On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the M2 Browning machine gun, on which he mounted an 8X Unertl scope, using a bracket made by metalworkers of the SeaBees . If you decide that you wanted an original Unertl, they are out there and available. This one is in 308 and came from the AMU. 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 . Hathcock was an excellent sharpshooter by then, winning the Wimbledon Cup shooting championship in . Your browser is out of date and may not be able to properly display our website. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. After World War II, George Van Orden, who had authored the Marine Corps Equipment Board report in 1941 recommending adoption of the Model 70 as a sniper rifle, started a firearms business named Evaluators, Ltd. Van Orden (who had subsequently been promoted to colonel and, later, brigadier general), eventually concentrated on marketing the Van Orden Sniper, which was a Winchester Model 70 customized to the specifications of his customers.Van Orden was successful in selling the arms to many clients, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which purchased 10 of the rifles in June 1954. 134,606 views Dec 6, 2020 Winchester Model 70 (.30-06) rifle review in Hindi. In one of his more renowned stories, Carlos Hathcock killed an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope. 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. Excellent. OVERALL LENGTH: 44.8 in. Oval Winchester "W/P" proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel and receiver. Unless you plan to go humping through the boonies, the fragile nature of the old optic is not much of an issue. Born on May 20, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Hathcock took to the sport of shooting at a very young age. Snipers often did not have a third party present, making confirmation difficult, especially if the target was behind enemy lines, as was usually the case. Likewise, many of the 300-plus Model 70 rifles purchased by the Marine Corps during World War II remained in inventory and, except for the handful diverted for unofficial sniping use, continued to be used by Marine marksmen for match use throughout the 1950s. The medium-heavy target barrel is a post war replacement. As with Kraig's rifle above, it would have been clip-slotted and while original Win70 Target rifles came with either a Std, heavy or bull barrel, one would assume the rifles sent overseas were former target rifles that had been reworked by the 'Team armorers with new barrels. [30] Hathcock and the seven marines he pulled from the vehicle were evacuated by helicopter to hospital ship USSRepose, then to a naval hospital in Tokyo, and ultimately to the burn center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Hathcock used for much of his time in Vietnam. Tribute rifles have the general appearance and build spec of the original Marine rifles, where replica rifles attempt to be correct to the original rifles in every way, including a serial number which falls into the correct date range. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. A sniper from the 1st Cavalry Division is shown in March 1951 with an M1D Garand, complete with an M81 or M82 riflescope in a Griffin & Howe mount. While the war in Vietnam ushered in a number of new technologies, particularly the widespread use of helicopters and night vision equipment, much of the equipment had been tried and tested on the battlefields of earlier wars. 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. Marines like Carlos Hathcock proved the rifle was quite accurate and very effective. It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle equipped with an 8-power Unertl scope, was the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, but that. Those rifles were in the Winchester Marksman stocks with their wide forends and deep grips. Decorations. 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. [10], One of Hathcock's most famous accomplishments was shooting an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope, hitting him in the eye and killing him. A few Model 70 sniper rifles saw service in Korea, particularly during the Chosin Reservoir campaign-under difficult winter conditions that rendered other rifles -like the M-1A carbine -ineffective or inoperable. RecPak is a meal replacement for the outdoors that saves you weight, space and time in the most challenging environments, just add water. 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. We at Winchester Repeating Arms wish to take this opportunity to salute all those who have answered our nations call to serve. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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This rifle came to us as a standard sporter rifle, with a Douglas barrel blank. Buffalo,. A limited number of 3X to 9X variable power Marine Scopes of Japanese manufacture saw early use, but target mount, 8X Unertl telescopes, unchanged basically from those first adopted in 1941, were fitted to the Model 70s as were many of the original World War II Unertl contract scopes, which had survived official obsolescence and the post-Korean War surplus sell-off. In 1967, Hathcock set the record for the longest sniper kill. Price: $25,000.00. The M-25 White Feather is a tribute to Carlos Hathcock who accounted for 93 confirmed enemy kills in Vietnam. 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. The anodized aluminum Unertl target mounts have a blue-brown patina that is typical of these WWII production mounts. 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. After ensuring his escape route was in place, he took his shot. Much as I described with the duplex, the mildot gives a lot of points to hold off of without ever having to change powers. It was supplied with a Redfield 3x9 mounted with Redfield base/rings. This is the rifle that Gy. Hathcocks primary set-up was a Model 70 (pre-64), 30-06 target rifle with a heavy barrel, and Unertle 8x scope. