Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Winchester M-70 Question

I have an opportunity to purchase a Win M-70 post '64 in .264 Win Mag. Ther serial # is G116xxxx. According to my Blue Book this places it in 1974 production year. What years are the worst years for the M-70? I am thinking that '65-'73 are the ones to stay away from. I am not real "up" on
the quality of M-70's. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh! BTW the price is: $379.99. Thanks, 9_3Guy

Have you seen it? About that time the checkering was cut again sort of. A friend just bought a new one in .300 H&H with the hang tags for $400.

I just did not buy Winchesters during that era. Now they make a Classic again. Whats a couple of hundred bucks? When you buy something good you buy it only once.

9_3Guy, In 1972 Winchester again changed the Model 70 and returned to a more traditional style with cut checkering versus pressed, knurled bolt handle, and redesigned pistol grip and forearm. They certainly look better than the 65-71 models. There doesn't appear to be any major changes to the line in 1974, but it was a very decent gun and one that should work for you very well.

Leftout,

I handled the rifle. It appeared to have "cut" checkering. And it does have the knurled bolt knob. It looked to me pretty much like a typical post '64 Model 70. But in the back of my feeble mind, I remembered someone saying there were some years to stay away from. The '65-'71 seems about right, so I'll take that as gospel and remember it. (But you know what they say is the first thing to go...) It is on the used rack at a local gun shop. Guess I'll let it sit an "ripen" for a bit. Have income tax refund coming in the near future. Should work out about right. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the info.. The9.3Guy!

If you like the caliber and the gun seems to be in very good condition, and examine the bore carefully for sharpenss in the throat area and look at the bolt jeweling for scuffing wear, and if satisfied, make an offer of something betweeen 250 and 300 and walk if the awnswer is no. I have seen rifles from that era shoot very well, and they are better than a lot of people made them out to be - the bad rumors are due to reaction to Winshesters debasing their product line. To Winchester it was a case of compete or die. Every mod 70 they sold lost money in the last few years leading up to 64. Same with the old model 12 shotgun. Your choice your money.

The Winchester marketing dept must have gone to the same school as the Classic Coca Cola dept did.

Those Winchesters are ok and the price suggestion above is right on. But I have quite a few pre 64 M 70's and can afford new Classics or Montanas. I am not going to waste my time on a Post 64. They are not the only gun out there.

Don & Stv,

I currently own 1 ea. of the M-70's in Pre '64, push-feed post '64 and Classic CRF. I don't have any emotional attachment or detachment to any one of the styles. IOW, whether it has a push feed or CRF, I personally don't care. The allure for me with this particular rifle, is the caliber. When I first saw a .264 WM cartridge for the first time in about '68, I was so impressed that I thought it must strike deer like lightning from the proverbial hammer or Thor. In the last 10 years, I have owned 2 Rem M-700's in .264. Both were extremely finicky and neither was particularly accurate. After extensive load trials with both, and only to realize 1.5" groups, both of them became gun show statistics.

I am somewhat of a "6.5 nut". That being said, I thought I'd give the ol' .264 one more chance. The only reason I am considering said rifle is because it is NOT a M-700.

Thanks guys, for all your input. We shall see how this endeavor works out. I will keep y'all posted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> - The9.3Guy

9_3guy, you're looking at a good rifle. I think mine is from 1972, but haven't checked the serial number. It's also in .264 WM and it's one of my favorite rifles. I've NEVER had a problem of any kind with it, (bought it in 1973) and deer shot with this rifle drop like stones. I don't think the price is out of line, but absolutely try to negotiate, all they can say is "no"... The .264 seems to work best with 140 gr bullets of spitzer design. Over the years mine keeps putting them into less than 1" as long as I do my job. I'd say go for it....

Redneck

9 3: nice to see another 264 fan. I have had several and enjoyed them all (wish I had kept some). I had a post 64 (made in 1964) It had the pressed checkering and all the charactoristics that have been villified. But it sure would shoot. My current 264 is a M70Classic with BOSS. It's also a tack driver. Loves 125 partitions and 140gr SSTs. (Really hammers the bucks!) FWIW, I've always had good luck with H4831. Not the classic 264 powder but it has always performed. Good luck with your new one...Jim

Redneck,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. (As if I needed any urgeing to buy another rifle <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I have dealt with this dealer before, and I am pretty sure I can buy it for $325. I am thinking that would be a reasonable piece to round my collection of 6.5's . I have other rifles in 6.5x52, 6.5x54, 6.5x55, 6.5x57, 6.5x64 Brenneke, and 6.5 Rem Mag. and .260 Rem. So, I am just waiting for the IRS to release some funds and I'm in business. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> the9.3Guy (alias 6.5Guy) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Better give the dealer a few bux so he'll hold it for you, otherwise some other lucky shooter may buy it from under your nose especially if you're waiting for Uncle Sam to release YOUR money... LOL... (Don't tell me the store's location or I might be in the truck inside of five minutes and buy it myself..) Hehehee..

I've been trying to find a 98% or better M70 standard in .222 Rem. Missed one on the Gunsamerica sight by about an hour last week... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Point is, if it's what you're looking for, WASTE NO TIME.....

Shoot well, shoot straight, shoot often.