300 WSM, Is the M70 dead?

[RemingtonShooter]

I figured is would get some readers by thte title. My next rifle will be 300WSM. I have looked and looked and read and read. I have alot of 700's, have some Savages, read about Tikka, Sako, Weatherbys...etc. If the Sendero came in a WSM I would get it most likley.

What about M70's? They are not brought up nearly as often as the 700, Savage and Tikka. Is there a reason why? I am intrigued by the M70 Coyote Light in 300WSM. Lookinf for something arounf $1000 or so. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS 300 WSM also looks cool.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I figured is would get some readers by thte title. My next rifle will be 300WSM. I have looked and looked and read and read. I have alot of 700's, have some Savages, read about Tikka, Sako, Weatherbys...etc. If the Sendero came in a WSM I would get it most likley.

What about M70's? They are not brought up nearly as often as the 700, Savage and Tikka. Is there a reason why? I am intrigued by the M70 Coyote Light in 300WSM. Lookinf for something arounf $1000 or so. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS 300 WSM also looks cool.

Im a fan although mine wears the FN title. It is at least worth checking out the FN PBR or SPR in 300 wsm.

 

[Tikkamike]

it is anything but dead. Winchester model 70's still have a very devout following. for whatever reason they do seem to get less publicity than some of the others you mentioned...

 

[kennygss]

I think the CRF new M70's are an excellent rifle. I have a Laredo in 300 WM, it is a drill. I think that I feel the Remington "pull" as well. There is just so much "stuff" available for them, plus, plenty of Smiths that work on them. Still, Ill stick with the Winny's.

 

[CogburnR]

From what I have heard Winchester makes a better action for magnum calibers due to a higher surface area for bedding. My featherweight M70 300WSM shoots an inch or better now after freefloating and bedding. It is just about too pretty to hunt with though.

The tubular actions like Remingtons in magnum calibers have a tendency to lose their bedding after a number of rounds. IDK for sure but that is what I have heard.

Most of my hunting is done with Winchesters or Kimbers(very similar actions).

 

[Outlaw6.0]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Winchester. I like the CRF idea as well as the integrated recoil lug.

The 'smith I use has no problem telling his clients he would rather work on the Winchester style action. If they're good enough for Chad...

I don't know that the Win is as user friendly as the Remmy... I have never played with one.

I have heard several gents "in the know" state that the Win was FAR stronger than the Remmy... that is worth quite a bit to me.

I bet it's a lot harder to bed though... for us less experienced folks anyway.

 

[mtp29464]

I too wanted a Sendero in 300 WSM. after some searching,I found a Sendero in 300 SAUM and had the chamber reamed for 300 WSM. It worked great. Remington also made a very limited run of SPS on 300 WSM with heavy barrels. They are very hard to find.

 

[Shortmagman]

I own two Winchester Model 70's, one a Coyote in 300 WSM, and the other a Featherweight in 270 WSM. Both gun are great shooters. I have used the 270 WSM to hunt deer, and it loves 140 Nosler accubonds with IMR-4350 or RL-22 powder. I have only shot targets with the 300 WSM and his is a very accurate gun with most bullets from 155 Sierra match to 190 Bergers.

Of course the Winchesters are not the only guns that I own. I have a number of Remington's and Ruger's as well a one Savage.

 

[brentc]

I have an FN built M70 Extreme Weather 300 WSM. I have worked up several sub 3/4 MOA loads, and quite a few sub 1/2 MOA loads. I currently load the 210 VLD and the 230 OTM Berger with IMR 7828ssc and it loves them both. The nice thing about the M70 in the WSM action is that it's a touch longer than other manufacturers short actions, therefore if you reload you can seat the bullets out close to the lands and still maintain magazine function. Most magazines allow for around 2.865", whereas the M70 will allow an OAL of 3.010". This is a significant difference when using high BC heavies.

 

[winmag]

I've got a pile of Winchesters, from most era's. Pre 64 thru present minus the newest ones from FN. I'll be getting more I'm sure. I'm a Model-70 freak, so its pretty much certain.

I have one Model-70 long action being converted to 300 WSM as we speak. My first "custom" or "semi custom". Not hard at all to find a smith who will work on them. Not hard at all finding an ABUNDANCE of upgrades, parts, stocks etc. So many, that its hard to make up your mind which ones you want.

A lot of smiths like having a removable lugg on the Rem 700 strictly cause its easier to work on. I prefer to have an integral recoil lugg, because its less hassle to have your action "trued" & imo a better platform for my needs. I prefer the three position safety, bolt throw, & overall feel of a Model-70 to any other I've handled. Unless its a full on custom action, I'm sticking with Winchester Model-70's for all my builds.
Thats not a slam on Rem, its strictly my preference as well as many others. Obviously Rem 700's are great platforms or else there wouldn't be millions of semi customs made on that action. Some folks prefer one over the other.

As for Savage, & Tikka etc...
Well aftermarket support for Tikka is non existant by comparison. But I here good things about thier rifles from some members here.

Savage is just plain cheap. Cheaply made (but accurate), cheap feeling, cheap to play with, cheap to build etc so of course there's gonna be a market for folks wanting a good shooting semi custom on a budget. There are quite a few Savage fans here too.

It all comes down to personal preference, taste, expectations & money. Put em all togather & now you've got a whole mess of opinions on what's better & why. In the end its up to you, but Winchester is still a great overall package, while many old makers are slipping, & many many newcomers are clawing thier way to the top with with accuracy & price right where you want it, but look, & feel hideous in the fit, & form department. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Win.

 

[beretzs]

Same here, pretty much all M70's and there is a 300WSM in the group too. It is a nice little Featherweight and shoots pretty well. Love my Winchesters. I think that EW and Coyote Lite is a pretty nice rifle for the money. All I have seen and shot have been very accurate.

 

[Caleb]

I figured is would get some readers by thte title. My next rifle will be 300WSM. I have looked and looked and read and read. I have alot of 700's, have some Savages, read about Tikka, Sako, Weatherbys...etc. If the Sendero came in a WSM I would get it most likley.

What about M70's? They are not brought up nearly as often as the 700, Savage and Tikka. Is there a reason why? I am intrigued by the M70 Coyote Light in 300WSM. Lookinf for something arounf $1000 or so. The Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS 300 WSM also looks cool.

Hi. I'm new here. I actually have a Coyote Light in 300wsm and I have really enjoyed it. I have a few Model 700's and an A-bolt, and the Model 70 seems really solid compared to the others. I also like the controlled feed, which is almost necessary for the 300wsm. It's a great round and great gun. The only thing I don't care for is the venting in the forearm. Not really my style. I like the more conventional look, but it has a nice barrel contour and handles excellently. My brother-in law has the Extreme Weather. Its a nice looker but really light, and I cant hit with it like I can with the Coyote...neither can he, or anyone else. My wife is even about 95% on a 10 inch gong at 350 yds. with the Coyote Lite.

 

[Dalebow]

M70 are awesome guns, had a 700 custom and would not feed the wsm round very well. Browning, Sako, Tikka, M70 great choice.

 

[Caleb]

M70 are awesome guns, had a 700 custom and would not feed the wsm round very well. Browning, Sako, Tikka, M70 great choice.

I've experienced a few feeding problems as well. I don't have any long strings of fire so it's been no biggie....just deformed a couple ballistic tips with some of my reloads. I still love the 300wsm though.