Mariodog: Your Rifle (according to the serial number!) was made right about on March 1st 1961.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Winchesters!
Indeed the pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Standard Rifles in caliber 243 Winchester are relatively rare and valuable.
I feel blessed to have two mint condition Model 70 Standard Rifles in caliber 243 Winchester in my collection as they were/are hard to come by.
Enjoy your Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