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting rifle.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". But I guess I was wrong. The Model 70 was largely based on theModel 54, and is today still highly regarded by shooters and is often called The Riflemans Rifle. The sniper system shoots theM72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets (.30-06). Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the Browning M2 machine gun, on which he mounted a 10X Unertl scope, using a bracket of his own design. The author says Carlos used a Model 70 Winchester with a long tube Unertl scope. This is a pretty cool thread. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. I had always thought that long tube scopes were originally used a long time ago and were more or less obsolete. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. 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. From 100 -500 yards, things were fairly easy to compensate. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes. "[41][42] A sniper range named for Hathcock is at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He set up on a hill close to the treeline, 700 yards from where his target would be. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. Just under 1200 yards of room if I stretch it and hills in every direction for natures perfect back stop! S. Jay Ratliff The Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. The scope has a fine crosshair reticle and is fitted with screw-on steel lens covers. In 1975, Hathcock's health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The only sound in the sweltering stillness was the buzzing of flies and gnats as. But if you go by the books, everything seems right on it. These two historic Winchester Model 70 rifles bearing serial numbers "1" and "2" are now being offered for sale by Sportsman's Legacy. The scope tube is roll-stamped: "J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER" in two lines above the serial number "2232". I'm not. A 1951 U.S. Marine Corps report on the subject categorically rejected the procurement of any new Model 70 sniper rifles: There is no Marine Corps requirement for a special rifle for use by snipers in the Marine Corps. Hathcock used the M40 during the Vietnam War and is credited with numerous kills, including a record-setting 2,500-meter shot. Carlos used a Winchester Model 70 .30-06 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets, also used an 8-power Unertl scope. They were running about $800 for a nice one with rings a few years ago. Wiley Clapp in 1965. From the 1970's, illustrating the Monte Carlo style stocks used in this era. 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. Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! The report concluded that the best rifle/scope combination for use by U.S. Marine snipers was the Winchester Model 70 topped with an 8X target scope made by the Unertl Co. . Carlos Hathcock holds the Marine Corps record for the longest confirmed sniper kill shot. 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.. Great project. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! Instead of running for the sniper, the soldiers . The Marine Corps clearly believed that the existing Model 1903, tuned to match grade, was a superior sniping rifle as compared to the Model 70. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. These rifles were subsequently used for recreation and target shooting. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. An unknown number of additional Model 70s were eventually purchased for military use - both standard rifles and the marksman style target rifles. 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. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (20 May 1942 - 23 February 1999) was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. "WINCHESTER/-TRADE MARK-" is roll stamped on the left side of the receiver rail. [31] He would have received only 50 percent of his final pay grade had he retired after 20 years. He did however adapt according to the conditions and once even used the M2 Browning machine gun! All Rights Reserved. This shot covered a distance of 2500 yards. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. He was honored by having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather, for the nickname "White Feather" given to Hathcock by the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). The Model 70s began to be replaced by Remington Model 700 rifles, which were later standardized by the Marine Corps as the M40. The Model 70s suitability as a sniping rifle during the Vietnam War should be unquestioned, as the most famous and revered sniper of the war, Carlos Hathcock, used the rifle with remarkable effectiveness. This rifle is the same as the Model 70 sniper rifle used by famed Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock near Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, in 1966. Although never adopted for combat use by the U.S. military, some Model 70 rifles were used as sniping rifles during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.Soon after Pearl Harbor, two members of the U.S. Marine Corps Equipment Board, Capt. Yeah it was, it was missing the an action screw and one that held on the trigger guard. *Lighting a path to truth* Former Navy JAG Worldwide U.S. Military Defense. His heroic actions were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. "It was the hunt, not the killing. The stock is nicely figured American walnut with checkered forearm and pistol grip and has the Winchester semi-gloss varnish finish. During the closing stages of the war, the M1903A1/Unertl was replaced by the semi-automatic Garand M1C sniper rifle, which was soon followed by the M1D. 