Let me be the first to say that they'd better plan on turning out some left-handed models.

They both look like sweet rifles. Its amazing how much triggers have turned around in the last few years, and KJ is right--its all because of the accutrigger.

Where is your post jstreet? I must of missed it and now I can't find it. Did you hunt with the guns? What'd ya think of them?

Well, I dropped of the .257 Wby Mag Vanguard for a trigger job today and will have a sub minute of angle rifle with an excellent trigger for less than $500-... Winchester and Browning still have a lot of catching up to do.

Ruger has listened. The new Hawkeye has a much improved trigger over the M77 MarkII. I have a MarkII and my dad just bought a Hawkeye and it has a pretty good trigger that pulls at a little over 4 pounds.

Ralph the Rifleman wrote:

By the way, it seems like the Model 70 received so much bashing why would it be resurrected in production?

Ralph,
'Cause baby boomers are suckers for nostalgia. Pure and simple.

Jim

I am hoping that Winchester is serious about the new Model 70. I believe that the Model 70 in its original incarnation was the best rifle ever made on a mass-produced basis. Then came 1964 and the rifle was cheapened to the point of absurdity--a free-floated barrel with 1/8-inch clearance on both sides, worthless impressed checkering, a a stiff action that you could hardly operate from the shoulder. The anti-bind device added later really helped, and Winchester dropped the slick stock finish. But the damage was done. The Remington 700 series was made from the start to be an economically manufactured rifle--it wasn't made to a higher standard and then cheapened, as was the Model 70. I like the Remington Model 700, too, and they cannot be beaten as actions for target rifles. For some reason, rifles with a round-bottom receiver tend to be more accurate than flat-bottom receivers, although you'd think the latter would bed better and be less subject to torque. I suppose it's the rigidly of a "tube-type" receiver. Anyway, I still prefer the Mauser-type extractor in a dangerous-game rifle and it just has a panache that the push feed rifles lack. I also agree with others about the impact of the Savage Accu-Trigger. That innovation finally got the lawyers out of the trigger-pull business. I, personally, would never buy a rifle with a lawyer-trigger, and I never did. I believe that when you buy something new, you shouldn't have to have it "fixed," whether it's a new rifle or a "1911" pistol. Let's hope that neither the new Browning X-Bolt or Winchester Model 70 need "fixing" after purchase for any reason--if they do, they can remain on the dealers' shelves for all I care.

So where's DEP hunting this week? Lucky ba$+@*o! I'm beginning to understand this 300+ head of big game animals before one can truly become proficient.

Agree with Matthew. A lot of the last Winchester 70s were terrible, including my Safari Express, with its horrendous wood to metal fit. Here's what Winchester needs to do: (1) Pay particular attention to fit and finish; (2) don't overprice the rifles, particularly in view of past quality control problems; (3) chamber for the WSMs or kiss these cartridges goodbye forever; (4) watch those triggers--gritty or heavy trigger pulls will kill these rifles when there are "lawyer-less alternatives,"; (5) watch out for accuracy, because a 2 1/2 or 3 MOA rifle won't cut it; (6) think about building-in some "Weaver type" attachment points on the receiver; (7) make sure that the actions feed and eject well, that the safeties work and that the rifles cannot inadvertently fire--a recall could kill off these rifles forever; and (8) Winchester should offer a lifetime warranty--if Taurus and Smith and Wesson can do it, a decent rifle maker should be able to do it. Again, these rifles need to look, function and shoot like they are worth every penny of the price. Nostalgia won't keep these rifles afloat if they aren't built to "rifleman's rifle" standards. One thing: thanks for not having them made in Japan or China!

I know that the last model 70's sucked. I know that people were disgusted with them. But I also know that they have already sold one if they do a lefty and they do indeed live up to the evaluation above, a 25-06 with that lovely featherweight stock.

the Winchester mystique is alive and well.

Wont buy either one for $900 or more when I can get a Ruger Hawkeye for $500 The money I save will go towards the scope.

Thoughtthe 70 was to be built in Japan? maybe the parts are ad assembled here???? As for the price, it's dead already. i like Rems better, but they also getting a tad pricey. Look what Savage has done with their line.Can buy a hunting rifle, scoped ( etc cheap) and a box of Amm for less than 500 bucks and go kill a Deer.I bought one of the last 70's made in Ct in 300 WSM.Shot that sucker adozen times and it got worse with eachshot. Found a 70 nut and unloaded it.Did take him a year to pay me but at least I got most of my$ back and then bought a Rem 700 CDL. Now i;m happy. Just need to hunt more. The 25-06 is so underated by most, all they need t do is try a box of ammo thru one and then decide. I have a Classic, its a greatflat shooter and easy on the shoulder.Most of all trigger is about 3 lbs and with the best Ammo will fly flat and straight out to 400 yds most days, provding wind is not 50MPH.Winchester or whom -ever is building the new 70 has a lot to overcome, and the last batches from CT sure killed any idea of me owning one. Plus their price is a major factor as well.Look out here comes SAVAGE to save our day.

Tyflier,

I'm in no way trying to justify the prices listed for the new M70s but understand that first off they're most likely retail and these rifles will hopefully be somewhat cheaper than what's listed.

Secondly, Savages and Stevens are $500 cheaper for reasons other than just the name. I mean the Accu-trigger is a great design but these rifles are definitely missing the fit and finish that comes with most rifles that are hundreds more. Don't get me wrong, Savage is turning out some great products and the Accu-trigger really opened a lot of eyes but things like their synthetic stocks are still pretty God-awful. I just don't understand how you can let a rifle stocked in a synthetic with a mold line running from fore-end to heel leave the factory.