This month's article will cover pre-64 model 70 Winchester Featherweight. This configuration is one of the most sought after and well liked. These six rifles reflect all the standard calibers offered in the featherweight line. These rifles were only offered a short time in this rifle's production run from about 1952 through 1963.


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The first caliber offered was the .308 Winchester based on the 7.62 by 51 NATO round. This cartridge was created for use in the M-14 military rifle and later adopted by Winchester for use in their model 70 line. The .243 Winchester and .358 Winchester are also based on this case. The other three calibers were the 30-06 Government, the .270 Winchester, and coming up last was the .264 Win. mag. The receivers were the same on all the six calibers. The difference was the .264 Win. mag. which had a mag. bolt face.








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The most rare of the six was the .358 Winchester. This caliber was offered a few years in the mid '50s. They had extraction problems with the case and ceased production in the model 70. The reason there are so few is they offered a new rifle if you brought your .358 in for repair; thus the explanation for so many of this caliber being destroyed by Winchester. The Featherweight rifle had a 2" shorter barrel than the standard rifle, 22" in length and a slimmer barrel at the chamber.


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The Featherweight had a aluminum fore plate and trigger bow versus steel on the standard weight rifles. The butt plate on the early Featherweight was also aluminum versus steel on the standard. The standard weight rifle also had a lump where the rear sight was mounted and a forend screw that was attached to a dovetailed fixture on the bottom of the barrel lump. All this only made the Featherweight about 6 ounces lighter. That is a lot if you are carrying this rifle all day. These rifles were offered with two styles of combs. The low comb had open buckhorn sight or the 22G, as Winchester called it, or the Lyman sight that came with the Monte Carlo type stock. The front sight was hooded and had a silver bead. The front ramp on the front sight came in many different designs and created quite a bit of controversy as to which were used at which time. The checkering pattern stayed about the same.

Although, as they came to the end of the production run the pattern shrunk and the lines per inch were reduced. After about 1957 the mortised aluminum butt plate was replaced with a plastic butt without the mortise. The .264 Winchester magnum had its own unique rubber white line red Winchester pad that was probably made by Pachmayer. You could also order these rifles with factory-installed peeps, usually Lyman. As you can see, these rifles have contrasting looks as to stock color and grain. Winchester used different stains and each rifle took on its own character. The prices on these rifles are driven by rarity, lack of availability and of course, pure love. They are as popular today by collectors and hunters as they were 50 years ago.

These guns are also being refinished and restored and being passed off as new. Be careful about buying unless you consult an expert or deal with a reputable auction house or dealer with a good record.

Remember, A serious buyer realizes the importance of seeking a professional when purchasing guns of this rarity. It pays to hire or deal with a reputable auction gallery or firearms broker.

Good luck buying,
Charley