There are few rifles in American history that hold a place as revered as the Winchester Model 70. Nicknamed "The Rifleman's Rifle," it is a legendary bolt-action rifle that has been trusted by hunters, competitors, and was even used as a sniper rifle in the 1960s. Its enduring popularity and reputation for accuracy and reliability have carried this legendary rifle through the last 80+ years.
A Storied History: The Winchester Model 70's Legacy
Introduced in 1936, the Winchester Model 70 was a direct evolution of the successful Model 54. It quickly established itself as a top-tier sporting rifle, admired for its smooth action, quality trigger, and robust design. Much of its enduring fame comes from the pre-1964 produced models, which were renowned for their high-quality craftsmanship, including a machined receiver and the iconic controlled-round-feed (CRF) action. This feature, inspired by the Mauser 98, ensures that the cartridge is held firmly by the extractor from the moment it leaves the magazine, providing reliable feeding and extraction—a critical factor for hunters facing dangerous game.
The year 1964 marked a significant change in the Model 70's production. In an effort to reduce manufacturing costs, Winchester redesigned the rifle, moving to a push-feed action and making other changes that, while functionally sound, were seen by many as a step down in quality. This led to a surge in demand and a near-mythological status for the pre-64 models.
However, recognizing the value of its heritage, Winchester returned to a controlled-round-feed design in the 1990s with the "Classic" series, and the modern Model 70s, now manufactured by FN Herstal, incorporate the best of both worlds: the rugged reliability of the original design with modern manufacturing consistency.
Scope Mounts for the Model 70
Mounting a scope on a Winchester Model 70 is a critical step in maximizing its accuracy. While the rifle is a masterpiece of engineering, its unique design requires careful consideration when selecting the proper scope mounts.
Action Length: There are several different action lengths for the Model 70 including WSSM, Short Action, WSM, Long Action, Safari Express (Magnum). Figuring out what action length your Model 70 has can be tricky depending on when it was made. Here is a breakdown of action lengths by cartridge style:
- WSSM: WSSM cartridges only, these are not commonly found and were produced for a short period of time. The only base set available is M902/903M.
- Short Action: .308 Winchester based cartridges are short action, however not all short action rifles use this short action receiver. If your Model 70 was made before around 2005 it is likely this short action. 2 piece steel base set part number M902/924M or aluminum V402/424M. Mountain Tech® rail 7675M, 7675-20MOA.
- WSM: Winchester introduced the WSM action along with its Winchester Short Magnum cartridges. At some point Winchester discontinued the standard short action and switched all short action and WSM size cartridges to the WSM action. Unfortunately, there is no definitive date or serial number range for this change, so again, if your Model 70 was made before around 2005, it is likely a short action. Post 2005 it is likely a WSM. If it is a current production model it is certainly a WSM. 2 piece steel base set part number M902/924M or aluminum V402/424M. Mountain Tech rail 7677M, 7677-20MOA.
- Long Action: This one is easy, all long action cartridges like those based on .30-06 up to .300 WinMag have been consistent through production over the years. The only exception is if your rifle is a pre-war model (serial number under 60,500) which will not be drilled for scope bases. 2 piece steel base set part number M902/924M or aluminum V402/424M. Mountain Tech rail part number 7676M, 7676-20MOA.
- Safari Express: This is the magnum receiver that is intended for cartridges .375 H&H Magnum and larger. There are 2 different versions of this action, pre and post-64. One additional wrinkle is that the current production models are patterned on the pre-64 style even though technically they are post-64. Confused yet? To make things simple, most of these actions including current production models have a .330” rear hole spacing which uses part number M902/802M. If your rifle has a .440” rear hole spacing, it will use part number M902/818M.
Warne® Scope Mounts for the Winchester Model 70
At Warne Scope Mounts, we understand the legacy of the Winchester Model 70 and design our bases to meet the demands of this legendary rifle. Our American-made, steel bases are built to provide a rock-solid foundation for your optic, ensuring "Return to Zero" performance and unwavering confidence in the field.
Whether you're carrying a pre-64 hunting rifle passed down through generations or a modern Model 70 fresh from the factory, choosing the right scope base is a crucial part of your setup. With a solid, dependable mounting system from Warne, you can honor the legacy of this iconic firearm and ensure it performs to its full potential for years to come.
