Lots of posts I haven't come back to as of late. Van Orden had envisioned the Model 70 as the ultimate platform for a highly accurate sniper rifle, but which was light enough to be carried into battle. While visiting relatives in Mississippi, he took to shooting and hunting at an early age, partly out of necessity to help feed his poor family. You can pick up a replica of the Unertl Scope online for an MSRP of around $550.00. The rifle is a Winchester M70 in 30-06.
Hathcock was an excellent sharpshooter by then, winning the Wimbledon Cup shooting championship in . Although the model 70 was never officially approved for combat service during WWII, a number of Model 70s made their way into combat with USMC snipers. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the U.S. Marine Corps. 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.. 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 Carlos Hathcock Sniper Rifle! - SOFREP The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. Scope used by Carlos Hathcock. This shot covered a distance of 2500 yards. In the background is radio operator Jerry Dunomes.
What type of rifle did Carlos Hathcock use? He stayed in the Marine Corps, but his health continued to decline. 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. 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. It's my job. The left side of the barrel has the standard Winchester legend and trademark followed by: "MODEL 70-30-06 SPRG.-". With complete disregard for his own safety and while suffering excruciating pain from his burns, he bravely ran back through the flames and exploding ammunition to ensure that no Marines had been left behind in the burning vehicle. Founded by Frank Galli in 2000, Snipers Hide has been offering informational videos, podcasts, and other support to its users in one location. 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. 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.
History: Bill Brophy - Scattered Shots The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. [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." It was long thought that Hathcock, armed with his Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle equipped with an 8-power Unertl scope, was the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history, but that. Hathcocks primary set-up was a Model 70 (pre-64), 30-06 target rifle with a heavy barrel, and Unertle 8x scope.
Winchester Model 70 - Internet Movie Firearms Database - imfdb [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. The M-25 White Feather is a tribute to Carlos Hathcock who accounted for 93 confirmed enemy kills in Vietnam. You can Cerakote the stainless barrela good artist can pretty much replicate any finish. Your browser is out of date and may not be able to properly display our website. These rifles are not considered suitable for use as sniper rifles. Without them, it can be extremely tough to hold for the effects.
Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Serial Numbers 1 and 2 - Revivaler 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. NRA photo. 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. 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. Which honestly looking at the barrels, I think he was probably likely telling the truth. The rifle is pillar bedded and barrel free-floated in its original stock. For these reasons, we regularly get inquiries about building "tribute" and "replica"USMC Sniper rifles. I appreciate those pics, the rifle and the background. In a book I'm reading about on Carlos Hathcock, there are some pictures of him with his rifle. But it's a total rebuild. His previous skill as a marksman had won him a variety of matches and trophies at places like Camp Perry in Ohio. His heroic actions were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. They were intended primarily as match rifles and were not procured for use as sniper rifles. Van Orden would go on to author a report recommending adoption of the Model 70 for sniper use. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 chambered for .30-06 Springfield cartridges, with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. It is undesirable to inject another rifle into the supply system, and if another rifle is injected into the supply system, it is necessary to inject non-standard ammunition for this rifle into the supply system in order to exploit fully any gain in accuracy. In an eloquent eulogy to Hathcock inThe Washington Post, staff writer Stephen Hunter said it best. It was in this way the Winchester model 70 found its way into unauthorized sniper duty during the WWII, primarily in the Pacific Theater. Maj. Land told me that early in the war members of the sniper platoon collected contributions. A memo dated July 29, 1942, stated in part: Subject: Rifles, Winchester, Model 70, .30 Government 06. However, where the USMC procurement brass failed to see the merits of the Model 70, the Marine Corpsmarksmendid not.
