Winchester model 70 National Match

[Calfed]

I've always had a thing for the Winchester model 70 match target rifles. I finally got a chance at one for a decent price and won this one at auction. Luckily I have an unused Redfield International rear sight and an Olympic front tunnel sight.

https://i.imgur.com/YbZkaur.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Y578MH4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VMUlnJF.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xNzLzAU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/grOVoxD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9xFdQzL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zdwBrDn.jpg

[JohnMOhio]

Nice find there Calfed. It seems to be well taken care of over the years.

[JimF]

I’m not so sure that beautiful rifle is a “National Match” version . . . .

Seems to me, a TRUE NM version has a standard-weight barrel. (I’d have to check Roger Rule’s book.)

Great find, none-the-less!

[bruce]

Beautiful rifle! You are most fortunate. Sincerely. bruce.

[RCS]

Bought mine years ago ex USN rifle, it was among a group of 12 rifles, a few had standard
barrels all sold as a group. Quite accurate and such a nice smooth action, almost always
used reloads47657476584765947660

[Calfed]

Beautiful rifle! You are most fortunate. Sincerely. bruce.


Nice find there Calfed. It seems to be well taken care of over the years.

Thanks, guys! When it arrived, I gave it a good going over found a not-to-deep rub mark on the pistol grip, along with a few small dings in the stock. Other than that, the Winchester is pretty much in showroom condition.

https://i.imgur.com/t0xwSJt.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/UsJ2bva.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/NggoYHn.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/VWDvWJ7.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/qmqi1Gt.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/FYC9AgF.jpg?1and

[Calfed]

I’m not so sure that beautiful rifle is a “National Match” version . . . .

Seems to me, a TRUE NM version has a standard-weight barrel. (I’d have to check Roger Rule’s book.)

Great find, none-the-less!

Thanks, Jim!

There does seem to be some disagreement about the Model 70 NM. It appears that during the 50's the NM model had a standard weight barrel, as you describe. The medium-weight barrel was referred to as the "target model". In the 60's, Winchester seems to have switched the designation to make the medium weight barrel the "National Match" model and the standard weight barrel the Target model.

Early catalog:

https://i.imgur.com/Gx2dzVS.jpg?2

Later catalog:

https://i.imgur.com/ry2Cjhc.jpg

[Calfed]

Bought mine years ago ex USN rifle, it was among a group of 12 rifles, a few had standard
barrels all sold as a group. Quite accurate and such a nice smooth action, almost always
used reloads47657476584765947660

Man, RCS, that is abeautiful rifle! I'm assuming it shoots great!

I'm getting mine ready for a range report...

https://i.imgur.com/x9GUjKP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AdFz1Uo.jpg?1

[jjrothWA]

Are they all pre-64's?

What caliber?

WHy is mussle flat, not countersunk?

Great find and history.

[Calfed]

Are they all pre-64's?

What caliber?

WHy is mussle flat, not countersunk?

Great find and history.

Mine is post-63 and in 30.06

[clintonhater]

Louis Luttrell, who posts here specifically on 70s-- https://winchestercollector.org/forum -- has taken up where Roger Rule left off, & can probably clarify the definition of NM; though it appears Winchester was doing their best to muddle it. That white-line BP surprises me, if it's original, by I know Winchester was cutting corners on late production 52s.