The Model 70 is back

[spectr17]

The Model 70 Is Back!

10/24/07

Morgan, Utah - The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most respected bolt-action rifle designs in the world. Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 70 for 2008. The All-American Model 70s will be built by American craftsmen in Columbia, South Carolina, at the same state-of-the-art factory (FN Manufacturing) as the rifles and machine guns used by American's Armed Forces. They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality that the U.S. Government insists upon for military firearms.

For 2008 the new Model 70 has the all new M.O.A.™
Trigger System, improved fit and finish and enhanced accuracy to go along with its classic Pre-64 Controlled Round Feeding, Three-Position safety and solid, sure handling.

M.O.A.™
Trigger System. The new Model 70 M.O.A.Trigger System is the most precise three-lever trigger system ever offered to sportsmen. Operating on a simple pivoting lever principle, the trigger mechanism has been completely redesigned to exhibit zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel. The pull weight ranges from 3 to 5 pounds and is factory-set at 3 3/4 pounds. Because of the enhanced ergonomics, wide smooth triggerpiece and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the unique design geometry, it actually feels like half that weight.

Three-Position Safety. The improved three-position safety on the new Model 70 has proven effective and highly popular with hunters and shooters for decades. Convenient to operate with the thumb of the firing hand, the Model 70 safety lifts the firing pin away from the sear. Then the safety selector is in the middle position, the action can still be operated, allowing unfired cartridges to be cycled with the safety on.

Hammer-Forged Barrel. Model 70 barrels are cold hammer-forged from a solid billet of steel for accuracy and long life. Massive rotary hammers shape the barrel steel around a mandrel to create the rifling. The barrel is threaded, target crowned and installed on the receiver. The chamber is then reamed and the bolt is headspaced. This results in 1 MOA accuracy for three-shot groups using properly managed barrel, quality match ammo and superior optics under ideal weather and range conditions.

Blade-Type Ejector. The Model 70's blade-type ejector allows full control when ejecting a fired case. When pulling the bolt back slowly the empty case pops out gently, which is perfect for target shooters and varminters. Pulling the bolt back smartly allows the empty case to clear the port with greater force. The blade-type ejector helps to eliminate short-stroking malfunctions.

The new Winchester Model 70 will be offered in a Super Grade, Featherweight™ Deluxe, Sporter Deluxe and Extreme Weather SS models for 2008. All will feature a thick black Pachmayr® Decelerator®
pad that will help take the bite out of recoil.

The Super Grade will be offered in 30-06 Sprg. and 300 Win. Mag and will feature a fancy grade walnut stock with contrasting black fore-end tip and pistol grip cap and a sculpted shadowline cheekpiece. Suggested Retail $1,149.00

The Featherweight Deluxe has an angled comb walnut stock with Schnabel fore-end and satin finish with elegant cut checkering. It will be offered in popular long and short action calibers, including WSM chamberings. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049.00.

The Sporter Deluxe features a satin finished walnut stock with cut checkering on trim fore-end and pistol grip, along with a sculpted cheekpiece. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $999.00 to $1,049,99.

The Extreme Weather SS's premium Bell and Carlson composite stock features a trim, light feel with textured matte surface that gives a sure grip in any conditions. The Extreme Weather SS has a free floating, fluted stainless barrel to help minimize weight. Available in popular long action and short action WSM calibers. Suggested Retail $1,149.00 tp $1,199.00. Delivery on all models will begin in June of 2008.

Media Contact:
Scott Grange or Paul Thompson (801) 876-2711 ext. 306 or ext. 229

[Taos]

That is some damn fine news!! Hope they will still turn out a few big bores also. I have been missing my .416 a lot lately.

[spectr17]

WINCHESTER REVIVES AMERICAN CLASSIC -- matthews column-ONS -- 24oct07

Winchester revives classic Model 70 bolt-action rifle

By JIM MATTHEWS Outdoor News Service

Good news for rifle buffs.

U.S. Repeating Arms Company announced this week it will revive production of the Winchester Model 70 rifle, the classic bolt-action repeater that has been known as The Riflemans Rifle to three generations of American shooters and hunters.

The new rifle will also be American made at a state-of-the-art factory in Columbia, South Carolina, owned by USRAC-Winchesters parent company Fabrique Nationale (FN).

It was just last March that U.S. Repeating Arms-Winchester closed the historic Winchester manufacturing plant in New Haven, Conn. because of skyrocketing labor costs, arcane equipment, and environmental concerns at that facility. Production of all firearms made at that plant -- including the Model 70, the historic Model 94 lever gun, and the Model 1300 shotgun -- ceased production at that point in time.

The new Model 70s will be available beginning in 2008 in four basic models -- the Super Grade, Featherweight, Sporter Deluxe, and Extreme Weather -- retail priced from $1,000 to $1,200. The guns will have an upgraded, state-of-the-art trigger system, along with the Model 70s time honored claw-extraction feeding and ejection system. and its three-position bolt safety.

The Model 70, first announced in 1936, was one of the most famous sporting firearms ever made and more than two million had been sold when production ceased last year. Rumors that the gun would be made by FN in Belgium were denied by the company at the time, but apparently the only part of the rumor that was wrong was where the gun would be made.

The other half of that persistent rumor was that the Model 94 would also be revived quickly, made at a Russian facility so that it could sold at a lower price point and be extremely competitive with other lever guns made in the United States and overseas.

There was no news announced this week on the Model 94, and company spokesmen were not available Wednesday.

The Model 94 lever-action repeater, first introduced in 1894 and often called "The Gun that Won the West," had been made by Winchester continuously for over 100 years. With over 6 1/2 million produced, it is the most popular lever gun ever made, and it seemed unlikely that Winchester would simply drop this classic from its product line.

When production was discontinued on both of these classic Winchester rifle models -- the Model 70 and Model 94 -- it sent many companies scrambling to try and fill that market niche void. Sales of Marlin lever guns, always a primary Winchester Model 94 competitor, and the Puma Model 92 lever guns, imported by Legacy Sports, have both jumped. The Kimber Model 84 and 8400 rifles, a modern upgrade of the Model 70, were probably the biggest beneficiaries of the demise of the Model 70 last year. The quality of the Winchester rifle had slipped dramatically the last few years it was made, and Kimbers near-custom rifles were already filling the void with increasing sales. It was one of the few logical production gun options.

The new production Model 70s made in South Carolina are going to be priced about $300 to $400 more than the last guns made in New Haven for comparable models, although the new guns do have a number of upgrades. This will put them in the same price range as the Kimbers.

Last years halt to production of these two Winchester classics also sent the used gun market prices skyrocketing, with some pretty exorbitant figures being tacked on to pedestrian Model 70 and 94 models, even post-1964 firearms that were never considered to be in the same league as older guns quality-wise. That frenzy had moderated the last few months, and this news is likely to drive the prices back down to levels comparable to when both guns were still in American production.

Hunters and shooters can probably expect more gun news from USRAC-Winchester as we head into November when most of the new firearms are announced to the sporting goods industry for the coming buying year.

[Big 17]

From what I can tell, the FN PBR is a model 70. We have one at my second job, it is a sweet rifle.

This is good news!!!

[Chuck N. Lead]

That makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It's a major bonus to know that production will remain on OUR soil.

[scr83jp]

I hope they've been made safer than the pre 64's with shielded bolt porting to redirect hot gases into the magazine in the event of a primer piercing.

[HOGHUNTER714]

I love the Mdl 70...It's one of my favorites in my gunsafe...

[Chuck N. Lead]

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/cat...02&cat=001C (http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=102&cat=001C)