CRF Model 70 Rifles in mid 80’s?|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

What does CRF stand for?

Hi Chuck! “CRF” is “Controlled Round Feed”. The mechanism in bolt action rifles, by which rounds stowed in the magazine are introduced into the chamber for firing in a “controlled fashion”. The now modern and widely accepted alternative system termed “Push Feed”. The difference, in the early Twentieth Century concept , CRF allegedly assuring considerably better cartridge management in getting rounds chambered without incident as well as more foolproof extraction of testy too often ‘variable quality ammo. Warfare apparently confirming the CRF virtue as such central to heralded “Mauser system” rifles and many sporting bolt rifles heir! Push feed and it’s own variants nowadays including “controlled round push feed”, have developed conjunctive with superior engineering, materials and production methods. Objectively, as viable bolt rifle functional alternative.

Yet the ‘residual’. From an era where CRF ruled military and sporting bolt rifle markets, such relics as myself also occurring! Growing up with “real steel & wood, ruggedness, classic ‘bulletproof’ design, contemporary quality of construction! Nowadays, CNC precision machinery, designs unavailable to earlier era engineering/fabrication. Composites of carbon fiber, etc… All such not equaling for me, the combo of stars coming together in the 1936-63 era Model 70 and only ‘bit compromised ’91+ Win 70 edition as strong ‘also ran’ objects of desire! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hopefully answering your question in true ‘politician’ fashion, turning a simple reply into as ‘statement’!
Best & Stay Safe!

Nope, Chuck! Think “Diversity”! In Winchester, the “push feed era”, as Firm in ‘revolution’ itself; occurring in the 1964+ Model 70 as abandoning CRF for Push Feed! A principal, and one of the controversial features other than aesthetics, generating all the “pre ’64” fuss and consequent CRF “Beatification” ‘aura’!
From ’64 to early nineties, PF as the only Winchester game in town! Love it or leave it – and many viewing that Post ’64 package… Initially did! Nowadays ‘back to the future’, as CRF is again firmly nested in Winchester branding since about ’92 as ‘production’ ensued.
As to Remington… They ‘cut their teeth’ on CRF in production “turn-bolt” rifles. From US Model 1917 contract (Winchester too). After war, rebranding a “civilized” sporting version in 1921. Becoming the Remington Model 30 rifle. In 1940-41 the successor Model 720. Such ‘remake’, Remington dithering – rearranging deck chairs – as the Model 70 we know & love, by then half decade in production! Then there was the wartime US Remington 1903 & 1903A3 production.
Remington latter forties intro of it’s PF. Making a reliable rifle of it in the Models 721 and intermediate action 722. The Model 725 latter fifties as ‘spiffed up’ iteration. In about ’62, the heralded Model 700 series, as yet mainstay since. I don’t know all the machinations of ‘Rem’ but was surprised as they intro’ed a true mauser pattern action Model 798, (Zastava manufacture I believe) about a decade or so ago. About as true CRF specimen to be found!
The ‘pre ’64 Mod 70 for me is ‘heralded’ by the CRF action type, but nowadays more a distinguishing feature than any kind of huge advantage. Technology, now long proven, have provided worthy alternatives and presenting certain material advantages in their own right. The ‘aura’ effect to me remains in the convergence of several stars; materials – 41xx series Chrome Moly for barrel, receiver and bolt. The fact that, to my knowledge, few manufacturers today feature such extensive utilization. Mod 70 ‘pre’ design – for the day, no compromises. The engineers quite apparently having ‘their way’. An expensive manufacturing route at the time. Workmanship, simply put fulfilling the triad; connecting the dots, “Doing it once, doing it right!”
A couple more volumes I could write! But leaving the CRF matter with a small factoid. If not counting as “production” Charles Newton’s first rifle design, the little Savage Model 1920, intro’ed in that year, was the first US “Production” CRF sporting rifle.
Final note, beyond simply ‘hands on’; believe I now own all of the mentioned rifles discussed here except: Rem 722 & 725, past owned & Rem 798 never, yet several considerably nicer Zastava (Serbia) comparable stocked/furnished mauser action iterations.
Thanks for granting me the, if not ‘gut wrenching’, at least ‘gut spilling’ op! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Best to all & Stay Safe!
John

Hello Chuck! Thanks for providing the great ‘opening’! Charles Newton & his rifles! “Coincidentally” having a specimen, “First Model” (“Buffalo Newton” too)! Here, just by way of response, sharing a few quick pix and notation concerning this “Charles the First” edition. 🙂 A rifle well before its time!

Pix largely speaking for themselves. One notable feature I’m amazed never copied to my knowledge. The unique ‘takedown’ feature: Open the floorplate which is hinge-secured to the front action screw!
Raise it a bit & employ as screw handle to rotate and unscrew the forward action bolt. A hook feature of the action aft, allows the barreled action to be tilted upward, disconnected and lifted from the stock. Nifty! The forward screw is also hand adjustable to provide for proper tension calibration as secured.

These First Model Newtons are scarce for sure. Finding one original-pristine very much more so. Finding one as such in combo with “30-06 U.S.G. chambering… As here, moving toward henn’s teeth! Of course ‘it’, rather common compared to the early twenties edition “Buffalo Newton Model”. My pix & reference concerning Newton & his First Model, both below.

Best & Keep Safe!
John

https://huntforever.org/2015/02/24/neglected-genius/

Great looking rifle Chuck and appearing one heck of a scope! Likely ‘it’ not “Great War” era! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks both to you and also very much to this Forum for, perhaps with teeth gritting, to ‘indulge’ this small non-Winchester excursion. Highly apprecited!

Best & Stay Safe!
John