The Winchester Model 70
It was first introduced in 1936. Model 70 is regarded as the final refinement in Mauser’s controlled feed action. The bolt-action was dominant on the market for 27 long years, until the redesign in 1964 in order to save money knocked the Model 70 from its perch.
The pre-’64 Model 70s remain the rifle preferred by many hunters and are coveted by collectors. But post-’64 rifles can be used in a similar manner.
History
Winchester Model 70, one of the world’s most famous bolt-action guns. It was originally designed for use as a hunting gun It quickly gained recognition among competitors and hunters. shooters. The Model 70s are well-known for their reliability, efficiency to use and their durability. The model’s high-end reputation has helped keep it as the most popular bolt action rifle over a long period of time. With the advancement of technology in manufacturing and the model’s design improved, but it was also a sign that the Model 70’s market share decreased to guns that cost less money and have similar designs. Winchester introduced a variety of adjustments with respect to its Model 70 in 1964 to keep it competitive. The modifications were made in order to increase the value of more affordable the Model 70 more affordable while keeping the features that had made it so desirable.
The most significant change was the introduction the push feed system. This method removed the ejector that was on the bolt face, replacing it with a small extractor, which was positioned over the cartridge’s extraction groove. This allowed the cartridge to be positioned in the magazine and then removed from the bolt’s face without the requirement of an extractor that was long like a Mauser. This breech design was flat and also included an improved bolt handle that was easier to hold while cycling the action.
A variety of other modifications were designed to cut costs. The original milled nickel steel receiver and bolt layout gave way to a forged chrome-molybdenum design, while the hand-checkered barrels were replaced by press-checkering in order to cut down on labour costs. The bolt lugs were also replaced from the screw-in style of the past into a guide lug that ran on a track inside the receiver.
The cost-cutting measures received with mixed reactions. Most people preferred the earlier Model 70 rifles prior to the war, as well as many believed that those made after 1964 were not as good quality in comparison to their predecessors. There were some improvements made to Model 70 Model 70 in an attempt to counter this notion for instance, a more reliable « anti-bind » function that was included in the left locking the lug. The bolt is now more smooth, and this improvement made significant difference in weapon’s reputation for being slow to move.
The concept
Winchester’s Model 70 bolt-action is the weapon that’s earned the name « The Rifleman’s rifle. » Though a number of other centerfire rifles have the same title, the status of an sporting weapon is unmatched. From woodlands across North America to big-game areas in Alaska and Africa, hunters have relegated Model 70 to the top of their list. Model 70 to the top of their list.
The Model 70’s success resulted predominantly from the gun’s highly adjustable trigger mechanism. The Model 70 also gained from its Mauser inspired two-lug extractor design which allowed it to exert total control over the rifle when it was removed from the magazine until it was completely out of the chamber. The straight breech that was built into cartridge supports gave a more secure fit to the barrel’s rim, as well as smoother operation than competitor’s designs.
Its standing began to diminish as of World War II as other gun manufacturers reduced their costs in production through new production techniques. In order to cut back on materials and labor expenses The company took couple of steps. In 1964, the famous Model 70 underwent a redesign with a variety of its functions were eliminated. The cone-shaped breech on the Model 70 was changed into a flat design with the support for a cartridge built into. Its hook extraction is substituted by a plunger-ejector. And the forged nickel-molybdenum steel bolt and receiver was substituted with one milled out of cast aluminum for price savings.
The new model was not for everyone. style. Many hunting enthusiasts were disappointed to learn in the fact that this new Model 70 no longer featured one-way push feed that could be controlled. Many hunters were satisfied by the smooth surface of the bolt because it didn’t have to be made again by the barrel breech. Other hunters preferred the steel ring on the top of the cartridge, which could prevent uncoordinated firing.
Winchester introduced the controlled-round feeding action to address concerns from certain customers back in 1992. They also introduced synthetic stocks like those made by McMillan, Bell and Carlson and were more affordable to create than wood and more consistent with time.
The Development
Winchester engineers set to work, reworking their Model 54 to create a sleeker and lighter bolt-action centerfire rifle. The Model 70 was an instant sensation and became the dominant model for many decades. The Rifleman’s Rifle was even given the name. It’s likely to be the most popular bolt-action American rifle.
After the Second World War, however, after the war, however, the Model 70 started to fall back in the race of modern design and manufacturing techniques. Winchester was struggling with the Model 70 because it was becoming more expensive to produce.
The initial change Winchester engineers made to their Model 70 was to improve its trigger, which was a long-standing sore point with customers. Override functionality of Model 52 rimfires Model 52 rimfire was adapted to the Model 70. This improved the function, as the sear has been separated from trigger assemblies. The modern trigger more adjustable in pull weight and overtravel.
Another significant change they implemented was the transformation of their controlled-round-feeding system into pushing feed. The updated Model 70 is cheaper to manufacture and requires less machining on the barrel’s front Breech.
The handle and the forend was also altered to be more compatible with the scope in the past, which was a significant aspect. They flattened, for example the overall shape of the bolt handles so that they wouldn’t interfere with the lens’s oculars while cycling action. They also altered the design of the forend to be wider and flatter in the lower part so that it could lay across the shooter’s hand support while shooting.
Winchester continued to add various chambering modifications and variations on Model 70. Winchester continued to add chambering modifications and variations to Model 70 throughout the decades, as well as improving and upgrading existing models. In the latter half of 1960, however, it had become apparent that the public was not satisfied with some of the changes and desired to see more of the original model and features returned. The company listened to its customers and began adding features from the original Model 70 throughout the next 10 years or so.
It’s A Production
During its early years, the Model 70 took the sporting world by storm. The Model 70 was extremely popular among hunters across the United States, as well as beyond. A number of rifles broke world records for competition shooting. Despite the high quality firearm, it was not without flaws. A few examples include the absence in walnuts of the highest quality and the choice of pressing instead of hand checking, as well as a barrel that had a channel that allowed for excessive accumulations of grass and twigs in firing. In spite of these issues however, the gun was well-loved in the first year, with some production figures exceeding the 12-year total of the previous Model 54.
In 1964, due to the increasing competition from sports rifles, such as those of the Remington Model 700 and rising expenses for labour, Winchester introduced a new model in the Model 70 with a re-designed bolt and several others adjustments. The cone breech from the old design was buywinchester.com substituted with a flat breech, and the old milled nickel-steel receiver/bolt layout was replaced with an forged chrome-molybdenum stainless steel model. The extractor with a full length and the an ejector mounted to the receiver of the old design were dropped in favor of a shorter claw extractor and plunger ejector located in the bolt face were employed (similar as those used in Weatherby Mark V). Weatherby Mark V).
Though these adjustments did not bring about major issues in how the rifle operated however, a lot of shooters were dissatisfied with the changes. In addition, it was common for model 70 after the year 1964 to Model 70 to bind during the loading process or not be able to release fully.
The end result was the Model 70 Classic, a better-designed action, which forms the base of today’s Model 70. Winchester modified the Model 70 action in 1992. It returned to the full-length extractor, as well as an ejector mounted to the receiver of the original model and also the controllable feeding option.
Winchester Model 70s are still manufactured at the FN/Browning’s plant in Columbia, South Carolina. Model 70’s are produced according to ISO 9001 quality standards, using the standard control-feed system remaining unchanged. Model 70’s are offered in a variety of styles to suit the needs of shooters, competitors and hunters. shooters who buywinchester.com target, like standard grade, super grade lighter barrels, blind, and other.