Featherweight Work

[DrMike]

While at the range today, I carried two of my newer Featherweights to do some work. One is chambered in 300 WSM, and the other is in 30-06. In the pictures that follow, the 300 WSM is on the left; it is topped with a 3.5-10 X 40 Leupold VX-3. The 30-06 is on the right, it is topped with a Zeiss Diavari 3-9 X 42.

One group stood out on the 300 WSM today. It consisted of 168 grain TSX with 69.5 grains of IMR4831. Velocity was 3158. With a little tinkering of the OAL, it may be a good load. This rifle is still in break-in, so I'm pleased.

I was working with 168 grain E-tips on the 30-06. Velocity was not exception (2580 fps), but the groups was very good. This rifle is also quite new and not fully broken in.

These results will give me something to work with. The E-Tip shows real promise in the 30-06. I've got some loads to shoot in the 300 WSM with the 168 and the 180 grain E-Tips in the next couple of weeks.

 

[SJB358]

Mike, those are a great looking pair of rifles. Looks like that ETip has some real promise in the 30-06. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

That group was 0.42 inches. Certainly, I want a little more velocity, but the accuracy is there.

 

[SJB358]

What weight bullets? That looks like a really good start. Scotty

 

[DrMike]

The 30-06 was shooting 168 grain E-Tips. The 300 WSM was shooting 168 grain TSX. As stated, the 30-06 shot a 0.42 inch group; the 300 WSM shot a 0.59 inch group. There was another set of loads that shot 0.79 inch groups at 3000 fps with 168 grain TSX and Big Game. In all, both of the rifles are showing promise.

 

[SJB358]

Heck yeah they are. That seems really good to me, with all copper bullets and new barrels. They sound like excellent shooters. Scotty

 

[spires5d]

Mike,good shooting.I love the natural wood finish that is on the stocks for both rifles. Don't care for a camo stock much at all.







7Mags Forever and a 30 cal. will "Slam Dunk Um"

 

[DrMike]

spires5d,

I'm sort of a traditional chap. Most of my rifles are stocked with wood. In 2008, when the Featherweights were reintroduced, I bought three of the new rifles, each of which had wood stocks with real character. I had to part with a couple of rifles to swing this, but it was worth it to me. I think the character of the wood may appear somewhat better in these pictures. This is the 300 WSM:

And this is the 30-06:

Consequently, this is the third Featherweight purchased in that year, chambered in 270 WSM.

The 300 WSM is slated to receive a Leupold VX-7 2.5-10 X 45 shortly. It is ordered and should be here within the next couple of weeks.

 

[Elkman]

Those are two beautiful babies. I love the checkering pattern and very good figure in the wood. Targets were great also its not going to take much tinkering to finish out your load development. You had a very fun day it looks like. Ill bet these were more fun to shoot than the 460!!!

 

[Desert Fox]

Nice pair of Featherweight there DrMike. Looks like they're a shooter too. Are they both CRF?

 

[DrMike]

Ill bet these were more fun to shoot than the 460!!!

You may be assured of that statement being correct!

Are they both CRF?

Yes, they are both the classic action (CRF). The 30-06, especially, is one of the smoothest feeding rifles I've handled in many years.

 

[Ryan46]

Hey Mike:

I own a Feather Weight in .30-06 made in early 80's and have had no luck using E-Tips. How far off the lands are you loading your bullets to?

Happy Shooting
Ryan46

 

[DrMike]

Ryan,

I am 0.100 inch off the lands. I have five older model Featherweights and traded off two others in recent years. With the exception of one that I traded almost ten years ago, all have shot 1/2 to 1/4 MOA with selected loads. The only one I could never get to shoot really did not shoot at all. It was a 7 X 57 that produced 3 inch patters on a good day. I traded it on a CZ550FS in 30-06, which I only kept for a year or so before trading for a Featherweight in 325 WSM.

 

[JD338]

Mike,

Nice battery of featherweights. They sure have some beautiful lines.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Jim,

We all have our weaknesses. Mine is the beautiful lines of the Featherweight. The stock I bought to build my 9.3 X 64 is (you guessed it) a Featherweight. I will add a couple of cross bolts, but otherwise leave it as is. The newer ones, produced in SC, are just well made. They do restore pride to Winchester craftsmanship. The fit and finish have sold quite a few in the store during the past couple of years.

 

[Ryan46]

Thanks Mike:

I have been seating mine anywhere between .020 to .005" off the lands I will seat longer and see what happens. In the photos your featherweights have much lighter shade of wood than mine does. Do you know what type of wood Winchester stocks them with?

Happy Shooting
Ryan46

 

[DrMike]

Ryan46,

According to Winchester's web site (http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535109), the stock on the current iteration of the Featherweight is "Grade 1 Walnut." My older Featherweights are stained darker, and they have less character in the wood. For what it is worth, the samples I have seen that were produced after the 2008 models are somewhat darker again. Those produced during that initial period when the Featherweights were first introduced appeared much more attractive, at least to my eyes and to the eyes of several of my colleagues.

 

[biglmbass]

Those are some great looking FWs. Also looks like you've got quite a nice place to shoot. Is that a stainless & walnut Rem 700 CDL SF in the background, with the fluted barrel and silver finish scope? That's a sharp rifle as well.

 

[DrMike]

Good eye, biglmbass. That is a Remington CDL SF Limited Edition chambered in 257 Roberts. I actually own a couple of Remingtons, though I don't normally let that information out.

 

[Alaska]

Got to try the Berger VLD hunting bullet in the 300 WSM......sweet!
I shoot the

185gr VLD with
H4350 @ 62.7
WW Brass
WLRM Primer
COL 2.905"

Same for the 30-06

185 Berger VLD Hunting
H4350 @ 55.0
WW brass
Fed 210M primer