New Winchester Model 70 Alaskan (30-06) review.

[Float Pilot]

After lamenting the lack of available 30-06 riles on the new rifle market, I stumbled into a Model 70 Alaskan model at Three Bears in Kenai. I have been a Model 70 owner several times in the past. Both push feed and classic claw extractor.
First Impressions:
Weight without anything attached. 7.9 pounds.
Weight with scope, scope covers, and sling... 9.7 pounds
This new rifle is marked as having been made in Portugal by Browning.
The Winchester Logo is so faint on the receiver that you need a flashlight to see it.
The caliber and other marking on the barrel are also super shallow and faint.
The bolt body is jeweled. It looks pretty good.
The bluing looks well done and does not have any discolored areas.
The stock has a dull finish that looks like an Oil Finish, but it is not.
The forestock is HOLLOW inside.
The front sling stud has a nut inside the hollow section. It was Loose.
The action is bedded rather poorly with a couple globs of glue.
There was glue on the action screws.
Both action screws were loose.
The recoil pad is a black Decelerator. It is not marked WINCHESTER.
The stock does not blend into the recoil pad. There are a couple sharp lips.
The Trigger is the new MOA trigger.
The trigger pull was almost 6 pounds out of the box.
I adjusted it as much as possible. It is now 4 pounds. It will not go lower as advertised.
The checkering on the stock is basic and looks pressed.
There is no cap on the pistol grip area.
The 25 inch barrel is free floated and passes the dollar bill test.
There is not a classic cheek piece on the stock.
I will take it the range in the next couple days. We were snow-out last Sunday.

 

[Float Pilot]

Some more pics. Here is the hollow fore-end and a couple others. Well now it says my files are too big.

 

[Float Pilot]

Well it will let me load a couple of them

 

[bottom_dweller]

Maybe you could trade it in a Ruger gen 2? I saw it was coming out in 30-06.

 

[tvfinak]

After lamenting the lack of available 30-06 riles on the new rifle market, I stumbled into a Model 70 Alaskan model at Three Bears in Kenai. I have been a Model 70 owner several times in the past. Both push feed and classic claw extractor.

I will take it the range in the next couple days. We were snow-out last Sunday.

Thanks for sharing. Please let us know how it shoots.

 

[Float Pilot]

I fired about 50 rounds today in less than idea conditions. I have to head off for my night job, but will type up some results later.

 

[Float Pilot]

Ok here are some of the shooting results. I am not impressed. These are all loads that worked well in other 30-06 rifles.
The best was the 220 grain round nose Hornady load.
But as you can see, the shots shift back and forth and actually make two groups. I suspect a bedding problem.
YES, only 4 shots because a light firing pin strike would not torch off number 5. Even after 5 re-strikes.

 

[Float Pilot]

Oh and did I mention that a few rounds did not go off. Yeap... LIGHT FIRING PIN STRIKES. So I took the bolt apart ( at 17F) and blasted it out with starter fluid. It was full of crud and machine shavings. But even then I had a couple failures to fire and all the successful shots also had light dents. So I need to fix the frigging firing pin protrusion.
Other loads I tried:

150gr Hornady SP-BT
57.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.220 col and no crimp.
= horrible group.

165gr Speer SP-BT
57.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.220 col and no crimp.
= 1.13 inch group ( really two groups)

178gr Hornady ELD-X
56.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.240 col and no crimp.
=1.89 inch group, really two groups.

180gr Speer Boat-Tail soft point
56.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.201 col and no crimp.
= Huge 2.9 inch group left to right string

200gr Hornady ELD-X
54.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.333 col and no crimp.
= 1.84 inch group.

200gr Speer flat base spitzer SP
54.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.224 col and no crimp.
= 1.20 inch group. year two groups again.

220gr Hornady flat base round nose SP
53.0 gr IMR-4350
CCI-200 primer, Remington Plated brass
3.253 col and no crimp.
= 1.19 inch group. Really two groups one FT fire

 

[The German]

Well, sounds like you've got a project there for sure, keep us up-dated....
TG

 

[rickyw]

I’ve always wondered why the Alaskan model isn’t stainless

 

[mark knapp]

I’ve always wondered why the Alaskan model isn’t stainless

Cuz its too cold here to rust metal

 

[mark knapp]

Oh and did I mention that a few rounds did not go off. Yeap... LIGHT FIRING PIN STRIKES. So I took the bolt apart ( at 17F) and blasted it out with starter fluid. It was full of crud and machine shavings. But even then I had a couple failures to fire and all the successful shots also had light dents. So I need to fix the frigging firing pin protrusion.

It was a new gun? If you don't ask the manufacturer to take care of it, they don't know there's a problem in manufacturing.

 

[Daveinthebush]

Are all the primers set to the same depth?

 

[vince desert rat]

Since Winchester doesn’t make left handed rifles I can’t give them my money as often as I’d like to.

I didn’t see in your post if it was a new rifle or if you purchased it used. A few years ago I purchased a right handed 25-06 and it was the hardest rifle I ever had to work up a load for. If you reload I’m pretty sure you will find a load that will shoot good.

That rifle is long gone. I moved to Ruger as they do make left handed rifles with CRF. The CRF is a feature I’m unwilling to compromise on. Especially in a rifle that I may carry in bear country.

I’m interested in seeing if you find a good load that works for you.

 

[Float Pilot]

*Yes new in the box rifle.

*All primers set to same depth. Light strikes on all.

*Shoulder length is good.

*I looked up light primer strikes with the new Model 70s and the internet is full of people complaining about that problem.

Now I need to think about my options. I can fix it, or send it back to Winchester. I hate sending things back...

 

[4merguide]

Now I need to think about my options. I can fix it, or send it back to Winchester. I hate sending things back...

I hate sending things back too, but, imo, Winchester needs to fix that new gun. Unless you know you personally can fix it, how can you ever depend on it if you don't? Just my thoughts.

 

[s_crockett]

I hate sending things back too, but, imo, Winchester needs to fix that new gun. Unless you know you personally can fix it, how can you ever depend on it if you don't? Just my thoughts.

I agree, … and not only that, but while the factory techs are “fixing” it, the OP should request they re-barrel it to .35 Whelen (also known as the poor man’s magnum).

No other tweaks needed and it’s a much better cartridge for the AK bush than the ‘06.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Pay attention to how little the firing pin travels in a model 70 bolt. It doesn't build up the proper firing pin inertia like the original mauser bolt action. Think of trying conditions youll encounter in Alaska: wind blown silt, salty moisture, or 30-40 below zero on a winter hunt.

That's not the only issue with these new m70's. Another potential issue is the cheesy, press-fit bolt into the bolt housing. They do come loose occasionally: bolt handle lifts, but the bolt stays closed. A few gunsmiths will mechanically pin the rear bolt handle assembly to the bolt housing, for assurance.

Cracks me up that guys "think" a new m-70 is a refined upgrade from a ruger hawkeye.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

I agree, … and not only that, but while the factory techs are “fixing” it, the OP should request they re-barrel it to .35 Whelen (also known as the poor man’s magnum).

No other tweaks needed and it’s a much better cartridge for the AK bush than the ‘06.

Floatpilot had a nice 350 rem mag carbine ruger 77. He even worked up a killer swift 280 grain handload @2400 fps. He SOLD it?! I'm gonna go down there to soft alaska and have a talk with him....

 

[4merguide]

Floatpilot had a nice 350 rem mag carbine ruger 77. He even worked up a killer swift 280 grain handload @2400 fps. He SOLD it?! I'm gonna go down there to soft alaska and have a talk with him....

Soft Alaska? You mean down here in the banana belt?