Regardless, the fact that there were a number of Model 1903 Marine Corps match rifles, along with spare parts, already on-hand resulted in the idea of a standardized Model 70 sniping rifle being doomed from the start.ĭespite the Marine Corps’ firm rejection of the Model 70, some of these rifles did, in fact, serve overseas in combat, albeit on an unofficial basis. The Marine Corps clearly believed that the existing Model 1903, “tuned” to match grade, was a superior sniping rifle as compared to the Model 70. 30, M1903, ‘Snipers Equipment’ on hand at this Depot … are believed to be superior to the subject rifle both in accuracy and durability …. ![]() These rifles are not considered suitable for use as sniper rifles. ![]() (a) Not sufficiently sturdy (b) Parts are not interchangeable with M1903 and M1 parts (c) Replacement parts will be difficult to procure (d) Not fitted with sling swivels. The subject rifles are not considered suitable for general service use for the following reasons: A memo dated July 29, 1942, stated in part: “Subject: Rifles, Winchester, Model 70. The letter, signed by Winchester’s Edwin Pugsley, concluded: “It occurs to us that the Marine Corps may be interested in an additional quantity of rifles at this time and shall be glad to submit quotation if you will advise us what styles and quantities you may be interested in.”Ībout a week after this letter, the Marine Corps firmly closed the door on the acquisition of any additional Model 70 rifles. Most of these rifles had 24" barrels, but there were 105 with 20" barrels. 30 Government 06 Rifles on hand, which we can offer you subject to prior sale.” Marine Corps Quartermaster on July 20, 1942, indicating it had 1,944 “Model 70. To this end, Winchester sent a letter to the U.S. 30 Government 06 Rifles are now frozen under War Production Board Limitation Orders.” The company obviously wanted to sell as many of the Model 70s remaining in its inventory as possible. Shortly after the government acquired these rifles, Winchester reported that “all. Serial numbers were in the approximate 41,000 to 50,000 range, and the rifles had 24" sporter barrels with leaf sights, sporter-checkered stocks with steel buttplates, 1" sling swivels and leather slings. According to Winchester documents, these rifles were shipped to the Marine Corps on May 29, 1942. Before any official action was taken, the Marine Corps ordered 373 Model 70s chambered in. This recommendation made its way up the chain of command. The “Rifleman’s Rifle,” fitted with an 8X Unertl, was used by the military in long-range competition, then eventually by Marines in Vietnam. Marine snipers was the Winchester Model 70 topped with an 8X target scope made by the Unertl Co. The report concluded that the best rifle/scope combination for use by U.S. Calvin Lloyd, wrote a 72-page report titled “Equipment for the American Sniper,” which discussed the various types of rifles and telescopic sights available at the time. Soon after Pearl Harbor, two members of the U.S. military, some Model 70 rifles were used as sniping rifles during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Although never adopted for combat use by the U.S. Manufactured in a wide variety of configurations and calibers, it was a favorite of many hunters, shooters and gun enthusiasts. ![]() Introduced in 1936 as an improvement on the Model 54, the Model 70 soon set the standard for commercial bolt-action rifles. One of the perennially popular Winchester firearms of the 20th century is the Model 70 bolt-action rifle. To subscribe to the magazine, visit the NRA membership page here and select American Rifleman as your member magazine. Clapp is, of course, an American Rifleman field editor today. Btn., 7th Marines, under young Marine Capt. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes. Above, Marine rifleman Dalton Gunderson eyes the enemy through an 8X Unertl scope on top of his Special Services-procured Winchester Model 70 in Vietnam. This article, "The Military Model 70," appeared originally in the April 2011 issue of American Rifleman.
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