Winchester "recent" Model 70 Featherweight 7x57 twist rate?

[Deleted member 43267]

I acquired one today. An internet detective search suggests it was manufactured in 2011 or 2012. Does anyone know the twist rate on this gun? And for those of you who own one, what bullets have given you good accuracy/hunting performance? I plan to try several bullets and different loads, but Midway has over 100 different 7 mm bullets on sale and it would be nice to get some information from experienced 7x57 users to narrow it down a bit.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Dewald]

Jeff, although I do not own a Winchester 7x57, i did reload for one, and if memory serves it had a 1:10 twist. I do however own a FN and a Brno Mod 21 in 7x57, and the calibre seems to come to its potential with 160gr or heavier bullets. I find a 160gr Nosler Partition at 2650fps devastating on all plainsgame in the FN, and a Steward HiPerformer or Woodleigh 175gr roundnose at 2400 fps as deadly in the open sighted Brno. My FN has a 1:10 twist and gives great results ito accuracy with Lapua Scenar 150gr bullets on the range.

 

[JPbowhunter]

My 275 is a 1:9, pretty standard for calibre. Not sure on the winnie though

 

[WAB]

I have two M-70’s in 7x57. One from the 80’s and one recent production. The newer one shoots 160 and 175 gr A-Frames extremely well (sub moa).

 

[ZG47]

I looked at Winchester catalogues from 2001-18 (PDF versions on the Winchester website) and could not find a 7x57 listing BUT the 7mm-08 and 7mm Remington Magnum rifles were all listed at 1 in 9-1/2”. Given that fact and that Model 70 6.5x55 rifles are listed at 1 in 8” (originally 1 in 7.87” from USRAC) it seems likely to me that a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 7x57 will have a 1 in 9” twist barrel.

 

[WAB]

There was a limited run of M-70’s in 7x57 that never made the catalog. They are in between standard and super grade in finish and furniture. I have not checked the twist but suspect that it is relatively fast as mine seems to like 175’s the best and is set up with a very long throat that allows you to load much longer than spec loa, favoring the long bullets.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Agree with @WAB observations and comments. A few months ago, I purchased a M70 Super Grade in 7x57. Only had time for one trip to the range so far and I tried a variety of factory ammo in it from 139 grain up to 173. All were accurate, but the 173 gr were all touching. BTW, the 173 grain were the cheapest stuff, S&B Soft Point Cutted Edge. I plan to get some 160 Swift A Frame and try them out.

 

[WAB]

Agree with @WAB observations and comments. A few months ago, I purchased a M70 Super Grade in 7x57. Only had time for one trip to the range so far and I tried a variety of factory ammo in it from 139 grain up to 173. All were accurate, but the 173 gr were all touching. BTW, the 173 grain were the cheapest stuff, S&B Soft Point Cutted Edge. I plan to get some 160 Swift A Frame and try them out.

I think u bought the same model I have. Looks like a super grade in all respects but lacks: SG finish on the action/barrel, cheek piece on the stock, and super grade designation on the floor plate. Wood and furniture are all SG. Great rifle but very odd mix on the finish!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I have ZKK600 w 7x57. I use RWS z ID Classic 10,5g (162gr) and Sellier & Bellot with Sierra 11,35g (175).
These cartridges are very acurate.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I think u bought the same model I have. Looks like a super grade in all respects but lacks: SG finish on the action/barrel, cheek piece on the stock, and super grade designation on the floor plate. Wood and furniture are all SG. Great rifle but very odd mix on the finish!

I'm pretty sure the one I purchased is a SG. I will dig it out of the safe when I am back home this weekend and confirm. Also, I went back and looked at target photos from my one and only range session with this rifle and the 140 grain bullets grouped really nice too.

A few of the photos that convinced me to buy it.

 

[8x68]

You could check the rate of twist yourself.

For the "push feed" series the rate of twist should be 8.25" according to Shooters Bible 1985-No 76 page 249 Specifications table
I have one of the push feed series. Haven't played with it a huge amount. It likes the PRVI 140gr BTSP's (max charge of IMR 4350 shoots the best) so far. Heavier bullet weights are usually the "norm" for this round. I believe the throat was set up for the 175gr bullet in the Featherweight, so lighter bullets have a bit of distance to travel unless you seat them out a bit further. Starting to load up some Speer 160gr BTSP's. Got too many 7x57's LOL. Have to "manage" bullet supply!
Great little rifle though!

