[user4]

I have yet to own any rifles. I am a handgun man. However I have found a guy who wants to sell his brand new, in the box, Winchester Model 70 at .223 cal. Lets just be honest and say I am looking for a good rifle for sniping invaders from 300 meters or so. Is this rifle too weak to be effective?

Guy wants about $575

 

[RL357Mag]

I have yet to own any rifles. I am a handgun man. However I have found a guy who wants to sell his brand new, in the box, Winchester Model 70 at .223 cal. Lets just be honest and say I am looking for a good rifle for sniping invaders from 300 meters or so. Is this rifle too weak to be effective?

Guy wants about $575

The Mod.70 is a fine rifle capable of excellent accuracy and has been for many decades. Winchester has returned to the much desired pre-64 design of controlled feeding and positive extraction. In .223 it would make a spectacular varmint rifle good to atleast 300 yds.

 

[Dillinger]

Depending on the year of manufacture on the action & the condition of the gun, ( NIB hopefully means he never took it out to "test" it - always ask ) I would say that is a pretty good price. They are going for $700 plus all over Google.

I have a pre-'64 Winchester action that I made my .308 sniper Rig on and it's been a hell of a platform. I am partial to the Winchester actions as they are super beefy and have a more positive safety than some of the production guns. Plus their extractor is a solid piece of kit.

.223 isn't a knock em down, knock em dead in their tracks type of caliber, but it will sure do the job if you put the round in the right place. It's "basically" the same round that the US military uses in their assault rifles ( 5.56mm ) - and while it has been called underpowered, it's also put a lot of guys six feet under.

I like the .223 - It's a good round. It isn't outrageously expensive and it's not at all punishing to shoot. I don't think you would have a problem going to the range and shooting it for a few hours of enjoyment. It would definitely make one hell of a good prairie dog gun, should you be so inclined.

Having a good boltgun in the house is never a bad idea in my mind. If you can comfortably afford it, I would seriously think about picking it up. You can certainly do a lot worse in that price range...

JD

 

[robocop10mm]

Check to see the twist rate of the barrel. Most commercial .223 bolt guns are 1/12. That rate will work perfectly fine for 55gr bullets but is inadequate for the heavier pills. IMHO a faster twist rate is pereferable as it gives you more ammo options. I'm not much of a Winchester M-70 fan but to each his own. To me it is kind of a Ford, Chevy, Dodge thing. Remington, Winchester, Savage all do the job, but they appeal to different people.

 

[user4]

Depending on the year of manufacture on the action & the condition of the gun, ( NIB hopefully means he never took it out to "test" it - always ask ) I would say that is a pretty good price. They are going for $700 plus all over Google.

It's a 2006-2007 Winchester model 70 in 223 WSSM if that helps at all. Even though I've never owned a rifle I am quite capable when using them. I can hit that sweet spot on nearly any target so long as the bullet can fly true.

 

[user4]

Check to see the twist rate of the barrel. Most commercial .223 bolt guns are 1/12. That rate will work perfectly fine for 55gr bullets but is inadequate for the heavier pills. IMHO a faster twist rate is pereferable as it gives you more ammo options. I'm not much of a Winchester M-70 fan but to each his own. To me it is kind of a Ford, Chevy, Dodge thing. Remington, Winchester, Savage all do the job, but they appeal to different people.

How can I tell this ahead of purchase? The box reads:

M70 CPRF, NS, Short Blind
223 WSSM 22" BBL

 

[G21.45]

How can I tell this ahead of purchase? The box reads:

M70 CPRF, NS, Short Blind
223 WSSM 22" BBL

Because you asked!



Edited: Dillinger's succeeding post has aced the caliber and performance on this one.

(I, personally, don't care for it; and, the asking price is too high!)

 

[Dillinger]

It's a 2006-2007 Winchester model 70 in 223 WSSM if that helps at all. Even though I've never owned a rifle I am quite capable when using them. I can hit that sweet spot on nearly any target so long as the bullet can fly true.

Well, .223 and .223 WSSM ( Winchester Super Short Magnum ) are more than a bit different.

You might want to read This Review by Guns and Ammo Mag to get a better idea of what you are getting.

You might also consider the price on this unit which appears to be the same thing.

I am by no means an expert on the mini magnums, so I am going to defer to the more knowledgable reloaders on here to give you some information about the cartridge and the expected barrel life...

JD

 

[user4]

Well, .223 and .223 WSSM ( Winchester Super Short Magnum ) are more than a bit different.

You might want to read This Review by Guns and Ammo Mag to get a better idea of what you are getting.

You might also consider the price on this unit which appears to be the same thing.

I am by no means an expert on the mini magnums, so I am going to defer to the more knowledgable reloaders on here to give you some information about the cartridge and the expected barrel life...

JD

You saved me a major headache, thanks! I dodged THAT bullet thanks to you.

 

[Dillinger]

I wasn't trying to talk you out of the firearm, just merely trying to educate you as to what you are buying/trading for.

Glad I could help - but I wasn't trying to make up your mind for you.

JD

 

[cpttango30]

the wssm hovers around 220 swift and 22-250 velocities. Is it a barrel burner no, IF you take care of the rifle and clean it regularly. Would I buy it no, I don't care for the short mags myself because I drew every one of them up when I was in high school long before they put them on the market. I knew what to do before they did.

I digress it is a good round I have heard of guys getting some very good accuracy out of it in custom rifles just like the larger 300 WSM. $575 for The rifle I would not pay. If you want it for a good long range varminter it will do the job. Not sure on the twist. If you want a Win model 70 with its controlled rounds feeding yahda yahda yahda then get it. If you are still thinking about it then ask if you can take it to a gunsmith to have it cheked out. Your NIB and my NIB are different. He might have used it for 500 rounds off the bench then cleaned it real good and shoved it back in the box becuase it shot groups worse than a shotgun with 00 buck would at 200 yards.

 

[G21.45]

.... If you are still thinking about it then ask if you can take it to a gunsmith to have it cheked out. Your NIB and my NIB are different. He might have used it for 500 rounds off the bench then cleaned it real good and shoved it back in the box becuase it shot groups worse than a shotgun with 00 buck would at 200 yards.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking! The seller's got some reason for trying to move this rifle - as new - for (What?) the retail price. Biggest thing I've got against it, though, is the brass. If the SHTF where do you get 223 WSSM cartridges or brass from?

This is one of the main reasons, 'Why' I've always stayed with 30-06, 12 gauge, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm. True, I love 6mm rounds; but, heck, they're mostly for fun.

 

[user4]

I wasn't trying to talk you out of the firearm, just merely trying to educate you as to what you are buying/trading for.

Glad I could help - but I wasn't trying to make up your mind for you.

JD

I was of the same mind as you early on...that he was selling a straight .223 model 70. This deal is decidedly less in my best interest with all the facts in hand. Just glad I hang out here on occasion