New model 70 quality in the gutter

[M70375!]

I saw a new model 70 Alaskan in Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday. It was a beautiful rifle, had a really nice stock and felt great in my hands, the balance and handling were great. Then I worked the action and to my great disappointment it was quite rough, but I still really liked it, thinking that I should be able to slickup the action myself without to much trouble, but then I worked the safety and it was so rough that I had considerable difficulty moving it back and forth with my thumb. I thought if I bought it I might end up spending $200 at the gunsmith to get it working properly, then I thought, what is the quality of the barrel going to be like when the rest of the gun is machined so poorly, so I left it on the shelf. They had a good price on it , only $1450. Sure would like to own it if the quality was up to standards. Winchester will go broke again if they keep this up. The gun should have never been left out the door, extremely poor quality control at Winchester these day.

 

[samson7x]

My recent alaskan 375 seems to be a good sample aside from the trigger which was much to heavy with some creep. It's at the smith now getting a barrel chop/thread but I've got a Timney trigger waiting when I get it back.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Will let you know later today on quality of a Model 70 safari in 416 remington.
It is due to arrive today at local shop and I am picking it up.

 

[Monski]

I think they should design a stock that matches up with the loading/ejection port. That turned me off from the start.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Winchester 70 Safari 416 Rem Mag arrived late yesterday and upon first inspection my thoughts
Stock fit and finish are good, plain grain wood stock, nothing fancy about it. Ejection port area is fitted perfect for opening no over runs or to wide cut in wood. Bolt operation is as smooth as expected and not rough, No rounds on hand to check feed just yet.
First quality control issue, which will be calling them about this morning, front ramp and hood are all perfect, Except there is no front sight blade in ramp! Metal finish is matte finish which is normal for new production. Sure wish they went back to polished finish.

Still trying to figure out why I need a 416 when have 375 and 458 Lott, I talked myself into it as a scoped back up for DG hunts, 458 Lott primarily wears a Trijicon SRO on it and talked myself into needing something in between the Lott and 375 as a DG backup gun



Follow up, called customer service, they apologized for issue and sending one out today with express shipping at no charge of course.

 

[RSL]

Winchester 70 Safari 416 Rem Mag arrived late yesterday and upon first inspection my thoughts
Stock fit and finish are good, plain grain wood stock, nothing fancy about it. Ejection port area is fitted perfect for opening no over runs or to wide cut in wood. Bolt operation is as smooth as expected and not rough, No rounds on hand to check feed just yet.
First quality control issue, which will be calling them about this morning, front ramp and hood are all perfect, Except there is no front sight blade in ramp! Metal finish is matte finish which is normal for new production. Sure wish they went back to polished finish.

Still trying to figure out why I need a 416 when have 375 and 458 Lott, I talked myself into it as a scoped back up for DG hunts, 458 Lott primarily wears a Trijicon SRO on it and talked myself into needing something in between the Lott and 375 as a DG backup gun

I am picking up my circa 1998 M70 Classic Super Express 375 this morning from my local FFL. I am hoping the quality is as it should be from a New Haven gun. I know there were issues with the later years production from New Haven. Hoping I hit a sweet spot with this new to me M70.

I would think it would be difficult to overlook a missing front sight blade when it was inspected?
Good luck getting the issue resolved sir.

 

[M70375!]

Winchester 70 Safari 416 Rem Mag arrived late yesterday and upon first inspection my thoughts
Stock fit and finish are good, plain grain wood stock, nothing fancy about it. Ejection port area is fitted perfect for opening no over runs or to wide cut in wood. Bolt operation is as smooth as expected and not rough, No rounds on hand to check feed just yet.
First quality control issue, which will be calling them about this morning, front ramp and hood are all perfect, Except there is no front sight blade in ramp! Metal finish is matte finish which is normal for new production. Sure wish they went back to polished finish.

Still trying to figure out why I need a 416 when have 375 and 458 Lott, I talked myself into it as a scoped back up for DG hunts, 458 Lott primarily wears a Trijicon SRO on it and talked myself into needing something in between the Lott and 375 as a DG backup gun



Follow up, called customer service, they apologized for issue and sending one out today with express shipping at no charge of course.

I hear ya man, I was wanting to get a Lott, but keep asking why when I have a 416 Rem and when I dropped my elephant instantly with one shot to the brain, I immediately thought to myself , this is all the gun I need.
You need to call Browning customer service 800 333 3288, winchester no longer makes guns, only ammo. I called Browning about the issues with the alaskan I wrote about and they happily said send it in and we will make it right.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I hear ya man, I was wanting to get a Lott, but keep asking why when I have a 416 Rem and when I dropped my elephant instantly with one shot to the brain, I immediately thought to myself , this is all the gun I need.
You need to call Browning customer service 800 333 3288, winchester no longer makes guns, only ammo. I called Browning about the issues with the alaskan I wrote about and they happily said send it in and we will make it right.

Browning was contacted and part being sent.
Otherwise so far the gun is ok, I will be doing a bed job, recoil reducer and some other things to it.
Its a habit I have, cant stand leaving it like it is.

 

[Badjer]

I am picking up my circa 1998 M70 Classic Super Express 375 this morning from my local FFL. I am hoping the quality is as it should be from a New Haven gun. I know there were issues with the later years production from New Haven. Hoping I hit a sweet spot with this new to me M70.

I would think it would be difficult to overlook a missing front sight blade when it was inspected?
Good luck getting the issue resolved sir.

They were in New Haven until 2006, I believe. I would think 98 will be alright

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

My only issue with my new 70 safari in .375 appears to be more cosmetic than anything - the magazine plate doesn't fit flush against the wood. Everything else about it has been great.

 

[Fatback]

@Mark Biggerstaff, congrats on the new 416 Rem. I was very impressed with the performance of mine on my recent hunt. The penetration was awesome. I think you will really enjoy your new rifle. Looking forward to hearing how it shoots for you.

 

[cajunchefray]

@Mark Biggerstaff , let us know how it goes getting your front sight blade from Browning. QC must have been on break when that was boxed up.

Ive owned several M70s over the years. New Haven, Columbia SC and Portugal. I bought a used early Portuguese made M70 Alaskan a few years back off of GB. The action was very smooth, and after I replaced the kinked magazine spring (I think that's why I got it for $850), it fed flawlessly.

I'm looking at a new 375 Alaskan, from the recent production run, hope the quality is good.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

@Mark Biggerstaff, congrats on the new 416 Rem. I was very impressed with the performance of mine on my recent hunt. The penetration was awesome. I think you will really enjoy your new rifle. Looking forward to hearing how it shoots for you.

416 Rem Update.
Front replacement sight arrived 4 days after contacting Browning.
Action was smooth and fit to stock was good. But I can’t stand not making better. Dug out there black epoxy bedding.
Bedded front recoil lug and action with Acraglass. Dropped in a Timney Trigger, and added 11oz recoil reducer. Optics is Leupold VX5 2-10x42 FireDot mounted in Talley bases and QD rings.
Took out to range this morning. I am pleased so far. Last 4shot group @100yd. 1inch. Factory Federal 400gr Swift Aframes. I will say, it has a little more snap than my 458 Lott off the bench. Avg FPS using Garmin Chrono is 2420fps.
So far pleased with accuracy and function.

 

[M70375!]

Love it!