BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

gpcinc · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 34

i just bought a model 70. it has xtr featherweight on the barrell. it is in 270 cal. i look up on the winchester web site and see no references to "xtr". anyone know what this is? it's not a custom gun is it?....

another question: which is a better rifle between the model 70 and the model 700? i will probably purchase in the synthetic and stainless but i am still deciding on the mfg and the caliber (30-06, 7mm rem mag, and the 300 win mag)....

thanks. scott.

steeplejack · Joined: 13 Oct 2003 Posts: 13 Location: Wisconsin

i bought a model 70 classic sporter xtr in a .300 win mag last year and really liked the gun. Extremely accurate, little on the heavy side, but the featherweight, it should make it a little easier to carry around. The only thing that i have to say about that is that there was no clip with the gun. For me a clip is a necessity, instead of cranking out 4 shells every time. But i also have looked at the Model 700 Stainless BDL in a .300win mag. I decided this was a better gun for me, clip and about the same quality as a Model 70. I think either one would be a great choice.

Ferguson · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Missouri

Take a mod 70 and 700 shoot them 5 shots a each with the same ammo. You will be able to tell the difference in the recoil. The mod 70 is built a little different than the 700 and is easier on the shoulder. The mod 70 makes rifles with floor plates. You should be able to release the floor plate and the shells will roll out in your hand. Also the 3 position saftey is nice on the 70.

That's my opinion.

I have and use several mod 70's and only trade on 700's. They are both nice proven guns. There is nothing wrong with the 700 I just personally like the 70 better.

Ferguson · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 62 Location: Missouri

Winchester has went through some different owners over it's history. The XTR was during on of those changes. Winchester started using the XTR stamping in 1978 and ended it in 1994. The featherweight was the first model to use XTR then it was the sporter, magnum and varmit.
You can go to the Winchester home page and get more complete, accurate information. I'm just kinda shoot'n from the hip here on the dates and models. None the less. The XTR is not a custom gun although I guess a custom built mod 70 from Winchester could have XTR stamps because it's still the same model.
Hope this helps.

whtailtaker · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 9:49 am Post subject:

I own both the 300 Win Mag and the 30-06 in the Model 70
I like the weight and the 3 position safety
the barrel lengths 24/26" are also a factor
I like the Model 70 so much I retired my old 30-06 [greater then 35 yrs old]

just as with all rifles you need to look at what it likes to shoot- my 300 Win Mag likes the 180 gr ammo [all in 1" at 300yds]

my new 30-06 is still looking!

Captain_Obvious · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 891 Location: Missouri/Arkansas

Model 70's are very good rifles. I recently had the privelege of shooting a model 70 classic super-grade in 300 Winchester Magnum, and needless to say, I was quite surprised by its accuracy. Pretty much, they are equal to the model 700's in out-of-the-box performance and accuracy.

joed · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Grafton, OH

I have to thank you guys. I just recently bought a Winchester 70 XTR in 7mm mag. The guy selling told me it was from 1969 but it has a laminated stock. I didn't think the laminated stock seemed right for 69, somehow I think it may be newer then 78.

shatodavis · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 137

I would go with a remington 700 over a mod 70. But, I'd buy a savage before I'd buy either.

joed · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Grafton, OH

I have 2 Remington 700's and like them both. Never had a problem with either. But I always wanted a Winchester 70, just never found one in a good caliber. At the last gunshow I found a nice one in 7mm Mag and bought it.

Haven't shot it yet so can't comment how it compares to the Remington. They are very similar though.

shatodavis · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 137

joed wrote:
Haven't shot it yet so can't comment how it compares to the Remington. They are very similar though.

The 700 and the model 70 are both bolt action rifles, thats where the similarities end. They are as different as apples and oranges. that is to say that apples and oranges are both fruit. Both, rifles have characteristics that are beneficial and detrimental. Many will say that one is superior to the other or vice versa and I'm not arguing for either side. The rifles, in my eyes at least, are quite dissimilar. Now the Model 70 and Ruger M77 II are quite similar as they are both roughly based on the mauser.

2506deerslayer · Joined: 24 Dec 2002 Posts: 101 Location: Nebraska

yes the model 70 classic and the ruger M77 is similar to the mauser action so they are both good,, I like the model 70 better though cause you don't have to buy a new trigger assembly to adjust trigger pull. I own 2 rem 700's, I don't have nothing to say but they are awesome,, and I just recently bought a model 70 classic sporter in the 2506,, so now I have two 2506's , one a remington and one a winchester,, they both pull up good and on paper I can't tell the difference, both have a trigger pull of about 2 lbs,, gotta love em!!!

plus,, I got a good deal on that model 70 with an SII sightron scope 4.5-14x42,,, payed much less than what it is worth.