In the early 1940s, says a Marine Corps spokesman, we were advised that a Unertl 8X scope on the Winchester Model 70 was the best sniping combination, but the 03 was available in quantity, so we used it.The Model 70 rifles sent to Vietnam for use as sniping arms were from the stocks originally procured for Marine Corps match use, chiefly from George Van Orden. In an effort to meet every model 70 owner's needs, we are pleased to offer rifle parts which span this broad spectrum of conditions. During the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Veteran Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong personnel. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. sniper kill. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. The rifle chosen was the Winchester Model 70. Answer (1 of 3): If my reading comprehension is still intact; going by memory I seem to recall reading that Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock ( I.E. His longest confirmed kill was 2500 yards. The subject rifles are not considered suitable for general service use for the following reasons: (a) Not sufficiently sturdy;(b) Parts are not interchangeable with M1903 and M1 parts; (c) Replacement parts will be difficult to procure; (d) Not fitted with sling swivels. STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. In 1966, Hathcock started his deployment in the Vietnam War as a military policeman and later became a sniper after Captain Edward James Land pushed the Marines into raising snipers in every platoon. In 1966, the Marines determined that the M1C and M1D Garand sniper rifles lacked the accuracy required for operations in Vietnam and modified the available Model 70 target rifles and standard rifles to sniper configuration by fitting them with the 8x Unertl "USMC-SNIPER" telescopic sights mounted on the Springfield M1903A1 sniper rifles during WWII and the Korean Conflict. 134,606 views Dec 6, 2020 Winchester Model 70 (.30-06) rifle review in Hindi. On 10 July 1969, Carlos Hathcock and Ron McAbee were providing security for convoys along Western Route 4. Accurate in every detail, enjoyed reading this. Hathcock was one of several individuals to utilize the M2 Browning machine gun in the sniping role. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. During his entire career as a sniper, Carlos Hathcock used a U. S. Marines version of a Unertl precision riflescope. There also isn't any internal adjustments to zero. The 1047 rifles, U.S., caliber .30, M1903, Snipers Equipment on hand at this Depot are believed to be superior to the subject rifle both in accuracy and durability .. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. [7][8][9] After a platoon of Vietnamese snipers was sent to hunt down "White Feather", many Marines in the same area donned white feathers to deceive the enemy. Thats perfect! The action has some design similarities to Mauser designs and it is a development of the earlier Winchester Model 54, itself based on a Mauser 98-type action. Calvin Lloyd, wrote a 72-page report titled Equipment for the American Sniper, which discussed the various types of rifles and telescopic sights available at the time. Previously sold. On this occasion he used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, to which he attached his scope with a bracket he designed himself. Serial numbers were in the approximate 41,000 to 50,000 range, and the rifles had 24" sporter barrels with leaf sights, sporter-checkered stocks with steel buttplates, 1" sling swivels and leather slings.Shortly after the government acquired these rifles, Winchester reported that all .30 Government 06 Rifles are now frozen under War Production Board Limitation Orders. The company obviously wanted to sell as many of the Model 70s remaining in its inventory as possible. Winchester Model 70 It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 . "WINCHESTER/-TRADE MARK-" is roll stamped on the left side of the receiver rail. It's my job. [43] In 2002, this record was broken by Canadian snipers (Rob Furlong and Arron Perry) from the third battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the War in Afghanistan. Carlos Hathcock passed away on 22 nd February 1999 in Virginia from the disease that had forced retirement . http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Wi392204?hash=item465d61a98c:g:VPMAAOSwCGVX~6vg, The Snobbiest Town in The Snobbiest State in the N, https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/3/21/the-military-model-70/, Jim Cloward built Winchester Model 70 308 McMillan Urban Camo stock. Typically enemy soldiers were paid anywhere from $8 to $2,000 for taking down an American sniper. He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. We should give February to Chris Kyle's favorite weapon, The Barrett M99 and Carlos Hathcock's Winchester Model 70 Sniper Rifle being as they both went on to the main rally point in February . The scope tube retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with sharp markings. Although suffering from severe