30-06 Comparisons Continue

We're continuing the comparison from this post by adding a Winchester pre-64 Model 70 and a definitely post-64 Model 670.

All three guns came with iron sights.  Of note, though, is while the Model 70 comes ready for scope mounting from the factory, that stock is dropped for the irons.  The 670 has a raised comb that makes you really have to scrunch your cheeks to get down on the irons.

I've compared the 54 to the 70 before.

The pre-64 Model 70's bolt is so very similar to the 54 that they nearly interchange.  As such, it's a controlled round feed design.

Neither gun can be fed from stripper clips.

The 670 is an even more de-contented version of the post-64 Model 70.  As such, it is a push-feed.

What does that mean?

Controlled feed means that the round pops up into the bolt face with the extractor already in the groove.  It is held, and controlled by the bolt and the extractor all the way into the chamber.  You can chamber a round with the gun upside down.

Push-feed doesn't control the round until the cartridge case's shoulder hits the chamber and the extractor clicks over the rim as the bolt is closed.  If you try to chamber a round upside down, the round will fall out of the action.

But you can see how many fewer parts and machine operations are needed to make a push-feed bolt here:

Fewer parts and operations make a gun less costly to make and thus make it more affordable.

Gun writers hated this change to make the Model 70 more competitive with the Remington Model 700, which is also a push-feed design.  I've compared the pre-64 70 to the 670 before too.