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.". Here are the features to watch out for. You know it's funny how just a simple duplex reticle, like what you find in most scopes can be a real help in ranging and holding. This was confirmed in McGuires article: The rifle team of the 3rd Marine Division had been using the Model 70 with the heavy barrel and the heavy Marksman stock. Maj. Land told me that early in the war members of the sniper platoon collected contributions. 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. Born on May 20, 1942, in Little Rock, Arkansas, Hathcock took to the sport of shooting at a very young age. Winchester requested the Marines evaluate the rifles generally for suitability of use in combat, and specifically for use as sniper rifles. Scope used by Carlos Hathcock. 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. Throughout its life, the Model 70 has been offered in . [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. Nicknamed The White Feather for the small plume he wore on his boonie cap, Hathcocks incredible marksmanship skills soon struck fear in the hearts of the enemy, so much so that the Viet Cong reportedly placed a bounty of $30,000 on his head. For those wondering why the military did not continue using the Model 70 and abandoned it in favor of the Remington Model 700, McGuire gave a cogent synopsis of the reasoning behind this decision: [For Vietnam], the Marines wanted a bolt-action rifle with a medium-heavy barrel and a sporter stock. These rifles were subsequently used for recreation and target shooting. He sold quite a few, and claims they came from a USMC armorer. All of the markings are crisp. Regarding, his tools of trade, Hathcock, normally operated with the Winchester Model 70, 30-06 Caliber rifle along with an 8 power scope. Carlos Hathcock died on February 23, 1999, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from complications resulting from multiple sclerosis. Carlos Hathcock typically used the Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle chambered for use with 30-06 ammunition along with an eight-power Unertl scope. [18][19], Hathcock only once removed the white feather from his bush hat while deployed in Vietnam. The owner had provided us with the stock already featuring a nicely aged appearance, which we maintained in the build. Due to the extreme injuries he suffered in Vietnam, he was in nearly constant pain, but continued to dedicate himself to teaching snipers. This rebuild work varied but generally consisted of replacing the original sporter barrels with heavier 24" or 26" barrels and replacing the stocks as necessary, often with new target stocks procured from Winchester. He lived in a rural area with his grandmother as his parents had separated. He hunted at that early age with a .22-caliber J. C. Higgins single-shot rifle. 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. The Winchester Model 70is abolt-actionsporting/huntingrifle. 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. The success of the Model 70 on the rifle range attracted renewed interest from the U.S. Army as evidenced by a Feb. 2, 1955, memo from the Office of the Chief of Ordnance to the Chief of Army Field Forces, which stated: It is requested that this office be furnished [with] your comments and recommendations relative to procurement of cal. These later rifles were delivered to the US military already modified to be sniper rifles, including a heavy barrel and accurized stock. Land told Hathcock to "put another round in her." Hathcock fired again and her body convulsed. I had always thought that long tube scopes were originally used a long time ago and were more or less obsolete. For this operation, Carlos selected a .30-06 Winchester Model 70 mounting a Lyman 8X telescope that McAbee had fine-tuned. "[41][42] A sniper range named for Hathcock is at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 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. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. All Rights Reserved. He was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. My Hathcock tribute is based on what he considered the "ideal" rifle as discussed in his authorized biography, "White Feather". The checkered panels are sharp; wear is limited to scattered visible sling hardware marks near the buttplate and upper sling swivel. As I remember from reading Henderson's book many moons ago, GySgt Hathcock deployed to VietNam in the '66-69 time frame. There also isn't any internal adjustments to zero. Adelbert F. Waldron III stacked up 113 enemies using the XM21 system. Customer experience was, and still is, the primary focus, a key to the firms longevity and success. Chief Warrant Officer However, we are happy to build tribute rifles and were very pleased torecently completea USMC sniper tribute rifle. Great project. You sir have your shit together. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. Carlos held the record for the longest kill for 35 years. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? Considered a real one but again even a cheap ($450.00) modern scope I feel is better than an original 60's era scope. Hathcock was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 20, 1942. You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article. First rate article outlining the service of the Model 70. The fact that the guys using this rifle shot at distances exceeding 800 yards (1000+) on human sized targets, is a great accomplishment in itself. 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. While recovering, Hathcock received the Purple Heart. 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. There are no internal adjustments to zero these old style Unertls. You just need the time to figure out a firing solution with the changes you make. On this occasion he used a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, to which he attached his scope with a bracket he designed himself. And it was as a sniper rifle the Model 70 ultimately earned its stripes. The late Marine sniper set the record in 1967 with a M-2 .50 caliber Browning machine gun.. Those rifles were in the Winchester Marksman stocks with their wide forends and deep grips. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. 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. In 1975, Hathcock's health began to deteriorate, and he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That is the pic. It is an odd scope by todays standards. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. [31] He would have received only 50 percent of his final pay grade had he retired after 20 years. 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 . 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. The bolt body is polished bright and electro-penciled with the rifle serial number "48213". As long as you understood the effects wind had on the projectile and understood the ballistic drop, you could do fine. Rewards put on U.S. snipers by the PAVN typically ranged from $8 to $2,000. for his record shot. One of the distant places where Americas commitment would come to be tested was in South Vietnam. The rifle excelled in USMC sniper trials and target competitions, making it the preferred rifle of most USMC snipers. