What has been everyone's experience with the model 70 classics from the new haven plant?? I am looking at buying a stainless classic in 7 mag with the plastic stock. Good quality?? The price is $650 is that pretty reasonable? I have couple of the fn winchesters which are outstanding.
Model 70 Classics
- Thread starter ldg397
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
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TT
You have a nice collection of M70's.
They are well built and accurate.
JD338
You have a nice collection of M70's.
They are well built and accurate.
JD338
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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I own or have owned quite a variety of New Haven manufactured rifles. All, save one, shot very well. I divested myself of the one that didn't shoot, and I've beat myself up ever since. I now believe I could have made it shoot. My current rifles that were New Haven manufactured include: a 280 Remington, a 325 WSM, a 7mm WSM and a 7mm RM. I traded off a 300WSM and a 270WSM for Florence manufactured rifles chambered thusly in 2008. All shoot or shot sub-MOA. I would not hesitate to pick up a New Haven manufactured rifle. They were a bit rough in fit and finish at the end of their manufacture, but they still shot quite well.
I only have one M70 in the stainless classic, a .338 Win. mag. My 1968 M70 .338 WM is a much more accurate gun and that plastic stock, at least on my rifle is crap.I do have spare McMillan stock laying around and maybe I'll put a Pachmeyr Decelerator on it and bed that rifle in the stock. Then again, maybe I'll just sell it. I really don't like that rifle. naturally, YMMV. Could be I l just got a lemon.
Paul B.
Paul B.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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I still have a Model 70 Classic made in 1996. Additionally, I owned a .338 WM and a .300 H&H. The only one that I had any trouble with was the .338. It had beautiful wood for a Sporter but the barrel was crooked (maybe only 1 degree) but that is a lot when you consider that the rifle will only converge once vertically and once horizontally with the scope, instead of just vertically as on most rifles. So is you sight in for say 200 yards, you will not be on at any other horizontal plane at any other range.
However, this is the only Classic that I have seen that had this problem. I would be careful about any USRAC rifle built in 2005. They built quite a few clunkers in the last couple months of USRAC production.
However, this is the only Classic that I have seen that had this problem. I would be careful about any USRAC rifle built in 2005. They built quite a few clunkers in the last couple months of USRAC production.
- Thread starter
- #8
I have all M70 Classic's except for one Pre64 and one FN made M70. All the rest have been and are excellent rifles. Bedding usually needs to be tended to and the triggers need a little adjustment, but by and large, they all came around really easily. My 270 WSM, 7mm WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, 338 Win Mag, 264 Win Mag, 25-06 Rem, and probably something else, are all Classics and all have been awesome rifles. Matter of fact, I actually prefer the older trigger of the Classic's to the new MOA trigger.
- Thread starter
- #10
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
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Ldg397, that serial number would be around 1971 after they changed to G signifiying 1 million Model 70's sold.
Scotty, I have never owned one of the new MOA triggers but I do not know why they changed something that was already dead simple and perfect! It must have been Lawyers that changed it?
Scotty, I have never owned one of the new MOA triggers but I do not know why they changed something that was already dead simple and perfect! It must have been Lawyers that changed it?
- Thread starter
- #12
ldg397":fv9nlhrr said:
Your right, mid 90's, was when the Classic started coming back around. Not sure at serials, I can take a look at mine and see where they fall out, but I will say this, if you like it, buy it now. If you wait till you find out exactly what the serial is, someone might figure it out before you and walk off with your rifle! :shock:
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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On the New Haven production, none of the rifles I handled (and there were a few) ever failed to shoot acceptably. The problem was fit and finish as production became sloppy and quality control was spotty. I would have no hesitation in buying a New Haven produced gun (and I currently have two that were produced in the final year of existence) if it was chambered in a cartridge I wanted and if the price was realistic.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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ldg397":3js5vpa5 said:
You did not leave out a digit, did you?
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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Good catch, Charlie. Late production was seven digits.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
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I started thinking about this issue and realized the only reasonable answer was that the later CRF rifles were (7) digits.
- Oct 30, 2004
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That is a nice group you got there TT
- Thread starter
- #19
It is only six digits not counting the G. It is a classic stainless 7 mag with synthetic stock and jeweled bolt. Most importantly it now has my name on it. I got them to come down to 600 and they put it on layaway so I don't have to wait three hours to fill out the paperwork. I will have to go back and get it after all this craziness has died down. It was cabelas that is why the long line, judging by their inventory I can't believe this is going to last much longer??
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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I have that same rifle, and it has been with me for quite a few years. Mine is a fine shooter that has accounted for quite a few head of game.
