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Winchester Model 70 Review

Winchester_Model_70In the beginning, Peter Paul Mauser invented the 98. America “borrowed” the design for the 1903 Springfield, was sued, paid up and then after WWII Winchester “borrowed,” it again when Mauser wasn’t really in a position to complain. The Model 70, “The Rifleman’s Rifle”, is, in essence, a result of post-WWII market conditions that proved fortuitous for both Winchester and the American shooter. The Model 70 offered excellent accuracy, the use of new-fangled scopes and a price tag that the average sportsman could live with.

During the course of its career the Model 70 was at first a controlled round feed action like its Mauser ancestor, but in 1964 turned into a push feed action. The push feed models were an all-original design but met with little enthusiasm, the result of which was to turn the pre-64 models into instant collector’s items. Currently the Model 70 is back in its original controlled round feed form with dual-opposed locking lugs and a non-rotating extractor (finally putting an end to fifty-odd years of teeth gnashing) and available in several of its original variants.

While the Model 70 controlled round feed action is very similar to others that came before, it is in many respects an improvement. The 70 is an extremely smooth, well-built action that rarely jams. The safety is, in the opinion of many, perfect, and has been borrowed by others many times. It is also capable of handling the highest pressure cartridges which, coupled with its reliability, made it a favorite among dangerous game hunters. There is no reason to think that the current incarnation of the controlled round feed Model 70 will not meet with as much favor as the first one did.

The new model 70 lost points for its trigger because currently Winchester is not equipping them with adjustable triggers. The included trigger is nice, but consumers more or less expect an adjustable model these days. One point was also deducted for Durability because a few changes have been made in the action that differentiates it from the original; the front ring of the receiver has been slightly enlarged and a new, finer thread pattern is used to attach the barrel. In theory, these changes should improve the strength of the action, but until the new changes have been run through the ringer, it’s prudent to at least point them out to the prospective buyer.

Ranked #3 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison


Winchester SXP Review

“Yeaahhh, everybody’s shootin’, chuka-chuka, pow-pow!”

Gotta love that Winchester commercial with the catchy little ditty of a theme song. Certainly it’s as memorable as the Winchester name, but only time will tell if the Winchester SXP pump-action is as worthy of such memory.

Not sure why, but for some reason the Winchester SXP reminds us of a Ruger 10/22. Maybe it’s the way the “satin finished” stock is made, but we expect to hear a little “ka-cha!” that the 10/22 makes when fired instead of the kaboom of a shotgun. Weird, right?

Winchester has a little experience in making firearms, right? They’re a Quintessential American company, but this gun is made in Turkey. Don’t worry though, it’s made to Winchester spec.

The styling is just okay. Nothing really impressive or remarkable about it. The safety also happens to be in front of the trigger guard, which we thought was an odd choice for locations considering most shooters are used to it being behind the trigger guard.

The shotgun does have some merits and features worth exploring and consideration for your purchase. Its 3” chambering lets you take down some of the heavier game out there. It’s got a really good recoil pad, a “dropout” trigger group for easy disassembly and cleaning, and what we believe is the most impressive feature on the gun: a rotary bolt system.

As recoil hits, the inertia of the bolt begins to cycle the action so that by the time you are ready to pump the next shell into the chamber, it’s already half done for you. Essentially with every shot, you just need to pull the forend forward and pull the trigger. Impressive indeed!

The SXP also features a hard-chromed chamber and bore instead of traditional bluing. Brass front-sight bead and the full array of choke tube options are available.

Chuka-chuka, pow-pow.


Ranked #7 of 7 in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison

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