ok, everyone. i need some advice. apparently winchester ( or USRAC?) have gone into receivership, and the stock currently on australian shelves is all we're going to get. so my question is this: should i rush out and pick up one of the few featherweights left? i want a light, carry around rifle that i can use for pigs/goats and varmints, and also spend a long day at the range, so was thinking .243 or one of the .25's. i have never owned a winchester, soi want some sound, well argued advice on whether this is a great rifle in it's own right - not just the usual winnie versus rem rivalry. tell me the strength/weakness etc. i should add that i will handload, and don't want to buy anything thatisn't almost odds-on toshoot MOA or better. i suspect these rigs will become classics if winchester goes down, but the rifle must be a shooter to justify my purchase. many thanks in advance for any help received.......

I owned a featherweigth in 22 250. It was an attractive piece with a good trigger but it got 2 & 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Thus, I sold it off.

Saladin
Where in Au. are you at. I am in Griffith NSW and am looking for hunting opportunities. I am from Alberta Canada and will be here for a year.

Back home I have had a M70 (not the featherweught) in .264 win. mag. for a lot of years. It still shoots great though not as well as "we once did".I have always had a desire for a featherweight in 6.5X55 sweed and from what I have heard, from many, they are often great shooters.

I see in some Au. hunting mags. Rem. pump model7600s in .35 whelen advertized. I think that they are not avalible new in USA and Canada and I'm sure I could sell more than a few if I could take some back with me. Maybe I should think about picking up a M70 featherweight here as well.

Robin down under.