Winchester 70 frustration
So, about 6 months ago, I bought a new winchester 70 in 25-06. Right out of the box, it would only fire about half the time. Took it to my gunsmith, and he replaced the firing pin and spring. He said the one in the rifle didn't meet spec. Took it home, pillar bedded the stock, glass bedded the action, and floated the barrel. Ready, or so I thought. I've put around 200 or so rounds thru it, and gotta say, this is the worst shooting rifle I currently own, or ever owned. One day it might shoot a group of 1 1/4", and the next day, with the same ammo, it shoots 2 1/2" groups. I've tried at least 4 powders, R-19, H4831SC, Ramshot Magnum, and Norma MRP, and maybe a couple more. Can't recall all the specific bullets, but I've tried flatbase and boattails, solid copper and standard cup and core, factory ammo as well. Thought my bedding was probably flawed, so yesterday, I put a Hogue pillar bedded synthetic stock on it. Not the best stock, I know, but nevertheless. This morning, with much anticipation, shot 8 rounds of federal premium factory, and got a dismal 3" group. So much for the bedding being flawed. It's not the scope. It's been completely reliable. Never been hunted, a bench scope only. It's a weaver fixed 10x grand slam tactical. I wish it was me, but then took my ruger no 1 in 25-06 out for the first time in 6 months with some hand loads tuned for that rifle. 61.8 grains of magpro pushing a 98 grain sledgehammer. 1st shot @ 2" to the 4:00, and next 3 took out the center x. So much for shooter error. Took the 70, and put it back in the gun rack. It will stay there until I get it rebarreled. I'm sick of it. Got too much in it to sell it. I'd get hosed if I traded it. Don't really need it anyway. My 264 win mag shoots 130 gr sciroccos into 3/4", my ruger no 1 shoots 98 gr sledgehammers @ an inch or so on a pretty regular basis, and I have a custom barreled 6.5-06 to be delivered in june, when I finish paying for it. So much for having any faith in Winchester. Kinda saddens me.
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How so? I have a half dozen or so made in the last 25 years, both controlled round feed and push feed. I will admit the cheapened version made to compete with the Remingtons didn't float any ones boat for a few years post 64 but they improved on those by quite a bit. All of mine shoot as well or better than the pre 64 models. Materials are better and and the variety of models/options have been better. Better stocks that are more comfortable and easier to shoot well. I prefer them over my Rem 700 models and 70s have given me less problems than most of the other brands. Bobchiefr said:
Winchester quit making "The Rifleman's Rifle" 56 years ago.kannoneer said:I, too, would expect more from 'The Rifleman's Rifle'!
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Quote from bobjudy:
All of mine shoot as well or better than the pre 64 models.
Yep. Some of them PRE 64's are in the same category as being married to a really pretty woman that has a headache all the time. ONLY good to look at.
We have a pile of the post 64 Winchesters, several different calibers, controlled feed and push feed types and for use as a accurate hunting rifles I would not trade a one of them for a pre 64 for use as a hunting rifle to actually take to the rough country woods as a accurate hunting rifle. We glass bed the stocks and reload for use for hunting.
Got a big pleasant surprise sometime back, guy brought me a Sears Model 53, 30:06 that he had bought dirt cheap, ugly gun, I laughed when I seen it. STOCK WAS ALMOST WHITE AND I've HAVE SEEN OLD FENCE POSTS THAT LOOKED BETTER. He wanted me to CHECK IT OUT in my spare time and see if it needs any tuning for accuracy, if the receiver action would be any good for re-barreling, etc, and to check the headspace.
I told him that made by Winchester and a Model 70 action push feed type and branded Sears and maybe the receiver could be used and re-barrel the gun and just throw the rest of it away or use the barrel as a tire tool.
Few days later I took to ugly thing to the rifle range after checking the headspace trigger pull, etc, along with some other rifles I had accurized and for testing some reloads for accuracy. After shooting the other guns I dug out the Sears ugly duckling (since no one else was around to see the ugly gun) that had a old vintage Weaver scope installed, kinda dreading to even test shoot the gun. I pulled down on a target a 100 yards and the bullet hit about 1 inch high, 2nd shot I did not see a new bullet hole and I thought yep here we go, it did not even hit the paper
3rd shot and the bullet hole appeared to get a little bigger. The bullet holes from that gun will touch each other consistently with no stock work or anything and not very picky about what ammo it desires. The ugly Sears Win 70 makes our pretty guns really look bad for consistent one hole accuracy.
I retested the gun few days later and same results. I did go ahead and glass bed and float the barrel. That ugly thing will test the shooters skills at accuracy.
We have since bought some of them old Sears Win Model 53's 30:06's and made excellent ugly knock around accurate hunting rifles.
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I agree with Selectfire. I'd box it up and ship it off to them. "Either fix it, or refund my purchase price."
Having said that, I have a non-functional 1911, that I need to do the same thing with. (ATI Commander.) 😣
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