Sporter

The XPR (eXtreme Precision Rifle) is the first new rifle designed and marketed by Winchester in 50 years – and it was about time. After the huge success of the revered ‘pre-1964’ Model 70, in that now-notorious year Winchester brought out a new Model 70 sans controlled feeding, and though it still sold, most riflemen regarded it as a major disappointment by comparison. The new M70 had a push-feed action with ‘fly-hook’ extractor claw, a stamped trigger-guard and other cost-cutting changes. In 2006, Winchester brought back the Model 70 in its original controlled-feed configuration and it remains in production to this day.

The new XPR is Winchester’s endeavour to corner a piece of the entry-level rifle market. HJ Drinn, importers of Winchester, sent me an XPR in .308 Win with a Sightron SIII 6–24x50 scope and a Warrior suppressor. The first thing