Winchester's 270 WSM XPR

I want to say that this rifle makes me want to move to Wyoming, or Montana, or New Mexico and hunt antelope. Especially since Maine’s current political climate has Mainers heading toward commuting on electric powered roller skates and dining on rhubarb and tree bark. I may head out of state now to stay ahead of the crowds. Although, as unfettered and unsupportable liberalism spreads through the country like the walking dead, the folks causing the problem seem to flee to rural areas, again spreading their contamination. So the problem becomes finding America within the new brainless society. Anyway…

The anatomy of a value priced rifle

In 1969, a base level Model 70 Winchester catalogued for $157.95. Adjusting for inflation, that is $1,083.32 in 2019 dollars. The Winchester Model XPR, an arguably better and more accurate firearm, sells for half that amount. A walnut stocked Sporter version, rather than the synthetic stocked base model, is sold for under $600.

Holding out for that walnut stocked Model 70? It is still less expensive than it was in 1969 with an MSRP of $1,009.00. I would suggest that firearms are not getting too expensive as much as the cost of everything else is sky rocketing, gobbling up much of what was once discretionary spending. . In 1969, our then young family rented a small, but very nice home in town for $75/Month. Can you point me to the glut of similar homes today that are renting for $514.40? Looking at Zillow listings, homes comparable to the one we rented are now generally priced at $1,400.

The Winchester XPR is Winchester’s newer generation bolt action rifle. While deemed “value priced”, based on the high quality of materials and assembly, aesthetic appeal and demonstrable performance, the term “value priced” does the rifle a disservice. Add to the XPR packages the 270 Winchester Short Magnum cartridge and there is more than enough gun for any North American setting. Why limited to North America? Because that is as far as my first hand experience can cover my key tapping fingers, at least within the most recent fifty years Yes, I do read first hand accounts written by others, but it is for those folks to tell those stories and for me to tell mine. See how that works?

Back in the good old days, all major rifle manufacturers built their products with highly skilled factory craftsmen… and others. So if Chuck, the highly skilled machinist with 30 years of experience cut the barrel threads and set the barrel shank shoulder dimension for headspace on the rifle you purchased, you were aces and, chances are, there would be venison on the table come deer season. Unfortunately, there were ten other guys setting headspace on the factory floor including the recent grad from machinist’s school, David, and checkering room Darlene’s crazy cousin Carl.

Yes, of course there was also Q.C., supervision and training and, yes, I am being facetious, but my point is that complex processes require skilled people and God does not bless us all with the same talents, experience and education. The good folks at Winchester decided to not make headspacing a creative and somewhat subjective process, by replacing the precision set fixed barrel shank shoulder with an adjustable barrel nut. Headspace is now set to a simple headspace gauge so that it comes out the same every time… even for Carl.

Over the years I have prided myself on the ability to produce very light triggers on target rifle and triggers with slightly more resistance on hunting rifle. Polished contact surfaces, minimal engagement surfaces and just enough spring to keep all of the parts under tension until sear release was desired. The XPR has a better trigger than any hunting rifle trigger I’ve refined and it is a good deal safer in handling. Winchester’s MOA three lever trigger has virtually zero take up, zero creep and zero overtravel. Pull is adjustable but leaves the factory at a nominal 3.5 lbs.

The poly stock is heavily ribbed for reinforcement. Action fasteners pass through the stock at two reinforced bosses, perpendicular to the rifle’s bore for the greatest action to stock stability. An embedded steel recoil lug locks into a cross slot CNC machined into the forged steel receiver. For me, the stock dampens recoil, but the rifle always holds zero. Yes, you could point to my prior general lack of muscle tone as the source of dampening effect, but I’ve been working out a lot, lately, and it has never been much at returning to zero.

Bottom, oversize bolt body is CNC machined from chromoly steel bar stock and hardened through heat treating. The three front locking lugs and recessed bolt face, enclose a cartridge’s case head for added safety and provides a short 60° lift for improved scope clearance and faster cycling. The full-diameter bolt body increases columnar strength and better longitudinal guidance through bolt ways, while its Nickel Teflon coating reduces friction for smoother travel and increases corrosion resistance.

Winchester refers to the XPR bolt handle as “sculptured”. I would refer to it as downsized for delicate European hands.That said, I used to work with a business counterpart in France, Marcel, who had hands like a giant brown bear. In fact, he seemed to always enjoy greeting me with a hearty handshake that mostly left me gripping his thumb. Humiliating experience that is no doubt at the root of my unfair criticism of the Winchester XPR bolt. So scratch that. Lets call the bolt, adequate and efficient for serving its purpose in life.

More safety! The hell you say!

So where does this leave us?

That is difficult to say from a universal perspective. When I wrap up here, I am moving onto a dinner of pulled pork burrito containing low sodium, low fat, Hawaiian style pulled pork with microwave steamed peppers, onions and mushrooms, stirred in with melted no fat, low sodium mozzarella cheese. The tortilla is 100% whole wheat. Email for the recipe.

In regard to the Winchester, it is a fantastic hunting rifle, chambered for a terrific hunting cartridge, although Winchester may take exception to my writing style such as it is. Hey, winter snow storm warning is out, tomorrow will have me out in the weather all day, so I need to enjoy myself when I can.