Rare and Well Documented Winchester Model 70 U.S.M.C. During the closing stages of the war, the M1903A1/Unertl was replaced by the semi-automatic Garand M1C sniper rifle, which was soon followed by the M1D. In one of his more renowned stories, Carlos Hathcock killed an enemy sniper through the enemy's own rifle scope. Some of the snipers now in Vietnam were not yet born when the telescopic sights they use were employed in a different war. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING VETERAN JOURNALISM - JOIN SOFREP+ , PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States, P.O. Carlos Hathcock typically used the Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle chambered for use with 30-06 ammunition along with an eight-power Unertl scope. 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. Despite its excellence as a precision rifle, the Model 70 was never fully embraced by the U.S. military as a standardized sniper arm. 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. [22] Hathcock said he was almost stepped on as he lay camouflaged with grass and vegetation in a meadow shortly after sunset. I had a chance to take a trip back in time recently and shot the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 using an 8-powerUnertl scope, the same set up that the famous Carlos Hathcock used while he was in Vietnam. The reward was never collected. 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. 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. As events transpired, the Model 70s pressed into service as sniping arms, especially during the Vietnam War, were really never meant to be more than a stop-gap or interim measure until a standardized sniper rifle could be procured. If you decide that you wanted an original Unertl, they are out there and available. Can't recall if they were 264 or 7mm Rem mag offhand. 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. 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. A one of a kind rifle! The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action, sporting rifle that can be used for hunting or shooting. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70 .30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. The USMC was still using the Model 70s as both target rifle for international match competition and pseudo-sniper rifle work . [3], During the Vietnam War, Hathcock had 93 confirmed kills of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong personnel. The stock is in very fine condition. NRA Secretary Edward J. Probably overthinking this but I like to use the "stops" at each end of the power range in this application. George Van Orden and Chief Gy/Sgt. Carlos Hathcock . It was the Marines who pressed the Winchester Model 70 into service as a sniper rifle in Vietnam. [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. Those rifles were in the Winchester Marksman stocks with their wide forends and deep grips. You sir have your shit together. 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.. Hathcock put a round in her with his bolt-action Winchester Model 70 30.06 (7.62mm) rifle and she collapsed on the ground. From the 1970's, illustrating the Monte Carlo style stocks used in this era.
Forgotten rifle of the Vietnam War: The silent sniper | SOFREP 2023 The SOFREP Media Group. The Riflemans Rifle, fitted with an 8X Unertl, was used by the military in long-range competition, then eventually by Marines in Vietnam. These later rifles were delivered to the US military already modified to be sniper rifles, including a heavy barrel and accurized stock. The Model 70, which was primarily based on the Model 54, is still regarded as one of the best cars ever made. 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 Model 70s also drew the attention of USMC snipers and their chief sponsor - Brigadier General George Van Orden. Unertl 8X telescopic sight has a charcoal blue finish and is fitted with anodized aluminum Unertl target mounts on Winchester bases. It was advertised as missing parts.
An important note about part conditions - pre64win.com The action has some design similarities to Mauser designs and it is a development of the earlier Winchester Model 54. Land told Hathcock to "put another round in her." Hathcock fired again and her body convulsed. [47] Hathcock carried a Colt M1911A1 pistol as a sidearm.[17].
What rifle did Marines use in Vietnam? - 2023 Hathcock dreamed of being a Marine throughout his childhood, and so on May 20, 1959, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The Winchester Model 70 is a bolt-action sporting/hunting rifle. FOLLO .more .more 2.6K Dislike Share Indian Gunner 26.3K subscribers. ][21][22] He was not informed of the details of the mission until he accepted it. Regarding, his tools of trade, Hathcock, normally operated with the Winchester Model 70, 30-06 Caliber rifle along with an 8 power scope. [44] Turner Saddlery similarly honored Hathcock by producing a line of leather rifle slings based on his design. Hathcock's first round disabled the bicycle, the second struck the enemy soldier in the chest. The author says Carlos used a Model 70 Winchester with a long tube Unertl scope. Your rifle is seriously motivating me to start a new project build .metal and wood just feel so nice together. 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. He also used on occasion a Remington M40, basically a Remington ADL Varmint 308 rifle that was produced specially for the USMC in 1965 or so. Carlos Hathcock receiving the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam. 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. In 1966, the Marines determined that the M1C and M1D Garand sniper rifles lacked the accuracy required for operations in Vietnam and modified the available Model 70 target rifles and standard rifles to sniper configuration by fitting them with the 8x Unertl "USMC-SNIPER" telescopic sights mounted on the Springfield M1903A1 sniper rifles during WWII and the Korean Conflict. In addition to sniper rifles, model 70s were used extensively in marksmanship training and in match team shooting.
