Winchester Model 70
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The Winchester Model 70 was a bolt action rifle originally manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and later manufactured by U.S. Repeating Arms.
Model 70 variants
Pre '64 Model 70
In 1936 Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt action rifle to the American market. This original 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 Springfield, 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.The United States Marine Corps used the pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifles as their standard-issue sniper rifle from the 1950's, until they were replaced by the Remington Model 700 series bolt-action rifles in the mid-1960's in which the Remington Model 700 became the basis for the M40 series sniper rifle that is in current U.S. Marine Corps service today.
One of the reasons why the U.S. Marine Corps replaced their Winchester Model 70s was that the post-1964 variants of the Model 70 did not meet up to the U.S. Marines' standards, thus they were replaced. Despite the introduction of the Remington Model 700 rifle, the pre '64 Winchester Model 70 were still used by the US Marine Corps' scout/sniper teams during the Vietnam War alongside the Remington Model 700 rifles. The original wood stocks were found to be warping in both rifles after a few years of service, and were given fiberglass stocks to remedy the problem. Existing Model 70s still in service have had their stocks replaced with a McMillan fiberglass stock, such as that found on the Custom Extreme Weather variant [link].
One of the best known U.S. Marine Corps snipers who used the Winchester Model 70 as their preferred sniper rifle during the Vietnam War was Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock who used a Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield as his preferred sniper rifle of choice (The Winchester Model 70s the U.S. Marine Corps used before adopting the Remington Model 700 were chambered in .30-06 Springfield).
The modern Model 70 line
The modern Model 70 is an extensive rifle line that boasts nearly all of the features of the original line, but with some updated equipment, such as using the Controlled Round Push Feed action and synthetic stocks. The popular Shadow variants feature hollow black resin stocks, which reduces the price of the firearm significantly, and hold up better than wood stocks over time. Some of the modern rifles also use high performance McMillan or Bell and Carlson fiberglass stocks, though these rifles tend to be expensive. Particular models feature a one-piece aluminum pillar block bedding for greater accuracy [link], and some models have fluting of the barrel to reduce weight and vent the barrel for additional cooling [link]. Carbon fiber barrels are also found on select models to reduce weight and dissipate heat faster [link]. Walnut stocks are still found across the line in satin finishes, and laminated walnut stocks are added to the mix for structural stability in exteme dry or wet conditions [link]. The Model 70 is offered in all of the previous chamberings as the original, and is now supplemented with newer rounds, including the Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) and Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM) cartridges, which are magnum loaded rounds, but are shorter in length and wider in diameter, so spent cartridges take less time to eject and use less powder. However, these short magnum cartriges reduce magazine capacity and feeding reliability, due to their extra width and rebated rim.The Winchester Model 70 series rifles are marketed as sniper rifles for military forces and law enforcement agencies under the Fabrique Nationale banner (Winchester Repeating Arms and the US branch of Fabrique Nationale are owned by the US Repeating Arms Corporation (USRAC)) as the Special Police Rifle (SPR) and the Patrol Bolt Rifle (PBR).
The FN Special Police Rifle has the standard Winchester Model 70 rifle action, receiver and magazine system but the rifle is fitted with a heavier barrel and with the McMillan series tactical rifle stocks.
The FN Patrol Bolt Rifle has the standard features of the original Winchester Model 70 rifle but the rifle is designed for use by police officers in patrol cars with the rifle having a short and compact barrel so it would allow the rifle to be stored in a police car. The FN Patrol Bolt Rifle is also marketed with a compensator on the muzzle of the rifle's barrel.
Model 70 Classic
Winchester introduced a new Model 70 rifle called the Classic Model 70 in response to shooter's requests. This rifle was essentially a reintroduction of the pre '64 Model 70's that are so highly revered by many shooters.Later, Winchester expanded the Classic line, putting the Classic action on all their modern stocks, giving a wide range of choice in rifle types. This basically lets the buyer choose an action, then choose a stock to one's liking. It is entirely up to the end user of which action is better; both of the actions have their strengths and weaknesses.
Winchester Model 70 action types
Pre '64 & Classic Model 70 Action (Controlled Round Feed)
The pre '64 Model 70 actions have several features that distinguish 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, one piece bolt construction, and a trigger adjustable for weight of pull and overtravel.
Winchester's Classic line of Model 70's still use this action due to its high popularity, and there is no sign of its use deteriorating. Many hunters still prefer this action over Winchester's newer "push type" action for its high degree of control, however, some dislike this classic action for this very reason; while the claw action is certainly not finicky, it does require a slight degree of discipline to use, as one must firmly cycle the action to eject the spent cartridge. Cartridges cannot be loaded directly into the chamber of the rifle either, as the extractor cannot ride over the rim of the cartridge and thus will prevent the bolt from closing.Post '64 Model 70 Action (Controlled Round Push Feed)
This action was criticized by riflemen for its lesser amount of control and its unreliability, making the original action even more prized over. This eventually paved the way for the Classic Model 70 line when shooters complained. There are still a few benefits of this action; One is able to load cartridges directly into the chamber, and the spring loaded ejector makes for faster and easier cocking. This action has been improved over the years, and is now considered on par with the Classic action, with the exception of use on dangerous game. Because the bolt does not actively grip the cartridge the rifle is much more vulnerable to jamming if it is operated under duress, especially held upside down or on its side.
End of the line
On March 31, 2006 U.S. Repeating Arms closed the New Haven, Conn. plant where Winchester rifles and shotguns were produced for 140 years.[#endnote_Wapo060121]. This ended the production of the Model 70 as well as the model 94 lever action rifle and 1300 pump action shotgun. Other Winchester models however, will still be produced in other regions such as Asia and Europe.In regards to the FN Special Police Rifle and the Patrol Bolt Rifle, it appears that production on these two firearms is still continuing at Fabrique Nationale's US factories despite the closure of the Winchester factory in New Haven and production on the Winchester Model 70 ceasing.
See also
External links
- [Winchester Guns Website]
- [Winchester Model 70 catalog]
- [U.S. Repeating Arms inc.]
- [Fabrique Nationale Herstal USA website]
- [Fabrique Nationale Special Police Rifles]
- [Fabrique Nationale Patrol Bolt Rifles]
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