Model 70 extra power firing pin spring

Does anyone know where I can find an extra power firing pin spring for a current production Winchester Safari Express?

I had one light primer strike with my handloads yesterday. I’m not sure if it was due to a hard primer, not fully seated primer or a weak spring. I’m thinking of replacing it and putting a 25-30 pound spring. I just can’t find any in stock through Wolff. Primers were struck decently, but show better strikes with factory ammunition. I was using CCI magnum primers.

Winchester Model 70 Safari Express current production uses the standard M70 firing pin spring, and some folks have noted weak factory springs on bigger calibers leading to occasional light strikes especially with handloads and hard primers like CCI magnums.
Wolff does make an extra power 25 lb firing pin spring specifically for the Model 70 check MidwayUSA they list it as in stock or searchable there. It's a direct drop in replacement and should give you harder, more consistent strikes without issues.

Wish I could have found an extra power firing pin spring before I got rid of my new Winchester M70 Alaskan. Same problem, supposedly fixed on warranty, but the firing pin strikes were still too weak for my confidence. I was told the spring was "special" and a replacement not available. Good luck with your quest!

Ze209 said:

Winchester Model 70 Safari Express current production uses the standard M70 firing pin spring, and some folks have noted weak factory springs on bigger calibers leading to occasional light strikes especially with handloads and hard primers like CCI magnums.
Wolff does make an extra power 25 lb firing pin spring specifically for the Model 70 check MidwayUSA they list it as in stock or searchable there. It's a direct drop in replacement and should give you harder, more consistent strikes without issues.

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No they don't, the new models use a shorter spring.

BillyJack1975 said:

Does anyone know where I can find an extra power firing pin spring for a current production Winchester Safari Express?

I had one light primer strike with my handloads yesterday. I’m not sure if it was due to a hard primer, not fully seated primer or a weak spring. I’m thinking of replacing it and putting a 25-30 pound spring. I just can’t find any in stock through Wolff. Primers were struck decently, but show better strikes with factory ammunition. I was using CCI magnum primers.

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I've heard of people using a shortened Remington 700 Short Action extra power springs. They say to cut them to the same length as your factory springs and install.

I suspect Wolff Gunsprings could help you out, prob even Brownells or Midwest Gun Works.

Did you pull your bolt apart and see if there was any crud in the firing pin ?

I disassembled the bolt and inspected the firing pin and spring. It’s pretty clean, nothing to hinder it’s function. I noticed on 375 H&H reloads only, that the primers weren’t getting fully seated on my handloads. I’m using the same RCBS hand primer which seats everything else fine. But on the 375 cases, it leaves one side of the primer slightly out / proud. I haven’t had any misfired on factory ammunition. But I had 1 light primer strike on CCI #250 magnum primer. (Brass would wobble) on a flat surface, indicating a high and not fully seared primer.
I was able to firmly seat all of my other primed brass using a modified spacer to ensure the primers are all fully fully seated.

I think the primers not seated properly and the combination of hard CCI magnum primers might be the issue. I went ahead and ordered a Wolff extra power #30 firing pin spring just to be sure.

BillyJack1975 said:

I noticed on 375 H&H reloads only, that the primers weren’t getting fully seated on my handloads. I’m using the same RCBS hand primer which seats everything else fine. But on the 375 cases, it leaves one side of the primer slightly out / proud. I haven’t had any misfired on factory ammunition. But I had 1 light primer strike on CCI #250 magnum primer. (Brass would wobble) on a flat surface, indicating a high and not fully seared primer.
I was able to firmly seat all of my other primed brass using a modified spacer to ensure the primers are all fully fully seated.

I think the primers not seated properly and the combination of hard CCI magnum primers might be the issue. I went ahead and ordered a Wolff extra power #30 firing pin spring just to be sure.

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See this thread on seating primers. There is a lot of information that may help resolve your issue.


This Frankfort Arsenal priming tool has adjustable primer seating depth.



The K&M primer pocket uniformer is really handy for short primer pockets.

I bet it’s the firing pin spring, they are terribly notorious to cause trouble. A member here used a Remington 700 SA spring that he shortened a bit.
I just used a factory replacement and had no more trouble for the rest of the time I owned it.

I'm wondering if you could get a stronger hit if you put a spacer/shim between the back of the spring and the shroud.

Ray B said:

I'm wondering if you could get a stronger hit if you put a spacer/shim between the back of the spring and the shroud.

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It should work as long as the spring still has some room for compression. I considered it when I did mine but couldn’t find the right washer in shop.

I think you should fix your primer seating first and see if the problem persists. If your primer is not seated and worse is angled, then the firing pin wastes its energy seating the primer and in addition will not hit the anvil inside the primer squarely. Then see if you need the extra spring or even order one and replace it. But a new spring does not solve the primer seating problem and you neednto sort that out if your ammo is going to be reliable.