Advice on Pre-64 Model 70

S

Salish

Inactive
Hello, I'm new to this board, as well as the entire web site. I'm writing because I would like obtain as much advice as possible on buying a pre-64 Winchester Model 70. I've hunted with a Savage Model 99 in .250 all my life, as well as various Winchester levers, but I've always been enamoured with the idea of having a good bolt gun. I grew up reading Jack O'Conner and was as susceptable to the allure of the Model 70 as anyone else. I've decided to buy a bolt gun and recently looked at the lighter weight rifles of Remington (Model 7 SS, Mountain Rifle) and the Ruger Ultra-Lights, and Winchester Model 70 Featherweight (new). These are all nice rifles, and I especially like the Mountain Rifle. I stopped in a local shop this weekend and handled my first pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight. I was really delighted with the rifle. It is a 1956 Model 70 Featherweight in 30.06, with 22" barrel, and is topped with an older Leupold fixed 4x with a Leupold quick-detachable mount. The bore is perfect and the rifle appears to be all original except for a Pachmeyer recoil pad. The owner of this shop is a nice guy and says everything is orignal except for the pad. This guy has a good rep around here locally. He's asking $565.00 for the rifle. This gun just sort of spoke to me. I like vintage guns. My Model 99 was made in 1951 or so, as was my 16ga Model 12, and my L.C. Smith 16ga was made in '46. I also cherish a Remington Model 11 in 20ga that hit the streets in '48. Anyway, these old guns seem to have more "soul" than new ones. I'll get to the point here - I have two questions: First, when one is buying a pre-64 Model 70, are there any peculiarities specific to pre-64 Model 70's that one should look for? Are there matching serial numbers or anything like that I should be aware of? My second question is likely to start a war, but I would be curious as to how other riflemen compare these older Winchester's to the new crop of bolt action guns on the market today. I would appreciate any and all comments.
Thanks in advance.

Cliff
Seattle, WA
 
Salish,

The only matching serial numbers that you need to worry about are the main S.N. on rifles receiver and a hand engraved number on the bolt. This second number is lightly engraved and done freehand so it looks quite sloppy. These numbers should match to ensure that you have a bolt that fits the receiver properly in regards to headspace.

If these numbers do not match, have the headspace checked by a gunsmith. Being that the originality of the rifle has been effected by the non-standard recoil pad, a different bolt, if properly fitted, will have no effect on the value of the rifle.

Brownells has red rubber recoil pads available that are replicas of the original Winchester pads used on the Magnum rifles. Although never used on the Featherweights, one of these would look a little more proper for the rifle. There are many other little things that differentiate the Featherweights from the Standard grade Model 70's but are of no matter for a hunting rifle.

The price, $565.00 is very fair for a pre-64 Featherweight with scope if it is in decent condition. I would snap it up in a heart beat!

The new Model 70 Classics are a better rifle than the pre-64's in many ways. They handle escaped gas better, they are generally mare accurate and the stock is of much better design. That being said, I prefer the pre-64's over the new ones. The pre-64's are hand fitted and finished and show a much higher level of metal to metal fit. Just look at the bolt handle. On the pre-64 it has square edges compared to the Classic's cast look. It is also one piece as compared to the Classic's two piece. The fit of the bolt handle into the receivers recess is tight without any excess space whereas the Classic's have a large gap all around.

Just handling the older rifles brings images of a past era to mind. It brings images of a simpler time when skilled men toiled with hand tools to make the best rifle possible, no matter the cost. It brings back the times when hunters were respected by all in the community, not someone to be considered a freak using an object of destruction to harm the environment. It brings back memories of friends and family, some gone, sitting around the campfire trading tales.

"Soul". That sums it up pretty good!
 
in my opinion the pre 64 mod 70 are one of the best rifles made and at that price i would buy it in a heart beat the average price in denver is $750 and up if you can find one i have a pre 64 from 1956 in 30-06 that will consistantly shoot 1/2 moa and took down my first deer with it at 275yrds with one shot that rifle should last forever and should be very accurate.
 
Buy!

It sounds like you really want it and the price is right. The Leupold is worth a couple hundred itself. Enjoy!
 
Any pre-64 Model 70

Any pre-64 Winchester Model 70 is far superior too what you are shooting, now. The barrel thickneses of today are graded far smaller/thinner than they are in the pre-64 Model 70. The heavier the barrel the more SECOND SHOTS you can get without the barrel getting hot.

I grade the pre-64 Model 70 higher than the Ruger rifles.
 
THANKS guys

I appreciate your help. I think I'll go ahead and put something down on this rifle. I appreciate your candid replies and informative help. Hope I can repay it someday.

Cliff
Seattle, WA
 
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