Winchester M70 Post '63 Push Feed... Great Hunting Rifles 

My grandmother bought me a Post 64 in 1975 in .308.Shot steenbuck, duikers, springbuck, mountain reedbuck, grey rhebuck, common reedbuck, blesbuck, bontebok, zebra, bushbuck, fallow deer, warthog, kudu, impala, wild boar, caracal and eland.I have hardly used any other rifle.Never given me a moments trouble. All with open sights, I might add.From South Africa.

My dad gave me this exact rifle in a 270 over the weekend. Very proud to own it and makes it extra special knowing it came from my dad.

"Judged on its own merits....." Well, a friend of mine bought one of those U.S.R.A. Co. push-feed Model 70 Featherweights in .30'06 back in 1991. His was as well-made as you can imagine human hands and machines making such a thing and it was a solid five-shot M.O.A. grouper and easy to shoot well due to a crisp, predictable trigger. I was a bit of a "controlled feed" snob at the time, shooting 1903 Springfield-based sporting rifles and commercial Model 98 Mauser rifles, but I thought that push-feed Featherweight my friend had was a fine, classy rifle that looked and felt like quality. I thought about buying one, but Ruger came out with the M-77 Mk II about that time, and, well, I bought one of those, instead. If I'm honest, it wasn't in the same league as my buddy's Model 70. His three-position safety was "like buttah...." Mine was rough, gritty, and hard to use. His floorplate release worked to flawless perfection. Mine didn't. It didn't keep the cartridges in the magazine when it should have and you couldn't get them out by dropping the floorplate when you wanted to. Then, there was the trigger. Mine was atrocious, making the rifle not so easy to shoot. His, while a tad on the heavy side, was never the less easy to use. Then, there was infamous Ruger M-77 Mk II "accuracy" that was sufficient for big game hunting at reasonable ranges, but not as much fun as my friend's tighter-grouping Model 70. If I needed a new hunting rifle, and saw a clean old push-feed Featherweight Model 70 on the rack, I'd rather have it than pretty much anything from today's "bolt action bargain bin." Nice to see them get some fair commentary.

YES!!!! Great video. Nice to see someone give praise to the post 63. Even Jack O'Conner praised it for having a stronger action. He didn't like that they killed production of the previous design but it's still a fantastic rifle and arguable more accurate. And yes, they should have named it something different, a total marketing disaster!!!

I love that someone is talking about how great the Winchester M70 is, regardless of the time period.

I have a 1973 model 70, I believe it is a standard weight. It has the black forend tip with the white ( now yellowish patina ) spacer between the tip and the walnut stock. It’s chambered in .30-06. It is one of my favorite rifles. It actually will shoot better than I can. Lol. With all of the interest and hoopla over modern sporting rifles and tacti-cool gadgets, it’s refreshing to hear these history lessons. Thanks Tom!

I had a push feed Model 70 in 30/06, great rifle never let me down, traded it for the reintroduction of the Pre 64 Model 70 in 30/06 equipped with the BOSS system, always happy with the decision I made

Being pretty young (30) and not knowing anything about model 70s other than that Hathcock used one, while back I picked up an old Winchester model 70 in 30-06 at my local gun store. The owner of the gun store told me it was made in 74. It wasn’t pretty. The stock is stained in handling marks. The barrel had some wear and minor pitting. The bluing is pure wore off the bolt handle. And it has a huge smear like mark where the bluing is gone next to where it says Winchester on the receiver. But I brought it home, cleaned it up, put a decent scope on it, threw some 150 soft points in that bad boy, and started shooting nickels at 100 just at rest. I was in love. I took a little buck with it soon after. It wasn’t until after all this I started reading and learned that my beloved rifle was so hated by the masses. I couldn’t understand how anyone could hate something so accurate, dependable, long lasting. I mean this thing outshoots all the modern guns I have. So after learning and reading that it was so terrible and how Winchester totally ruined their reputation, and squandered their loyal fan base, and tarnished their name. I turned around last week and ordered another post model!! This one a featherweight XTR in 223 rem. I am just too happy with the -06 and hope to get the same enjoyment and quality out of this new XTR. Looking really forward to picking it up this weekend. I’m glad there are others out there who share appreciation for these old guns. Thanks for the video!!

