New Winchester 70 Alaskan in 30-06, who has one?

[Tango down]

Hi Guys
I am looking at the new Winchester 70 Alaskan model, in 30-06, made now by FN. I always liked the original design of the 70 but never owned one.
I am curious to hear what owners of this new version have to say, especially regarding accuracy and reliability.
The prime purpose of the rifle would be hunting.
I am also looking at 2 other possible rifles, the Remington 700 BDL and the Sako 85 Hunter but would consider the Winchester first.
What is your personal experience with this rifle and, to the best of your knowledge, how does she compare to the 2 others?
Thanks for your input.
Ombre noire

 

[kraigWY]

I have several Model 70s, pre and post '64, and the FN Model 70. In my opinion, without a doubt the FN Model 70s are the best of the lot. I don't have a Alaskan Model, mine is the Featherweight in 270 Win. It is accurate and holds up quite well.

Didn't know they made an Alaskan, dammit, not I have another to add to my list. Something about a Model 70 in 30-06, with a Weaver K-4 that just screams HUNTING RIFLE.

If I was going for a hunting rifle the Model 70 would be my only choice (although I've decided to take my M1903A4 elk hunting next season).

You wont be disappointed in the FN Model 70.

Took this guy at a GPS measured 586 yards with my FN Model 70 featherweight using 150 Hornady IB's. They are plenty accurate enough.

 

[Tango down]

I have several Model 70s, pre and post '64, and the FN Model 70. In my opinion, without a doubt the FN Model 70s are the best of the lot. I don't have a Alaskan Model, mine is the Featherweight in 270 Win. It is accurate and holds up quite well.

Didn't know they made an Alaskan, dammit, not I have another to add to my list. Something about a Model 70 in 30-06, with a Weaver K-4 that just screams HUNTING RIFLE.

If I was going for a hunting rifle the Model 70 would be my only choice (although I've decided to take my M1903A4 elk hunting next season).

You wont be disappointed in the FN Model 70.

Took this guy at a GPS measured 586 yards with my FN Model 70 featherweight using 150 Hornady IB's. They are plenty accurate enough.

kraigWY
Thanks, that's perfect, as I also wanted to hear on how the new model 70 was comparing to the prior versions, nice rifle you have and great shot at 586 yards, what scope do you have on your rifle?
I am leaning toward the Alaskan model, rather than the Featherweight; one of the reasons is because it has iron sights already installed and I like to have that option, in case my scope crap out at the wrong time (not that there is ever a good time for that). I could have some installed on a Featherweight but due to the shortage of GOOD Gunsmiths in my area (I had a few bad experience), I trust the FN factory to do a better job.
The featherweight (.270 cal. and 30-06 cal.) is at 7 lbs, the Alaskan (30-06 cal) is at 8.8 lbs, clear advantage to the Featherweight in that department. Nevertheless, despite this weight difference, the Alaskan is calling my name, hard to say no.
As far as scopes, call me old school but I would like to put something "Made in USA", or at least mostly, as even Leupold has their lens coming from somewhere else; their reason is that (Factory quote) "the best quality glass is made overseas". So far, I am thinking getting a Leupold; mostly made here and good solid scopes.
I checked a USMC report (USMCMTU at Quantico), as well as one from a LE Lead Firearms Instructor for a major sized department, on scopes and Leupold scored very well, so did Zeiss ans S&B; some other brands were just plain scary. I heard of many good reports from hunters on Nikon scopes and on the new Weaver fixed power but...I think Leupold it will be.
I appreciate your help, so far yours is the only answer I received. Must be someone out there with a new FN Winchester Model 70 Alaskan in 30-06 cal, somewhere...
Have fun and good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[c1steve]

I have the M70 Extreme Weather, built in the FN factory in Utah. It is impressive and very well made. I really like the stock, which I am sure is lighter than the laminated stock that the Alaskan has. A lot of value in that gun.

s

 

[Tango down]

I have the M70 Extreme Weather, built in the FN factory in Utah. It is impressive and very well made. I really like the stock, which I am sure is lighter than the laminated stock that the Alaskan has. A lot of value in that gun.

s

c1steve
Bell & Carlson are good stocks and yours will do well, as the explicit name of your rifle, in extreme weather. I checked the specs on your rifle stock, "from -50 F to +140 F", impressive. I know it beats hands down a wood stock in these conditions, more susceptible to react to wide temperature and humidity changes and the overall weight of the rifle is also a plus (I do not know your rifle's caliber but it is lighter then the Alaskan, no matter what).
I was not looking at the laminated version but at the walnut stock; it is a bit lighter than the laminated but still kind of heavy, for a hunting rifle, at 8.8 lbs. May be I just like the overall look of the Alaskan, from the walnut Monte-Carlo stock, to the iron sights and the 30-06 seem like the proper caliber to get in a M70, even if the .270 has a lot of followers. I do not feel a specific need for a bigger caliber on this rifle, as the 30-06 will take down any game in North America, at a very respectable range.
The most important fact that I retain is that kraigWY and you are very satisfied with your M70's and this, for me, was the main factor to know about this rifle.
Thanks and good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[proneshooter]

Having had Model 70s and CZ550s, I'd go with a new Winchester hands down.