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". However, we are happy to build tribute rifles and were very pleased torecently completea USMC sniper tribute rifle. Here are the features to watch out for. STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. Nearly 30 years later, he received a Silver Star for this action. What type of rifle did Carlos Hathcock use? It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. And, yes, I am extremely fortunate to have the most wonderful private range at my disposal. The rifle would of course have to be chambered in the 458 x 1.5 Barnes cartridge. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. Some of the stocks were fiberglass bedded. And it was as a sniper rifle the Model 70 ultimately earned its stripes. "He got that right," Hathcock said. The rifles were a special order spec sent from Winchester to Evaluators Limited of Triangle, VA, where they were fully accurized to meet Van Orden's detailed sniper specification. The price is set at USD$1,750,000.00. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives. This success led to the adoption of the .50 BMG cartridge as a viable sniper round. While visiting relatives in Mississippi, he took to shooting and hunting at an early age, partly out of necessity to help feed his poor family. "White Feather" as he was called by the North Vietnamese . [33], Hathcock once said that he survived in his work because of an ability to "get in the bubble", to put himself into a state of "utter, complete, absolute concentration", first with his equipment, then his environment, in which every breeze and every leaf meant something, and finally on his quarry. He fell into a state of depression when he was forced out of the Marines because he felt as if the service had kicked him out. 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. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the M2 Browning machine gun, on which he mounted an 8X Unertl scope, using a bracket made by metalworkers of the SeaBees. [47] Hathcock carried a Colt M1911A1 pistol as a sidearm.[17]. While the USMC used the Model 70 to greatest advantage during this period, a limited number were also employed by Army personnel for sniping, and Model 70s with silencers mounted on them were utilized for covert operations in Southeast Asia.James O. E. Norells article A Century Of USMC Sniper Rifles (August 2007, p. 44) related some interesting information by retired USMC Maj. Edward J.Jim Land, Jr., regarding the Model 70 rifles that were used by the Marines in Vietnam circa 1966: Land first scrounged 12 Model 70 sporting rifles that had been procured by Special Services for deer hunting at Camp Pendleton. He went on about five [operations] one time before I could get a fix on him. One Marine who came from just such a rifle team environment and went to Vietnam, where he used a similar Model 70 for a time was Gunnery Sgt. The scarcity of these rifles mean few of us will ever get a chance to own one. Due to the extreme injuries he suffered in Vietnam, he was in nearly constant pain, but continued to dedicate himself to teaching snipers. To avoid contributing to the prolific problem of counterfeit rare model 70s,we decline to build replica model 70s of any kind. [44] Turner Saddlery similarly honored Hathcock by producing a line of leather rifle slings based on his design. You can Cerakote the stainless barrela good artist can pretty much replicate any finish. 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.. Sgt. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. Typically enemy soldiers were paid anywhere from $8 to $2,000 for taking down an American sniper. The scope adjusts with turrets integral to the rear scope mount, and the tube of the scope floats inside adjustment pins. Pre-'64 Winchester Model 70 Specs MANUFACTURER: Winchester Repeating Arms TYPE: Bolt-action repeater CALIBER: .270 Winchester MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5 rounds BARREL: 24 in. JavaScript is disabled. [4] In the Vietnam War, kills had to be confirmed by the sniper's spotter and a third party, who had to be an officer. These marines were unwilling to leave their preferred rifle at home and carry the approved, but less accurate Springfield M1903 into battle. The reward was never collected. Carlos held the record for the longest kill for 35 years. I was quickly brought back to reality when shooting this system. The rifle had a likeness of Hathcock's signature and his "white feather logo" marked on the receiver. [32], Hathcock provided sniper instruction to police departments and select military units, such as SEAL Team Six. I appreciate those pics, the rifle and the background. And thus, with regard to sniper rifles, most of the US military inventory in the mid-1960s consisted of well-worn Model 1903A4 Springfields and M1C and M1D Garands, all of which dated from WWII, or perhaps the Korean War. A memo dated July 29, 1942, stated in part: Subject: Rifles, Winchester, Model 70, .30 Government 06. [16], Hathcock stated in interviews that he killed a female Viet Cong platoon leader called "the Apache woman," with a reputation for torturing captive U.S. Marines, around the firebase at Hill 55. Item Number: R30701. Hathcock put a round in her with his bolt-action Winchester Model 70 30.06 (7.62mm) rifle and she collapsed on the ground. Agree sandwarrior there was a thread on old old hide many moons ago regarding this. A July 1967 American Rifleman article by Frank G. McGuire, SnipersSpecialists in Warfare, reported: The 8X telescopic sight was chosen in World War II when it was teamed with the 03 rifle. He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. All it would take is an '06 reamer if one was inclined.

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