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Model 70 Winchester Bull Gun

RTH1800

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Minuteman
  • Sep 16, 2009
    10,175
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    Midwest
    Dug this one out of the vault. Thought I would share it. Near Unfired pre ‘64 transition period 28” heavy bull gun. Has sights, sling just as set up for range in the mid ’40’s. Has clover leaf tang but post war safety. Not unusual for a wartime production to 1946 rifle. Clip slotted receiver. Lyman 48 WH and Lyman 17 front sight. Unertl type scope bases. 100% blue. Not many like this one around anymore.
    FB777C94-09BE-4A02-AE98-6E66D9055446.jpeg
     
    Dug this one out of the vault. Thought I would share it. Near Unfired pre ‘64 transition period 28” heavy bull gun. Has sights, sling just as set up for range in the mid ’40’s. Has clover leaf tang but post war safety. Not unusual for a wartime production to 1946 rifle. Clip slotted receiver. Lyman 48 WH and Lyman 17 front sight. Unertl type scope bases. 100% blue. Not many like this one around anymore. View attachment 7646444
    30-06?
     
    This is my Transitional (1947) .270, it was my Dad's. He was lucky enough to find a rifle with a vintage custom stock with left hand cheek rest : )
    I have been tempted to replace the Leupold with a Unertl a few times, but this is how he set it up so I will keep it this way...

    270.jpg
     
    This is my Transitional (1947) .270, it was my Dad's. He was lucky enough to find a rifle with a vintage custom stock with left hand cheek rest : )
    I have been tempted to replace the Leupold with a Unertl a few times, but this is how he set it up so I will keep it this way...

    View attachment 7646460
    I think I just had a small orgasm....

    Nope... no sticky. All ok. But damn, sure seemed like it for a second.

    Sirhr
     
    I've
    Dug this one out of the vault. Thought I would share it. Near Unfired pre ‘64 transition period 28” heavy bull gun. Has sights, sling just as set up for range in the mid ’40’s. Has clover leaf tang but post war safety. Not unusual for a wartime production to 1946 rifle. Clip slotted receiver. Lyman 48 WH and Lyman 17 front sight. Unertl type scope bases. 100% blue. Not many like this one around anymore. View attachment 7646444
    Got three similar that I bought from Audette prior to his untimely death. A couple others from builds he did late in his smithing times. A few take offs with his I.d. stamp . Wish I had access to his extensive library but greatbatch has it tied up.
    Alan
     
    This is my M-70 Bull Gun, made in 1938.

    IMG_1658.jpg


    I recall reading that the Bull Gun was used by CPT Brophy on Korea as a snipping rifle. With that said, I'm wondering if I can use mine in the CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Competition.


    https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1199e609-634d-44d9-9f8b-46c79a3cb5b1_300x225.jpeg
     
    ...I'm wondering if I can use mine in the CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Competition.
    First off that's a really beautiful rifle. Would love to add one to my stable.

    But no, its not legal for CMP Vintage Sniper Matches. The rifles approved for use are listed in the rulebook, and those not listed are not permitted.

    That said, many local match directors would let you shoot out of competition. We'd rather see shooters on the line, and gawk at your rifle after the match. But don't expect to show up and win a trophy. You'll be there for the fun of it.

    It would be a strict no-go at the National Vintage Sniper Match at Camp Perry however.
     
    First off that's a really beautiful rifle. Would love to add one to my stable.

    But no, its not legal for CMP Vintage Sniper Matches. The rifles approved for use are listed in the rulebook, and those not listed are not permitted.

    That said, many local match directors would let you shoot out of competition. We'd rather see shooters on the line, and gawk at your rifle after the match. But don't expect to show up and win a trophy. You'll be there for the fun of it.

    It would be a strict no-go at the National Vintage Sniper Match at Camp Perry however.

    Thanks for the follow-up. I did read in the rule book after I posted that message that I could contact the CMP if the rifle in question was not listed in table 7 of the rule book.

    Anyway, I don't care about trophies. The fun and camaraderie is more important. When I am competing my mindset is that of challenging myself.

    Worrying about somebody else's scores are for fragile egos. Mine was broken a long time ago:)

    I still wish I had the 1903-A4 and the Swedish M-41B. The money from the sale of those guns went to a divorce lawyer:(
     
    Somehow missed this one the first time around so I’ll add mine now. It’s a 1955 Bull Gun chambered in .300 H&H with a Unertl 15x Ultra Varmint on it, my first true heavy barrel long range rifle.

    1F36CAED-8E23-4BAC-B384-348023A9CDDA.jpeg
     
    This is my M-70 Bull Gun, made in 1938.

