Re: About to purchase: help talk me into/out of
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: neoinarien</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Winchester M70, new production, Extreme Weather in 308.
Comes with a Bell and Carlson stock. The barrel is free floated, fluted, with recessed target crown and cold hammer forged, stainless steel. Winchester gives a quasi 1 MOA or less guarantee (with good optics and ammo). Otherwise, comes with the MOA trigger (meh). Barrel is 1/12 twist.
Also, of course, the mauser action (controlled feed) and 3 position safety.
Thoughts?
Plan would be to shoot out the barrel, rinse and repeat if everything works out. </div></div>
How much are you paying for it?
There's a Tikka T3 chambered for 708 in the firearms for sale section for $610.I'm not that enthused with Savages,M70's,M700's anymore after shooting and cycling the actions of the Tikkas'.Slick as can be.From what I've read about them in range reports and shooting a couple,I'm very impressed.
If I were going to build an affordable custom again I'd start with a Tikka.
Steve </div></div>
Yes, I used to shoot some older Tikka's (see m27, m39) but if I am going modern bolt then I'd rather stick with a controlled feed system. Obviously this does not dictate that one exclusively choose amongst M70's, but I like their offerings.
I'm not closed to other controlled feed systems, CZ, Sako, Rem 798, etc.
But I have been impressed with the new production FNed Winchesters at the price point (only handled about 8-10 thus far, but all of them were very smooth and well made). If one went Sako, you're getting yourself into some fantastic hardware but you're paying a steep price not only for it but also for further aftermarket support. Granted the M70, nor any other platform, has the aftermarket support of the m700 but my pre-requisites have precluded most 700s and Tikka.
If I was not self-mandating controlled feed, I'd probably start and end with Tikka (possibly a 700).