It has an iconic place in American sporting culture and has been held in high regard by shooters since it was introduced in 1936, earning the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle".

Repeating Arms under an agreement with Olin Corporation, allowing USRA to use the Winchester name and logo.

Pre-1964 Model 70s bring a substantial price premium due to a public perception that they were better, as they had several desirable features (Mauser-type controlled round feed, cut checkering) that the post-1964 version did not.

The best way to identify a pre-1964 Model 70 Winchester rifles is the serial number and the fore-end screw to secure the barrel to the stock.

It was a high-quality action of considerable strength, with two forward locking lugs and a Mauser-type non-rotating claw extractor.

The key benefit of the Mauser-type extractor compared to later versions is that it more positively extracts the spent casing.

The smaller extractor of the push feed action may slip or break off a spent casing stuck in the chamber under adverse conditions.

This function is necessary to allow subsequent cartridges to be fed and fired in a bolt-action rifle with only a single barrel.

Other significant features of this action include a three-position wing-type safety (retained throughout Model 70 production), a cone breeching-system that helps prevent bullet-nose damage while loading a cartridge from the magazine, machined steel trigger-guard and floor plate, one-piece bolt construction, and a trigger adjustable for pull weight and over-travel.

[8] Competing as it did with the Remington Model 700, it was decided that changes needed to be made in the face of rising labor costs.

When coupled with the other cost-cutting changes and compared with the previously produced and very familiar Model 70, however, it was immediately declared to be lacking.

The new design of the rifle was swiftly and severely criticized by both gun writers and riflemen alike for its perceived lesser amount of control and feed issues, making the original action much more prized.

Carbon fiber barrels are also found on select models to reduce weight and dissipate heat faster.

However, these short magnum cartridges reduce magazine capacity and feeding reliability, due to their extra width and rebated rim.

This version reintroduced the CRF feature, while retaining the "anti-bind" locking lug groove bolt guide of the 1968 push feed model.

The use of modern CNC manufacturing techniques allowed Winchester to re-introduce the CRF feature at a competitive price.

Around this time, Browning, which is owned by the same parent company as USRAC, Giat Corp, of France, introduced the BOSS accuracy system.

By adjusting the device for optimum performance in the individual rifle, accuracy is brought to peak level.

Winchester Model 70s equipped with the BOSS provide a significant improvement in accuracy for a production rifle.

Repeating Arms closed the New Haven, Conn. plant where Winchester rifles and shotguns were produced for 140 years.

As of 2015, Model 70 rifles are stamped, "Imported by BACO, Inc., Morgan, Utah – Made in Portugal by Browning Viana".

Although the Marine Corps officially used only the M1 Garand and the M1903 Springfield as sniper rifles during the Second World War, "many Winchester Model 70s showed up at training camps and in actual field use during the Pacific campaign.

It has been reported that some of these rifles were equipped with 8X Unertl telescopic sights for limited unofficial use as sniper weapons on Guadalcanal and during the Korean War.