    View attachment 7956606

    I recall reading that the Bull Gun was used by CPT Brophy on Korea as a snipping rifle. With that said, I'm wondering if I can use mine in the CMP Vintage Sniper Rifle Competition.


    https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1199e609-634d-44d9-9f8b-46c79a3cb5b1_300x225.jpeg
    Gorgeous! This is the posting I like 👍
     
    Until this popped back I had forgotten I owned that rifle.
    Might need to drag out the 250 Savage snipers match rifle. It’s a scarce one for sure.
    I'd be really interested in seeing a snipers match rifle. I'd also be interested in knowing the barrel dimensions.
     
    I'd be really interested in seeing a snipers match rifle. I'd also be interested in knowing the barrel dimensions.
    Where you at to go see a match? A good one coming up Oct. 8-9 is the 1st annual Ed Land sniper match. Ed land will be firing the opening shots himself. Called the Major Land Snipers Cup. Believe it is in NC?

    1664293853244.png


    As far as barrel dimensions go for the Model 70.

    The standard target barrel contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .780" @ 24" finish.

    The bull gun contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .845" @ 28" finish if I remember correctly.

    The diameters will vary around .010" or so. Back then they did the barrels on tracer lathes most likely.

    Later, Frank
    Bartlein Barrels
     
    Where you at to go see a match? A good one coming up Oct. 8-9 is the 1st annual Ed Land sniper match. Ed land will be firing the opening shots himself. Called the Major Land Snipers Cup. Believe it is in NC?

    View attachment 7964698

    As far as barrel dimensions go for the Model 70.

    The standard target barrel contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .780" @ 24" finish.

    The bull gun contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .845" @ 28" finish if I remember correctly.

    The diameters will vary around .010" or so. Back then they did the barrels on tracer lathes most likely.

    Later, Frank
    Bartlein Barrels

    Will they allow a Bull Gun to be used in the match.

    AFAIK, the only time the Bull Gun was ever used in combat was by CPT Bill Brophy in Korea. Correct?
     
    Will they allow a Bull Gun to be used in the match.

    AFAIK, the only time the Bull Gun was ever used in combat was by CPT Bill Brophy in Korea. Correct?
    Not sure. I don't know why not. Look at the M40 barrels....contour wise actually bigger diameter wise then even the bull M70 barrels where. Just a couple of inches shorter.

    Call the match director would be wise if your going.
     
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    Where you at to go see a match? A good one coming up Oct. 8-9 is the 1st annual Ed Land sniper match. Ed land will be firing the opening shots himself. Called the Major Land Snipers Cup. Believe it is in NC?

    View attachment 7964698

    As far as barrel dimensions go for the Model 70.

    The standard target barrel contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .780" @ 24" finish.

    The bull gun contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .845" @ 28" finish if I remember correctly.

    The diameters will vary around .010" or so. Back then they did the barrels on tracer lathes most likely.

    Later, Frank
    Bartlein Barrels
    Bull Gun = 1.25” at breech end, .845”ish at muzzle.
    949526BF-1218-4934-87A6-177BEF3C74AE.jpeg
     

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    Where you at to go see a match? A good one coming up Oct. 8-9 is the 1st annual Ed Land sniper match. Ed land will be firing the opening shots himself. Called the Major Land Snipers Cup. Believe it is in NC?

    As far as barrel dimensions go for the Model 70.

    The standard target barrel contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .780" @ 24" finish.

    The bull gun contour was 1.140" x 2" str. taper to .845" @ 28" finish if I remember correctly.

    The diameters will vary around .010" or so. Back then they did the barrels on tracer lathes most likely.

    Later, Frank
    Bartlein Barrels
    I don't want to see "a" snipers match, I want to see "the" snipers match. Snipers Match being a rifle model such as Target or Bull. It seems like most Snipers Match rifles were model 54's before they had the Bull model. Target rifles had the medium heavy barrels at 24", Snipers Match had an extra-heavy barrel at 26", and Bulls were the heaviest at 28".
     
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    what - no bag, no bipod....
    so uncivilized :)
    Back in the good ole days, we never saw a bag or one of those new fangled, fancy “benches” that folks shoot off of today. The only bipods were on our M-60’s (and you damn well better have your M2 .50BMG mounted on a Solid Tripod. ) Only got to see those once I was the privileged guest of my very wealthy uncle, who wanted me to see the marvelous wonders of the Far East.

    All my early shooting was done just as pictured, except i was a bit too poor to own a sling. I shot some decent groups considering. Wish I was that steady today. Heck, its only been 60 years ago or so. Wish, we had the hearing protection that is so readily available today.
     
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