Winchester Model 70 Questions

264 WinMan · Nov 25, 2011

I have a left handed Winchester Model 70 in a 300 wm. There is a hole in the side of the receiver at the end of the barrel chambering.
1. What is the hole for?
2. Pressure relief?
3. I noticed that a right handed rifle has one on the right side and the left haneded rifle has it on the left side.
4. I see inside the receiver that there is a notch taken out of the barrel to expose this hole.
5. If I were to install a factory take off barrel from a right handed rifle would the notch be on the wrong side?
6. Could I have both sides notched and not worry about pressure?
7. Knowing this is new to me and I would have a gunsmith set up the head spacing. Is the practical?

I am playing in uncharted waters here and would like a little help in understanding this since the older versions do not have the hole or notched barrel from what I have seen. I seek the wisdom of the forum.
Thank you in advance,
Gene

Ridge_Runner · Nov 25, 2011

its a vent hole, in case of a ruptured case, that way the gas is diverted out the offside.
RR

Antelope_Sniper · Nov 25, 2011

Ridge_Runner":8zy5qc3h said:
its a vent hole, in case of a ruptured case, that way the gas is diverted out the offside.
RR

And not back into your face!

264 WinMan · Nov 26, 2011

Thank you to Ridge_Runner and Antelope_Sniper, that would make sense. So that brings me to the other part of the question, would the pressure window fall out on the opposite of the chamber for a right hand barrel on a left handed receiver? Also would putting another window in the barrel weaken it? OR just send it off to be rebarreled.

Thanks again,
Gene