model 70 with scope value?

[BullRunBear]

I have a chance to get a Winchester model 70 in 30-06 from the late 1960s. It's in excellent condition and has a Redfield Widefield 3x9 scope mounted on it. This would be primarily for target work.

Is $750 a fair price?

Thanks for any help.

Jeff

 

[jmr40]

WAAAY too high. You can buy a brand new producion rifle, that will be a far better rifle for $740.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...er+Blue+Walnut+5+++1+30-06+Spg.+Featherweight

While most are OK rifles the Winchesters from the 1960's and 70's were among the worst ever made. The rifle alone would bring $250-$350 depnding on condition. The scope might actually be worth a bit, maybe $100- $200. Those older Redfields have some collector status, but for a rifle and scope you actually want to use you'd be better off with a more modern scope.

 

[sleepyone]

+1 on that. The new Model 70s are superb rifles. I have two and had a third that I sold only because it saw no use and I needed cash. If this was a pre-64 Model 70 you were talking about it $750 would still be a little high but at least you might be able to negotiate from there. I'm assuming the scope is period correct, so I would probably replace it with a new scope due to improvements in optics since then, so the scope adds no value to the rifle for me personally. Some people do collect vintage scopes and even prefer them to keep their hunting rifle period correct. I prefer better optics over period correct scopes.

I recently bought a rifle with an older Leupold M8 6X 36mm scope that I did not care for so I sold it on eBay and will be able to use the proceeds to pay for most of a new Nikon Buckmasters 3x9 40mm.

BTW, the Model 70 I sold in 2010 was a like new 2010 Featherwieght in .30-06 with a new Nikon Buckmasters 3x9 40mm scope for $750! :banghead:

Still regret that sale.

Hope this helps.

 

[sage5907]

That sounds way to high to me, maybe $400 if it's in excellent condition. Also, I wouldn't pay anything extra for the scope. I had a widefield several years ago and didn't like it at all. A round scope picture is much better because the eye tends to center the target in the middle of a circle. I found the widefield to be really distracting when I was shooting moving game.

 

[USSR]

Depending upon which model M70 it is (basic model with blind magazine .vs deluxe model with nice wood and hinged floorplate), the rifle alone is worth $350 - $500. The Denver made 3-9X scopes in nice condition are $125 - $150. Sold together, I would expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $600. Just MHO, having bought several of these rifles in recent years.

Don

 

[Gtscotty]

I just picked up a brand new FN Winchester 70 for $699 from CDNN. If you are looking to spend ~$700 on one, I would second whoever said you should skip the post-64 and go straight to a new production version.

If you'd rather have a post-64, I would keep looking around, they seem to go for $400 - $500 with decent (or at least comparable) scopes around here.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys,

Thanks for all the good information. Haven't bought a centerfire rifle in decades and had no idea what prices were like. I'll let this one pass and look for something new when the time comes. I'll just have to muddle through with my old mil-surp rifles.

Jeff

 

[jakk280rem]

Just as a point of interest, if you had said that it was made in the early '60's, it would have been a much more fairly priced rifle.

 

[Old N Bold 2]

Model 70

See if he will let you shoot it before you buy it. Some of those old Winchesters were capable of amazing accuracy. Each one different. With reloads groups under 3/4" are possible. These new ones seem to shoot 1 1/8
1 1/2 from what I have read over and over in the magazines. Button rifled vs. hammer forged??? Old world craftmanship???/

 

[Savage99]

You wrote:
"model 70 with scope value?
I have a chance to get a Winchester model 70 in 30-06 from the late 1960s. It's in excellent condition and has a Redfield Widefield 3x9 scope mounted on it. This would be primarily for target work.

Is $750 a fair price?

Thanks for any help.

Jeff"

What do you mean by "target work"?

Do you mean match shooting in competition or just groups?

Those post 64 push feed M70's were a disappointment. They lacked the famous M70's control round feeding and led to Winchester closing the plant in New Haven, CT.

The 'Widefield" was also a flop.

That gun is way overpriced.

 

[USSR]

Those post 64 push feed M70's were a disappointment. They lacked the famous M70's control round feeding and led to Winchester closing the plant in New Haven, CT.

Sorry, Savage99, but you've got it all wrong. While the post 64 rifles were a disappointment when they first came out, it was much more than the fact that they were a pushfeed. They went to pressed checkering as well as many other shortcuts to compete with Remington, which by the way, was and is a pushfeed action. And, the pushfeed action had exactly zero to do with the Winchester plant closing, since they had been producing CRF Winchesters for more than 10 years before the plant closed. The closing of the plant was due to an aging plant and a high priced labor force, and you really can't blame FN for moving to a more business friendly state with right to work laws.