Carlos Hathcock Method of Sighting in a Rifle - American Shooting Journal Winchester Model 70 (.30-06) Review. Carlos Hathcock's sniper 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]. Thus, the Model 70 remained in the militarys inventory, albeit as a match rifle, until the escalation of the war in Vietnam, which resulted in a renewed emphasis on accurate sniper rifles. 1942 dated receiver, with a 56 dated WRA barrel, mismatched bolt, all the metal looks like it's been refnished, and the stock has been beat to crap and then heavily sanded. His parents separated so he grew up with his grandmother in Geyer Springs, Pulaski County. This was standard issue on his Winchester Model 70 sniper rifle, and he even used the same scope on the .50 cal. [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. Hathcock made a number of kills with this weapon in excess of 1,000 yards, including his record for the longest confirmed kill at 2,500 yards (since surpassed). Stretching it past 500 and reaching out to 1000, put all of us in a humbling state of mind. 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 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. Carlos Hathcock usually used a Winchester Model 70 in .30 .06. He and other Marines who were riding on top of the vehicle were sprayed with flaming gasoline caused by the explosion. The scope adjusts with turrets integral to the rear scope mount, and the tube of the scope floats inside adjustment pins. This one is mine. Praesidus brings homage to the military watch tradition. [43] In 2002, this record was broken by Canadian snipers (Rob Furlong and Arron Perry) from the third battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry during the War in Afghanistan. S. Jay Ratliff It would be hard to find a better example of this classic Marine sniper rifle from the Vietnam War. These later rifles only added to the popularity of the model 70 among US snipers. Carlos Hathcock, in Vietnam (left) and receiving the Silver Star (right). [17] However, scholars such as Jerry Lembcke have cast doubt on Hathcock's account and questioned the existence of "Apache". During this depression, his wife Jo nearly left him but decided to stay. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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From an early age, he was fond of firearms. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. "It was the hunt, not the killing. Hathcock eventually picked up the hobby of shark fishing, which helped him to overcome his depression. While the causes and conduct of that war remain a subject of great debate, an interesting aspect of the conflict is the use of the Winchester Model 70 as a precision rifle by the US forces, especially by the US Marine Corps snipers.
Winchester Model 70 Vietnam era USMC Scout-Sniper A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gunnery Sergeant Carlos N. Hathcock II joined the Corps in 1959 at age 17. The rifle most associated with Carlos Hathcock is the Winchester model 70 sniper rifle with an 8X-power Unertl scope. His ability as a marksman was soon recognized by the instructors on the rifle range at Camp Pendleton where he was undergoing recruit training. 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. At that point Jim told Carlos to take her down. During trips to Mississippi, he started developing an interest in hunting and long-range shooting. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. If I was you, I might look up this guy on ebay and write him and see if he has anymore of these barrels.
The Story of Legendary Sniper Carlos Hathcock Instead of running for the sniper, the soldiers . Chief Warrant Officer Answer (1 of 3): If my reading comprehension is still intact; going by memory I seem to recall reading that Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock ( I.E. According to Winchester documents, these rifles were shipped to the Marine Corps on May 29, 1942. He only used the .50 M2 on less than a dozen shots. Hathcock generally used the standard sniper rifle: the Winchester Model 70.30-06 caliber rifle with the standard 8-power Unertl scope. May also want to read this American Rifleman article: Thank you! I had a few of those hanging around.
Hathcock's Scope? | Northwest Firearms He grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, living with his grandmother for the first 12 years of his life after his parents separated. [20] During a volunteer mission days before the end of his first deployment, he crawled over 1,500 yards of field to shoot a PAVN general.[who? Being medically discharged, he received 100 percent disability pay.
Stevens Model 15: The Story of Famed Sniper Carlos Hathcock's First Rifle A handful of the original USMC model 70 riflessurvive to this day, and 76 years later hold enormous collector interest. 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. That is the pic. These scopes now used in Vietnam are the same scopes on newer rifles. [15] Hathcock and John Roland Burke, his spotter, were stalking the enemy sniper in the jungle near Hill 55, the firebase from which Hathcock was operating, southwest of Da Nang. 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. 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 The U.S. Army fielded some World War II-vintage M1903A4 bolt-actions but relied primarily on the semi-automatic M1C Garand. The owner had provided us with the stock already featuring a nicely aged appearance, which we maintained in the build. This is an example of a very rare post-64 "U.S. PROPERTY" marked Winchester model 70 target rifle that was manufactured in 1967, that is fitted with an even rarer "USMC PROPERTY" marked Lyman Super Targetspot rifle scope. 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.