Why do I want a pre-64 model 70?

[sage5907]

chalk22, It seems to me that about 80% of the value of a pre 64 model 70 is in the metal. If the metal has at least 90% of the blue, no rust or pitting,the original metal hasn't been altered, and the rifle has an excellent bore the rifle would probably bring $900. The big culprit in the value of a stock is whether the stock has been cut for a recoil pad, whether the stock has the original finish, whether the checkering has been sanded off, or if there are any cracks and the obvious places to look are in the webb in front of the trigger or behind the tang. As far as I am concerned a rifle stock that has been professionally cut for a recoil pad is a plus. As to a 1953 rifle, in my opinion that was one of the best production years. Winchester built 44,095 rifles that year and I haven't seen one that wasn't a accurate shooter. I wouldn't flinch to pay $900 for a good 1953 rifle. BW

 

[lefteyedom]

My point on the profit that Winchester did not make, was based on the idea that the resale value of the pre-64 Model 70 is not money than the company made but money that the owners made at resell.

A 1953 Model 70 in 270 selling for $1000 today could cover the cost of replacing that rifle with the same quality rifle. IIMHO

A Remington 721 from the mid 50s in 270 sells for $200 to $450 the owner most likely will not be able to replace it with a new Remington 700.


An original 427 Shelby Cobra that sells at auction for $750,000 does not make Ford or Mr Shelby any new money, it is the owner that see the increase.

 

[sage5907]

lefteyedom, you and I just have different ways of looking at the selling price. If a gun owner bought a rifle in 1952 for $120 and sold it today for $900 you are saying he made a $780 profit. I think that he sold the rifle for what he gave for it because of the time value of money. A loaf of good bread in 1952 cost about 25 cents while today it costs about $2.25 so in real value the prices are about the same. In 1952 Winchester had a going business and it continued for another ten years but as you made your point, labor costs drove them to make the changes in the design. They hired some outside consultants to develop the new manufacturing procedures and now the company is owned by a foreign corporation. Good grief! BW

 

[Fremmer]

You want one to have something different, nothing wrong with that.

 

[30Cal]

I traded for one this past fall (1963 fwt in 30-06 w/ chinese tasco). Had a $600 tag on it at the gunstore. It looked a little ratty--a nasty varnish job on the stock and metal that looked like it'd been around. The ugly metal was due to varnish handprints everywhere--don't think the gunshop knew that. It cleaned up nicely.

Put an old Redfield on it and shot a big deer a couple weeks later.

 

[sage5907]

30cal, for $600 you made a really good buy. I can't tell from the pictures but you need a 1 inch thick recoil pad on the rifle. I personally like a Pachmayr Decelerator pad. Recoil on a 30-06 is not bad but the pad will improve your shooting. Another thing I've learned about hunting rifles is that my cold weather hunting rifles have a length of pull that is 1/4 inch shorter than my hot weather length of pull. There's nothing worse than trying to raise a rifle to your shoulder when wearing bulky clothes with a stock that is too long. BW

 

[dubya450]

Shooter5907 is right, you did get a good deal on that! I also agree on the 1 inch decelerator pad. All of the new FN made m70's come with them. My supergrade m70 in 300 win mag shooting 150 grain bullets and decelerator pad has quite a bit less felt recoil than either of the 30-06 rifles i had including a BAR 30-06 which is known for controlling recoil well. If you do put one on I'd keep the stock butt pad just in case you wanted to return it to original and sell down the road. Nice buy!

 

[dubya450]

Question for shooter5907, do you know if pachmayr makes them in different colors? I'd like to get one that looks like the old orange/red pads Winchester used to put on certain m70's.

 

[sage5907]

dubya450, as far as I know the Pachmayr Decelerator D750B pad comes in two colors. Either black with a black base or brown with a black base. The pad really works great on a rifle with heavy recoil. There is a company named Galazan who makes the original looking red Winchester pads. I think you can find them on the Brownell website. BW

 

[30Cal]

Thanks. It's in a Fajen stock with a Pachmayr pad on it. Shoots pretty good--about an inch at 100yds.

 

[A.Rifleman]

CHALK22,

You wrote: "Soooo, like if I knew a spot where I could pick up a '53 .270 which seems to be in good condition, for under $900, that would be a good deal?"

I never liked the standard grade pre 64 Winchester M70's in the regular cartridges. They are too heavy.

If the chambering is a magnum or its a target rifle then you have to get the big heavy rifle.

Otherwise get a Featherweight.

Now some guys are giants and can carry a heavy gun in the field or the chamber might be a Swift and used for varmints.

 

[sage5907]

30cal, nice buck. It's in the blood of a lot of the younger generation to think that something new has got to be a lot better than a rifle that was manufactured 50 years ago. That smile on your fact tells me you could put up an argument about that. BW

 

[lefteyedom]

I wish that Winchester
1. Had made the pre-64 model 70 in a left handed model...
2. Had made a short action feather wieght...
3. Chambered it in that new 308 ...
4. I had be born earlier enough to buy that dream rifle new in 1959....

 

[dubya450]

30cal - nice buck! Did you happen to have it scored ?

 

[Art Eatman]

"Why do I want a pre-64 model 70?"

It's a sign of a gentleman and a scholar. A person of excellent taste and a fine sense of aesthetics.

A pre-'64 might take a bit of tweaking to equal the group size of today's rifles, but it's commonly quite easy.

"There's just something about them..."

 

[30Cal]

30cal - nice buck! Did you happen to have it scored ?

No. It was 14pts (and that's with 2 tines broke off--one near the skull on the right and a skinny one on the top left.) Dressed out at 195lbs. Big deer for Kentucky.

 

[GTS Dean]

I agree with Art about the pre-'64 M70 - there *IS* "something about them." I have 2 M70 .270 Wins. My grandfather bought my dad a '58 SG for a wedding gift to replace his .30-30, and my dad bought his father a '64 standard grade to replace his .30 Rem.

I shoot them both now, and have done a lot of handloading for them. Frankly, at out to 200 yards, the "cheapo" '64 model outshoots the SuperGrade. There really must be something to the adage about new tooling and low serial number desirability. Now, as to which one has a better feel and overall quality? Pre-'64 hands-down.

 

[bushmaster1313]

There is no legitimate reason for wanting a pre-64 Model 70



oops, wait, I hit the wrong key

 

[PedalBiker]

The new FN made Winchester 70s sure look nice. I just got one in SS and it feels nice, I've only done 25 yard sighting so far.

I went with the 270 and really like it. Very smooth good metal work. The stock is ugly, but stiff with a soft recoil pad and a good stock shape for cheek weld.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Just becuase