Win. Model 70 - New Haven CT - bolts 1 piece?

[6.5BR]

Can someone tell me:

Were the NH/CT mfg rifles made w/a 1 piece bolt/handle? As I thought they used to advertise it as such.

I just spoke to Winchester and the current rifle is a 2 piece so wondering if that process changed in mfg. design.

Thanks in advance.

 

[blue_ridge]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

I know FN builds a new enclosed trigger on their 70's now. (as opposed to the open trigger design from Winchester CT made 70's)

I also know the Winchester 70 Classic had a two piece bolt whereas the pre-64's had a one piece bolt. Actually, I don't know if any mass produced bolt actions have one piece bolts any more. I think the cost to make a solid bolt out of billet steel is probably too high. Your average gun buyer doesn't want to pay $1000 or more for that kind of quality and workmanship.

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

Thanks, I do believe Ruger and Sako are 1 piece, as is Howa/Vanguard and I think Cooper.

Just curious, but thought in the past post 64s were advertised as one piece per Winchester info, perhaps that was PF models.

Thanks.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

The M70 Classics and FN's have a two piece bolt. The Forward section has the locking lugs. About 3/4ths of the way up from the lugs, if you look very closely there is a telltale seam. The Rear section has the cocking cam and handle. I think the two sections are possibly splined and swaged together.

Ruger has a investment cast one-piece bolt, Howa's claim theirs are forged one-piece (which ironically is kind of a copy the older Sako actions, without the antibind rail). Don't know about Sako's but some might be are some are not (depending on the model).

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

Thanks Buff

 

[Action Guy]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

Both the Winchester and FNH bolts are two piece. Like Buffy Buster wrote, the bolt handle is swaged onto the bolt body. When the striker assembly is removed from the bolt assembly, it is easy to see the splines that keep the bolt handle from rotating loose. You will also see that the bolt handle piece goes all the way around the bolt body. It is in the area of the cam surface that the splines are most visible. The bolt handle piece is only as long and the bolt is wide and ends just forward of where it attaches to the bolt. While technically a two piece construction, it is very robust and I have never seen one fail.

I am not sure when Winchester switched to the swaged two piece design. I would think it happened in the "modernization" of the M-70 that occured in 1963-64. This swaging process would be much less expensive to do than a true one piece design that is machined from a single piece of stock.

I will check with the head gunsmith at our service center and find out when it occurred and report back.

Hope this helps.

 

[6.5BR]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

Thanks Ben, it does. On that note, I have never heard of any failing either.

I did hear of an FN action giving way on the Lugs - not sure what to think of that 'blow up' but the shooter I believe was ok.

Other than that, the M70s 'post 64 era' do seem to have a solid record.

 

[Action Guy]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

According to Winchester's lead gunsmith (been working for Browning/Winchester for 35+ years), the bolt redesign on the M-70 happened in 1964, as I suspected. In 1964, the bolt handle was swaged and brazed on like it currently is. The pre-'64 M-70 bolt was a one-piece affair with a limiting rib on the bolt body which kept the bolt from being turned too far when closed. In '64 the rib went away as a cost saving measure and the bolt was made from two pieces for the same reason. In '68, the anti-bind slot was cut into the right locking lug and a rail in the receiver was added to make the action cycle more smoothly. Incidently, the rib on the pre-64s also acted as a anti-bind, but cost a lot of machining to get on the bolt. The "modernization" of the M-70 was initially meant to make it cheaper to manufacture. The anti-bind slot was another affordable fix.

Hope this helps. Semper fi,

 

[cattle buyer]

Re: Winchester Model 70 - New Haven vs. Columbia SC ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Action Guy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Both the Winchester and FNH bolts are two piece. Like Buffy Buster wrote, the bolt handle is swaged onto the bolt body. When the striker assembly is removed from the bolt assembly, it is easy to see the splines that keep the bolt handle from rotating loose. You will also see that the bolt handle piece goes all the way around the bolt body. It is in the area of the cam surface that the splines are most visible. The bolt handle piece is only as long and the bolt is wide and ends just forward of where it attaches to the bolt. While technically a two piece construction, it is very robust and I have never seen one fail.

I am not sure when Winchester switched to the swaged two piece design. I would think it happened in the "modernization" of the M-70 that occured in 1963-64. This swaging process would be much less expensive to do than a true one piece design that is machined from a single piece of stock.

I will check with the head gunsmith at our service center and find out when it occurred and report back.

Hope this helps.
</div></div> A+1, correct, handle and ring is swaddged (sp.?) ,crush fit over a knurled section of bolt body, I have seen nuts, very good friends pack powder in till they needed to beat bolt open with 2 x 4, OVERPpRESSURE...dumb . I watched a gunsmith grind 2 spots 180 deg,weld and grind,polish and tell buddy reload foolish mistakes would cost eyes and hands if ur lucky. If I have a post 64 rebarreled,trued I will have weld done ..