I have had one in the 270WSM now for two years. I like the gun overall very much. However I am one that is not a fan of the new trigger. IMHO they went backwards to cover the hindend when they went away from the old one that had no problems. Good luck your son will have a "blast" with it.
Winchester model 70 Extreme Weather
- Thread starter garryh
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brentc
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- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
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I have the Zeiss 4.14x44 RZ800 setup in Timney lightweights on my EW 300 WSM. I have been extremely impressed with this rifle and scope combo.
I have one in 338 Win Mag. The long action magazine box was extremely short so to try to make it shoot better, I installed an extended mag box. Spent shells were not ejecting properly. They weren't being thrown away and right but would barely dribble out, flip 180 degrees and stay in the magazine port facing the other direction or just strip off the ejector and lay in the loading port. This was resolved by milling back the ejection port about .300 thousandths and it works fine now. Accuracy is a little dismal. I can get two bullets touching and the next 3 inches out. 225 grainers are about 1.8" to 3" (5 shot) and 250 grainers are about 3.5". The scope, rings and rail are all good. I suspect the tube is to thin for the 338 and at 26", maybe to long and whippy. I'm still trying different load combinations but it doesn't look good. Maybe a better barrel will help.
It's an $1100 rifle and more with fixes. Everyone talks about how great the new FN Model 70's are. I'm a fan of any rifle that shoots and is reliable. This one doesn't and wasn't. I guess the name says it all. "Extreme Weather". But then so is a canoe paddle...
It's an $1100 rifle and more with fixes. Everyone talks about how great the new FN Model 70's are. I'm a fan of any rifle that shoots and is reliable. This one doesn't and wasn't. I guess the name says it all. "Extreme Weather". But then so is a canoe paddle...
Never know when you'll need a backup canoe paddle.HARPERC
Well-Known Member
Mike 338
It doesn't matter if the rest of them are great if you get the one that sucks. Now It's down to what you invest (time and money) proving yeah it sucks. Have you decided what you're going to do with it? Are the first 2 on your aim point every time for me personally 5 shot groups on a hunting rifle is not necessary on a pure hunting rifle. Assuming you're still trying to "fix it" how many rounds have been down it? Which brand/style bullets have you tried? Does it have a muzzle break? If you're just venting-yeah getting a lemon really takes the joy out of the sport.
It doesn't matter if the rest of them are great if you get the one that sucks. Now It's down to what you invest (time and money) proving yeah it sucks. Have you decided what you're going to do with it? Are the first 2 on your aim point every time for me personally 5 shot groups on a hunting rifle is not necessary on a pure hunting rifle. Assuming you're still trying to "fix it" how many rounds have been down it? Which brand/style bullets have you tried? Does it have a muzzle break? If you're just venting-yeah getting a lemon really takes the joy out of the sport.
Tikkamike
Well-Known Member
you interested in selling it? id like to play with it.
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
LOL! I was kind of slowly knocking on that that door myself, when speed and youth prevailed! Best wishes to you both.
The aim point is consistent to about 1/3 inch. Grouping is intermittent. Firs and third shots are close. Firs and second shots are close with a big flyer on the third and fourth is decent. Just when you think your onto something , you get a couple flyers. It has a fairly loose chamber. No outrageous signs of pressure with hot loads but lighter load development tested as well. It's true a hunting rifle is not made to be shot with frequency and expect accuracy but my expectations are 3 shots in 1 inch from a cold barrel and the next two within about 1.5 inches. The first three have to have repeatable POA every time of it's junk.
Nosler Accubonds (225 & 250 gr.). Barnes TTSX 225's. Sierra BTHP Match 250's. Barnes 265 gr LRX. Berger 250's on the way and 300's sitting on the bench. Seating depths from .010 to .090 jump tested and factory recommended seating depth extensively tested. Not interested in lighter bullets than 225 grains. Full work ups with H-4350, H-4831, RL-19, and Hybrid 100V on the bench for testing. Cases all neck sized & turned, flash holes de-burred. Bullets average .002 to .003 runout. Barrel cleaned after each range trip and meticulous break in cleaning. About 200+ rounds fired. Everything is a 5 shot group but the barrel cooled after each 3 shots. Action bedded by smith and lugs checked for contact (90 %). Action screws torgued to 35 (factory recommended) and then to 45 (dude at the factory recommended). Factory trigger set light. Action screws also torque tuned.
Rings - EGW HD lapped (torqued). Base - EGW HD (torqued). Scope - SWFA 5x20 SS / tested reliable. All testing from bench w/ sandbags.
Probably a couple of things I forgot to mention.
Anyone interested in buying it can PM me. Beyond the cost of the components is my time and the value of my time far exceeds the component cost of the rifle (seriously). I will happily sell this rifle for the component cost less wear plus my time which will easily exceed the cost of a new rifle. As you can see, I know the value of my time. This may be well worth the price to anyone who wants to twist a screw or work up a load and show me that I was just belly aching (which I will humbly acknowledge should that be the case). Until then, I'll keep working on it until it works. For now however, you can get something just as good for about half the price.
