Winchester 70 Bolt Action Rifle Owners Manual

							Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle OwnerÕs Manual
Licensee 
						

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Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page
Gun safety warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 - 3
General description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 - 4
Terminology and descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Serial number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Magazine capacity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
General operation/special reminders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Initial cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Oiling the action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Operation of the safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Installing/removing the bolt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Loading procedures Ñ magazines   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Unloading procedures Ñ  magazines . . . . . . . . . . . .15 - 17
Firing procedures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
In the case of a misfire   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Bolt disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Sight adjustments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Cleaning and maintenance suggestions  . . . . . . . . .22 - 24
Ordering parts / service or repair  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24This manual covers current Model 70 versions with
conventional magazine systems with enclosed floorplate
and swing down-type floorplate design. This includes
those with Classic Pre-Õ64 type action and push feed
designs. This manual does notapply to Model 70Õs 
containing a Detachable Box Magazine (DBM). Study
these instructions carefully to be sure you have covered all
information about your particular Model 70.
GUNSAFETYWARNINGS
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY STUDIED
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM TO ASSURE
PROPER AND SAFE GUN HANDLING. FAILURE
TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS OR FAIL-
URE TO OBEY ANY SAFETY WARNING MAY
RESULT IN INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTH-
ERS, OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN. 
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding responsi-
bilities. How seriously you take these responsibilities can
be the difference between life and death. There is no
excuse for careless or abusive handling of any firearm. 
At all times handle your rifle and any other firearm with
intense respect for its power and potential danger. 
						

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PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF
THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PROCE-
DURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN
THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR NEW
FIREARM.
1. Do not carry a loaded gun with a live round in the
chamber while walking, running, climbing a tree, crossing
a fence or anywhere you might slip or fall, drop the gun or
otherwise bump or jar the gun. A gun that is dropped,
bumped, or jarred with a chambered round might acciden-
tally discharge even with the safety on, causing serious
injury to you or someone else. When a round is cham-
bered keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot.
2. Do not rely on the safety to prevent accidental dis-
charge. Many safeties merely block the trigger and prevent
firing by pulling the trigger. The safety may not prevent
an accidental discharge due to dropping, jarring, or bump-
ing a gun.
3. Use only ammunition for which the gun is chambered
as indicated on the barrel, to prevent excessive pressure
and possible serious personal injury.
4. Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause serious per-
sonal injury and damage to the firearm due to excessivepressure. Reload only after proper instruction and in strict
compliance with instruction and data contained in cur-
rent reloading manuals.
5. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to
shoot. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction in case of
accidental discharge.
6. Always check to ensure that the barrel is free of
obstructions before loading and using the gun. If you 
experience light recoil or off sound, check the barrel for
obstruction.
7. Before firing, clean any grease or oil out of barrel with
cleaning rod and patch. Grease or heavy accumulation of
oil can cause excessive pressure and result in serious 
personal injury.
8. Keep barrel, chamber and action free of rust. Rust in
the barrel and chamber can cause excessive pressures
resulting in serious injury. A rusted, pitted or eroded bar-
rel should be replaced.
9. Use hearing protection to prevent ear damage from
repeated exposure to gunfire.
10. Always use proper shooting glasses to prevent eye
injury from flying particles.
11. Never carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle or carry 
						

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one into a dwelling. Always carefully unload the gun
before entering a motor vehicle, a dwelling or an area
such as a camp. Always point a gun in a safe direction
while loading or unloading to prevent serious injury in
case of an accidental discharge. Never load in the house
or in your vehicle.
12. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or at the surface of
water to avoid a ricochet and possible serious personal
injury to yourself or a bystander.
13. Store guns in a clean dry place out of reach of children
and separated from stored ammunition.
14. Never alter any parts of your gun. Any alterations or
adjustments that may become necessary to the operating
mechanism should be performed by a qualified gunsmith.
GENERALDESCRIPTION
Your new Model 70 is one of a number of different ver-
sions and configurations offered. The basic operating pro-
cedures are the same for nearly all of them. Where there
are differences they are pointed out for your convenience. 
The Model 70 is a bolt action design that allows the
shooter to load a round by cycling the action and moving
a cartridge from a loaded magazine to the chamber. 
This can be repeated until the magazine is empty. A singleround can also be inserted into the chamber manually.
There are many different versions of the Model 70. 
A variety of calibers is offered. Each gun is designed to
shoot a specific centerfire caliber.
Your Model 70 is made with one of the following bolt
design configurations:
1) Pre-Õ64 type action with claw extractor and 
controlled round feed.
2) Push feed design with recessed bolt face and plunger
style ejector.
Both designs are proven under real hunting and shooting
conditions and offer excellent advantages to match your
specific needs. 
Every Model 70 has a three-position safety. This sets the
Winchester Model 70 apart from other designs. With the
safety in the middle position, the bolt can be opened and
operated. In the middle position the safety remains Òon
safe.Ó Model 70s have hammer-forged rifling. This type of
rifling is considered by many gun experts as the best rifling
for accuracy. Your Model 70 may be equipped with the
BOSS accuracy system (Ballistic Optimizing Shooting
System, U.S. Patent #5,279,200). If so, it will have a full
floating barrel. If you have the BOSS, be sure you 
thoroughly read and understand all instructions  
						

