bluejeans, the situation in getting a pre 64 Model 70 is not very good right now. The prices have really gone up in the past two years. It would be better to buy a newer controlled feed Model 70 because you can buy them for less money than you would spend on a pre 64.
But, on the other hand I have always been fascinated with the pre 64 Model 70 and although the new ones are nice and pretty they just can't take the place of a really good pre 64. All you have to do is to get one of the pre 64 rifles in your hands and compare it to the new ones and the old rifle says keep me. Currently, I like the pre 64 featherweight better than the standard version because I am a hunter and it is better to buy a 30-06 because there are more of them and they are cheaper and easier to find. When buying a pre 64 Model 70 it's all about the condition of the metal and the metal alone in very good condition is worth at least $750. The money above $750 is what you are paying for the stock. If you have the metal you can always tweek it as you go along by getting the stock that you want along with the other accessories. Keep looking and you will get what you want. I would expect a pre 64 featherweight in really good condition to sell for about $950 but in today's market they are being priced much higher than that.