burns to his face, trunk, and arms and legs, Staff Sergeant Hathcock assisted the injured Marines in exiting the burning vehicle and moving to a place of relative safety. I have a correct 70 in my safe I have wanted to do something with but reluctant to go the Unertl route as I dont think its practical as a shooter but a cool conversation peice. [2] Hathcock married Josephine "Jo" Bryan (ne Broughton; 19302016) on the date of the Marine Corps birthday, November 10, 1962. Sniper historian Peter R. Senich reported: [A]ccording to firsthand accounts, a fair number of unauthorized telescope-equipped personal and Marine Corps property Model 70s brought the reality of war to Japanese combat personnel during the early stages of World War II in the South Pacific. The U.S. Army also procured a limited number of Model 70 rifles during World War II, but little is known about their subsequent utilization, and it appears they saw virtually no actual use.The end of World War II essentially spelled the end of the bolt-action as a front-line U.S. military service rifle, but its inherent accuracy was too important an attribute to totally abandon, and bolt guns enjoyed a new lease on life as sniping rifles. Oval Winchester "W/P" proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver. The M40 (wood stock R700 & Redfield) was around but he was VERY familiar with the M70 target rifle as part of the USMC Rifle Team. He managed to achieve an astounding kill record of 93 - including an impressive shot through an enemy sniper's scope, but it was with the M2 that he was able to take out a Vietcong soldier pushing a bicycle loaded with ammunition at . The only downsides are that its in the foothills just on the east side of the Rockies and the Chinook winds can get up to 100mph on bad days! Gunnery Sgt. Stretching it past 500 and reaching out to 1000, put all of us in a humbling state of mind. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. When the need arose for more Model 70s the rifles procured by Brig. The "Rifle, 7.62mm Sniper, M40," adopted April 7, 1966, was to serve as the foundation for USMC sniper rifles for the following four decades. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. They were running about $800 for a nice one with rings a few years ago. However, where the USMC procurement brass failed to see the merits of the Model 70, the Marine Corpsmarksmendid not. In some cases, Douglas barrels were fitted to the Winchester actions to attain optimum accuracy. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. Im sure with a lot of practice and tons of time behind the rifle, it could become almost second nature, but for the time we had it, it wasnt something to brag about. Nevertheless, Winchester Model 70s teamed with the Unertl scopes were superb sniping arms, certainly better than anything else in the militarys inventory at the time. If you get a chance, test it out for yourself. It had a standard weight barrel as well as a clip guide milled into the receiver bridge so 5-round stripper clips could quickly and easily charge the magazine. George H. Hurt of the 3rd Marine Divisions newly formed sniper school at Da Nang, Vietnam, checked the 8X Unertl scope mounted on a Winchester Model 70. And they did see duty. George Van Orden and Chief Gy/Sgt. The stock were fitted with 1 1/2-inch sling swivels. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. These relatively few Model 70 rifles soon became favored for their lighter weight, refined handling, and superior accuracy compared to the Springfield rifle. Marines like Carlos Hathcock proved the rifle was quite accurate and very effective. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.. He also used on occasion a Remington M40, basically a Remington ADL Varmint 308 rifle that was produced specially for the USMC in 1965 or so. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. The Model 70 was largely based on the Model 54, and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called "The Rifleman's Rifle." The sniper system shoots the M72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain . Built with glass-bedded actions and heavy barrels, and used for long-range target competition, the M70s were capable of great accuracy with the Unertl scopes. The Winchester Model 70 represented perhaps the epitome of the bolt-action sporting rifle. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The rifles inherent accuracy was ideally suited as a sniping rifle. The metal was reblued as required. Hathcock was an excellent sharpshooter by then, winning the Wimbledon Cup shooting championship in . Initially his preferred rifle was a pre 1964 (Winchester quality after this time declined) Model 70 Winchester M40 bolt action in 30-06 (he preferred the 30-06 over the, then, current 7.62x51 Nato . The second lot of rifles used by Land and his teams in Vietnam were also Winchester Model 70 target guns in .30-06 Sprg. FollowingWWII, popularity of the model 70 with Marine Corps snipers grew, eventually drawing the attention of other snipers from other branches of the military as well. