Jim