Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The updated Winchester Model 70 Featherweight doesn’t try to reinvent a legend. Instead, it refines a rifle that never needed fixing, while preserving the qualities that made the Model 70 a trusted hunting tool for generations.
This is still a working rifle first. It just happens to look — and function — like the one your grandfather carries — right down to the shnabel forend and red rubber recoil pad.
French Walnut, Done the Right Way
Winchester released four new configurations at SHOT Show. The Featherweight AA French model, shown here, pairs modern production with traditional materials. The French walnut stock wears a low‑gloss satin finish, not a high‑polish shine. It’s meant to be used, not admired from a rack.
The stock features classic cut checkering, a schnabel forend, and a slim profile that complements the Featherweight’s balance. Over time, the inevitable nicks and scratches don’t detract from the rifle; they become touchstones tied to each hunt it goes on.
Featherweight Profile and Practical Dimensions
Winchester keeps the Featherweight true to its name with a slimmer barrel contour and lively handling. Barrel lengths are 22 inches for standard calibers and 24 inches for magnum chamberings, striking a balance between velocity and portability.
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Chamberings span proven, high‑volume classics, from .22‑250 up through .300 Winchester Magnum. These are cartridges hunters trust, reload, and buy year after year. But it also comes in new favs, especially Winchester-named cartridges like 6.8 Western.
Controlled Round Feed, As It Should Be
At the heart of the revised Model 70 is the controlled round feed bolt, built in the classic pre‑’64 style. A large, non‑rotating claw extractor captures the cartridge as soon as it leaves the magazine and maintains control through chambering, firing, and extraction.
Pre-1964 Model 70’s with this feature are highly valued on the used market, often going for more than $4,000.
With the controlled round feed, the round is never loose inside the action. This system dramatically reduces the risk of double feeds and ensures reliable operation even when the rifle is cycled at odd angles or under stress.
It’s one of the defining traits that earned the Model 70 its reputation in the first place. After 1964, it was changed to a push-to-feed system that was less costly to manufacture; this is a welcome return, and it’s on all Model 70s, not just this fancy-looking one.
Three‑Position Safety That Still Makes Sense
Winchester retains the three‑position Mauser‑style safety on the bolt shroud. Fully rearward locks both bolt and trigger. The middle position allows unloading with the safety engaged. Fully forward places the rifle in the fire position.
It’s intuitive, quiet, and still one of the best safety systems ever put on a hunting rifle.
A Rifle Built to Be Used
Despite its classic appearance, the revised Model 70 Featherweight isn’t a nostalgia piece. It’s drilled and tapped for optics, uses a modern trigger system, and is built to be carried long distances and used hard.
Winchester brought back the features that matter without sacrificing modern amenities.
promises to work more effectively and probably remain flexible longer.
The Takeaway
The updated Model 70 Featherweight AA French proves that modern manufacturing doesn’t have to erase tradition. It preserves the handling, reliability, and aesthetics that made the Model 70 iconic, while quietly updating the parts that matter.
This isn’t a rifle for collectors who never leave the safe. It’s for hunters who want something timeless, dependable, and honest, one hunt at a time. Starts at $1,899.
Winchester Model 70 Featherweight AA French – Specifications
- Manufacturer: Winchester
- Model: Model 70 Featherweight AA French
- Action: Bolt‑action
- Feed System: Controlled Round Feed (pre‑’64 style claw extractor)
- Safety: Three‑position Mauser‑style safety
- Trigger: M.O.A. Trigger System
- Stock: AA‑grade French walnut
- Stock Finish: Satin
- Forend: Schnabel
- Barrel Profile: Featherweight
- Barrel Lengths:
- 22″ (standard calibers)
- 24″ (magnum calibers)
- Calibers: .22‑250, .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm‑08, .308 Win, .25‑06, .270 Win, .30‑06, 6.5 PRC, 6.8 Western, .264 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag
- Receiver: Steel
- Bolt: Jeweled body with knurled handle
- Recoil Pad: Pachmayr Decelerator, in classic red
- Magazine: Hinged floorplate
- Optics Mounting: Drilled and tapped
- MSRP: $1,899
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Levi is an avid hunter, and an increasingly avid shooter. He strives to make delicious and simple recipes from the game he kills. He makes a living as a professional photographer and writer. Check out his work.
That’s a really nice looking rifle! I love a blonde stock. 🙂
My 2005 Winchester m70 classic lefty uses a pre-64 Mauser style bolt, so that’s not actually new. As for not needing fixing, this is very true and was for the post64 model as well. I’ve fired both the classic and “post 64” designs side by side and made touching (sub moa) groups with both the same day, and with the same load – 130gr Sierra gameking spbt over 59.5gr of imr4831(rip) @3040fps ~20sd –now not quite as tight with h4831sc.
The Horrifically maligned post 64 ejector design really only effected dangerous game use and never once failed to cycle a round in the 50+ years my dad owned it, so I think we can put that bullshit to rest, as well as .270win being unstable or inaccurate, considering the 277wylde coming full circle and doing magic metal to get to the same spot we had 100yrs ago. The Mauser action was famous for dangerous game use because the large extractor arm would pull a dirty shell out with less chance of rim separation. The “new” method is still in use by most competitors rifles.
Jack O’Connor is nodding knowingly somewhere high above.
I’m glad they brought the original bolt back. Winchester did some dumb things to the M70 over the years.They wanted to save $$. When I was in high school I went to the gun shop with my buddies to buy a M70 and the salesman brought out both a pre and post 1964 versions. The new version had just came out. I picked the old one and am glad I did. I have 3 old model 70s and still use the first one I bought in 1964. The Model 70 is a great, no BS workhorse.
When was this article written?
30 year old controlled round feed news ain’t news in 2026.
I purchased a new Featherweight 15+ years ago with the lawyered up M.O.A trigger.
Awfully lazy or supreme ignorance of the subject matter for a report on a “newly updated” Model 70 Featherweight.
Many of us still prefer the first U.S. Repeating Arms Version of the Featherweight XTR (1980’s) intro for its lighter, trimmer stock/feel and the ability to easily drop a single round in without the need of allowing the bolt to strip it from the magazine.
And granddad’s model 70 certainly didn’t have a “shnabel forend”.
Since this rifle is a “Featherweight,” one would think its weight would be listed somewhere in the article. An important spec for those who climb mountains or put on a lot of hunting miles every season.
That’s a great point. Because the weight varies significantly by caliber (action/bolt/barrel length), and because there are several other configurations available, it’s left to the reader to click through for all the options.
Be nice to have it in a 24 inch version .308 with open sights/ rifle sights
How much does it weigh? Nowhere in the article is this mentioned. Seems like something you’d mention after saying “featherweight”.
What the hell. Winchester went back to the CRF in the 80s for some Mod. 70s and to all Mod70s in the early 90s. This is old news not new. But at least someone is talking about Winchester instead of tacticool rifles that all look the same.
Indeed. 🙂
$1900?! 😱 It better be nice…