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New winchester model 70

vette81
Does any one have an opion on the new supergrade model 70,
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • duckhunter
    It is NOT a Winchester. [V] [V] [V]
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  • vette81
    what do you mean?
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  • stevecrea
    I believe that he means that it is manufactured by FNH (Fabrique Nacionale Herstal). This is the company that bought a number of assets from Winchester, probably including the name, various patents and rights, etc. They are now manufacturing the Model 70 in South Carolina.

    I have read at least one or two articles about the line of rifles that they are producing, and I have a favorable opinion. However, I have not shot any of their rifles, or examined the workmanship.

    The Model 70 Super Grade just won an award this week, bestowed by Chuck Hawks. Mr. Hawks is a very reputable gun writer, so his opinion probably carries some weight. You can read about the award at winchester-guns.com, and read more about the rifle.
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  • vette81
    Thanx, thinking of getting one. Just curious bout em, I knew the old ones were good, was just wondering bout the new ones.
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  • stevecrea
    I am impressed, looking at the information. It now has a freefloated barrel, which, if done well should enhance the accuracy. I believe that the Model 70s made in New Haven, CT did not have freefloated barrels.

    Another very nice touch is the inletted sling swivel bases. Very classy.
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  • texcl
    I have a long hisory with the winchester model 70 I've had the opportunity to exam probably hundreds of the original model 70s as well as every generation after that, I've so far only examined 15 or 20 of the new SC built rifles. The last generation made in the old plant did free-float and bed the stocks, but due to the ailing company they had alot of quality control issues, you might get a real winner or a lemon, I received both the worst of which malfunctioned all the time (problems started during my nilgai hunt on the king ranch of all places)and my best a .300WSM classic model will shoot 1/2 MOA, slick as a whistle. The new rifles are made by winchester which has been bought out by FN, they are built in South Carolina. These rifles are hands down the best made model 70's ever. The fit and finish is astounding the action is slick and well made and the stock wood even on the standard models is really nice. These new rifles have a moa guarantee and I know one guy who returned his because it wouldn't hold moa, and winchester replaced it with one that shoots .74 groups with practically any factory ammo. These are the best built comercial rifles I've ever seen, you guys really need to get out and handle one and compare them to a remington,weatherby ect.. they don't hold a candle to these new model 70's, I know it's hard to believe that a machinery driven factory can produre such a quality weapon but they did it, these are the best model 70's ever, better than any other model winchester even the pre-war models. I'm sure many of you guys doubt this but it's true, the original model 70's weren't known for accuracy, sure some could shoot but most wouldn't shoot moa without a little tweaking, remember the originals werent even free-floated or bedded, and barrel quality couldn't compare to FN's computer based machines, the actions were what they were known for. Anyway, you guys need to go out and look for yourselves.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by texcl
    I have a long hisory with the winchester model 70 I've had the opportunity to exam probably hundreds of the original model 70s as well as every generation after that, I've so far only examined 15 or 20 of the new SC built rifles. The last generation made in the old plant did free-float and bed the stocks, but due to the ailing company they had alot of quality control issues, you might get a real winner or a lemon, I received both the worst of which malfunctioned all the time (problems started during my nilgai hunt on the king ranch of all places)and my best a .300WSM classic model will shoot 1/2 MOA, slick as a whistle. The new rifles are made by winchester which has been bought out by FN, they are built in South Carolina. These rifles are hands down the best made model 70's ever. The fit and finish is astounding the action is slick and well made and the stock wood even on the standard models is really nice. These new rifles have a moa guarantee and I know one guy who returned his because it wouldn't hold moa, and winchester replaced it with one that shoots .74 groups with practically any factory ammo. These are the best built comercial rifles I've ever seen, you guys really need to get out and handle one and compare them to a remington,weatherby ect.. they don't hold a candle to these new model 70's, I know it's hard to believe that a machinery driven factory can produre such a quality weapon but they did it, these are the best model 70's ever, better than any other model winchester even the pre-war models. I'm sure many of you guys doubt this but it's true, the original model 70's weren't known for accuracy, sure some could shoot but most wouldn't shoot moa without a little tweaking, remember the originals werent even free-floated or bedded, and barrel quality couldn't compare to FN's computer based machines, the actions were what they were known for. Anyway, you guys need to go out and look for yourselves.