I have a model 70 carbine short action 222 made around the mid 80s it's a beautiful rifle and the most accurate I own.

I just found your chanel a week or so ago and I've been trying to watch all your old videos. Really enjoying them!! My Grandfather hunted everything with a 721 that he rebarreled to 7 mag. We live in Kansas and several guys would make a trip to Colorado to hunt Mule deer and occasionally elk. Grandad loved his old 7 mag but while at a gun shop the glossy finish of a Winchester 7 mag caught his attention! I belive this was in 1973, also the year I was born, ha ha! He couldn't help himself and the New rifle came home. He topped it with a weaver 6 x, just like the 721, and dialed it in. Come the fall of 74 and they packed for Colorado! He brought both 7 mags along, but on oppening morning, when he cralled out of his bunk, an old red stock trailer with boards bailer wired over the air slats, he could not stand to drag that new Winchester ot of it's case! By the end of the hunt, Grandpa had taken his largest Muley buck ever and it was with the old 721! LOL! My Dad also took a nice buck with his Ruger 77 in 30/06. I'm not one to ask folks for things but I did ask grandpa that if he planed on leaving any guns for me that I shure would like to have the old 721 with the hunts under its belt and stories to go with it. By this time I had become part of many of the stories, as I took Grandpa out for several hunts close to home, in his elder years. The 721 was always along! Though Grandpa is waiting for us in Heaven now, I am blessed with his memories and both the Old Rebarreled Remington 721 in 7mag and also the near new, 1973 Winchester model 70 in 7mag. Although I held off for several years, I could not leave it in the cabinet and they both have taken a few whitetail in recent years. Oh, I about forgot, this Post 63 model 70 is a fine rifle with fantastic accuracy! I did have to swap out the Weaver k6 for a scope with a bit more x's to find its real accuracy though! I think Grandpa would approve of the upgraid :-) Keep up the fantastic videos Tom! Thanks, Brian

This is a great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ve learned a lot about my rifle.

They started making the featherweights in 1980. The XTR's were beautiful rifles.

Outstanding! Love your passion, and it’s clearly evident in your videos! Great knowledge of the history of the rifles too! 💯💯💯 I have subscribed & will continue to view!

Really appreciate you sharing this with us. This sheds a new light on what i knew about these. Keep up the great videos!

Thank you for clearing up what i had sorta suspected all along, cleared up alot for me.

Great review!

I really enjoyed it. Thanks for all your info. !! 👌

Thank you for a great perspective

I have a post-63 M-70 in .375 H&H that I bought around 1974 or so. No problems with quality, fit & finish, trigger, accuracy, or any other aspect of the rifle. I am very happy with the rifle.

Enjoyed the information Tom!

Great video. I, like so many, grew up being told that these post 63 model 70's were junk. Only when I had one did I realize how excellent they were. Almost made me a push feed convert! And like you say, they might be the most underrated bolt action rifle ever.

Thank you sir for all that information I didn't know. I thought I knew everything but NOW I do. LOL, Keep making and informing us about different makers and guns (rifles).

I own a 68 Model 70 in 30-06. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Every deer season both of my sons covet that rifle.

I just picked up a 1971 xtr model 70 3006 love it great con

I have a model 70 30-06 made in 64 and it's a tack driver. It holds great and functions flawlessly. The stock finish is fair now but the steel is in excellent condition. Killed a pretty good buck with it 3 weeks ago.

I really enjoyed this. I really didn't appreciate my model 70's until I learned how to adjust the triggers. It made such a huge difference in accuracy and shooting confidence. Looking forward to hunting again! Thanks for a great video!

I have 2 push feed Model 70 , absolutely love them . Great Video . Thank you .

thankfully, i've got some of these push feeds before they quit making them and they were in the 4-5 hundred dollar range, new. soon to become collectors. liked and subscribed.