If anyone has any "tuning" suggestions, I would appreciate it.
Whitewolf393
Well-Known Member
Mike,
Interesting report. I was thinking of selling my AR or trading it for a Model 70 Extreme SS in 30-06 and putting a Leupold VX-R 4x12x50 ballistic firedot on on it in fact. I don't handload, at least not yet, so I'd have to rely on the best factory hunting ammo I could find. In my mind as far as this I am looking for the best for the money all around north American big game rifle, and this is the caliber I've come to appreciate.
I have researched into some other rifles such as the Remington 700 XCR II and the Browning A-Bolt Stalker, but I'm a sucker for the Mauser action I gotta say.
Interesting report. I was thinking of selling my AR or trading it for a Model 70 Extreme SS in 30-06 and putting a Leupold VX-R 4x12x50 ballistic firedot on on it in fact. I don't handload, at least not yet, so I'd have to rely on the best factory hunting ammo I could find. In my mind as far as this I am looking for the best for the money all around north American big game rifle, and this is the caliber I've come to appreciate.
I have researched into some other rifles such as the Remington 700 XCR II and the Browning A-Bolt Stalker, but I'm a sucker for the Mauser action I gotta say.
Whitewolf,
Go for it. I got mine because it had everything I liked (on paper). There are more who are very happy with the Win EW, than are not. 30-06 is great caliber. I've had some issues with my EW but I could have sent it back to the factory immediately instead of messing with it. It only seems fair to give them a chance to make it right. I think that if every rifle in America that didn't shoot or function properly, got sent back, we'd see better rifles the first time.
All in all, I'd say Winchester/FN is on the right track. I wish their barrels were as nice on the inside as the outside. It seems, according to others, with the short mag calibers, you can seat the bullets out there for flexibility in bullet tuning.
Regarding getting into hand loading, people make it sound hard but it's pretty easy after you've seen it done once. Like anything else, you can make it more complicated if you want to but hand loading is a decent hobby that will get you shooting more and give you more satisfaction with your shooting. Asking a friend to show you how to do it or taking a class from a retailer can get you going. You'll have to plunk down some cash at first but you'll have this stuff forever. With the cost of ammo now, you'll get your money back the first year or two. What's interesting is that you can buy $50.00 in ammo and feel dinged or buy $50.00 in reloading components and you can't wait to see how it works.
Go for it. I got mine because it had everything I liked (on paper). There are more who are very happy with the Win EW, than are not. 30-06 is great caliber. I've had some issues with my EW but I could have sent it back to the factory immediately instead of messing with it. It only seems fair to give them a chance to make it right. I think that if every rifle in America that didn't shoot or function properly, got sent back, we'd see better rifles the first time.
All in all, I'd say Winchester/FN is on the right track. I wish their barrels were as nice on the inside as the outside. It seems, according to others, with the short mag calibers, you can seat the bullets out there for flexibility in bullet tuning.
Regarding getting into hand loading, people make it sound hard but it's pretty easy after you've seen it done once. Like anything else, you can make it more complicated if you want to but hand loading is a decent hobby that will get you shooting more and give you more satisfaction with your shooting. Asking a friend to show you how to do it or taking a class from a retailer can get you going. You'll have to plunk down some cash at first but you'll have this stuff forever. With the cost of ammo now, you'll get your money back the first year or two. What's interesting is that you can buy $50.00 in ammo and feel dinged or buy $50.00 in reloading components and you can't wait to see how it works.
beretzs
Well-Known Member
Couldn't have said it better.
I will say that all of the EW's I have loaded for have shot well. I have a Featherweight 300WSM as well, and it shoots excellent. Had to tune up the trigger a little, but other than that, it shoots pretty well with just a little load work. I am a pretty big fan of the M70's and the new ones are pretty slick. Can't wait to get a 325 and round out my WSM collection.
Whitewolf393
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info gents. I will definitely get into reloading at some point, and what you said Mike further encourages me.
I did make a post in another place on the forum here trying to get a comparison between the Winchester 70 EW SS and the Winchester 70 Ultimate Shadow SS, as I see the Shadow is made with a heavier barrel but weights slightly less overall than the EW. Just curious if anyone had experience with that one too.
I did make a post in another place on the forum here trying to get a comparison between the Winchester 70 EW SS and the Winchester 70 Ultimate Shadow SS, as I see the Shadow is made with a heavier barrel but weights slightly less overall than the EW. Just curious if anyone had experience with that one too.
I have the model 70 ew in 7mm and it is a shooter. The best group I shot was with rl 22 I believe shooting 168 grains berger vld hunting bullets it was .655 group. I am still in the testing mode with 160 accubonds and some other berger loads. I am wanting to use hodgdon extreme powder so have some H1000 and h4350 loads to test with the bergers and accubonds. I think it is safe to say that it likes bergers. Almost shot 2 shots one hole with bergers. I was 100 thousands off the the lands. My new loads are 45 thousands off the lands. Hopefully the group will tighten up more. Not bad for an 8lb 2 oz rifle from the factory.
