If one is going to have just one M70 it should be an early pre-war .30GOV’T’06 Standard Rifle, IMHO the standard against which all other M70’s should be measured.
It's a good thing we don't all have to agree on this. I think the best were the early featherweights. They are lighter, handier, and a lot of times, just about as accurate/precise. Plus the monte carlo stock is much better for scope use.. I'd take a '55-'57 FWT 30-06 over a std pre war 30-06. Plus, you play hell with scoping a pre war. Can't use modern mounts on them, unless you devalue them by drilling tapping the rear bridge. Such as what has been done to the OP's. That's one of the reasons why I said I'd hunt this one. Other pre wars, not so much..
