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very nice- does it shoot as well as it looks. My buddies 338 mag made by JK Cloward shoots 7/8 inch groups at 100 yards. This is why I am so impressed with the JK Cloward rifles.
Somewhat related to a pre-'64 Winchester model 70 is my model 50 J.C. Higgins 30/06 rifle produced by Belgium's Fabrique Nationale using a commercial 98 Mauser action and 22 inch chrome lined barrel from High Standard.
It was an attempt by Sears and Roebuck to muscle in on Winchester's ever popular model 70, but lacked the graceful stock and checkering.
Here's a review on it:
View attachment 777441
The guy I sold the 270 to did just that. I would have too, if I'd have kept it.There is an aftermarket bolt part that will eliminate the Mauser rear of bolt safety lever when you install a new trigger with the side lever safety switch.
I didn't know about it when I installed the Sportsman Timmney trigger.
Nuthin like one of O'Connor's favorites. Looking at that gun it's easy to see why.
The other thing I noticed about CRF compared to push feed is that it keeps a newbie from short stroking. I bought my nephew a Savage 110 and it took a while for him to understand that the bolt needed to keep coming back after that case comes flying out. Once he figgered it out, it ran fine.In all reality, after having owned representations of M70s from pre and post 1964, I have developed my own opinions.
The pre-64 M70, and I'll even go on a limb and say the pre-60 M70s, are nice rifles. I prefer CRF because I like to control the speed of the case being ejected. Go slow and it angles easily into my hand and into my cartridge box for reloading. Run the bolt smartly and the case will go flying. This is the value of CRF to me. Not the feed, but the eject. I want that case OUT if I need a follow-up.
The angle of the bolt handle on pre-64s can interfere with low scope mounting depending on the size of the rear scope lens. It can be dished out a bto solve this. The rifles since the 80s are angled differently and there is no issue mounting the scope low.
I prefer the trigger design that was available until 2008. The new "MOA" trigger feels great and is easy to adjust, I just don't care for enclosed trigger housings. Especially where it gets cold and damp.
I'm not a fan of the barrel knuckle on the pre-64 standard weight rifles. That's 4 screws. I much prefer the current one-piece bottom metal with 2 action screws.
Current rifles seem to take much less effort to get them to shoot well. They have recessed crowns as well. Stock design, hands down, benefits the current rifle. The pre-64 stock is a bit clubby. The pre-64 "featherweight" deserved a stock worthy of the name.
All standard long action M70s have a shorter action than I'd like. Their own cartridge, the 300 Win Mag, barely fits. The M700 has a full length action and gives you plenty of OAL. Oddly enough, the M700 short action is cramped while the M70 short action is roomy.
Give me a 2010 sporter weight barreled action and stock; a pre-2008 trigger group, steel one-piece oberndorff bottom metal...and I'd have what I would consider the perfect M70.
I had one in 270. Very solid gun. Don't know why I didn't warm up to it.
The guy I sold the 270 to did just that. I would have too, if I'd have kept it.
Nuthin like one of O'Connor's favorites. Looking at that gun it's easy to see why.
The other thing I noticed about CRF compared to push feed is that it keeps a newbie from short stroking. I bought my nephew a Savage 110 and it took a while for him to understand that the bolt needed to keep coming back after that case comes flying out. Once he figgered it out, it ran fine.
I need to pull the action out of the stock on mine and remove that barrel boss nut and screw. I didn't when I bedded it, but I'm sure it was a mistake leaving it in. As stupid as it seems, that barrel boss is one of the characteristics that I love about the Pre-64 Standard rifle. It's part of the reason the beautiful Lightweight I had didn't stick around.
Here ya go, Spit!In .250 Savage, you'd really have something there.
Its sad that it's not a more commonly found cartridge.In .250 Savage, you'd really have something there.
Most of Newton's stuff isn't very well recognized, but was way ahead of it's time. I was flabbergasted that Lane Pierce wrote about the 30 Newton and using that case for revamping a 300 PRC rifle in the recent Shooting Times.Its sad that it's not a more commonly found cartridge.
.250 Savage can do pretty much anything.
I had heard that Jim Cloward has eye problems. I should call and say hello It has been many years.WOW! A J K Cloward rifle- THAT IS AS FINE A RIFLE AS YOU CAN own (imho). I don't think he is in business any longer, but not sure. I think he used to build rifles for 1000 yard competitive shooters, as well as the general public.
circa 1983 Mod 70 XTR in '06 in the safe that is as nice a firearm as I own. High gloss bluing, gloss finished monte carlo stock, machine cut checkering, jeweled bolt, fit and finish is really nice. With good ammo, it is sub MOA, easy. The push feed bolt has never misfed. The XTR's were not super grade, just gussied up a bit. I would put this particular rifle up against any other Winchester, from any era.
Model 70 XTR Featherweight in .257 Roberts made in 1982. All are heads and shoulders above anything I could afford to buy off the rack today.
late '60's Mod 88 in the safe that I wouldn't put on my worst enemy. Winchester did learn the error of their ways and made some outstanding rifles.
The push-feed M70s, especially those of the late 80s were good. Something to think about is how the M700 came out in the early 60s and was nothing but a machined tube with a washer as a recoil lug. Using a plunger ejector and small spring steel extractor, it was much easier to manufacture
Question - where does the "pre 64 claw type extractor" fit into the story? I've heard the phrase, but don't know the real differences. Also, IIRC, you could buy a Model 70 during the 90s that featured the older type of extractor?
I don't recall if the XTR line came out when Olin still owned Winchester Repeating Arms, or if it came out under US Repeating Arms, the employee-owned company that made Winchester products from 1981-89. In any case, lots were made during the 1981-89 USRA era in Models 70 and 94. XTR was a finish upgrade, they were nice enough. The Model 1894 XTR's are pretty sought after now.
I remember when my dad gave me the rifle, he pointed out the logo on the buttstock, saying it would make the rifle more sought after in the future. Perhaps he was referring to the buy out you mentioned?
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Shortly after FN took over USRA circa 1991, they introduced a premium Model 70 that featured the original CRF bolt. But they continued to make the push feed bolt models at the same time.
I'd buy it just to make you happy, but my pockets aren't that deep. Really cool, though. I am a fan of Mr. Newton and his cartridges. I'm also an Ackley fan and his stuff is usually easier to duplicate, so there I am.Told ya.
When Winchester re-introduced the "claw", the line was called "Classic", like I mentioned earlier. I don't remember what company was in control, but I think it was a fairly new deal in the late 90's.The pre 64 Model 70 had a Mauser-type external extractor (controlled round feeding - CRF). Post 64 had an internal extractor in the bolt head. Having which gave it a stronger bolt head that completely surrounds the cartridge case head (and is often ignored by pre 64 fans), this is the "push feed" bolt. The push feed was used into the 1981-89 USRA company era. Shortly after FN took over USRA circa 1991, they introduced a premium Model 70 that featured the original CRF bolt. But they continued to make the push feed bolt models at the same time. The Connecticut plant was closed by FN in 2006. Later, Model 70 production was resumed in South Carolina, then shifted to a Browning factory in Portugal where they are made now. So far as I know. all the FN-made Mod. 70 rifles since 2007 have the CRF bolt.
And like usual, Mr. Spitpatch is spot on.Told ya.
When Winchester re-introduced the "claw", the line was called "Classic",
The newer Featherweights are simply gorgeous,
I bought one new in approx 1993. 7mm mag. It had the BOSS tunable muzzle device