Winchester m70

J

jaeger83

Inactive
After a full week of obsessing, I finally was able to go and look at an M70 in .270 calibre. The seller had said the gun was built in 1939, that the metal was 95% perfect and the stock had been refinished. One of the forum members advised that a 1939 model would have a very early safety making it difficult to install a scope and that I should be careful how I cleaned up the stock. So, last Saturday drove two hours and had my first view of the rifle, which I immediately bought. The concern about the scope turned out to be a non issue because it had a Bushnell 3-9 installed on Weaver bases and rings. Checking the serial number, I found the gun was built not in 1939, but sometime in the 1944 - 1947 period and had a safety that is similar to recent models but slightly abbreviated. The metal was pretty much as promised and the stock had a coat of shellac slopped on it filling the checkering and with a few runs. It also looks like someone tried to drive a couple of nails in with stock so I have a few holes to fill. The bore is perfect. My plans are to replace the current Weaver/Bushnell set up with a better set of bases and rings (probably Redfield as they seem to have the only bases that don't specify a gun after a serial number later than mine). I have a new Nikon 3-9 x 40mm scope to add. As far as the stock is concerned, my plans are to chemically strip off all finish, using a toothbrush in the checkering. Following that, will fill the holes with the appropriate colored shellack, steam out a few dents, fill all the wood pores with multiple layers of Truoil, steel wool rubbed out between coats and finish with several coats of Purdeys Wort Hog finish. So that's my project for the next month or so. I was a good weekend!
 
I love my 1969 M70 in .300 Win Mag. It's a fun gun to shoot and I will never get rid of it unless I have no other choice. I have never been more happy with any hunting rifle.
 
You lucky Guy!

The only thing I would do different is get a smaller and lighter scope. Collector wise, is it wise to redo the stock ... I don't know as I am not much of a collector, I am a shooter!
 
You might well have a type 2 safety known as a clamshell safety. These are a particular favorite of mine. These safeties were standard issue in these years.
 
Thanks for all your comments gentlemen.

Sir nothing: I'm not sure how to post pictures, can you point me to some information on how to use Tapatalk~Android~?

bailey bud: I guess it is an M70 cult isn't it? I owned a pre 64 M70 in .270 years ago and traded it, in part, for a Parker shotgun. Didn't think much about it at the time I guess because it was a restock and reblued model and very heavy (and frankly I didn't appreciate it). About six years ago, I bought two light weight XTR's (post 64), one in .308 and one in 30-06. I still have the 30-06 and it fits me like a glove. Then I got side tracked on Mausers. It's only now when I compare the 30-06 to this new .270 than I get really interested. The trigger guard and trigger on the 1944-47 model is so, I guess, perfect. Very similar to my Model 12 shotguns.

AllenJ: I'd love to post pictures before, during and after if I can figure out how to do it.

BrittB: I know what you mean, I don't plan to get rid of the M 70's I currently have either. My oldest son has been lusting over my 30-06 for a while but he'll have to wait until I'm gone to get it (and then fight it out with his younger brother).

WildBill45: I have to redo the stock, it's already been done once and it's a mess. I'm curious, what would you recommend in the way of a smaller and lighter scope?

30-30remchester: I think you're right, the safety does look quite a bit like a clam shell. I'm pretty pleased with it.
 
Mine had some work done to it before I got it like a muzzle break, aftermarket but pad, and a trigger job that is so damn perfect that it's too good. I found a sling on eBay for almost nothing that fits the age of the rifle. So happy with it!:)
 
Just my $0.02, but I think a rifle like that just begs for a classic 50's or 60's scope, like a steel-tubed Weaver, Lyman or Redfield - they all made 4X, 6x, and 2-7x with 1" tubes in those days, IIRC.

A "second" choice might be one of the new US Redfields.

.
 
My Father -in -law owned a Win. model 70 in 270 cal. It was made in about 1958. It was the Feather weight. He got his deer for 26 years straight, along with an occasional bear. It was loaned out to get an elk. He had a Weaver4X scope with a Lee Dot.

I often asked what kind of group it would shoot, and his reply was he only cared about the one shot group. That's because he only needed one shot. A box of Rem Core Lockt lasted for years. The bullet always expanded, and was very accurate. He didn't much believe in benchrests. He said that " you can't pack the benchrest around in the woods.

Great gun in the hands of a capable marksman.
 
with a better set of bases and rings (probably Redfield as they seem to have the only bases
Click to expand...

Can I suggest you get Leupold rings and bases and not Redfield? The new Redfield rings and bases are made (?) in Onalaska, Wisconsin and are not associated with Redfield scopes. I found out the hard way. I got some and the bolt head on the ring base popped off. Found they were made in China and just recently switched back to US. There are surely more (China) stock in stores and being a retired metallurgist you never buy fasteners from China. My 2 cents.
 
"Just my $0.02, but I think a rifle like that just begs for a classic 50's or 60's scope, like a steel-tubed Weaver, Lyman or Redfield - they all made 4X, 6x, and 2-7x with 1" tubes in those days, IIRC.

A "second" choice might be one of the new US Redfields."

That would certainly be easy as I bought a Brno carbine with double set triggers in 7x57 last fall and it has a Weaver variable scope on it. Was planning to replace it with a more modern tube. Have to think about that. Thanks, Mark
 
"Can I suggest you get Leupold rings and bases and not Redfield? The new Redfield rings and bases are made (?) in Onalaska, Wisconsin and are not associated with Redfield scopes. I found out the hard way. I got some and the bolt head on the ring base popped off. Found they were made in China and just recently switched back to US. There are surely more (China) stock in stores and being a retired metallurgist you never buy fasteners from China. My 2 cents."

Good suggestion but unfortunately, according to my Brownells catalogue, Leupold only makes bases for pre 64 M70 with serial numbers above 66,360 and mine is lower than that. I do have a complete kit of various types of gun screws I got from Brownells, however. I could substitute those, assuming they didn't come from China too. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Mark
 
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