 

[mark5pt56]

I have the new model 70 in .308(Shadow) and the Extreme Weather in 06 and both are very nice rifles, topped with Leupold VX6 2-12's I would highly encourage you to get the Winchester.

I'm looking for the Extreme Weather in .308 if anyone knows a distributor who has one?

Mark

 

[Speedgoat]

I've got one! It's a .300 Win Mag though. Best stock rifle I've ever owned. I'll get some nicer pictures of it for you this afternoon. Any specific pictures or info your after?

 

[cbennett]

I just picked up an Alaskan in .375 H&H. The rifle actually feels lighter than what it is due to the barrel diameter and length, the thing balances nicely. I have shot it with the irons as I waited on my bases ( different hole spacing than other Model 70's ) . Feeding is great . This is my forth FN Model 70 and I am very pleased.

 

[kraigWY]

I have a Model 70 in 375 H&H, a post '64 I got in '74. Still its a shooter and heck of a lot of fun to shoot. I did (or Chad Dixon did) put a brake on it, makes it a heck of a lot more fun. Makes an nice elk rifle if you are like me and too lazy to follow blood trails in the dark.

Actually its cheap to shoot too. I got it in the '70s and wanted a cheap shooter. So I had a mold made that uses 3/8 OD copper tubing, cut to length and put in the mold, Then pour in the lead and you have some "free" 270 gr. 375 bullets. Shoot pretty good too. Turns the 375 into a cheap plinked.

 

[Tango down]

I've got one! It's a .300 Win Mag though. Best stock rifle I've ever owned. I'll get some nicer pictures of it for you this afternoon. Any specific pictures or info your after?

Speedgoat
Not sure if you were answering to mark5pt56 about the Weather Extreme in .308, or to me about the Alaskan model. If it is about the Alaskan, I'll take any pics you have and your comments on using the Alaskan for hunting situation (trigger, feeding, weight, stock, scope and scope base).
Thanks and good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[Tango down]

I just picked up an Alaskan in .375 H&H. The rifle actually feels lighter than what it is due to the barrel diameter and length, the thing balances nicely. I have shot it with the irons as I waited on my bases ( different hole spacing than other Model 70's ) . Feeding is great . This is my forth FN Model 70 and I am very pleased.

cbennett
Congrats on your new Model 70; the .375 H&H can take out some serious game.
Great to have comments from someone who actually own an Alaskan model, even if it is in a different caliber; balance is an important factor on a rifle. Sounds like all other SH Members owning a new Model 70 are very satisfied with their rifles, which is always a good thing; I appreciate all of their comments.
What are your comments on the trigger and the overall accuracy?
Good to know about the bases holes spacing; did you order your bases from Winchester, or other brand?
Thanks and good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[kraigWY]

Ombre, not sure if this is your question, but the 375 H&H is the one that required different scope mounts. The other Model 70s (including the FN) use standard Model 70 Spacings so you can find the mounts of your choosing just about anywhere.

As to the trigger the are easily adjusted but I never saw any reason to adjust mine. These rifles are the smoothest off the shelf bolt actions I have ever seen. What sold me on mine is when I picked it up, opened the bolt pointed it up and down the bolt slid back and forth un-assisted as if it was on roller bearings.

The ones I've shot, or seen shot are extremely accurate.

 

[Tango down]

Ombre, not sure if this is your question, but the 375 H&H is the one that required different scope mounts. The other Model 70s (including the FN) use standard Model 70 Spacings so you can find the mounts of your choosing just about anywhere.

As to the trigger the are easily adjusted but I never saw any reason to adjust mine. These rifles are the smoothest off the shelf bolt actions I have ever seen. What sold me on mine is when I picked it up, opened the bolt pointed it up and down the bolt slid back and forth un-assisted as if it was on roller bearings.

