While on a road trip to pick up a Browning BLR I had in lay-away this past weekend (scratching a long standing itch) I ran across a Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple at a great gun shop we stopped at on the way. I had looked at a couple of them at the mega sporting goods store where my Browning awaited but wanted to do a bit of research given the high price tag. I have never owned a commercial Winchester over the 40 years of gun ownership in my life, having had a couple of Winchester mil surps. I was originally a Remington guy, having bought a Remington 7400 in my late teens as my first centerfire rifle.

Over the last few years I have been introduced to the magic of Tikka bolt guns, having bought four of them in that time period. My hunting guns had been semi-autos, even though I sold that problematic Remington over 30 years ago. I do own a few bolt action rifles, a couple of Mauser and a couple of 03-A3 Springfields, as well as a few other mil surp bolt guns, but nothing modern. When I acquired the first Tikka, a tan Roughtech in .270 Winchester, it was a revelation. The trigger was awesome, the bolt ran like it was on rollers. It handled recoil very effectively, is light and is very easy on the eyes.

I had told my brother if I found a Super Grade in .270 Winchester I might have to load up my credit card, a traditional American caliber in a traditional American rifle. Lo and behold the gun shop we stopped at had a maple .270! It was a stunning rifle which tempted me to buy a(nother) rifle I didn’t really need. I was very tempted but decided to check out the same rifle in 30.06 and found the bolt was slightly smoother and the stock was just a bit nicer. The great guy behind the counter checked to see if there were any others in stock and found there was another in 30.06. The stock on that one was nicer than that on the .270 but not quite as nice as the other ‘06. I decided to sleep on it but finally put the nicer display ‘06 in lay-away. Don’t think it will be a rifle I will shoot a ton but one I will certainly appreciate it for what it is: a modernized American classic bolt gun, albeit made by FN, assembled in Portugal with some American parts and imported by Browning!!

I had only a short period of time to get a feel for the Winchester so these impressions are subject to change. The bolt on all of my Tikkas are smoother than the bolt on the Winchester, particularly better than the one that was fresh in the box. That bolt was gritty as hell and wouldn’t even begin to move with the effects of gravity. Maybe it just badly needed to be cleaned? Needless to say that was a major turn-off. I really liked the safety on the Winchester, being a 3 position wing safety on the bolt shroud. Seems the ability to work the bolt with the safety on unlike those on the Tikka is a pretty good idea. Clearly the hinged steel floorplate and trigger guard on the Winchester just exemplifies top notch quality, unlike the plastic trigger guard and magazine on the Tikka. For sheer visual quality the Winchester blows the Tikkas away even though the Tikkas are great looking modern guns with really nice finishes and very practical and efficient polymer stocks. Although I didn’t have a chance to check out the trigger on the Super Grade they are supposed to have very nice triggers. We’ll see if it approaches the excellence of the Tikkas. One downside to the Winchester is that it is quite a bit heavier than the Tikka, not really a big deal on a rifle I probably wouldn’t take hunting in the woods anyhow.

I expect to pick up the new Super Grade within a couple of weeks and look forward to really checking it out. By the way, the new Browning BLR in .243 is a really nice shooter, great looking and very smooth. May have to mount a scope as the eyes just aren’t there anymore for open sights. Kinda sucks getting old

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

I'm a pretty staunch traditionalist when it comes to my guns, especially hunting guns. I have two Model 70s... a classic CRF 7 rem mag from the late 90s and a featherweight 243 Win from the SC plant around 2010.

The trigger on the Classic is heavy (was my Dad's gun and I just recently spent some time behind the trigger sighting in) but the MOA trigger on the 243 is very nice. I have killed a bunch of deer with 100gr Partitions.

They are fantastic looking guns and I much prefer the classic rifle lines. Also prefer 3 position safety and CRF. I would like a Super Grade but I'm not real big on the maple stocks.

Even if you already have lighter and more modern hunting rifles, it's good to also have a nice classic wood and steel .30-06 too.

Mine's a mid-1980s Ruger M77 International, in mint condition.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Even if you already have lighter and more modern hunting rifles, it's good to also have a nice classic wood and steel .30-06 too.

Mine's a mid-1980s Ruger M77 International, in mint condition.

Couldn't agree more!

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
I'm a pretty staunch traditionalist when it comes to my guns, especially hunting guns. I have two Model 70s... a classic CRF 7 rem mag from the late 90s and a featherweight 243 Win from the SC plant around 2010.

