What's With The New Portuguese Made Winchester Model 70s These Days ?

curt672 · Oct 26, 2026

Ontario Hunter said:
I hate to agree but for $2500 a new Model 70 Safari Express is hard to beat. Might require a bit of tinkering to make it work properly but for that price, not a big deal. I built my 404 on a Czech military action and even after doing most of the work myself it still cost in the neighborhood of $3K. The only difference between the two rifles besides the caliber (and action length) is the barrel band sling swivel. Personally I wouldn't have one on my rifle anyway. Don't want it slung that low. In fact, my rifle wears Winchester Safari Express iron sights and crossbolts. Anyway, someone could buy a new Safari Express, get it turned up, and even re-barreled to +40 caliber "stopping" caliber and still be thousands of dollars below a British custom rifle. Maybe ten thousand.

for 2500 bucks take a look at the Sako 375 , a very nice piece and known around the world and the Bavarian has a single set trigger and box mag holds 4 down low

mark-hunter · Oct 26, 2026

Ontario Hunter said:
I know it's a lovely country to visit and must be something else to hunt besides graveyard shift pigs?

here on this forum we nurture true gun culture, and proper hunting etics.
But those are weak points with many hunters locally, here. 90% hunt for meat.

However: we have following species, and as trophy fully exportable. Red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, axis deer, wild boar, chamois, mouflon, brown bear. (only Croatia and Romania have exportable brown bears I think), Dalmatian wild sheep, feral goats, Exotics: aoudad sheep.

Then there is plenty of small game and birds: pheasant, quail, partridge, woodcock, geese, ducks, hare, rabbit, jackal, fox, badger, etc
Hunting seasons per species overlap, and there is something to hunt 12 months a year

fourfive8 · Oct 26, 2026

I don’t know what video is being referring to in this thread but most phones have slow motion video capability. My older iPhone 6S has 240 fps. Simply put rifle in cradle or cleaning vise. Use “cloud” type lighting to minimize harsh shadows. Load mag. Cycle bolt while running camera. Try cycling bolt at different speeds. It helps to have two people or at least stable tripod for camera. Try several camera angles. Watching how the bolt picks up the cartridge and the attitude of the cartridge as it makes its way into chamber is very revealing. Try different types/brands of rifle for eye opening comparison. Carefully compare the details of the cartridge attitude and travel from magazine to chamber, same caliber and same ammo, between say a Win 70 and a CZ or BRNO. Guaranteed to be educational!

Ontario Hunter · Oct 26, 2026

fourfive8 said:
I don’t know what video is being referring to in this thread but most phones have slow motion video capability. My older iPhone 6S has 240 fps. Simply put rifle in cradle or cleaning vise. Use “cloud” type lighting to minimize harsh shadows. Load mag. Cycle bolt while running camera. Try cycling bolt at different speeds. It helps to have two people or at least stable tripod for camera. Try several camera angles. Watching how the bolt picks up the cartridge and the attitude of the cartridge as it makes its way into chamber is very revealing. Try different types/brands of rifle for eye opening comparison. Carefully compare the details of the cartridge attitude and travel from magazine to chamber, same caliber and same ammo, between say a Win 70 and a CZ or BRNO. Guaranteed to be educational!

Video of problem rifle being cycled is top of page two of this thread. The bolt hangs up even when closing on an empty magazine.

TOBY458 · Oct 26, 2026

Ontario Hunter said:
Are your cases getting scratched? Did you check headspace with go-no go gauges?

It has nothing to do with headspace. The mouth of the cartridge case catches on the back of the chamber before it enters the chamber. It’s actually where the belt cut is for the belted magnum chamber. It’s a very sharp edge that catches on the mouth of the cartridge case if it isn’t crimped enough.

SStomcat · Oct 26, 2026

mark-hunter said:
here on this forum we nurture true gun culture, and proper hunting etics.
But those are weak points with many hunters locally, here. 90% hunt for meat.

However: we have following species, and as trophy fully exportable. Red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, axis deer, wild boar, chamois, mouflon, brown bear. (only Croatia and Romania have exportable brown bears I think), Dalmatian wild sheep, feral goats, Exotics: aoudad sheep.

Then there is plenty of small game and birds: pheasant, quail, partridge, woodcock, geese, ducks, hare, rabbit, jackal, fox, badger, etc
Hunting seasons per species overlap, and there is something to hunt 12 months a year

You are somewhat fortunate and so are we. In parts of the world where I grew up, people hunt to satisfy their hunger. Protein -meat is scarce and commercially out of limits for the rural poor, sad.

Schuetze · Oct 26, 2026

When did Winchester start making rifle in Portugal? I thought that they were still made in Japan, but then I'm usually behind the power curve on these matters.

As well as Pre-64 Model 70s, I also have a Post-63 458 Winchester Model 70 (G series, controlled feed) that is a 100% rifle from any position.

PHOENIX PHIL · Oct 26, 2026

Schuetze said:
When did Winchester start making rifle in Portugal? I thought that they were still made in Japan, but then I'm usually behind the power curve on these matters.

As well as Pre-64 Model 70s, I also have a Post-63 458 Winchester Model 70 (G series, controlled feed) that is a 100% rifle from any position.

My understanding is 2013 when they started in Portugal. For a brief period of time prior to the at, they were assembled in South Carolina.

mark-hunter · Oct 27, 2026

SStomcat said:
You are somewhat fortunate and so are we. In parts of the world where I grew up, people hunt to satisfy their hunger. Protein -meat is scarce and commercially out of limits for the rural poor, sad.