    That is not an entirely true statement. The true WINCHESTER company (a subsidiary of Olin Industries) got out of the firearms manufacturing business in late 1980. The U.S. Repeating Arms Company bought the old Winchester factory, and in early 1981, they began producing firearms with the licensed trademark WINCHESTER name on them. Olin licensed the trademarked Winchester name to the U.S.R.A.Co. for a 25-year period of time (which expired in early 2006). In the mid 1990s, FN bought the U.S.R.A.Co., and then in March of 2006, they shutdown the New Haven factory (due to the high costs of operating in Conn, and the unionized labor force). Browning Arms (also a subsidiary of FN) negotiated with Olin to use the trademarked Winchester name, and has been producing various models with the Winchester nametag on them. FN opened a new factory (non-union) in South Carolina in 2008, and is now producing the Model 70 with the Winchester nametag on it. My entire point to this post is this... there has not been a true WINCHESTER firearm manufactured since late 1980. The real Winchester company still exists today (a subsidiary of Olin), primarily making ammo, and shooting accessories.
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  • tsr1965
    Bert is correct in stating the firearms are not made by Winchester. They are made for Winchester, as they have been since the early 1980's.

    From the samples I have seen, they might have improved the rifle's tolerences, and stack ups, but the worksmanship SUCKS. It is not comparable to the pre 64' Model 70.

    Best
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by tsr1965
    Bert is correct in stating the firearms are not made by Winchester. They are made for Winchester, as they have been since the early 1980's.

    From the samples I have seen, they might have improved the rifle's tolerences, and stack ups, but the worksmanship SUCKS. It is not comparable to the pre 64' Model 70.

    Best


    That is not an accurate statement either. None of the firearms that have been built since 1981 with the trademark WINCHESTER name on them are (or ever were) made for Winchester (Olin Industries). Initially in 1981 when the U.S. Repeating Arms Co. bought out Winchester, they were made for U.S.R.A.Co., and then when U.S.R.A.Co., was bought out of bankruptcy in 1989 by FN, they were made for FN. Today, they are made for Browning (FN), or directly for FN. Winchester (Olin Industries) has zero stake or interest in the guns. The only connection between FN and Winchester is the leased rights to use the TWINCHESTER name on the guns.
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  • Ambrose
    Well then, Bert, couldn't it be said that the Olin Winchesters were not Winchesters either since Winchester was owned by Olin?
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  • stevecrea
    texcl:

    Thank you for the information about freefloating the barrels on the last generation of rifles made in New Haven. I had not known that.

    Can you guys persuade FNH to begin making some lefthanded versions so I can get in on these?
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  • rsnyder55
    quote:Originally posted by stevecrea
    texcl:

    Thank you for the information about freefloating the barrels on the last generation of rifles made in New Haven. I had not known that.

    Can you guys persuade FNH to begin making some lefthanded versions so I can get in on these?


    +1 on the southpaw version.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
    Well then, Bert, couldn't it be said that the Olin Winchesters were not Winchesters either since Winchester was owned by Olin?


    No, and this is why... none of the many different models manufactured and produced from January 1931 through December of 1980 were ever marked with the T symbol. The Winchester Arms company was a division of Olin industries from January 1931 through December 1980... but they were still Winchester from top to bottom. When Olin Industries sold the Winchester factory in December of 1980 to the U.S. Repeating Arms Company, it was at that time that the firearms ceased to be WINCHESTER. The Winchester division of Olin Industries still lives on today.
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