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Unertl Telescopic Sight Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 70 Type: Rifle Gauge: 30-06 Barrel: 24 inch round Finish: blue Grip: Stock: walnut checkered Item Views: 13427 Hathcock used the M40 during the Vietnam War and is credited with numerous kills, including a record-setting 2,500-meter shot. 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. Thats perfect! Before any official action was taken, the Marine Corps ordered 373 Model 70s chambered in .30-06 Sprg. I have a 53 heavy barreled action that needs the same treatment. The rifle had a likeness of Hathcock's signature and his "white feather logo" marked on the receiver. He and other Marines who were riding on top of the vehicle were sprayed with flaming gasoline caused by the explosion. 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 put a round in her with his bolt-action Winchester Model 70 30.06 (7.62mm) rifle and she collapsed on the ground. Carlos Hathcock, in Vietnam (left) and receiving the Silver Star (right). That is without having to go with the points on a special reticle. Confrontations with North Vietnamese snipers, NRA.org/NRA National Shooting Program/ NRA National Trophies/Wimbledon Cup, Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge, Marine Corps Pistol Expert Marksmanship Badge, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, List of historically notable United States Marines, "Marine Corps Sets Sights on More Precise Shooting", "The Story of Legendary Sniper Carlos Hathcock", "Etica ed estetica del cecchino nella narrativa di Nicolai Lilin", "Carlos Hathcock: Famous Marine Corps Sniper", "Ultimate Marine (Hathcock vs Mawhinney)", "Valor Awards for Carlos N. Hathcock, II", "A Quiet Man Uniquely Qualified To Stalk And Kill", "Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association Board of Governors", "2015 Marine Corps League Enlisted Awards Announcement", "Review: Springfield Armory's M-25 Whitefeather", "Range complex named after famous Vietnam sniper", Longest confirmed combat sniper-shot kill, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carlos_Hathcock&oldid=1142492093, United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War, Military personnel from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from February 2019, Articles with failed verification from February 2019, Articles with self-published sources from December 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Hathcock's duel with Cobra was mentioned in the History Channel, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 18:11. Wiley Clapp in 1965. 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 scope has a fine crosshair reticle and is fitted with screw-on steel lens covers. In some cases, Douglas barrels were fitted to the Winchester actions to attain optimum accuracy. The most well known Marine sniper of the Vietnam war has become a modern legend. Hathcock's career as a sniper has been used as a basis for a variety of fictional snipers, from the "shooting through the scope incident" to the number of kills he made. I just passed down my Win 70 .30-'06 Featherweight to the next generation. I'm not. The scarcity of these rifles mean few of us will ever get a chance to own one. 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. Wow. The rifle has no Marine or U.S. property marks on any component. Steam rose from the damp jungle mulch. 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 . Hathcock remains a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. It is used by not only sportsmen, but military and police snipers as well. 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). STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. However, where the USMC procurement brass failed to see the merits of the Model 70, the Marine Corpsmarksmendid not. You can pick up a replica of the Unertl Scope online for an MSRP of around $550.00. 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. 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. This is yet another example of the truism that a great civilian firearm does not always equate to a great military rifle. The medium-heavy target barrel is a post war replacement. I got this guy for $501 delivered to my door. Lots of posts I haven't come back to as of late. The action has some design similarities to Mauser designs and it is a development of the earlier Winchester Model 54. 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. 50,690. On some occasions, however, he used a different weapon: the . Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Carlos Hathcock . USMC Sniper Rifles: Hands On History. In 1967, Hathcock set the record for the longest sniper kill. 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. He did however adapt according to the conditions and once even used the M2 Browning machine gun! Interestingly, Hathcock won that prestigious trophy with a Winchester Model 70. The scope tube is roll-stamped: "J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER" in two lines above the serial number "2232". . His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. Springfield Armory designed a highly accurized version of their M1A Supermatch rifle with a McMillan Stock and match grade barrel and dubbed it the "M-25 White Feather". Would you like to visit Winchester International? He did win the Wimbledon Cup with it after all. He went on about five [operations] one time before I could get a fix on him. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. Much as I described with the duplex, the mildot gives a lot of points to hold off of without ever having to change powers. [22] As the general exited his encampment, Hathcock fired a single shot that struck the general in the chest, killing him. This is debatable. The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1C is sufficiently accurate for use by snipers in the Marine Corps.Despite this rebuff, the Marine Corps report went on to state that [the] Model 70 Winchester is the most accurate American made, Caliber .30 on the market.During this same period, the U.S. Army also considered procurement of a modified Model 70 for sniping use as reflected in a memo from the chief of ordnance dated Oct. 30, 1951, which states in part: Any further consideration of the Model 70 by the Army was rejected. After ensuring his escape route was in place, he took his shot. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (20 May 1942 - 23 February 23 1999) was a United States Marine Corps sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. [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. Carlos Hathcock, the most celebrated US sniper in history, preferred the model 70 over a host of other rifles at his disposal, using it extensively in combat during the Vietnam war, and in Wimbledon matches at Camp Perry in the years that followed. [3], During the Vietnam War, Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong personnel. Carlos Hathcock was born on May 20, 1942, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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