 

[Deleted member 43267]

You could check the rate of twist yourself.

Rate of twist should be 8.25" according to Shooters Bible 1985-No 76 page 249 Specifications table
I have one. Haven't played with it a huge amount. It likes the PRVI 140gr BTSP's (max charge of IMR 4350 shoots the best) so far. Starting to load up some Speer 160gr BTSP's. Got too many 7x57's LOL. Have to "manage" bullet supply!

That is such a great trick. My recently acquired rifle is not a supergrade in any respect, although it looks nice. Morgan, Utah on the barrel, with a CZX in the serial number. Did not find a way to match the entire serial to a specific year, but another post on a separate forum stated that the letters within the serial indicated SC manufacture just prior to a switch to overseas assembly. USA manufacture is stated in two places.

 

[WAB]

I'm pretty sure the one I purchased is a SG. I will dig it out of the safe when I am back home this weekend and confirm. Also, I went back and looked at target photos from my one and only range session with this rifle and the 140 grain bullets grouped really nice too.

View attachment 254689

A few of the photos that convinced me to buy it.

You bought a great rifle but it is the same as mine, a tweener. It has super grade wood and ebony fore-end but a full super grade has a shadow line cheek piece, high gloss blue on receiver and bbl, and the words “Super Grade” on the floor plate. I have a super grade in .243, when you lay them side by side the difference is easy to see.

 

[WAB]

What is really interesting is that the floor plate grip cap and inletted swivel studs do have the super grade finish. This was a very unusual run of rifles.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

You bought a great rifle but it is the same as mine, a tweener. It has super grade wood and ebony fore-end but a full super grade has a shadow line cheek piece, high gloss blue on receiver and bbl, and the words “Super Grade” on the floor plate. I have a super grade in .243, when you lay them side by side the difference is easy to see.

What is really interesting is that the floor plate grip cap and inletted swivel studs do have the super grade finish. This was a very unusual run of rifles.

Yep, you are correct. I checked mine out this weekend and it does not have "Super Grade" on the base plate. As you pointed out, still a great rifle, beautiful wood and shoots well.

 

[WAB]

Yep, you are correct. I checked mine out this weekend and it does not have "Super Grade" on the base plate. As you pointed out, still a great rifle, beautiful wood and shoots well.

Try the 160 and 175 gr. A-Frames. I use IMR-4064. Check your throat, my rifle has a very long throat and likes the bullets seated out beyond the spec'd loa for the cartridge. This run of rifles seems to have been set up for long, heavy bullets. I heard that it was a special run for a distributor in the NE but I don't know any more than that.

 

[WAB]

I am working on loads with the Speer 160 gr. BTSP to use on thinner skinned game. They look very promising. For whatever reason the 175 gr. Sierra's were very inaccurate in my rifle.

 

[Sand Rat]

156 gr Oryx are my Huckleberry. Once you clobber something with them, you'll know why.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I took my Semi-Super Grade to the range today, to shoot after I played with my new 404 Jeffery.

The 7x57 seems to like these 139 gr Hornady Superformace GMX. I have hunted with good success with the SST bullets, but not the GMX. Might have to give them a try on something in the near future.

100 yard target.

 

[Michael Dean]

Try the Nosler Long Range AccuBond in 168 grain. I just finished doing a ladder test in my 7x57 Ruger No.1 using these bullets. I get excellent accuracy and the 168's are great when you get out to 400-500 yards. Berger also makes a 168 grain bullet. It just happens that my rifle likes the AccuBonds. Down in Africa they tend to go with the heavier bullets. For the 7x57 that would be the 168 grain and the 175. All in all Ive got a great hunting load that handles the long range shots. For my rifle I ended up going with a hotter load. It's just where I found the sweet spot. I'm using RL17 and I found that it delivers 100-150 more fps than 4350.

Let us know how the Winchester works out for you, I could always use a forth 7x57.