13 Best Scope For Winchester Model 70 of 2026 To Clear Your Bolt and Hold Zero
Assuming all Winchester Model 70 receivers share the identical footprint is the fastest way to waste money on optics and hardware that will not fit. Between pre-64 classics, post-64 revisions, short actions, standard long actions, and stubby WSSM configurations, screw hole spacing across the rear bridge varies enough to ruin an afternoon at the bench. Mount a scope with the wrong ring height or bell diameter, and the sweeping bolt throw will crash directly into the ocular housing every time the action cycles. Worse, slapping a rigid one-piece rail over the open-top bridge often turns routine cartridge ejection into a jammed casing nightmare, battering expensive brass and scratching your optic finish under heavy recoil.
A properly fitted setup runs smooth and dependable, dropping rounds into the chamber effortlessly while the reticle stays locked on target through hundreds of rounds. Getting that seamless fit starts with confirming your rifle's true action length and measuring the rear bridge screw spacing before selecting hardware. Pairing the right tube diameter with medium or high rings gives the bolt handle room to clear, while two-piece bases keep the loading port wide open for clean top-feeding. The options below deliver the precise clearance, rugged glass, and rock-solid zero retention required to make the legendary Model 70 perform at its best.
- ARS Mark9.5
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLeupold
- ARS Mark7.5
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandTalley
- ARS Mark8.3
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLeupold
- ARS Mark8.8
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandCMJ Supply
- ARS Mark7.4
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandOuterimpact
- ARS Mark7.7
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandWarne Scope Mounts
- ARS Mark9.4
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLeupold
- ARS Mark9.1
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandLeupold
- ARS Mark7.7
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandTalley
- ARS Mark8.7
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandEGW
- ARS Mark9.6
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandOuterimpact
- ARS Mark7.9
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGame Reaper
- ARS Mark7.4
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandFOXCUP
Last update on 2026-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Does my Winchester Model 70 need a long action or short action mount?
It depends on your rifle's specific receiver length and cartridge chambering. Winchester Model 70 receivers come in Long Action, Short Action, and dedicated WSSM configurations. Mounts are machined to exact receiver screw patterns, meaning a Long Action rail from OuterImpact, Talley, or Game Reaper will not line up on a Short Action or WSSM receiver. Check your rifle's caliber markings and measure port length before purchasing a mounting base.
Does my Winchester Model 70 receiver use .860 rear hole spacing?
You must measure the rear receiver screw holes center-to-center to confirm your layout. Certain Model 70 receivers require a .860 rear hole spacing, which matches dedicated sets like the Warne Vapor .860 RHS matte base. Other production runs feature different spacing on the rear bridge. Checking this dimension with calipers or verifying with your user manual prevents stripped threads and misaligned bases.
Will medium or high rings clear the bolt handle on a Model 70?
It depends on the scope ocular bell diameter and the main tube size. Medium mounts, including the Leupold Backcountry 1-inch medium mount or Talley Lightweight 2-piece integral post-64 medium set, clear the bolt throw on many standard optics. Larger eyepieces or optics built on 30mm tubes often need high rings, like the Leupold Backcountry 30mm high base set, to keep the bolt handle from contacting the ocular housing during cycling. Selecting the correct height also ensures proper barrel clearance for the front objective lens bell.
Do I need a 0 MOA or 20 MOA scope base?
Choose a 0 MOA base for typical hunting ranges and a 20 MOA base for long-range target shooting. A flat 0 MOA mount, such as the EGW Winchester 70 WSSM rail, preserves standard sight geometry when shooting inside standard zeroing distances. A canted 20 MOA rail, like the OuterImpact Long Action or Talley 20 MOA base, angles the optic slightly downward to give you extra upward elevation travel. That extra adjustment range helps when dialling distance or using reticles configured for accurate holdovers.
Is a two-piece base or a one-piece rail better for the Model 70?
Two-piece bases are better for open ejection port clearance, while one-piece rails provide more ring placement flexibility. Two-piece setups like the Leupold Backcountry or CMJ Supply Weaver-style mounts keep the receiver port completely unobstructed for top-loading cartridges and smooth shell ejection. Full-length Picatinny rails span the entire receiver gap, offering multiple cross-slots for eye relief adjustments, but they bridge directly over the open action.
How do I select between 1-inch and 30mm rings for my Model 70?
Match your ring diameter directly to the main tube measurement listed for your optic. Mounting hardware is engineered specifically for either 1-inch tubes, such as the Game Reaper LA medium mount or Talley post-64 lightweight rings, or 30mm tubes, like the Leupold Backcountry 30mm high mount. Verify the tube diameter on your scope body before mounting so the rings seat flush without pinching or slipping under recoil.





