The ones I've shot, or seen shot are extremely accurate.

kraigWY
10-4, scope's mount spacing, trigger, accuracy, bolt smoothness; you've said it all. I like the bolt/ball bearing comment
So far, not a single bad comment on these rifles, outstanding!
Thanks and good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[Speedgoat]

Here's the pictures I promised. This gun is a shooter that's for sure. My hunting rifle before was a '02 or '03 .300 WSM Ultimate Shadow (CRPF) made at the New Haven factory. I always figured I was just a crappy marksman shooting that rifle. Early last year I started the season using my father's Pre-64 Featherweight in 30-06 and realized that My rifle was one of Winchester's final years' lemons. I don't think that the lightweight el-cheapo plastic stock helped matters. I got my heart dead set on the 'Alaskan' model cause it just screams Classic Winchester, dog-knot barrel, hooded front sight, and the much loved claw extractor. It was a bear to track down, finally afer hitting up most stores locally a pawn-shop was able to get me one in .300 Win Mag through one of his dealers. Talk about a long few days wait while it was shipped! Got it broke in and I haven't done a true proper 'dead nuts' test to find what MOA it shoots, but as the picture shows it is MOC (Minute of Copenhagen) at about 150 yds on a windy Wyoming day out in the desert. MOC translates to much within MOE (Minute of Elk) so for the fall I was satisfied with this test. Have used 165 gr Federal Fusions. Now that I'm reloading I am waiting to get my hands on some of the new 190 gr Long Range Accubonds by Nosler. That seems like it'd be a pretty B.A. handload for my uses, elk, deer and antelope. It's not a skinny lightweight rifle, but it gave me no problem on this year's unsuccessfull (not from lack of effort) desert antelope stalks. I drew a pretty sweet riverbottom elk tag this year so didn't get up in the mountains too much. Well here's the pictures I got some good ones today on my equipment trailer, for lack of a better backdrop, or firearms photography skills in general. If ya haven't already got the point I love this rifle and highly recomend it to anyone.

 

[Speedgoat]

In addition to my 'novel' above here's my attempt at a nice picture of my rifle and the elk I got with it last fall. Too bad the window got in the way!

 

[cbennett]

Ombre, These rifles are great. I will have targets tomorrow as the scope is on (Talley quick detach rings, Leupold VX# 1.75-6). I would not worry about the accuracy as this is my forth FN M-70 and they have all been great. I grabbed a .264 Magnum Super Grade in the Winter and my first three shot group after zeroing was 3/4 ", you would not believe what the second one did but I am stoked.

 

[Tango down]

In addition to my 'novel' above here's my attempt at a nice picture of my rifle and the elk I got with it last fall. Too bad the window got in the way!

Speedgoat
Never mind the window, it is a beautiful rifle and elk test darn good. Thanks for the great pics you posted.
I wish you the best of luck in your coming hunts.
Good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[Tango down]

Ombre, These rifles are great. I will have targets tomorrow as the scope is on (Talley quick detach rings, Leupold VX# 1.75-6). I would not worry about the accuracy as this is my forth FN M-70 and they have all been great. I grabbed a .264 Magnum Super Grade in the Winter and my first three shot group after zeroing was 3/4 ", you would not believe what the second one did but I am stoked.

cbennett
I admit that I am an "accuracy addict" but I am trying to work on my issues (NOT); still, anything over MOA ruins my day
Congrats on your .264 mag SG, looks like you have a nice shooter. Being stoked sounds great, what was your second group at? Do not hesitate to post pics, as a good "one hole group" is a perfect way to start the day.
Even if we are talking about hunting rifles, supposedly not "as accurate" as the heavy tack drivers (especially after 3 rounds, or so), I have seen some darn good results with these "lighter hunting rifles".
So far I've only heard good things about the new FN/Winchester; I guess I will have to buy a new press to reload the 30-06, as my T7 is full with .308 and 7.62x54r dies + bullet puller but that's OK, it is for accuracy purposes
Thanks for the info, looking forward to see what got you "stocked"
Good shooting.
Ombre noire

 

[Gar]

First look at the new Winchester Model 70 Alaskan was 2 days ago. I knew right away I wanted one. Have more rifles than any one needs and so went home and asked my son if he thought I was crazy. Anyway, I went back and got it. Perfect. 30-06 with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scope. Amazingly, this rifle doesn't feel heavy and I'm old and irrelevant. Next to an old Remington Alaskan Wilderness rifle, this is by far the best balanced rifle I have ever felt................and it's a beauty too. However it shoots I am sure will be good enough!

 

[hoser45]

Any other reviews or comparisons? I was thinking about picking up an older pre64 in 30-06 (I like irons on my hunting rifle) but price is almost same as the new Alaskan. Figured I research differences and opinions. Thanks!

 

[cjgemm]

Ultimate Shadow SS in 7mm Rem Mag. Just finished bedding in in a Manners MCS-T this past weekend. Want to sent the bolt off to mark at Short action Customs for a Badger knob.

Anxious to start some load development with Berger 168's...