American Rifleman on the military history of the Model 70.
SPECIAL WINCHESTER REVIEW AND LINK TO FULL STORY.
"Introduced in 1936 as an improvement on the Model 54, the Model 70 soon set the standard for commercial bolt-action rifles. Manufactured in a wide variety of configurations and calibers, it was a favorite of many hunters, shooters and gun enthusiasts. Although never adopted for combat use by the U.S. military, some Model 70 rifles were used as sniping rifles during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. "
In the April 2011 issue of the NRA’s American Rifleman Magazine, Field Editor Bruce Canfield explored the contribution of the Winchester Model 70 to military marksmanship. Below is a review of the article and at the bottom is a link to the article on the online version of American Rifleman Magazine.
First introduced in 1935, the Winchester Model 70 quickly became known around the globe as “The Rifleman’s Rifle” and was proposed as a U.S. military sniper rifle as early as 1942 in the official report “Equipment for the American Sniper.”
The reason for this recommendation was the Model 70’s extraordinary accuracy produced by its cold-hammer-forged barrel and its rigid, forged receiver with a large, flat bottom profile and integrated recoil lug. The massive external claw extractor and three-position safety made the Model 70 the most reliable and trusted big game rifle of its day. The Model 70’s classic two-lever trigger established a new standard for precision and was a quantum leap over the soggy trigger action of the military’s Springfield 1903A4 and M1C and M1D Garands.
While the Logistics and Supply side of the U.S. Armed Services failed to envision the military potential of the Model 70, the rifle was blazing a smoking trail to victory at target ranges all across America. It was there that U.S. military marksmen learned of the extraordinary capabilities of the Model 70 at long ranges. Many of the 1000-yard rifle matches of the era were won by outstanding marksmen behind a Model 70.
The qualities that made the Model 70 such a legend on the target range and the first choice of visionary military marksman are the same features you’re looking for in a precision hunting rifle.
Today’s Model 70 is built right here in the USA, with the same forged receiver and cold hammer-forged barrel that have stood the tests of time. Controlled round feeding, a massive external claw extractor and the classic three-position safety are all standard. The Model 70 has been improved with the new three-lever M.O.A. Trigger that virtually eliminates take-up, backlash and over-travel. (Best of all, you can own today’s Model 70 without having to sign up for a four-year hitch.)
First introduced in 1935, the Winchester Model 70 quickly became known around the globe as “The Rifleman’s Rifle” and was proposed as a U.S. military sniper rifle as early as 1942 in the official report “Equipment for the American Sniper.”
