carlos hathcock model 70 rifle

This one is mine. Price: $25,000.00. The optics are clear. Both men served in Kilo Co., 3rd. 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.. The rifle chosen was the Winchester Model 70. 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. 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. Carlos Hathcock, in Vietnam (left) and receiving the Silver Star (right). "WINCHESTER/-TRADE MARK-" is roll stamped on the left side of the receiver rail. [18][19], Hathcock only once removed the white feather from his bush hat while deployed in Vietnam. The rifle has no Marine or U.S. property marks on any component. 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. Adopting the Winchester Model 70 as the ideal Marine sniper rifle was a concept that had been floated by the Corps tactical marksmanship experts as far back as the early 1940s. that had been originally purchased [as] across-the course bolt guns for the National Matches. And they did see duty. After his service in Vietnam, Hathcock helped establish the USMCs Scout Sniper School at Quantico, Virginia, and he continued to pass along his hard-won knowledge to both military and law enforcement marksmen in the years that followed. Agree sandwarrior there was a thread on old old hide many moons ago regarding this. Learn more about Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II and the Winchester Model 70s service in Vietnam in these two American Rifleman articles:The Military Model 70. However, we are happy to build tribute rifles and were very pleased torecently completea USMC sniper tribute rifle. It would be hard to find a better example of this classic Marine sniper rifle from the Vietnam War. 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. The action has some design similarities to Mauser designs and it is a development of the earlier Winchester Model 54. 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. In two tours in the 1960s, he wandered through the big bad bush in the Republic of South Vietnam, and with a rifle made by Winchester, a heart made by God and a discipline made by the Marine Corps, he stalked and killed 93 of his countrys enemies.. The rifle retains nearly 95% of the original blue finish with very minor handling wear. 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. 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. Hathcock is the subject of a number of books including: Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 chambered for .30-06 Springfield cartridges, with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. 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. By the end of his first deployment Hathcock's life was worth $30,000 to the North Vietnamese . THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The second lot of rifles used by Land and his teams in Vietnam were also Winchester Model 70 target guns in .30-06 Sprg. This is debatable. 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. NRA Secretary Edward J. In 1936, Winchester introduced the Model 70 bolt-action rifle to the American market. The Unertl telescopic sight is in excellent condition. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? Eventually, there were likely thousands of model 70s in military service, with the exact number unknown. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! 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. The ranging peice was plastic and many distort over the years. the best known U.S. Marine Corps snipers who used the Winchester Model 70 during the Vietnam War was Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock, who used a Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle chambered in .30-06. So if you are looking to own the first two Model 70's ever made then these are of interest to . Winchester requested the Marines evaluate the rifles generally for suitability of use in combat, and specifically for use as sniper rifles. Not what he was able to get the Marine Corps to adopt. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? Scope not included. The owner had provided us with the stock already featuring a nicely aged appearance, which we maintained in the build. One of the perennially popular Winchester firearms of the 20th century is the Model 70 bolt-action rifle. 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. [2] At one point he was nearly bitten by a bamboo viper, but had the presence of mind to avoid moving and giving up his position. Any pictures I have seen, the stocks used overseas were more like hunting stocks. The most notable person to use the Model 70 was legendary sniper Carlos Hathcock in Vietnam, his rifle was chambered in .30-06 Sprinfield and his rifle is on display at the Quantico, Virginia Marine Corps Sniper Museum. Nearly 30 years later, he received a Silver Star for this action. This listing is for a preowned Winchester 70 bolt action rifle chambered in 300 Win Mag with a 3+1 capacity and a 26" barrel in . At that point Jim told Carlos to take her down. Hathcock was one of several individuals to utilize the M2 Browning machine gun in the sniping role. But I never did enjoy killing anybody. Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! Regarding, his tools of trade, Hathcock, normally operated with the Winchester Model 70, 30-06 Caliber rifle along with an 8 power scope. The Model 70's 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. Decorations. