Win Mod 70 manufactured in early 90's

ohioup · October 14, 2009, 05:49 PM

There have been changes in the Model 70 design and variations in product quality over time. Pre '64 rifles are held in very high esteem, for example. Could someone please describe the reputation of Model 70's made in the early '90's? In particular, the featherweight model... thanks.

ZeroJunk · October 14, 2009, 06:14 PM

There is nothing wrong with them at all. They are a push feed design like the Rem 700. The pre 64's were a great rifle and there is a lot of nostalgia to the point that Winchester eventually had to go back to the controlled feed. But, that doesn't mean that the pushfeed rifles were bad.
I have a friend that has shot two barrels out on a 80's model XTP. Just had it rebarreled again. No telling how many deer he has killed with it.

gak · October 14, 2009, 06:30 PM

...in fact some of the XTRs (push feed) had much nicer wood than the later CRF (pre 64 type) action ones made in the year or two just prior to plant closing.

Wleoff · October 14, 2009, 06:43 PM

The middle rifle is a Winchester Model 70 in .270 that I ordered in 1995. It's been very accurate and makes a great deer gun.I changed the scope to a 6X Leupold since the photo.

Oilburner350 · October 14, 2009, 08:06 PM

Winchester started making CRF rifles in the mid 90's. I own three of these and have been pleased with them. The push feed rifles are similar to Remington 700s. I prefer them to the 700 on the safety (Win 3 position vs Remington 2) and the trigger. The trigger is the same as the pre-64's. The reason why the pre-64 is held in such high reguard is due to the hand crafting of them. Although the late pre-64 had cost cutting measures included in them. A bonus to the push feeds is they are often lower priced and will function just fine.

jmr40 · October 14, 2009, 11:18 PM

Winchesters made during the 80's and 90's are some of the best bargains on the used market. They are some of the best Winchesters made, but often sell at bargain prices because they are not CRF. The early Classics (CRF) from 94-99 are good guns as well, but it is a little risky buying anything made from 2000-2006. Some are good, others not so good.

Fat White Boy · October 14, 2009, 11:42 PM

I bought a Model 70 Black Shadow style in .270 Win at Walmart about 10 years ago. I took off the package scope and put a Nikon BuckMaster on it. Like I said in a couple other threads it is my favorite field rifle...Scary accurate with Remington CoreLokt 130gr ammo....

gak · October 15, 2009, 01:54 AM

I also purchased an older .270 "Black Shadow" type package gun with "cheap" x9 Simmons about 15 years ago used--probably originating from Kmart back then, and it is the same: deadly accurate. Rugged gun; I don't abuse it, but not too concerned about field dings either.

ohioup · October 16, 2009, 06:00 AM

Thanks everyone. I'm now in danger of buying another rifle.

October 14, 2009, 05:49 PM	#1
ohioup Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2009 Posts: 14	Win Mod 70 manufactured in early 90's There have been changes in the Model 70 design and variations in product quality over time. Pre '64 rifles are held in very high esteem, for example. Could someone please describe the reputation of Model 70's made in the early '90's? In particular, the featherweight model... thanks.

October 14, 2009, 06:14 PM	#2
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	There is nothing wrong with them at all. They are a push feed design like the Rem 700. The pre 64's were a great rifle and there is a lot of nostalgia to the point that Winchester eventually had to go back to the controlled feed. But, that doesn't mean that the pushfeed rifles were bad. I have a friend that has shot two barrels out on a 80's model XTP. Just had it rebarreled again. No telling how many deer he has killed with it.

October 14, 2009, 06:30 PM	#3
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	...in fact some of the XTRs (push feed) had much nicer wood than the later CRF (pre 64 type) action ones made in the year or two just prior to plant closing.

October 14, 2009, 06:43 PM	#4
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	The middle rifle is a Winchester Model 70 in .270 that I ordered in 1995. It's been very accurate and makes a great deer gun.I changed the scope to a 6X Leupold since the photo.

October 14, 2009, 08:06 PM	#5
Oilburner350 Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Posts: 102	Winchester started making CRF rifles in the mid 90's. I own three of these and have been pleased with them. The push feed rifles are similar to Remington 700s. I prefer them to the 700 on the safety (Win 3 position vs Remington 2) and the trigger. The trigger is the same as the pre-64's. The reason why the pre-64 is held in such high reguard is due to the hand crafting of them. Although the late pre-64 had cost cutting measures included in them. A bonus to the push feeds is they are often lower priced and will function just fine.

October 14, 2009, 11:18 PM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,973	Winchesters made during the 80's and 90's are some of the best bargains on the used market. They are some of the best Winchesters made, but often sell at bargain prices because they are not CRF. The early Classics (CRF) from 94-99 are good guns as well, but it is a little risky buying anything made from 2000-2006. Some are good, others not so good.

October 14, 2009, 11:42 PM	#7
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I bought a Model 70 Black Shadow style in .270 Win at Walmart about 10 years ago. I took off the package scope and put a Nikon BuckMaster on it. Like I said in a couple other threads it is my favorite field rifle...Scary accurate with Remington CoreLokt 130gr ammo....

October 15, 2009, 01:54 AM	#8
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	I also purchased an older .270 "Black Shadow" type package gun with "cheap" x9 Simmons about 15 years ago used--probably originating from Kmart back then, and it is the same: deadly accurate. Rugged gun; I don't abuse it, but not too concerned about field dings either.

October 16, 2009, 06:00 AM	#9
ohioup Junior Member Join Date: April 13, 2009 Posts: 14	Thanks everyone. I'm now in danger of buying another rifle.