So we have David E. Petzal reporting on the possible introduction of Miroku-made, Browning-branded Model 70s on his blog…

… While Matt Williams of Williams Firearms Company says that FN will be making Model 70s in South Carolina, and follows up with some speculation…

… And at the same time we have rumors of Portuguese Model 70s.

All three are plausible. Winchester, Browning, and FNHUSA are all sister companies under FN Herstal. Some Brownings are made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal, while others come from Miroku in Japan. Miroku also makes Winchester-branded High Walls and has produced other Winchesters. And FNHUSA has a facility in South Carolina. FNHUSA needs Model 70 actions for their lines of patrol and sniper rifles.

Apparently, no announcements were made at SHOT or SCI, so I’m guessing we’re in for a bit of a wait.

My prediction: We will see a reintroduction of the “Classic” controlled-feed action. I’m betting Miroku will get the contract, and will produce both complete rifles and bare actions, the latter for use by FNHUSA. And if we’re really lucky, the complete rifles will be finished in the style of the Pre-’64s: original-style stocks of red-stained wood, brushed metalwork and “vapor-blasted” receivers.

Of course, I could very easily be completely wrong…