I recently purchased a new Featherweight chambered in 7x57. It's their 2013 Shot Show promo caliber.
The rifle's appearance is similar to the U.S. Repeating Arms version introduced in the 1980's. The familiar Schnabel forend and deluxe checkering are both here. The rifle has a pre 64 type action that features controlled round feed. It's a feature that I've not been fond of for target rifles that I tend to hand feed one round at a time. For a hunting rifle the necessity of loading and feeding from the magazine ain't a big deal.
The wood to metal fit is very good. It's better than I've come to expect from most of today's production rifles.The slim 22" barrel features a recessed target crown and is free floated.
There are other, some hardly noticeable changes from the previous Featherweight, but one that truly stands out. This would be the new FN designed trigger.
The original Model 70 trigger was a simple and serviceable design, but wasn't nearly as good as Big Green's 700 trigger. This new "MOA" is very shooter friendly. Even at the 4lbs mine came out of the box at, it feels great. I haven't been inside the rifle yet, so I test fired the rifle at the factory 4lb setting.
I installed a Zeiss Conquest 3x9 in a set of Talley lightweight mounts. I loaded a few 140 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets over a moderate dose of W760/H414.
The rifle is a long action/magazine and allows lots of room for today's long pointed designer bullets. I seated these at about .030" off the lands. The feed was flawless.
After initial zeroing, 2" high @ 100 yds I let the rifle cool for about an hour while shooting and troubleshooting a couple of others I brought along for the ride.
I fired three consecutive shots from an adjustable front rest and rear bag. I was pleased as I looked through the spotter and saw a quarter sized 3 shot group. I let the rifle cool and repeated with near identical results.
If it never does any better with different loads, who cares? This little fellow is a pleasure to carry and shoot.
It's early in my relationship with this rifle, so we'll have to assume the longevity is a given. So far though, if mine is an example of what FN is producing with the Winchester name, the brand's in very good hands. CD
The rifle's appearance is similar to the U.S. Repeating Arms version introduced in the 1980's. The familiar Schnabel forend and deluxe checkering are both here. The rifle has a pre 64 type action that features controlled round feed. It's a feature that I've not been fond of for target rifles that I tend to hand feed one round at a time. For a hunting rifle the necessity of loading and feeding from the magazine ain't a big deal.
The wood to metal fit is very good. It's better than I've come to expect from most of today's production rifles.The slim 22" barrel features a recessed target crown and is free floated.
There are other, some hardly noticeable changes from the previous Featherweight, but one that truly stands out. This would be the new FN designed trigger.
The original Model 70 trigger was a simple and serviceable design, but wasn't nearly as good as Big Green's 700 trigger. This new "MOA" is very shooter friendly. Even at the 4lbs mine came out of the box at, it feels great. I haven't been inside the rifle yet, so I test fired the rifle at the factory 4lb setting.
I installed a Zeiss Conquest 3x9 in a set of Talley lightweight mounts. I loaded a few 140 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets over a moderate dose of W760/H414.
The rifle is a long action/magazine and allows lots of room for today's long pointed designer bullets. I seated these at about .030" off the lands. The feed was flawless.
After initial zeroing, 2" high @ 100 yds I let the rifle cool for about an hour while shooting and troubleshooting a couple of others I brought along for the ride.
I fired three consecutive shots from an adjustable front rest and rear bag. I was pleased as I looked through the spotter and saw a quarter sized 3 shot group. I let the rifle cool and repeated with near identical results.
If it never does any better with different loads, who cares? This little fellow is a pleasure to carry and shoot.
It's early in my relationship with this rifle, so we'll have to assume the longevity is a given. So far though, if mine is an example of what FN is producing with the Winchester name, the brand's in very good hands. CD
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