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Springfield 03 vs Winchester Model 70 bbl.actions

freddbear4
This subject has probably been beaten to death over the years but I always wonderd what the objective comaparison was between a high numbered Springfield 03 and the pre war Model 70's was. Strength, workmanship,bbls etc.? Obviously the adj.trigger and the wing safety were on the plus side for Winchester but honestly were they stronger, better enginered ,safer ?? It would seem the Winchester would have been the logical choice for out of the box use. i.e choices in calibers etc vs.accepting the 30/06 bullet or having to pay gunsmiths for rechambering, restocking, resighting etc. But the question begs which was the better bbl action of the two??
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  • givette
    quote:Originally posted by freddbear4
    This subject has probably been beaten to death over the years but I always wonderd what the objective comaparison was between a high numbered Springfield 03 and the pre war Model 70's was. Strength, workmanship,bbls etc.? Obviously the adj.trigger and the wing safety were on the plus side for Winchester but honestly were they stronger, better enginered ,safer ?? It would seem the Winchester would have been the logical choice for out of the box use. i.e choices in calibers etc vs.accepting the 30/06 bullet or having to pay gunsmiths for rechambering, restocking, resighting etc. But the question begs which was the better bbl action of the two??
    Mod. 70 is a civilian rifle. '03 was a rifle issued to troops. Biggest plus is that the '70 Winchester has most likely been in the hands of someone who paid for it, and took better care of it. Also, you won't get an out of the box '03 [item in blue above].

    To answer your question: basically no difference. You have already addressed the "early serial-numbered" springfield debate. Springfield will most likely have to be re-barreled to the chambering of your choice, while you may find a '70 for sale out there somewhere that will have come from the factory in the chambering you want. Best, Joe
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  • Hawk Carse
    I think a peacetime Springfield '03 is as well made a rifle as you will find.
    The Winchester has design features that suit it better for a sporting rifle.

    You cannot judge them without considering the end use. Do you want a military weapon or a recreation of a period hunting or target rifle? The '03 will make a fine one. But the Winchester is, after all, 30+ years more "modern" and has stuff based on experience with all manner of previous actions and rifles, Springfield included.
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  • RCrosby
    My understanding (can't quote chapter and verse, maybe someone else can, either to confirm or refute) is that "several" features of the '03 (like the 2 piece firing pin) were crafted specifically to avoid patent infringement with Mauser, and/or to avoid any presumption that the German's had a better gun to the point we had to closely copy it)
    This from a WW-II era worker in the New Haven plant of W-W.
    Yes? No?[?][?]
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