							concerning it supplied in a separate manual with your
rifle. If your manual is missing contact us immediately.
The barrels on other non-BOSS models often utilize slight
forearm pressure to maximize accuracy.
Magazine configurations vary. Yours has one of the follow-
ing:
1) A hinged-type floorplate with a conventional spring
and follower mechanism. 
2) An enclosed floorplate. 
DBM-type magazines (stands for Detachable Box
Magazine) are not covered in this manual. Please be awareof which type of magazine you have and carefully read the
instructions pertaining to it later in this manual.
If your Model 70 is one of the new Classic Pre-Õ64 type
models youÕll notice the nearly identical likeness to the
original Model 70s discontinued in 1963. You get all the
classic design advantages of the originals, plus improve-
ments in manufacturing and finish not possible decades
ago. 
IMPORTANT:Refer to Figures 1A-D for general part
descriptions regarding your new rifle. You must become
familiar with all part names listed before proceeding with
the rest of the instructions in this manual.
4
FIGURE 1A
Recoil Pad
(Butt PlateCocking Indicator
SafetyAction
BoltLoading/Ejection Port
Hinged Magazine
Floorplate Bolt Handle
Trigger
Guard Trigger
StockFore-endOptional BOSS Device
Muzzle 
						

							TERMINOLOGY
ANDDESCRIPTIONS
Descriptions in this manual generally refer to the gun in
the horizontal position. That is, in the normal firing 
position. For example, the muzzle is forward or front; the
butt stock is rearward or rear; the trigger is downward or
underneath; the sight is upward or on top. For general
parts terminology, refer to Figure 1-A. 
The Winchester Model 70 is also shown disassembled to
the extent necessary in order to follow instructions con-
tained in this book (See Figure 1-B through 1-D). 
Figure 1-E covers the general features and benefits of the
Model 70 design.
FIGURE 1BFIGURE 1C
FIGURE 1D
Manual ejector gives more control over the way a cartridge is ejected. Unlike plunger-
style ejector, the Model 70Õs Pre-Ô64 type design uses a blade system that allows you to
vary the amount of ejection. Pull sharply rearward and the cartridge ejects well clear of
the rifle. Pull slowly and easily pluck the round from the action. The non-mechanical
blade ejector is so reliable, it has long been the preference of those who hunt in Africa.
Cone-to-breech design protects bullet points for accuracy. All new Model 70s with
Pre-Õ64 style actions have a precision machined coned breech. The proven cone design
assists alignment of the cartridge point with the chamber Ñ without marring the point
of the bullet. You get smoother feeds, with no snags, as the cartridge neck and shoulder
are guided into position.
Claw 
extractorLocking Lugs
Ejector slot
Anti-bind slot
5 
						

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The original Model 70 three-position
safety is still the preferred design of
most gun experts Ñ it actually blocks
the firing pin and lets you open the bolt
with the safety on.The Model 70 offers our superb anti-bind
bolt design Ñ keeping bolt function smooth.
The innovative field-strippable
firing pin mechanism is easy to
inspect and service Ñ even in
the outdoors. It gives you spe-
cial confidence in extremely
cold or dirty conditions.Most Model 70s feature
the famous Pre-Õ64 type
action with claw extrac-
tion. For different needs,
models are also available
with our proven push-feed
bolt design. The heart of any rifle is its trigger.
The Model 70Õs trigger system is
repeatedly praised for its consistency,
precision and incredible crispness. 
						

							FIGURE 1E
7
The optional BOSS accuracy device takes the famous Model 70
design into a new era of accuracy. This revolutionary, patented
technology allows barrel vibrations to be tuned to maximize accura-
cy with virtually any load. Available on many new Model 70s. No other competitorÕs rifle gives you the
strength and accuracy of a forged, chrome
molybdenum, machined steel receiver and
barrel. (Of course on stainless models,
these components are stainless steel.)The Model 70 gives you the precision of
hammer-forged rifling Ñ the most accurate
rifling made.
Free floating barrels on Super Grade, Sporter and  synthetic-
stocked models with the BOSS accuracy system. 
						

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Throughout this manual the ÒactionÓ refers to the mecha-
nism of this rifle which loads and secures the cartridge in
the chamber.
SERIALNUMBER
The serial number is located on the right side of the
receiver, just forward of the loading/ejection port. Record
the serial number at the front of this book for future refer-
ence. 
AMMUNITION
The caliber of your Model 70 is inscribed on the left side
of the barrel. As stated previously, use only ammunition
for which your Model 70 is chambered Ñ as indicated on
the barrel Ñ to prevent excessive pressure and possible
serious personal injury.
The various Model 70 actions are able to handle a large
variety of different centerfire cartridges. Many cartridges
have similar sounding names. 
MAKE SURE YOU USE ONLY THE EXACT
AMMUNITION/CALIBER AS LISTED ON THE
LEFT SIDE OF THE BARREL. 
Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause serious per-
sonal injury and damage to the firearm due to excessivepressure. Reload only after proper instruction and in strict
compliance with instructions and data contained in 
current reloading manuals.
DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY 
VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS,
OR HANDLING AMMUNITION MAY RESULT IN
EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND OTHER 
SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE BIRTH
DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM AND OTHER
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. HAVE 
ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER 
EXPOSURE.
MAGAZINECAPACITY
It is extremely important that you know the magazine
capacity of your Model 70. It is listed on the hang tag 
supplied with your Model 70. Under appropriate 
circumstances Ñ at a range or other suitable shooting
location Ñ load your magazine to full capacity and make
note of the number of cartridges. Remember, ÒtotalÓ
capacity includes an additional round which can be
loaded manually in the chamber in addition to a 
full magazine.