{"id":88327,"date":"2018-02-18T05:52:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-18T10:52:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=88327"},"modified":"2025-12-22T14:03:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:03:40","slug":"winchester-model-70-338-winchester-magnum-classic-combination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/winchester-model-70-338-winchester-magnum-classic-combination\/","title":{"rendered":"The Winchester Model 70 in .338 Winchester Magnum \u2014 A Classic Combination"},"content":{"rendered":"\"The<\/a>\n

The Rifleman\u2019s Rifle.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Winchester\u2019s marketing slogan was quite a bold statement, but one that was not braggadocio. When the Model 70<\/a> was introduced \u2013 way back in 1936 \u2013 it represented what I consider to be the ultimate culmination of the American bolt-action hunting rifle<\/a>. It had all of the necessary appointments: a strong action \u2013 closely related to the Mauser Gewehr 98 \u2013 with a reliable extractor, capable of handling the highest of cartridge pressures, a well-fitting stock, an excellent trigger and a three-position safety which would (eventually) work perfectly with a rifle scope.<\/p>\n

The Model 70 set the bar for American bolt guns for a quarter-century, until the machining that produced the rifles had seen their day, and needed a serious overhaul. Rather than revamp the machinery \u2013 as the story goes \u2013 Winchester decided to make some serious and little liked, changes in the design of the rifle. The rifle became a push-feed affair, with many features that were cost-effective, yet the post-\u201964 models \u2013 the year the radical changes were made \u2013 have always been sort of frowned upon, at least in comparison to the pre-\u201964 variants, which have been held in the highest regard among hunters, shooters, and collectors.<\/p>\n

***Gearing up for hunting season? Check out these tips for tricking out your bolt-action<\/a>.***<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>

The Winchester Model 70 Sporter, in .338 Winchester Magnum<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Model 70 uses the pre-\u201964 claw extractor and fixed blade ejector.<\/p><\/div>\n

A Long Winding Road<\/h2>\n

Winchester has gone through its ups and downs, including a closure of the New Haven, Connecticut plant, but there\u2019s good news: the rifle is back, and it\u2019s a good rifle. It is in the vein of the last wave of the New Haven Model 70s \u2013 which featured many of the pre-\u201964 features \u2013 and is a smart-looking, sweet-handling and efficient rifle, perfect for hunting around the globe.<\/p>\n

Now owned by the Belgian company of FN Herstal, the Winchester Model 70<\/a> is now marked as being \u2018Made in Portugal.\u201d The lines of the rifle are relatively true to the latest issue from the New Haven plant, with the exception of a redesigned trigger. The same smooth action is there, along with a checkered walnut stock that feels very good in the hands. The checkered bolt handle sits just where it should, if you\u2019re familiar with the Model 70 design, and the trigger feel will be equally familiar. The design is controlled round feed, with the large side band extractor and blade ejector. All the benefits of the original design are there, minus some cosmetics and the modern Model 70 is a worthy heir to the name.<\/p>\n

SPECS:<\/h2>\n