Winchester M70 Stealth
 

In the Dec. 2002 issue of "American Hunter" (page 64-65) they field test the Win. M70 Stealth, and with a trigger job and replacing the stock bolts with socket-head bolts from Brownells it showed to have very impressive groups. The .223 Stealth averaged .42" 5 shot group at 100 yds.; the .22-250 Stealth averaged .3s" 3 shot group at 100 yds.; the .308 Stealth averaged .32" 5 shot group at 100 yds. The .308 shot a 3.2" 3 shot group at 700 yds. Does anybody have any first hand experence with the Win. M70 Stealth? Thanks in advance.

Edited by - handloader1 on 12/11/2002 00:18:21

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

I just bought one about a month ago in a 22-250.I can hold 1" group @100 yds. using reloads that my gunsmith worked up.I still need a trigger job .I love the gun and I will be using it next year varmit hunting.I have a leupold vari x111 6.5x20x40 on it also.



Edited by - ploopy on 12/10/2002 11:19:24

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

Ploopy:

The article says (plus odering info. I threw in) to replace the stock bolts with socket-head bolts from www.brownells.com Ph. 641-623-4000 (Catalog Number 54 For 2001-2002 page 137 for $5.95 + S&H). These bolts are called socket head triggerguard screws in the cataloge. The stock bolts on most new rifles are not properly tightened. They are of the Phillips design, but unfortunately the crosses are too shallow to enable proper tightning with a screw-driver. They are manufactured by B-Square (800-433-2909; www.b-square.com ) and have Allen heads that will accept 5/32 Allen wrench. For optimum accuracy the front and rear stock bolt should be torqued to 65 inch-pounds and the middle bolt should be merely finger tight. Out of the box these rifles were shooting .75" to 1" 5 shot groups. (The article was written by Ian McMurchy, Contributing Editor for American Hunter Dec. 2002 page 64-65).

After the trigger job and the bolt replacement the groups shrank a great deal. Good luck.






Edited by - handloader1 on 12/11/2002 00:49:30

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

I owned one a while back and could kick myself for selling it. I had one in 22-250 I put a 6x20 Leupold on it and a Harris bipod. I could cover 3 shots with a dime at 100yds. If I bought another heavy rifle it would be another stealth.

***

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

I also have a 6.5-20 Leupold on my 22-250 Stealth. Shoots pretty good with 37 gr of Varget and 55 gr Ballistic Tips @ 3700 fps.

The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't feed too well with a full magazine. Unless I work the bolt fast, the first two shots often don't feed; instead they pop straight up and get crossed up in front of the bolt.

Never trust a bow under 40 (inches).

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

Does anyone know where you can get one of these in .308? I can't find one anywhere.

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

try cabellas,bass pro .I can order one from my gun smith and have it in 3-10 days.I have about 7 gun dealers within a 20min drive and cabellas and bass pro within 2 hr drive.
Thanks handloader when I try it I will let you know how it shoots.

Edited by - ploopy on 12/16/2002 20:34:43

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

Ploopy, I have never seen Cabelas take orders for rifles over the phone. Bass Pro is 2 miles away and they said they can't get one. Called Winchester, and they said the wait will be until March. If you can get one from your smith in 3-10 days, let me have the information, but my smith was shocked when he searched 5 states with no luck for a .308. He didn't think there would be a problem. If you don't care, could you find out if he can locate one. Gunsamerica, auctionarms, and gunbroker don't have any. All you can get is a 22-250 or 223.

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

I will check around here to see if I can get one.I never had to wait before.I know you cant order a rifle through cabellas.i thought if you were close enough to stop in there .I was there about 3 weeks ago and I know they had one up there.I will be muzzleloading in Indiana this weekend but I will try throughout the week to call some of them to see if they have any on hand.



Edited by - ploopy on 12/17/2002 19:22:41

RE: Winchester M70 Stealth
 

Thanks a bunch. I called gunfinder.net, and he usually can get anything, but all he said he has is the 22-250's also. Winchester said their is low demand for .308's. There must not be that much of a low demand, I know 3 people looking for them. Some people suggest an FN Police Special instead. Has a Winchester 70 looking action with a claw extractor like from mauser. I took a look at one and it was a little more expensive than the stealth and the parkerizing was uneven as all get out. I could see bare metal around the crown.