I own the same M70 XTR featherweight in 257 roberts as well. It is the only push feed M70 I own, but definitely my favorite, at least for now...

Very much enjoyed the video! In my humble opinion, the Model 70/.257 Roberts combo is absolutely perfect...petite yet potent! Thank you for the video Tom, cheers from North Dakota...

I have the post-64 in 375 H&H Magnum. Gorgeous rifle. Dead on. Great review thank you!

I am a new subscriber and I really think highly of your videos because you put down real facts. Keep up the good work and videos.

Enjoyed your video Tom. I recently picked up a 1964 Mod 70 and based on the serial number, it’s an early in the year 64 rifle in .243 Win. It is in pristine condition, no scratches or marks on the stock, iron factory sights and the scope mount threads appear to have never been used. The rifle while I can’t be sure if it’s in unfired condition, seems like very few rounds have gone through it. I had been eyeing this rifle for over a year at my local gun shop. It sat in the back of the shops rifle cabinet. It was really dusty like it had sat in a closet for years. I made an offer to the gun shop owner and he accepted it. I gave it a much needed cleaning and took it to the range to sight it in. It is a sweet shooting rifle and far more accurate than I am. I sighted it in with 100grain rounds. I will admit that the press checkering is ugly but I love this rifle. I can take this Deer hunting as it is and I’m on the fence about whether I’ll ever put a scope on it. In New England, I doubt I will ever hunt beyond 100 to 150 yards anyway. I have two pre-64 Winchester 94’s one in .32WS and the other in 30-30 and neither has a scope. I really enjoy your down to earth videos and the knowledge you share about guns and hunting. Thank you Sir.

Hey man I liked the cut of your jib controlled easygoing (southern)? Anyway I didn't feel like you were trying to sell me something you were Joe Friday like " just the facts mam) very refreshing and I saw you were knowledgeable on the subject by the way my Model 70 6.8 is on its way as we speak lol keep up the good work

I also own a transition model 70xtr featherweight (in .308). Its the rifle i judge all the rest of my rifles by. Greetings from Australia.

Agree sir. Great video. I have 2 post 64 model 70s . A 1977 xtr in 270 and a 1984 30-06. Both are absolutely great rifles and fantastic shooters.

gorgeous !! love the wood on that one.

Just got a 1969 model 70 with a 69 weaver el paso made V7 scope in 30 06 I love it

I just picked up an absolutely beautiful model 70 in .300 win mag. 1965 and the icing on the cake is it's the same year I was born! Lol Looks like same stock as the one in your video but with the monte carlo style cheek rest type stock in pristine condition without a dent or scratch in the wood, almost to pretty to shoot! It's sporting a leopold 3 to 9 variable x2. Thanks for the video!

Own one in 6mm Remington custom. My buddy bought one the same day in 257 Roberts. Bought new in the early 90's. Finest gun I own.

I bought a new one in 1988 a 7mm Rem feather weight detachable mag beautiful gun and extremely accurate

ty i enjoyed that i wanna get a model 70 . looking at the featherweight compact . im short ...idk what caliper yet . idk im just kicking tires lol ty again for your videos !

Great video about a legendary rifle. So proud to own one made in USA

I am loving the videos. Keep them coming. Also I have a few ideas for future videos. Firearms that got away (either guns you sold or could have bought but didnt that you wish you had now.) Any Firearms you wish you could buy now.

Great Video. I love the push feed models of the early eighties through the early nineties. Simply the best looking Model 70 featherweights ever. Even the the newer CRF models made by FN do not have the sharp lines of these rifles. The difference is subtle, but the earlier models were sharper and cleaner in appearance. You would need to line them up next to each other to see the difference. Great stuff, Tom.

I inherited a Winchester 770 which has been hard to find information on but what I have found is it was in production from 69-71 and is an economy/budget model 70. The only difference I can find pointed out is it doesn’t have bottom metal and I think used some of the left over “ugly stocks “

My most versatile hunting rifle is my push feed 70 in .30-'06. Nice break down.

They are BEAUTIFUL RIFLES .

