Winchester model 70 New Haven

[HeathSexton]

I have heard the New Haven guns are very hit or miss in the accuracy department?


There is a Stainless/Sythetic Classic in 300WSM at my local pushers for $399, but I have read so much bad I hate to drag it home.

 

[DrMike]

I have heard the New Haven guns are very hit or miss in the accuracy department?

Heath,

I own, or have owned, quite a few of the New Haven guns (at least seven). All shot quite well for me with one exception (7 X 57). I have owned or own four of the SC rifles, and all are shooters.

 

[SJB358]

Heath, I think it is crap about NH rifles being less accurate than the new ones. I know the fit or finish may have lacked on some but all I own are New Haven rifles. Each and every one of them is fantastic. I would say I've gotten lucky but I don't really get lucky. My first rifle an M70 7RM shoots about any decent bullet into an inch easily. The M70 Classic Stainless 338 is just about my most accurate rifle I own. The M70 WSM Laminated is the most accurate rifle I own. Puts everything under an inch, easily. It even shot both the Winchester factory loaded 150gr Power Points and 140gr ABs into 3/4" groups pretty darned often. The new 264WM seems like it will shoot just fine also. Put the Nosler Custom 125gr PTs into about 1.25" pretty easily. The 130gr ABs will do much better I think. Overall, I want a new SC M70 but I won't turn down a nice NH made rifle, that is for sure. None of my M70's have anything done to them except trigger work. I say get the rifle if it is decent and you like it. Sorry for the rant but maybe I have just been fortunate. Scotty

 

[SJB358]

I have heard the New Haven guns are very hit or miss in the accuracy department?


There is a Stainless/Sythetic Classic in 300WSM at my local pushers for $399, but I have read so much bad I hate to drag it home.

Man- I forgot to mention this, if the barrel is in good shape I would scoop that rifle up in half a heart beat. Put a good stock on it and man, you would have an awesome rifle. My 338WM is the same model. Scotty

 

[HeathSexton]

I have picked it up so much the checkering has been replaced with my finger prints, smooth as silk too. It looks to be in fantastic shape, no real wear at all. He has had it so long I bet I could get it for $400 out the door.


Where I hunt I have no use for a magnum, I mean none. I have a 7RM, a 300Wm and a 300 Wby, but I don't have a 300WSM.

 

[SJB358]

Man I would grab it. I think you will kick yourself if you have the means. I would love to have one of them but being like you. I really don't need another one. Although it would be a great rifle for my sons next one! He is going to need a proper elk rifle soon! I lime that WSM cartridge and in a Stanless Classic, whew. That sir would be sweet! Scotty

 

[DrMike]

Heath,

I bought one of the earliest 300 WSMs out of New Haven. It consistently shot 0.5 MOA with a wide variety of 180 grain bullets (X-Bullets, TSX, Fail Safe, InterLock, etc.) I just sold it last summer because I had bought one of the new rifles out of South Carolina. While the newer rifle was far prettier (it was one of the 2008 models with extra high grade walnut stock), it does not shoot any better than did my old one. I also have or had 270 WSM, 7mm WSM and 325 WSM built in New Haven. Each delivers sub MOA groups. Fit and finish ranged from good to terrible, but they do shoot. Grab that rifle.

 

[BK]

There is a Stainless/Sythetic Classic in 300WSM at my local pushers for $399, but I have read so much bad I hate to drag it home.

Don't make me come down there and buy it! (laughin')

 

[backcountryhunter]

Heath - If you are not gonna purchase that model 70 would you PM me the name & number of the gunshop so I can, that would be PERFECT for what I want to do next !

George Price 503-367-9705 gk.price@yahoo.com

 

[HeathSexton]

**** Sigh******


You guys are not good for my marriage, I will try to post some pics of my new Model 70 Classic 300WSM later........

Serial # G3538XX - any ideas on D.O.B.?

 

[SJB358]

Congrats Heath! Great score! I imagine the marriage will heal with some work by you----- HA--- What I mean is you are really going to have to work that rifle off! Don't feel bad, the 264WM cost me alot of marriage money! Scotty

 

[BK]

Buncha damn enablers is what we are!

