Which rifle?
11-30-2011, 12:04 PM
#31
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Long Island
Posts: 14
Bigbulls, it is only my opinion, but I feel that the bolt should operate the same with the intermediate safety on or with it totally off (ready to fire). However your explanation on why there is difference makes perfect sense to me. That said, I’ve used my friends Ruger 77 which has a similar 3 position safety and his bolt operates exactly the same with the intermediate safety set or not.
To answer your other question. This was my first time out hunting using my M70 and I found what I thought was good spot. So there I stood waiting and watching. After a while, I decided to survey the map in my pocket and maybe move to better spot. Rather than put the rifle down to look at the map, I choose to put it over my shoulder, using the sling. I probably should have gone on full safety, no argument there. When I did so, the bolt lifted the rest of way and slid completely back, expelling the round. This is when I noticed how easy it was to lift the bolt with the intermediate safety set. I only used the gun at the range to set up the scope where I was loading one round at a time. I’d take one shot, open the bolt and I’d put the gun on the rack, to let it cool down. Then I’d use my other rifle while it cooled, so there was no need to use intermediate safety.
Obviously, I’m no bolt action rifle expert and that is why I purchased from what I thought was a reputable gun shop. If I was a rifle expert, I would have noticed this in the store and probably gone with the Browning X-Bolt instead For what it’s worth, the gun smith at the store agreed with my concerns, even if they are most likely unfounded. I’m sure, Winchester will agree with you Bigbulls, that there is nothing wrong with the bolt on my rifle.
To answer your other question. This was my first time out hunting using my M70 and I found what I thought was good spot. So there I stood waiting and watching. After a while, I decided to survey the map in my pocket and maybe move to better spot. Rather than put the rifle down to look at the map, I choose to put it over my shoulder, using the sling. I probably should have gone on full safety, no argument there. When I did so, the bolt lifted the rest of way and slid completely back, expelling the round. This is when I noticed how easy it was to lift the bolt with the intermediate safety set. I only used the gun at the range to set up the scope where I was loading one round at a time. I’d take one shot, open the bolt and I’d put the gun on the rack, to let it cool down. Then I’d use my other rifle while it cooled, so there was no need to use intermediate safety.
Obviously, I’m no bolt action rifle expert and that is why I purchased from what I thought was a reputable gun shop. If I was a rifle expert, I would have noticed this in the store and probably gone with the Browning X-Bolt instead For what it’s worth, the gun smith at the store agreed with my concerns, even if they are most likely unfounded. I’m sure, Winchester will agree with you Bigbulls, that there is nothing wrong with the bolt on my rifle.
11-30-2011, 08:14 PM
#32
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
Bigbulls, it is only my opinion, but I feel that the bolt should operate the same with the intermediate safety on or with it totally off (ready to fire).
That said, I’ve used my friends Ruger 77 which has a similar 3 position safety and his bolt operates exactly the same with the intermediate safety set or not.
I know it is different than the typical push button safeties like what is on Brownings, Remingtons, etc... and you're not use to it but, for what it's worth, the safety on the model 70 really is one of the absolute safest safeties ever designed on a bolt action rifle and is one of the most copied safeties by custom builders.
BTW, I wouldn't use that gunsmith that looked at your rifle if you should ever need work. There are probably as many model 70's on this planet as any other sporting rifle and for an actual gunsmith not know how one operates is scary for his customers.
12-01-2011, 10:47 AM
#33
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Long Island
Posts: 14
Bigbulls, I really appreciate your input on this and concur with your comments about the gun smith. He should (and sadly…so should I) have known how it operates and sent me packing. As you can tell this is my first bolt action rifle and up until now all of my Deer hunting has been done with Remington 870 (with a rifled barrel) or with my 2 muzzleloaders, one of which shoots 54 cal patched round balls (that gun is really fun to shoot). I typically hunt in the forests in the Northeast where all of my shots are less than 100 yds. I wanted to expand my hunting territory so I bought a bolt action that would permit me to shoot much further. I feel much better, knowing that odds are that there in nothing wrong with the gun. Thanks for all your help!
12-01-2011, 11:38 AM
#34
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 228
Big Bulls is right about this one. The first time I ever noticed this on a M70 was while handling a friends. He has several in different calibers and as I was handling one I noticed this. I thought I'd broken something working the bolt, and then he explained to me what was going on, and proceeded to demonstrate this to me on several other M70's he has. It's completely normal for them.
12-01-2011, 07:32 PM
#35
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
He should (and sadly…so should I) have known how it operates and sent me packing.
He, on the other hand, absolutely should know how one of the most popular rifles ever manufactured operates and should have taken the time to explain to you how it operates.
Once you get use to the rifle I think you will find that you will really like all that the model 70 offers in a rifle. Good luck.
