Rifleman Review: Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple

Winchester has long been a familiar name in the bolt-action rifle market, and its Model 70 continues to be one of the most celebrated of all. While the company offers many different versions of the Model 70 design today, the most elegant offered is the Super Grade line. Last year, American Rifleman staff tested the newest addition to this lineup, the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple.

The Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple bolt-action rifle in .308 Win.

The Model 70 Super Grade rifles feature an assortment of embellishments, on top of a more carful fit and finish that would normally be expected from a custom made rifle. As the name suggests, this Model 70 is just like the Model 70 Super Grade French Walnut also offered by Winchester, except it wears a maple stock. The stock itself is made of exhibition-grade AAA maple, along with an ebony tip added to the fore-end, that is beautifully figured and comes with a lustrous finish. The stock is also finely checkered with 20 lines-per-inch at the grip and fore-end for added retention, has sling swivel studs pre-installed and is also fitted with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad.   

Firing the Model 70 Super Grade Maple on the range.

Other embellishments include an added ring of knurling on the bolt handle and the use of a dark, polished blued finish on most of the metal surfaces. Like the Super Grade French Walnut, the Super Grade Maple features Winchester's Pre-64 action and M.O.A. trigger system. The bolt has an open face and Mauser-style claw extractor, which adds the benefit of controlled-round feeding and cartridge ejection.

There is also a three-position safety lever on top of the bolt, with the central position locking the trigger yet allowing manipulation of the action. While the bolt handle has a polished blued finish, the bolt body itself comes with a jeweled polish. The action is fed from an internal five-round magazine, which features a classic hinged floor plate at the bottom with "Super Grade" engraved in.

Working the action of the Model 70 Super Grade Maple on the range.

While the specific version of the Model 70 Super Grade Maple reviewed here is chambered in .308 Win., it is also available in eight other chamberings with barrel lengths of 22", 24" and 26". The barrels are made from hammer forged steel, are free floating and feature a target crown. This .308 Win. version has a 22" long barrel with a twist rate of 1:12", making its overall length 42.75" with an empty weight of 7 lbs. 12 ozs. For more information on the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade Maple or Model 70 Super Grade French Walnut and the various chamberings and barrel lengths available for both, visit winchesterguns.com.   

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