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Winchester Model 70 "standard Rifle" manufactured in 1941 with medium-heavy target barrel and "U.S.M.C.-SNIPER" Unertl telescopic sight. The Marine Corps utilized Winchester Model 70 rifles in this configuration in 1966 and early 1967 as the primary sniper rifle until the adoption of the Remington Model 700 sniper rifles in mid 1967. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. In an eloquent eulogy to Hathcock inThe Washington Post, staff writer Stephen Hunter said it best. These rifles were subsequently used for recreation and target shooting. On this occasion he used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, to which he attached his scope with a bracket he designed himself. It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. He had dreamed of being a U.S. Marine his whole life and enlisted in 1959 at just 17 years old. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. Hathcock dreamed of being a Marine throughout his childhood, and so on May 20, 1959, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His primary rifle was one of the Corps Winchester Model 70 target rifles, chambered in 30-06 and topped with an 8-power Unertl target scope in an externally adjustable mount. As noted BuffaloWinter's rifle is mostly what Gunny Hathcock wanted in a rifle. . The rifle had a likeness of Hathcock's signature and his "white feather logo" marked on the receiver. It is a Model 70 National Match version made before 1940. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. Hathcock was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic action. Receiver is engraved with likeness of Carlos Hathcock's signature, along with the White Feather logo. I had a few of those hanging around. Hathcock was soon a member of the USMC rifle team, and in 1965 he won the Wimbledon Cup, a 1000-yard individual match fired at the National Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. Gen. Van Orden, including Smiths championship-winning rifle, were shipped to Vietnam as supplemental equipment.Peter Senich gave additional details regarding the use of the Model 70 sniper rifle in Vietnam in his excellent book The One-Round War: Glass-bedded and accurized by Marine Corps Rifle Team Equipment Armorers (RTE), the Model 70s fired .30-06 M72 match ammunition having a 173-grain, boat-tailed bullet. Decorations. Item Number: R30701. When I first saw the pic I assumed it was a short action. I appreciate those pics, the rifle and the background. Two months later the Marine Corps replied to Winchester in a memo which stated: Based on the Marine Corps response, the door appeared closed to the Model 70 ever seeing use by the US military during WWII. He set up on a hill close to the treeline, 700 yards from where his target would be. The barrel, receiver, bolt handle, cocking piece trigger guard, and buttplate have the Winchester charcoal blue finish. [34] After the war, a friend showed Hathcock a passage written by Ernest Hemingway: "Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and like it, never really care for anything else thereafter." On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the . He was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. The 1,047 rifles, U.S., caliber .30, M1903, Snipers Equipment on hand at this Depot are believed to be superior to the subject rifle both in accuracy and durability.. My Hathcock tribute. The rifle retains the original style sporter stock with checkered pistol grip and forearm and steel checkered buttplate. The Winchester Model 70is abolt-actionsporting/huntingrifle. [10] When Hathcock saw a glint (light reflecting off the enemy sniper's scope) in the bushes, he fired at it, shooting through the scope and killing the sniper. Known as Van Orden rifles, these model 70 sniper rifles were at last procured under the watchful eye of Brigadier General George Van Orden. Only thing I would add is I forgo the 6X as I dont think its precise. . The WWII U.S.M.C. Hathcock used for much of his time in Vietnam. Carlos Hathcock . Carlos Hathcock holds the Marine Corps record for the longest confirmed sniper kill shot. Rewards put on U.S. snipers by the PAVN typically ranged from $8 to $2,000. Before deploying to South Vietnam, Hathcock had won shooting championships, including matches at Camp Perry and the Wimbledon Cup. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. He was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. On September 16, 1969, Hathcock's career as a sniper came to a sudden end along Highway 1, north of Landing Zone Baldy, when the LVTP-5 he was riding on struck an anti-tank mine. Leatherwood is etched glass. The late Marine sniper set the record in 1967 with a M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine gun.. My Navy Long Range Rifle (that I used at the Interservice Championship Long Range Match to win the 720 pictured above) started life as a Model 721 .300 H&H. It was built up by Crane in .300 Win Mag.