I agree.
In my opinion, having in mind legal environment in EU, I live in a place with most friendly gun laws in EU, and very hunting friendly laws.
Moreover, hunting is listed in national cultural heritage register, as a "national cultural heritage".

RSL · Oct 27, 2026

PHOENIX PHIL said:
My understanding is 2013 when they started in Portugal. For a brief period of time prior to the at, they were assembled in South Carolina.

Yes, in 2007 production of the Model 70 started in South Carolina, by FN Herstal, and continued until 2013, when assembly and fitting was moved to Portugal. Some parts of the Model 70s are still manufactured in South Carolina and shipped to Portugal, assembled and completed rifles are shipped back to the USA. There are no Winchester branded rifles being completely manufactured in the USA at this time. I was surprised to discover the Model 70 was made in
South Carolina for 6 years. I thought it was only 2 or 3 years.

dchum · Oct 27, 2026

Schuetze said:
When did Winchester start making rifle in Portugal? I thought that they were still made in Japan, but then I'm usually behind the power curve on these matters.

As well as Pre-64 Model 70s, I also have a Post-63 458 Winchester Model 70 (G series, controlled feed) that is a 100% rifle from any position.

Only the lever guns are made in Japan. Miroku factory. They do a good job.

Safari Dave · Oct 27, 2026

My "push feed" Post-64 Winchester model 70's run flawlessly (6.5x55, .375 H&H, and .458 Win Mag)

Yeah, I know you are taking risking your life by using one (just like Tikka, Remington, and Weatherby) but I'd rather have a perfectly functional push-feed any day over a CRF than a CRF that won't cycle.

Just me, I guess...

I've never had a "push-feed" fail, I've had a couple of CRF's that have.

Xpraetor · Oct 29, 2026

Russ16 said:
Depending on where you live there may not be much in the way of local gunshops. For me the choice is a 50ish minute drive to a Cabela’s or sportsman’s wharehouse or a few small shops that sell handguns and tactical rifles. The smaller shops won’t even have a single bolt gun in stock. The tie but ones have the usual selection of smaller caliber bolt guns but those are way outnumbered by AR style rifles.

But they will do transfers. So for me the entire game is online shopping or special order. Luckily there is a lot available. It is pretty easy to find a new Model 70 in a safari caliber. And there are plenty of used guns available.

25 years ago there weren’t any more safari calibers on shelves around me and it was much harder to find one as online didn’t exist in the same way.

Just a different way of looking at it.

You just described my entire experience!

As it stands, the only "gunsmith" in my area that will work on bolt actions, pump actions, lever actions is a 1 1/2 hour drive & the level of expertise is limited.

Schuetze · Oct 29, 2026

PHOENIX PHIL said:
My understanding is 2013 when they started in Portugal. For a brief period of time prior to the at, they were assembled in South Carolina.

Thanks Phoenix Phil. I tried to look up the number on my 458 Super Express, but the records are pretty wonky for these later Winchesters from what I can decipher.

Dukeisok · Oct 29, 2026

I have owned two Portuguese made model 70 Winchesters. Both had to undergo repairs.

Safari express in 375 H&H arrived with one of the holes for the scope bases completely untapped.

Super grade in 270 Winchester would not put bullets on paper even with a leupold scope maxed out on its adjustments. Close inspection revealed the front mounting hole was substantially off center. I sent it back to Winchester. They confirmed the problem and replaced the rifle.

Both have been good since that time but it’s just another example of our disposable world in the poor quality crap that comes out today. Don’t get me started on my 2024 Chevy Silverado. 55,000 miles, and it has needed two recalls, computer reprogramming for diesel exhaust fluid issue, valve body for the transmission, and a driver side door lock actuator.

I buy my guns and cars used now

TarletonJake · Oct 29, 2026

Reading this thread is certainly a disappointment. I bought a new Safari Express in .375 H&H earlier this year that has been flawless. It seems that I may have been one of the lucky ones, and I sure hope Winchester gets this sorted sooner than later.

Jake

RSL · Oct 30, 2026

Schuetze said:
Thanks Phoenix Phil. I tried to look up the number on my 458 Super Express, but the records are pretty wonky for these later Winchesters from what I can decipher.

It should be a 1994 to 1998 i think.

Try this:

Post in thread 'Winchester Model 70 • 375 H&H • Super Express' https://www.africahunting.com/threads/winchester-model-70-•-375-h-h-•-super-express.77073/post-1107833

Schuetze · Oct 30, 2026

Thanks for that link RSL. My Super Express dates to 1996. 30 years old this year. It was owned by a PH in South Africa and was used on safaris, so its got a ding or two.

RSL · Oct 31, 2026

Schuetze said:
Thanks for that link RSL. My Super Express dates to 1996. 30 years old this year. It was owned by a PH in South Africa and was used on safaris, so its got a ding or two.

You are welcome. A ding or two adds character.
Cool that a PH owned it. My 375 Super Express is a 1998 model. Probably a safe queen most of it's life.

What's With The New Portuguese Made Winchester Model 70s These Days ?

curt672

mark-hunter

fourfive8

Ontario Hunter

TOBY458

SStomcat

Schuetze

PHOENIX PHIL

mark-hunter

RSL

dchum

Safari Dave

Xpraetor

Schuetze

Dukeisok

TarletonJake

RSL

Schuetze

RSL

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