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. He used a M2 .50 Cal Browning machine gun mounting a telescopic sight at a range of 2,500 yd, taking down a single Vietcong guerrilla. To this end, Winchester sent a letter to the U.S. Marine Corps Quartermaster on July 20, 1942, indicating it had 1,944 Model 70 .30 Government 06 Rifles on hand, which we can offer you subject to prior sale., Most of these rifles had 24" barrels, but there were 105 with 20" barrels. I just passed down my Win 70 .30-'06 Featherweight to the next generation. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action, sporting rifle that can be used for hunting or shooting. He did win the Wimbledon Cup with it after all. Sgt. His ability as a marksman was soon recognized by the instructors on the rifle range at Camp Pendleton where he was undergoing recruit training. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy drew a clear line in the sand in his inaugural address. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Yeah it was, it was missing the an action screw and one that held on the trigger guard. The Winchester Model 70 represented perhaps the epitome of the bolt-action sporting rifle. 2023 Rock Island Auction Company. "White Feather" as he was called by the North Vietnamese . Hathcock used for much of his time in Vietnam. 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. His longest confirmed kill was 2500 yards. It is an odd scope by todays standards. Btn., 7th Marines, under young Marine Capt. It's my job. The Army's most accomplished Vietnam War sniper, Sgt. 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.. If one was to follow the change of power procedures described above, it gives an incredible latitude to the scopes use. Hathcock used the M40 during the Vietnam War and is credited with numerous kills, including a record-setting 2,500-meter shot. Stretching it past 500 and reaching out to 1000, put all of us in a humbling state of mind. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: . Land later recruited Marines who had set their own records in sharpshooting; he quickly found Hathcock, who had won the Wimbledon Cup, the most prestigious prize for long-range shooting, at Camp Perry in 1965. All it would take is an '06 reamer if one was inclined. Just 55 days short of the 20 years that would have made him eligible for regular retirement pay, he received a permanent disability separation. These later rifles only added to the popularity of the model 70 among US snipers. 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 President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock, II (MCSN: 1873109), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Sniper, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 September 1969. 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). There was no real reason to stay with Winchester because the Model 70s used by the Marines were not the latest production models anyway, and no advantage would be gained as far as standardization of equipment was concerned. By the late 1960s, the Winchester Model 70 sniper rifles were in the process of being phased out by the new Remington Model 700s. 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. The scope adjusts with turrets integral to the rear scope mount, and the tube of the scope floats inside adjustment pins. WEIGHT, EMPTY: 9.5 lbs. 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. 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 scope tube is roll-stamped: "J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER" in two lines above the serial number "2232". Carlos N. Hathcock II, who won the Wimbledon. Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. *A USMC sniper uses his Unertl scope to search for enemy snipers in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, circa 1967. It was advertised as missing parts. Not only were we pleased to help supply them with the correct part, but we were more pleased to see this aging model 70 remain in active service, rather than face an inglorious ending as scrap metal. 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. 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 machine work, barrel channel and bedding were completed in our shop. Thanks! The sniper system shoots the M72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets (.30-06). The rifle would of course have to be chambered in the 458 x 1.5 Barnes cartridge. Much as I described with the duplex, the mildot gives a lot of points to hold off of without ever having to change powers. Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! JavaScript is disabled. IIRC, Remington did this with some of their rifles at one time. [47] Hathcock carried a Colt M1911A1 pistol as a sidearm.[17]. 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 Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock Award is presented annually by the National Defense Industrial Association "to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions in operational employment and tactics of small arms weapons systems which have impacted the readiness and capabilities of the U.S. military or law enforcement. Some of the snipers now in Vietnam were not yet born when the telescopic sights they use were employed in a different war. 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. I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. I was out yesterday trying to test a few loads at 400 yards but the wind quickly picked up to about 30 gusting 40mph and it was quickly becoming a waste of powder. The Model 70 was originally manufactured by the . 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. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. [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." Here are the features to watch out for. The value of these rifles mean that even if we did own one, we'd probably be reluctant to shoot it.