Advice on a used M70 pre 64

[freediver111]

So I've arranged to go check out a gun that was listed for sale locally. The guy lives about an hour away and I'm heading there tomorrow. All I know is that it's a .243, and he claims it's a M70 pre 64. I have one pic that's a little blurry I've attached.

I'm not buying it as a collector gun. I'm getting it because I have two little girls that will hopefully get to use it to hunt in a few years and also because a .243 fills a great void for my personal caliber selection. I'll also use it as a deer gun for the occasional rifle deer hunts I do (mostly a bow hunter).

Problem I'm seeing is the stock checkering doesn't seem to match anything I've ever seen on a M70.....Truth be told, as long as the barrel is good and no major rust or other issues I'll buy it. Guy only wants $300 for it without scope. I plan to use it so the stock is of minor concern, but I always like old guns to be as original as possible. For the price, it's a nicer gun than a Savage Axis.

Can anyone confirm that the stock checkering may be from a model 70 pre 64?

Thanks!

 

[MSElkHunter]

I know you can check the serial number online and it will tell you the year it was made. Not sure about the stock though.


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[freediver111]

Yeah, I have another pre 64 that I've checked the date of manufacture on. Basically anything with a serial number below 700,000 is a pre 64.
I'm mostly just curious about the stock.

 

[KDF]

If it is a pre-64 the receiver alone is worth $500, so it seems like a reasonable asking price.

 

[belly-deep]

I'm not a pre '64 collector/expert, so take this with a grain of salt:

Three things jump out at me on that rifle.

First is the lack of a barrel band. Maybe it is just the picture, or maybe they made some P64's without the band. But mine (a 1940's model) has a bulge in the barrel where the rear sight was held. Bulge goes all the way around the barrel and is very noticeable.

Second is the bolt body. The claw extractor on mine is blued. That one appears to be polished or SS.

Third is the safety. That appears to have the larger wing safety of later models. Once again, with that picture it is kind of difficult to tell.

But based on that picture, it does not look like my P64. FWIW.

Don't get scammed with a post 64 model. That price is a little fishy to me.

 

[belly-deep]

Here is a link to a P64 on gun broker. In the pictures, you can see all three features I describe.

WINCHESTER Model 70 PRE 64 243 & Weaver Scope 1961 : Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com

 

[belly-deep]

I just read the date on this thread and realized my comments were probably too late. How did it turn out?

 

[AK Troutbum]

I also would not consider myself a pre-64 collector but I do have a couple and one of which is chambered in .243. I can't remember on this particular rifle, but I believe it was manufactured in the early 50s and here are a few pictures for comparison sake. This rifle is 100% stock with the exception of the scope, rings/bases, and sling. Hope this helps.

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[Shrek]

If the action is in good condition the rifle is worth $300 either way , pre 64 or classic crf. I'd buy it and shoot it. If it shoots that's great , if not the use it for a donor for a cool build.

 

[freediver111]

Well, I asked the guy about a serial number before I drove out to check it out. Turns out it was built in 1964, the year they went to push feed. I passed on it.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I would buy it because it's a push feed. I have no use for a crf.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I would buy it because it's a push feed. I have no use for a crf.

I think you may be an exception.


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[N2TRKYS]

I think you may be an exception.


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I've had other folks say they felt the same way as I. I've never understood the love for them.

 

[rileybassman]

I've had other folks say they felt the same way as I. I've never understood the love for them.

I feel the same way... I prefer push feed as well. Never had any issues, and makes unloading a blind mag way easier.

 

[freediver111]

In this case it wasn't all because it was a push feed. I actually own and primarily hunt with a M70 in .338 made in the 90's. It's an awesome gun. In this case I passed because it was made in 1964, the year Winchester changed everything about the M70. Those first 4-8 years weren't so great for Winchester and quality lacked. That was my biggest reason for passing.

 

[N2TRKYS]

In this case it wasn't all because it was a push feed. I actually own and primarily hunt with a M70 in .338 made in the 90's. It's an awesome gun. In this case I passed because it was made in 1964, the year Winchester changed everything about the M70. Those first 4-8 years weren't so great for Winchester and quality lacked. That was my biggest reason for passing.