Way back in 2000 a friend was selling a few of his guns . I was interested and bought his stainless 6 inch colt Python , new in the box and he also wanted to sell a new in the box Winchester model 70 XTR in 30/06 for 400 bucks. I really did not need another rifle and only, bought it because it was so cheap and it was flawless and really a beautiful rifle. Its exactly like yours except for the caliber. I have never shot it and it is still wrapped up and stored in my gun safe I always read the negative comments about this rifle and i really am happy to have found your very well done You Tube presentation. I just got her out and and it is still as beautiful as when it was made in New Haven now forty years ago Thanks and Well Done Tom I am tickled I found your channel and look forward to watching your other videos

I'm really glad you made this video calling attention to these great rifles! I have an XTR from 1979 that is absolutely beautiful in every way even if it's a little heavy. I also have a Featherweight from around 1992 that I just had to buy because of the wood grain. I knew very little about the post 63 M70's before I bought these rifles, but I'll never regret buying either one of them and I'm even looking at another one. I've heard the ones from 64 thru 68 or 69 were pretty bad, though. You have a great caliber there in the Roberts, been kinda looking for one like that. I have a Ruger M77 MkII in the Roberts, but it's not for me, so I'm going to let it find a new home and look more toward M70's. Thanks for the great video!

I own an unfired, brand new 1968 Winchester Model 70. The stock is nicely figured walnut and has the look of a hand-applied satin oil finish. The checkering actually has well-defined lines and formed points like hand checkering. I don't know if these were pressed or machine cut. In comparison, my 1967 Remington 700's pressed-checkering resembles a piece of window screen turned on a 45 angle with nothing but stippled points pushed into the wood. The Winchester's action with the new for 1968 anti-bind bolt redesign you mentioned in your video is just as slick (maybe even better) as the Remington (which honestly was the gold standard in mass produced rifles) and the trigger is better. I enjoy shooting a rifle with iron sights off-hand just to appreciate the balance and design of the rifle. There is something magical about the Model 70 stock design. While I don't shoot 1968, I have others and they just shoulder and place your eye aligned perfectly with the sights on the sights. There are very few rifles I own that do that so perfectly Most require I either raise my head or crowd the cheekpiece to gain a sight line after they are shouldered. The Winchester just comes up and aligns with the target almost instinctively.

My grandfather bought one for all of his grandsons on the day we were born. Mine was made in 1958. Mine will never be sold, as it will be pasted on to my oldest grandson.

My 1998 win 70 hv 223. Stacks 1/2. 5 shot groups all day long.My 70 280 rem holds 3shots in a cluster and the next to shots a 1/4 in away.

Never did understand why these rifles were so derided. Post 64's were still a great rifle. IMO, a better push feed than any Remington.... Sorry Remington fans.

I had an XTR Featherweight push feed in 243 and it's in my top 3 rifles I wish I never sold. It was glass bedded and had a super crisp 3 pound trigger pull, shot great and was a pleasure to shoot as well. It was also a beautiful rifle with good wood and high luster bluing. I put a 2-7 VX-2 on it. Any way, great model 70 video. I'm gonna go look at Gubbroker and see how much more these are worth than what I sold mine for all those years ago.

I have a 1968 model 70 .270 very smooth bolt

About 1994, I purchased a Winchester push-feed in 30-06 24" barrel; it was a slow-poke, plus the stock wasn't finished. I replaced the stock with plastic (black) Model '70 stock then I had the chamber reamed out to 30-06 Improved gaining 225 fps (180 grains bullet) with a little more powder of either IMR/H4350. Fireforming standard 30-06 cases using 110 grains bullets. Three or more shot grouping was always under 1". I did it just to see if it could be done! I had a friend who now decreased, Randy had a Model '70 Winchester rifle that left the factory with NO rifling. That is how far Winchester had fallen in the manufacturing of firearms.

I have a 1978 Winchester model 70 xtr in 30-06 and it is my favorite rifle! It is better than most anything that comes off of the shelves today. Plus it shoots half inch groups at 100 yards. I read that the xtr actually came out in 1977. Mine says xtr right on the barrel. Fit and finish and the quality for the rifle is unmatched today in my opinion.

