[Jmedwards1]

A friend of mine is trying to trade me for a Winchester Model 70 .243. I haven't been able to get my hands on it yet to take pictures but lets assume its in 95% condition. The SN is G2142805

1. I want to figure out what year the rifle was made and if it has the same features as the newer produced rifles. Like the MOA adjustable trigger,etc as this rifle :

http://www.basspro.com/Winchester-Model-70-Featherweight-243-WIN-Rifle/product/10218570/?channel=froogle&mr%3AtrackingCode=6779C4AE-03A7-DF11-904F-002219319097&mr%3AreferralID=NA#desc-tab

2. He thinks that this is the featherweight model with a 20 to 22 inch barrel. Is there any way to figure this out from the SN?

3. Assuming 95%condition what is the value on this rifle?

4. How is the accuracy of this rifle. I am going to be shooting anywhere from 200 to 500yrd is this gun capable of 3.5 to 4 inch groups without a bull barrel at 500 yards ( I know its a very subjective question with many factors so lets assume I am a good shooter and using custom loaded ammo with Hornady 105 A-max bullets)

 

[Jmedwards1]

No takers? I have tried looking up this serial with no luck. I have deduced it was made after 92 and most likely before 08. I will be seeing it next week just long enough to shoot it and figure out if I want to buy it so any help will be great.

I know the post 08 models have the moa trigger system, but does anyone know what year that feature was added? I know that I will have to take the stock off to check to see if this rifle has it and like I said I will have around an hour to figure out if I want it.

 

[Inthewind1976]

The Model 70 "push feed" rifles produced beginning in 1964 had a trigger from the factory that were readily adjustable for both travel and pull weight, and with some adjusting BY SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH THEM were comparable IMHO to the best replacement triggers on the market. The trigger issue in particular shouldnt be a huge concern as a result. I will defer to others more familiar with the push feed featherweights in particular with respect to accuracy potential. While I have owned quite a few push feed 70's the only featherweights I owned were VERY ammo finicky. The standard weight ones were not so; but with this limited experience I dont want to color all featherweight push feeds with the same brush. You can tell a featherweight if its in its original stock, by the small schnabel tip carved on the tip of the forend, and of curse the shorter, thinner, more tapered barrel.

 

[Bert H.]

Hello,

Call the Customer Service number at (800) 945-5237 or (801) 876-3440, and they should be able to tell you when it was manufactured.

Bert H.

 

[Buffalochip]

I think, but check as suggested, that it is mid 1990s, is push feed, and is without the MOA trigger. Push feed is fine, unless you like to hang upside down from a tree while firing over your shoulder, in which case the controlled feed may have an advantage. I've never heard of push feed affecing accuracy. The MOA trigger is a recent innovation for Winchester--sometime after 2008 when production was taken over by Fabrique Nationale Herstal at their Columbia, SC.

I purchased a c. 1981 .30-06 featherweight in 98% condition a couple of years ago from Gander Mountain and paid $390 for it and then another $250 for a used Leupold 3x9x40 scope. Accuracy is excellent, but in hunting rifle, you are shooting with a cold barrel, so dialing them in takes time because that barrel heats up quickly and you need to shoot with a cool barrel to replicate field conditions.

IMHO, 500 yd shots should be taken with a heavier barrel/gun than a featherweight--there is a reason sniper and target rifles have heavy stocks and bull barrels.

 

[Jmedwards1]

Thanks guys for your help! I called winchester and they confirmed everything that has been posted. I had never seen a push feed so that was interesting. The accuracy question came from my desire to have a lightweight accurate rifle for backpacking.