 

[BK]

Congrats Heath! Great score! I imagine the marriage will heal with some work by you----- HA--- What I mean is you are really going to have to work that rifle off! Don't feel bad, the 264WM cost me alot of marriage money! Scotty

Note to self... get the .264, .375 H&H and .416 before you get married...

 

[DrMike]

Note to self... get the .264, .375 H&H and .416 before you get married...

Or wait until the kids are gone and you are old and feeble minded.

 

[BK]

I'll be 59 when Nolan graduates from HS. I'll be well into feeble minded, particularly if I touch off many rounds from a .416!

 

[Oldtrader3]

There are two very distinct differences in the M70 Classic CRF models. Early on, they had a poor quality extractor (pot metal at best) and two-piece bottom metal. The extractors were changed to a Williams around 1999-2000 or so and the one-piece bottom metal soon followed. The Classic Sporter went through 2 or 3 design changes in the stock. The latter NH versions were a David Miller design. I've owned a few over the years and actually prefer the current BACO made versions with the MOA trigger. Forget all you know about the M70 and give the new models a close look. They are very well built. New Haven models just wreak of American Labor Union quality, or lack thereof, in the final few years. The SC models are of good quality but not in huge supply and some with questionable barrels. The pre-64's do nothing for me even though I own two of them. Their barrels are wierd and the hinged floor-plate releases are not reliable at all. The finish on the receiver doesn't match the rest of the rifle. They are just old junk to me. If mine weren't family heirlooms, they'd been down the road long ago. I know the 3-position safety is regarded as one of the best ever designed, but I just can't get used to the loud click and abrupt movement forward when disengaging the safety.

IMHO, Winchester messed up by "puppy-milling" all these different actions and magazine styles and still calling them a M70. The Super Shadow and Coyote are CRPF models, but certainly are NOT model 70's, regardless of what Winchester calls them. They are still nice shooting rifles and quite serviceable though.

I do not know what Model 70 model that you are talking about? However, I do know New Haven, Winchester and USRAC Model 70's and all of them which are hinged floor plate, CRF feed Sporters or Super Grades. All have two piece bottom metal and wrought steel extractors. How do I know? I have owned roughly (26) Model 70 rifles (or so) of all floorplated configurations from S/N range 30XX (1936) to 2003 USRAC models. This includes carbines, rifles, prewar, transition, postwar, XTR, Mannlicher stocked, Super Grade, Sporter, Featherweight and USRAC, all New Haven. Plus, every permutation ever made by New Haven with floorplates. Maybe you have them confused with Wrinchesta (most perfect Chinese copy) or something?

 

[SJB358]

Charlie, have you ever changed stocks on one of the two pieced bottom metal M70's (M70 Classic Stainless 338WM). The stock I just bought for my M70 is the B&C Medalist and it is made for the 1 piece bottom metal. The people selling it says it needs to be modified in order to have the 3rd trigger guard screw. I imagine it is just some drilling and tapping? Just wondering if you have any experience with it. Scotty

 

[Bruce Mc]

Regarding the two piece set up, the metal that the floor plate is attached lacks the depth of the one piece set up. A stock opening for the magazine box in a two piece set up is narrower than the opening for the one piece bottom metal. I have a Model 70 classic that came with the two piece set up. I bought a williams one piece and had to cut the mortise deeper in the front and wider in the middle. Make sense? The trigger guard area was o.k. If you have a stock for a long action that was inletted for the one piece bottm metal, it might be easier just to get the one piece bottom metal. Then all you have to do is shave some depth off the magazine box or buy the box for the one piece. Also, getting rid of the middle screw, did wonders for the groups generated by this rifle.

 

[SJB358]

Got it, thanks Bruce. 257 Ackley found this article and forwarded it to. I think it just about describes exactly what I have going on and should be a fix until bottom metal can be secured. Scotty

http://www.stockysstocks.com/servlet/th ... _7776/Page

 

[Bruce Mc]

Scotty, is B&C now making a medalist for the Model 70 long action?