I have a newer Featherweight controlled round feed and it also has the anti-bind rail.

I have a '68, and a '72 in 30-06. Someday I'll have a pre 64.

I have a few push feeds and never have I found a problem.

ive got 2 a 270, and 30-06 great rifles

Hi again Tom another great Video , my model 70 is still at the gunsmiths it was a long wait for them to get the adjustable mounts and they are installed he shot the rifle and it is shooting great but he said the bolt is loosing the casing half way out , it has the claw extractor build in 1994 ,any idea what might be the problem with it . The gunsmith said he's gonna take a look at it to see if he can find out whats going on , before I gave it to him I tried the dummy rounds and they worked fine . Thank you and stay safe [ Southern Ontario]

It's fun to see that at the date that you made this video, you had no idea that 60 days later your would find a pre-63 Featherweight that would tickle your fancy... They are all good, but some are gooder than others...?

I have a bunch of hunting rifles from .22LR up to .375 H&H. Most are push feeds but several are controlled round feeds ( a few different copies of Mauser 98 actions). I have had zero issues with any of them with regard to chambering and ejecting cartridges. I've read that controlled round feed is 'essential' for a dangerous game rifle but I don't buy that for a minute. All that matters is reliability. If I ever go to Africa for say, Cape Buffalo, I'll take my .375 H&H, which is a Remington Model 700, BDL, Safari Grade, made about early '80's. I bought it to hunt grizzly bears in BC back when that was still legal. I think that qualifies it to be a 'dangerous game' rifle and its push feed action has been and still is flawless. So, with so many push feed actions out there (Remington sold more Model 700s than any other modern hunting rifle in history), why look down on the post '63 Winchester model 70? I don't own one but would never turn one down. It still has the fantastic three position safety, an excellent trigger and great out of the box accuracy. If anyone has an excellent condition .308 Featherweight, Super Grade they no longer want, let me know.

The Pre, and Post 64' M70s today are relics. The number of modern hunting rifles available today would scare the Bejesus out of a buyer in 1965 or 1975. I've used M70s of both variants for many decades in Alaska and both have been extremely reliable. I've killed coastal brown bears with the push feeds and the CRFs, no issues. If a hunter is mostly a day tripper, close to their car, hunting from a stand or lodge or something similar it's not as important but putting a rifle through it's paces in some adverse field conditions sometimes for days on end calls for more weatherproof rifles. And even though the M70 Extreme is good (if you can find one) there are too many others nowadays to consider it anything but Ok for a choice. The M70 bolt is pretty quick to field strip, a definite plus and their safety is excellent but is now copied by many others. The new Weatherby 307s bolt is even quicker to strip.

I agree Sir

Just put a deposit on a 1981 XTR featherweight in .308 it’s in absolutely top mint condition and hardly ever shot paid £550 which is $680

my 1964 model 70 in 300 win mag is wonderfull

I Have Never Had A Problem With The Newer Post Model 70 Push Feed . I've Got Both That's All I Have.

Awesome video, I have a 1980’s win 70 7mm that’s a tack driver. Shoots better than my pre64 featherweight. You are correct about these gems. I have a question and with your knowledge I know you will have the answer..... my win 70 has a light trigger about 2.5 lbs. if I slam the butt of the gun from knee height on FIRE position it goes off (unloaded of course), but it doesn’t on safe. Does the win 70 have a firing pin disengagement internally? Is it totally drop safe when the safety is engaged? How does the drop safety comparison to other rifles like the rem 700? Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Love your Chanel!!!

Great video. What do you put on the stock to get it to shine like that?

It is hard to keep up with Winchester....from Conn. to South Carolina to Portugal....but they did go back to control round feed...2013 ? ...added an adjustable trigger. Wish you would follow up this video and talk about the features and mfg in present day.

Thanks for this video. I have a 1981 XTR featherweight. Aside from needing a new magazine follower spring, it's been a wonderful rifle. I prefer shooting it often to my new production FN M70 FWT. I'm a bit confused though: mine seems to have a free floated barrel. Is it some kind of production anomaly?

