Winchester Model 70
- Category
- Rifle
- Barrel
- 610 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.63 kg
- Introduced
- 1936
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield, produced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company since 1936. This American-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 5-round magazine capacity, this rifle offers compact firepower. The striker-fired action provides a consistent trigger pull for every shot, simplifying training and reducing the manual of arms - a design philosophy that has become the dominant paradigm in modern defensive handguns. The 24.0-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 3629g (128.0 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The steel frame provides a solid, premium feel with the durability to withstand decades of regular use and thousands of rounds. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The pre-1964 Model 70 is called 'The Rifleman's Rifle' and is considered the gold standard of American bolt-action sporting rifles. When Winchester redesigned it in 1964 with cost-cutting push-feed action, the backlash was so severe that 'pre-64' became a collector's designation that commands premium prices to this day. The USMC M40 sniper rifle, which has served Marine scout snipers since Vietnam, is built on the Model 70 action.
Pre-1964 Model 70s are highly collectible and command premium prices due to their controlled-feed action and superior craftsmanship. Winchester redesigned the rifle in 1964 with cost-cutting measures that were poorly received, leading to the 'pre-64' vs 'post-64' distinction. In 1992, Winchester reintroduced the Classic model with the controlled-round-feed action restored. Available in over 30 calibers throughout its production history.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms Company
- Category
- Rifle
- Country
- United States
- Status
- Discontinued
- Produced
- 1936
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 610 mm
- Overall length
- 1080 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.63 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Bolt action
- Firing mechanism
- Striker fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Trigger pull
- 27.0 N
- Capacity
- 5
- Magazine
- Internal
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Wood
- Finish
- Blued
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 823 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 3293 J
- Effective range
- 800 m
- Maximum range
- 3500 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
No load solved for this record yetThe flight path is computed from a cartridge and a bullet. This record has no ammunition filed against its chambering, so there is nothing to solve.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Controlled round feed
Mauser type extractor
Coned breech
Adjustable trigger
Two front locking lugs
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 75 .30-06 Springfield rifles | 3.63 kg | 3.40 kg | Heavier than about 80% |
| Overall lengthAmong 73 .30-06 Springfield rifles | 1080 mm | 1100 mm | Shorter than about 70% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 75 .30-06 Springfield rifles | 610 mm | 584 mm | Longer than about 80% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 78 .30-06 Springfield rifles | 5 | 4 | Holds more rounds than about 80% |
Answers
Questions about the Winchester Model 70
How much does the Winchester Model 70 weigh?
The Winchester Model 70 weighs 3.63 kg (8.00 lb) empty.
What caliber is the Winchester Model 70?
The Winchester Model 70 is chambered in .30-06 Springfield.
How many rounds does the Winchester Model 70 hold?
The Winchester Model 70 holds 5 rounds, fed from an internal magazine.
How long is the Winchester Model 70?
The Winchester Model 70 is 1080 mm (42.5 in) long overall, with a 610 mm (24.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the Winchester Model 70?
The Winchester Model 70 is made by Winchester Repeating Arms Company (United States).
When was the Winchester Model 70 introduced?
The Winchester Model 70 was introduced in 1936.
How does the Winchester Model 70 operate?
The Winchester Model 70 uses a bolt action, and its firing mechanism is striker fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- United States Marine Corps
- 1966
- United States Civilian Hunters
- 1936
Provenance
Confidence in this record
85%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/winchester-model-70' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "winchester-model-70", "name": "Winchester Model 70", "manufacturer": { "id": "winchester", "name": "Winchester Repeating Arms Company", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1866, "website": "https://www.winchesterguns.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:40:45", "version": "032f75658544de9d931ca09f772b9ab92b282bf53db67851bf4eb3f8c0612520" }, "category": { "id": "rifle", "name": "Rifle", "description": "Long-barreled firearms designed for accurate shooting" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 1936, "barrel_length_mm": 610, "weight_empty_g": 3629, "action_type": "bolt_action"}