The trigger on the Classic is heavy (was my Dad's gun and I just recently spent some time behind the trigger sighting in) but the MOA trigger on the 243 is very nice. I have killed a bunch of deer with 100gr Partitions.

They are fantastic looking guns and I much prefer the classic rifle lines. Also prefer 3 position safety and CRF. I would like a Super Grade but I'm not real big on the maple stocks.

I get it that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If I ran across a walnut stocked Super Grade in .270, or .308, or. 243, or 30.06......

Bought a new BACO M70 FW last year. I have 3 M70s and the fit and finish is better than my mid 80s ranger and mid 90s classic sporter, all in .270 win. The trigger on the new one is crisp with no creep or over travel but was a little heavy (5 lbs)for my liking. Note I'm not a trigger snob. Adjusting the trigger down if you so need to isn't bad. There is a dab of epoxy over the adjustment screw that will need to be removed. I will suggest to use a BBQ lighter and heat the epoxy for about 5-10 secs and use a sharp edge knife and pop it off. That's how I did it and epoxy popped right off including in the hole where the hex key goes. Mine adjusted down to about 3.5 lbs. I had ordered ernie the gun smith trigger springs for my other 2 (original trigger) and went ahead and ordered one from Ernie for the MOA trigger. It now breaks at 2.5 lbs as does my other 2. I wanted all of them the same. Can't wait to see pics when you get it because I'm a M70 fanboy.

http://erniethegunsmith.com/catalog/i170.html

My daughter put one of the M70s (ranger her's) to work 2 weeks ago in Ga.

Very nice featherweight with a beautiful stock. Congratulations to your daughter!

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

I have the same rifle.

I love mannlichers/internationals. Don't have one yet.

I've been hunting with my Model 70 7mag a lot lately.

I like wood and blue. Winchester 70 is my favorite, but I own Ruger and Tikka as well.

The Supergrade in maple is my absolute favorite. That is a gorgeous, unique rifle.

Eye candy, not my rifle...



Here are my wood and blue bolt guns.


1936 Winchester 70 in .25 Gibbs:



Tikka T3 in .243:



Ruger Gen 1 77 in .270:


1986 Winchester 70 XTP in .300 Mag:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ArtieS,

The Tikkas are great shooters. The bolts feel great and they have excellent triggers. I had one in .223, which I sold as I just didn't have any use for a heavy barreled .223.

But those Super Grade model 70s are gorgeous. Who doesn't love a classic American style stock in nice wood? I can't blame you.

Since we’re playing show and tell.



L to R: 2010 Model 70 Featherweight Deluxe .243 Win, 1984 Ruger M77 7x57, 1976 Ruger No. 1 .270 Win, mid 90’s Model 70 Classic Sporter 7mm Rem Mag, 2000’s Beretta Mato 30-06, 1997 Ruger M77 MK II .270 Win.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: YellowJacket,

Looks GREAT! I have a similar line-up but it would include five M1 Garands, four Tikka T3xs, a Browning BLR and BAR and a Benelli R1, with a few others to round it all out. This evening it would also include the Winchester Model 70 referred to above.

I really like the Featherweight. What about it makes it a Deluxe?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sprg03-A3,

If I’m looking, usually prefer older in good condition over new.

A few years back a Ruger M77 in 284 Winchester was on the consignment rack at the local shop. It’s one of my favorite rounds, so I took notice.

I went back about 3 months later, surprisingly still there. I started to inquire, came with ammo & brass. After my offer was tended, we met somewhere near the middle. I guess not many wanted the less common round.

The gun is a ‘flat bolt’, the SN dates it to 1970. I usually carry my A-Bolt in 284 but may use this gun on my next elk hunt.

Another I bought is a Sako Forester, 243, dated 1966. I bought it from the original owner, mint.

quote:

Originally posted by sprg03-A3:
Looks GREAT! I have a similar line-up but it would include five M1 Garands, four Tikka T3xs, a Browning BLR abd BAR and a Benelli R1, with a few others to round it all out. This evening it would also include the Winchester Model 70 referred to above.

I really like the Featherweight. What about it makes it a Deluxe?

The Deluxe has Grade II/III wood. Mine is nothing special, really... just some light flame/curl. It would probably pop more with a higher gloss finish. I don't have a great picture showing the figure.

Yellowjacket: Looks very nice! A nice Featherweight is on my list, preferably in 270.

Picked up the Super Grade today. Very impressed with the fir-n-finish and the trigger. I am also very happy with the Burris Fullfield I’ve scope I picked out. Pics to follow and hopefully to the range tomorrow!

Trying to get Imgur to upload a couple of photos. Not working. Damn I hate that app!