I have a modest collection of post "64 Model 70's. These rifles are quickly becoming very collectable. I will buy everyone I can find that is unique and priced right. So far I have some pretty interesting examples.

I know this is old video but I have a question. You said at the time Weatherby wasn’t doing controlled feed but Mauser and fn was. Weren’t there pre 1974 Mark V rifles built in Germany with those actions? Thanks

I enjoyed the video. I found an interesting model 70 rifle in my area that I’m not familiar with. It is a Model 70 Westerner 30.06. Best I can gather is that it is an early 80’s low budget model. Do you have any information or opinions on this particular model?

Thanks for your knowledge of the Model 70. Perhaps you can help me. I recently purchased a Model 70 in 270. The seller tells me it is at least 25 years old. I assume that is correct based on appearance only. It has stamped on it "Lightweight" and is push feed. I am unable to find info on the "lightweight" designation. Can you give me any insight on this designation? Any help would be appreciated. Oh, by the way, new subscriber as of 10 minutes ago.

2008, last year of the Winchester push feed.

The Best Winchester model 70 to Collect ! Well, it's the you can afford !

Maybe to get off topic, but Winchester makes great Shotguns, too!

What year and how long was the Winchester model 70 in Lightweight produced?

Is the rifle you are showing a pre 64 ??? With the black dot for near bolt ??? I enjoyed the video having a 70 Winchester I am interested great gun..

I own a Winchester model 70 classic DBM, it has a low serial number which confuses me. Did Winchester ever convert old model 70s into DBM model?

Do you prefer the super grade stock to the featherweight stock since it’s aluminum bedded?

Great vid! 1992 Winchester M70 30-06. This take regular 30-06 rounds and is there anything I need to know about them? Thank you

I had one, .270. It shot great but was beyond ugly. I now have three pre 64. One is .5 MOA, one is 1.0 and the other one, does not have a scope. Yet

Awwww man now they aren't going to be selling so low when you say "well...its a push feed" anymore! Great video...Have to say I'd take one over any other push feed on the market, including the Weatherby Vanguard, which is in some ways a lot less of a "budget" rifle. One piece bolt etc. But the Winchester 70 PF sure is nice. Always appreciated how even if it was cast, it still has that classic open style Winchester trigger going for it. Never had any trouble from one.

I’ve always taken the push feed model 70’s to be a Remington. But has a better trigger and a better safety than Remington .

Great video! I just got one, 30-06 made in 1965. It is a project rifle as it is missing the bottom metal and the magazine spring and follower, but I got it for $100. Do you have any tips on replacing these parts or even happen to have some spare parts to sell? I'm thinking of putting a one piece floor plate on instead of two piece. I seem to be having the most trouble finding the right magazine spring and follower. Any information or tips you can give me are greatly appreciated!

Were the muzzle of the post 64 push feed already target crown recessed? My 2005 classic sporter is

Ruger stepped up on their budget rifle. Ruger american Gen 2.

I have a similar. 257 xtr. It is the worst shooting model 70 I have. Can't figure it out. What bullets does yours like?

I'm pretty sure FN has some factories here in the US where the new model 70s are made

They should have called it a Winchester Model 723

UE has a 30-06

I like control feed actions, now having said that, I see nothing wrong with push feed, there is some reason that most custom receivers are built on a Remington 700 drop in. I lament that Remington has gone the way it has, board rooms and officers valuing the all mighty dollar over quality...hopefully somebody will see what Winchester has done and follow it. For me, still and probably always, the finest action in the world are Mauser 98's and Weatherby Mark 5's.

My 70's era .300 Win M70A was a beautiful tack driver. No complaints whatsoever.

I do not get this love of controlled feed. I have a model 70 xtr and it is great. I also have a sporterized Swedish Mauser m96 with controlled feed, and when hunting they're both accurate. I never thought about this push vs controlled battle before.

I have a cheap version of this rifle, synthetic stock , no bottom drop plate, mat black powder finish