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

by
posted on July 6, 2019
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

KelTec PR57
KelTec PR57

KelTec’s PR57: Thinking Outside The (Detachable) Box

KelTec has brought the stripper clip back with the thoroughly unconventional PR57—a carry pistol with an uncommon chambering, an unusual action and no box magazine.

The Armed Citizen® June 9, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

More Western States Opening Large Shooting Ranges

A number of states in the western U.S. have opened or are planning to open large, versatile ranges to serve the growing need for publicly accessible shooting spaces.

Preview: Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster

More than just a fresh look made using handcrafted leather, the Sneaky Pete Distressed Leather Perfect Holster has been redesigned to accommodate extra ammunition in addition to a concealed firearm.

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.