NRA Gun of the Week: Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple Rifle

American Rifleman Staff

posted on July 6, 2019

Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE

It was in 1935 when Winchester Repeating Arms advanced its Model 54 bolt-action rifle to meet the demands of an emerging market. That new rifle, the Model 70, took a few years before it saw its spot in the marketplace, but remains in production today, despite a few changes in manufacturing practices. The Model 70, also known as the “Rifleman’s Rifle,” is considered to be a classic American firearm. Maintaining engineering principles of its predecessor, the Model 70 features the Springfield-type coned breech and dual locking lugs which utilizes a Mauser-style claw extractor and bolt face that provides controlled delivery of cartridges to the barrel's chamber. While Winchester’s legacy continues today, variations of its Model 70 have seen use on the battlefield to the high mountain deserts of the American west. The example shown in the video here is a modern example with classic styling and accoutrements providing its status as a “Super Grade” Winchester. This rifle features a AAA-grade maple stock, engraved floorplate, knurled bolt handle along with jeweling on the bolt’s body and engraved cross bolt to secure the receiver within the figured maple stock. To learn more about the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple, watch this NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by American Rifleman’s Brian Sheetz.

Specifications:
Model: Model 70 Super Grade Maple
Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
Action Type: bolt-action center-fire rifle
Chambering: .308 Win.
Receiver: steel
Barrel: 22”, steel
Finish: high gloss blue
Stock: AAA-grade maple; ebony fore-end cap; gloss finish
Magazine: five-round internal box, hinged floorplate
Sights: none
Trigger: 4-lb. pull
Weight: 7 lbs., 12 ozs.
MSRP: $1,670

Additional Reading:
The Model 70 Story: The Early Years
The Model 70 Story: Improving the Model 54
A Look Back at the Winchester Model 52 Rifle
Pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 - I Have This Old Gun
The .270 Winchester Cartridge
Long-Range Warriors: The USMC M40 Rifles

Latest

I Have This Old Gun: Walther Model 4

After Walther Arms entered the semi-automatic pistol market in the early 20th century, its designs quickly evolved. The Model 4 was one of the most popular pre-World War I pistols made.

News, Guns

New For 2025: Taurus 850

Taurus unveiled its new 850 revolver, a .38 Spl.-chambered, five-shot revolver designed for concealed carry.

News, New For 2025

Snipers Below Freezing: An Assessment Of Finnish & Soviet Sniping In The Winter War

The remarkable performance of Finland’s small military in holding back the Red Army during the Winter War of 1939-1940 drew the attention of many military planners, particularly those with an eye towards engaging in combat with the Russians in the frozen north.

Historical, Guns

Aa Finn Sniper Team 1940 Using Soviet M91 30 With PE Scope

Handloads: A Tokarev Target Load

Finding surplus 7.62x25 mm Tokarev ammunition was easy 15 years ago. When it finally dried up, my Zastava M57 went to the very back of the safe. That was until I discovered that X-Treme makes an affordable 110-grain .308" copper-plated bullet.

News, Ammunition

New For 2025: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5 & MAC-5K

Military Armament Corporation is now shipping its MP5-like MAC-5 and MAC-5K large-format pistols.

New For 2025, Guns

New For 2025 Military Armament Corp Mac 5 Mac 5K

The Rifleman Report: “To Keep And Bear Arms”

When it comes to the three major firearm types—rifle, shotgun and handgun—along with the ammunition and accessories they require, we strive to cover each as best we can. And even though any of them could be pressed into sporting or defensive use, all are only as useful as they are available to responsible citizens.

News