Don

 

[joed]

Why does everyone have the opinion that a pushfeed is garbage? There is nothing wrong with a pushfeed. I own both and find the pushfeed smoother to operate.

I've owned model 70s from the late 60s and 70s. A disappointment? No, after some bedding work I've found these rifles just as accurate as the newer models. I also own a model 70 Stealth produced at the old plant. I'll put that rifle up against any stock rifle made today.

But back to reality, I would not pay $750 for that rifle when I could buy a new one for the same price.

 

[Speedgoat]

As I recall in '72 the quality of the pushfeed post 64's was brought up, and those rifles were of good quality, if you're into the pushfeeds. The 64-72 models I think had a low quality factory stock, can't remember if there were metal quality issues too. Not that I'm in the market for a pushfeed M70, 750 seems high for what you've listed. Pawnshop/Gunshop here has a pushfeed featherweight in 30-06 for $450, can't recall the scope brand on it. If you end up getting a new Model 70 you won't regret it. Got one this fall and 2nd is supposed to be showing up this week.

 

[sleepyone]

+1 on the pushfeed not being what killed the Model 70. While I like the CRF better, the pushfeed is very accurate and what Remington has used as others have pointed out. If it was not accurate, snipers would not being using it for long range killing.

As already mentioned, there was a plethora of issues that contributed to the demise of Winchester before FN revived it. Old plant, high paid union shop, unfriendly state, etc... The Model 700 was a Model 70 killer when it came out. Remington forced Winchester to go to metal stampings, cheap checkering, less-expensive pushfeed system, etc...

I would not want a post-64 or pre-FN Model 70 unless it was dirt cheap. Just as I would not want a post Freedom Group Remington Model 700 when there are millions of original Model 700s out there already.

 

[Savage99]

USSR,

I don't have it all wrong Don. In fact I have it right. I just did not take the time to repeat the obvious that Winchester also cheapened their products in other ways across the line.

It's just that the machinery and control round feeding of their famous pre-64 rifles impress me like real machinery does.

The push feed bolt action rifle is more apt to jam in hurried use. Knowledgeable riflemen eschew the type.

I got my first M70 new in 1957. I used it hunting yesterday.

I have a compete battery of them.

 

[USSR]

The push feed bolt action rifle is more apt to jam in hurried use. Knowledgeable riflemen eschew the type.

Hmm, tell that to the U.S. military whose issue sniper rifle for nearly 30 years has been based on a pushfeed action. I have built rifles using both Winchester action types, and jamming has never been a problem.

Don



Winchester M70 Pushfeed
Krieger 26" fluted MTU contour barrel in .30-06
McMillan A2 stock pillar bedded
Jewell trigger
Speed Lock firing pin and spring
Williams steel bottom metal
Badger 20MOA picatinny rail and rings
Leupold 6.5-20x50 LR mildot scope
Load: 60.7gr RL22, Fed 210M, 190SMK in Lapua brass
2900fps at muzzle and 30MOA from 100 yard zero to 1k

 

[joed]

Hmm, tell that to the U.S. military whose issue sniper rifle for nearly 30 years has been based on a pushfeed action. I have built rifles using both Winchester action types, and jamming has never been a problem.

Don

Winchester M70 Pushfeed
Krieger 26" fluted MTU contour barrel in .30-06
McMillan A2 stock pillar bedded
Jewell trigger
Speed Lock firing pin and spring
Williams steel bottom metal
Badger 20MOA picatinny rail and rings
Leupold 6.5-20x50 LR mildot scope
Load: 60.7gr RL22, Fed 210M, 190SMK in Lapua brass
2900fps at muzzle and 30MOA from 100 yard zero to 1k

Thank you! I have never gotten a Remington or Winchester bolt action to jam in 36 years. And Remington doesn't make a CRF.

 

[joed]

Also, the pushfeed action is better for bench shooting. This is what I was told, though I can't see a difference between CRF or pushfeed.

 

[Savage99]

For just a paper rifle push feed is ok.

For hunting dangerous game or a bolt action battle rifle a control round feed action is better because it's less likely to jam.

 

[Clark]

In 2005 I paid $585 for a 1956 M70 with scope from an add in the paper.
I have changed the barrel, stock, scope, etc and shot 9 mule deer with it.

In 2012 I paid $400 for a 1953 M70 without scope at a gun store.