Winchester 70 SA Heavy Varmint

[jakes10mm]

Can anyone give me some history of this Winchester rifle?  It looks identical to the current Coyote models, except the barrel is HEAVY...not "medium" weight.  I found one at a local shop in 243 Winchester for $460.  Looks nice and balances pretty nice too.  I've been looking for a heavy varmint barreled rifle and this may be my ticket.

Thanks.

[gwindrider1]

I have one of the Mod. 70 Stealth varmint rifles, and have to say that it is the most accurate rifle I have personally owned.  

I have had issues with the quality of Winchester's barrels in recent years, but this heavy barreled .22-250 is a winner!  Sounds like a pretty good price on that rifle.

Best of luck with it!

[dave375hh]

I have a Model 70 XTR Varmint in .243 and it's a super shooter. It averages .250 to .300 inches @ 100 yds. The smallest (3 shot) is .131. One difference between the varmint and the coyote is the varmint comes with a 26" bbl. the coyote's is 24".

$460.00 is right at dealer cost give or take a few bucks, I don't see how you could go wrong at that price.

[zrifleman]

Jake--I have a model 70 "heavy varminter" in 22-250. It has a blued receiver with heavy stainless barrel in an H S Precision kevlar stock. Does this sound like what you saw? If it is go for it. They have been out of production for a few years, but 8 yrs ago when I lived in Colorado they were the cat's meow to prairie dog shooters. Mine will shoot 1/2-3/4" groups at 100 yds with 50 gr Hornady SST's.

[jakes10mm]

In the face of an impeding floor at the range, I managed to get off 35 rounds from the Winchester 70 HV.  What a shooter!  I skipped my normal "get it on paper" step at 50 yards and when right to the 100 yard range with a freshly boresighted rifle.  First round of marking shots were high right.  Scope adjustment...next round high.  Scope adjustment - on the mark!

This rifle is a breeze to shoot accurately!  I then proceeded to attempt to tear-out the center of the target.  Fifteen shots later - I had a hole covering about 1/3 of the center.  Now, with the stream rushing to within 4-5' of my truck.....the rifle was put away and we headed out for the day.

My only concern with the rifle was a bit of a bind when closing the bolt on a cartridge.  I examined an live load and found rifling marks on the bullet.  Seems like I have a very tight chamber.  

Think I'll be keeping this rifle!  At 10lbs-4oz....the a heavy 243 feels very comfortable.

[Marty]

Way to go, Jakes.
Sounds like you've got a keeper.
I have plans to pick up a 70SA Heavy Varminter in 308 shortly.  :grin:  It is black throughout; no stainless bbl. like the original Heavy Varminter, but looks like the first series Stealth. But it is not marked Stealth. I've heard a lot of good reports on these rifles. Hope the 308 shoots as well.

Marty

[jakes10mm]

I was in Cabela's Kansas City store this week....while traveling on business.  I was surprised to see not one but three Win "Heavy Varmint" rifles in the used racks.  One was 243, another was 22-250, but I can't remember the caliber on the third.  Out of curiosity, I checked the bolt smoothness on all three.  One was super slick while the other two required a little more force to close (like mine).  This helped put me at ease on the "quality" of my Winchester.  I was also happy to see my local dealer was over a $100 cheaper than Cabelas.  

Winchester have been very good rifles for me.  I believe one of the new all-blue Coyote models in 300WSM will find its way into my safe in the near future.