Winchester M 70
Am I confusing the Remington 700 with the Winchester Model 70 or did Winchester actully make a model 70 back in the 80's that had the ebony tip on the stock? Seems like I remember having one of these in 25/06. Was it an XTR?
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They did make a super grade in the post 64's that had the
ebony forend. If a 25-06, it would have been made 69 or later.0 -
I believe it was made early to mid 80's
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You are correct, Winchester changed their Model 70 design around 1974 or so and the standard grade rifle got a black forend tip, among other tricks. My brother has one as you describe in 25-06 and you can find a bunch of them on the auction side. I don't remember if all of them bore the XTR tag, but many did. In my opinion, Winchester was scrambling to increase sales and, not yet ready to revert to the claw extractor of the Pre-64s, decided to Weatherby-up the Model 70 to give it a facelift. I love all Model 70s and have three safes full of em, but IMHO, the XTR guns with the black forend tip deviated too far from tradition and are some of the least eye-pleasing of the entire M-70 family. 0 -
At least now I know I really did have a winchester. The main reason I asked the question is because I had a lot of guns stolen in the mid 80's and I am starting to try and replace them as I find them. I really liked that Winchester 25/06. I had worked up a load for it that worked great. I killed 3 deer at over 500 yds with that gun.
Thanks guys for the info.0 -
Ok,I have searched the auction side for a while now and can not find this specific model of the model 70 25/06. There are a few 25/06 but most are either pre 64 or the newer style stock. Non have the ebony tip on the stock. Guess I should not be so picky but I really liked that old rifle. 0 -
What you are looking for is the Winchester Model 70 deluxe. It has the black forend tip with white spaces on the butt pad and grip. The difference between the deluxe and the super grade is the deluxe tip is on an angle to the barrel and the super grade tip is at right angle to the barrel. 0 -
Gene248, I'd be patient. I was in the market for a Model 70 in 25-06 and it took me nearly a year to find one in the configuration and condition I wanted. I wouldn't say they're rare, but they don't seem to hit the market very often.
I also wanted to weigh back in on the dialog about the particular Model 70 you are looking for. The terms "Deluxe" and "XTR" seem to be used interchangably, but I believe there is a distinction. However, rather than rely solely on my opinion, let me quote from the Model 70 Bible, i.e. Roger Rule's book, The Rifleman's Rifle.
"In June, 1965, the Deluxe style was added which introduced many features that were eventually standardized for other styles." In this case, the Deluxe style incorporated better wood, white-line spacers, the black forend tip, detachable sling swivels, and distinctive (although still pressed) checkering featuring oak leaves and other adornments. The Deluxe grade virtually replaced the old Super Grade, although the African model was still listed as a Super Grade rifle. Here's a link to a Deluxe grade rifle that's currently on the auction side: http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=330820288
Again quoting from Rule's book, page 319, "1972. Mostly cosmetic, there were several improvements added across the line of the hunting styles. The major change involved a new stock design which included a forearm tip, a new pistol grip cap (both were black synthetic material with while line spacers) an undercut cheekpiece, new checkering patterns which were Tape-Machine cut instead of the stamped variation previously used on most styles, and detachable sling swivels. Recoil pads were changed from red to black. Knurled bolt knobs, formerly reserved for the Deluxe, were featured across the line except for Target styles." As stated earlier, most of the features of the Deluxe were now incorporated into the standard Model 70. Rule goes on to say, "Two new styles were added [in 1972]: the New Super Grade, which replaced the Deluxe style, and the Ultra Match."
In 1978, according to Rule (Pg 319), "The XTR changes introduced for many Winchester firearms were presented on most of the Model 70s as well." Again, from the auction side, here's a link to another Model 70 XTR in 243 Win. Note the XTR features are similar, but not exactly the same as the former Deluxe model: http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=330898922
Finally, to again quote from Page 321 of Rule's book, "...in 1972, the last caliber was offered, the .25-06 Rem. and for it a special barrel length of 24" was used for the first time. All others had been 22"."
Since the Deluxe style rifle was discontinued and replaced in 1972, the same year Winchester introduced the 25-06 Rem, it's safe to say your old rifle was not technically a Deluxe model. If you bought your rifle between 1972 and 1977, your rifle would have probably been listed as just a "standard" model. However, if you purchased it in or after 1978, it would have been an XTR gun.
Again, I'm getting most of my information from Rule's book and my personal experience with late 60s and early 70s Model 70s. Winchester's annual catalogs may have loosely thrown around the "Deluxe" term which could add to the nomenclature confusion. However, I think the links to the two auctions above, one for a Deluxe and the other for an XTR, reveal the similar characteristics of the two grades but close scrutiny shows them to be quite different.
I would welcome any other opinions.0 -
Thanks Fairlane. That explains a lot. I bought my rifle in the early 80's so I guess it was an XTR model. I am continuing to look for this rifle unless I just happen to find a 25/06 I like as well. Possibly a Ruger or Remington if I can not find the exact rifle I am looking for. I am in no hurry since I do not shoot nearly as often as I once did.
Thanks again0
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