The rifles inherent accuracy was ideally suited as a sniping rifle. For these reasons, we regularly get inquiries about building "tribute" and "replica"USMC Sniper rifles. The Winchester Model 70is abolt-actionsporting/huntingrifle. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. Interestingly, Hathcock won that prestigious trophy with a Winchester Model 70. The sniper system shoots the M72 match ammunition loaded with 173-grain boat-tailed bullets (.30-06). Carlos Hathcock's sniper rifle! [24][25][26][27][self-published source], After this mission, Hathcock returned to the United States in 1967. Rewards put on U.S. snipers by the PAVN typically ranged from $8 to $2,000. Carlos Hathcock holds the Marine Corps record for the longest confirmed sniper kill shot. Being medically discharged, he received 100 percent disability pay. Introduced in 1936 as an improvement on the Model 54, the Model 70 soon set the standard for commercial bolt-action rifles. Typically enemy soldiers were paid anywhere from $8 to $2,000 for taking down an American sniper. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! Land told Hathcock to "put another round in her." Hathcock fired again and her body convulsed. [6] The Viet Cong and PAVN called Hathcock Lng Trng, translated as "White Feather", because of the white feather he kept in a band on his bush hat. Douglas still produces the same barrel they supplied to the Marines in the early 1940s, which makes easy work of getting one key aspect of this build exactlyright. 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. [17] However, scholars such as Jerry Lembcke have cast doubt on Hathcock's account and questioned the existence of "Apache". In 1967 Gunny Carlos Hathcock set the record for the longest. On 10 July 1969, Carlos Hathcock and Ron McAbee were providing security for convoys along Western Route 4. It was supplied with a Redfield 3x9 mounted with Redfield base/rings. 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). 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 . 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. 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. His ability as a marksman was soon recognized by the instructors on the rifle range at Camp Pendleton where he was undergoing recruit training. April 30 marks the 41st anniversary of the fall of Saigon (since renamed Ho Chi Minh City) and the end of American military involvement in that country. sniper kill. The scope tube is roll-stamped: "J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER" in two lines above the serial number "2232". A memo dated July 29, 1942, stated in part: Subject: Rifles, Winchester, Model 70, .30 Government 06. [18][19], Hathcock only once removed the white feather from his bush hat while deployed in Vietnam. Who has the most kills in the Vietnam War? Thanks. "[20] Hathcock said in a book written about his career as a sniper: "I like shooting, and I love hunting. Composite stock of course. They were mothballed after NRA changed match rules to limit service personnel to shooting service rifles. Hathcock himself estimated that he had killed between 300 and 400 enemy personnel during the Vietnam War. 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. The Winchester Model 70 is a classic bolt action rifle and one of the most popular and well known bolt action rifles in sports shooting history. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. That is the pic. 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.. 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. 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. The serial number of this rifle, "48213" falls within the serial number range of Marine WWII Model 70 rifles listed on pages 49-50 of Death from Afar Volume 1" by Chandler & Chandler but is not included on the list. Born in 1942, Hathcock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 20, 1959the very day he turned 17. Are you at 6 or are you at 5.75 or 6.25? Hathcock's first round disabled the bicycle, the second struck the enemy soldier in the chest. This shot covered a distance of 2500 yards. Beautiful build. I told a gunny, 'Bring [him] back here.' As was the case during World War II, the Marine Corps considered procuring some Winchester Model 70 rifles for sniping use in Korea, but these results were the same as before. USMC Sniper Rifles: Hands On History. He was the only child of Carlos and Agnes Hathcock. The machine work, barrel channel and bedding were completed in our shop. Gunnery Sgt. 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. Throughout its life, the Model 70 has been offered in . They were running about $800 for a nice one with rings a few years ago. Carlos held the record for the longest kill for 35 years. Above, Marine rifleman Dalton Gunderson eyes the enemy through an 8X Unertl scope on top of his Special Services-procured Winchester Model 70 in Vietnam. You will find the sale page with further details if you click here. From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Only thing I would add is I forgo the 6X as I dont think its precise. 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.. I was quickly brought back to reality when shooting this system. 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. His heroic actions were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. The Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. Remarkably, a few remain in service to this day. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. . 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. Using this rifle, we shot at increments of 100 yards, all the way out to 1,000 to test our modern-day sniper skills. Carlos Norman Hathcock II (May 20, 1942 February 22, 1999) was a United States Marine Corps (USMC) sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. As a sniper of a modern era, I am truly amazed at what the guys were able to do using what they had at the time. The stock is in very fine condition. Moscow Should Prepare For Probable US Nuclear Aggression: Reports Russian Military Journal, Destroying American Monster Abrams: Pro-Russian Group Release A How-To Video, Dr. Mary E. 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After returning to active duty, Hathcock helped establish the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia. While the Colt Model 601 was the first AR-15 to be mass-produced, there were several design variations that came before during the platform's development. 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. Winchester requested the Marines evaluate the rifles generally for suitability of use in combat, and specifically for use as sniper rifles. 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. After ensuring his escape route was in place, he took his shot. Keep an eye on the CMP Auction Site. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and total devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Staff Sergeant Hathcock reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[29]. During the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Veteran Carlos Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong personnel. [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. Editors note: Carlos Hathcock Born this day, May 20, 1942. . 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. These two historic Winchester Model 70 rifles bearing serial numbers "1" and "2" are now being offered for sale by Sportsman's Legacy. 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. The optics are clear. 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. 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. Carlos Hathcock usually used a Winchester Model 70 in .30 .06. As I remember from reading Henderson's book many moons ago, GySgt Hathcock deployed to VietNam in the '66-69 time frame. The M72 173 grain .30-06 was something that I could familiarize myself with as it is fairly similar to the M118LR.