Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters pre 64' model 70 accuracy

Jayco, I am about to commit the ultimate sin;got a mint pre 64 270 FW,as clean as NIB as can get...Bought it out of a collection 3 years or so ago...it's going to the range this afternoon for sighting in and may go to Wyoming this fall....we will see how she shoots.

I will let someone else save them for posterity....I will be dead a long time.


OU: Lemme see.......50 year old rifle and 30 year old bullets......how DO you manage to kill anything???

Pre-64..M70...375...275 BBC loaded to 2,800 fps..and 4x32 Zeiss Diatal C scope...is also an ol'timer!!

You and BobinNH are going to be fast friends.

I just bought thru a friend in Idaho,a .338 from 1958 that has reportedly killed 52 Elk,according to my Bud,it looks like it...alot. Too bad it was an Estate sale,I would love to have talked to that guy.
As soon as it arrives,I photograph it...

I've got a pre 64 (1951) 30-06 that shoots sub moa groups. The hunting stock (original pre 64 w/extras) is pillar bedded and glass bedded under the chamber + first 2 inches. It has a dummy screw where the forend screw goes that doesn't make contact with the barrel. The barrel is freefloated and it is a very consistent shooter. Had it out last weekend and it shoots the 1917's and the classic sporter's pet load very well. Shot 5 groups at less than .75 moa.

Yep..the ol' standard 30-06 is a good rifle...mine is a 1952...I am taking it next week to Wyoming to hunt Shiras...will be using 200 BBC loaded to 2800....that rifle and load will shoot 1-1/2..

Well Bob..I use my Remington 700 270 instead..I'm not sure where you got the 30 year old bullets,but I do have a quite a few but doubt I will shoot any of them.

.270's are like Lay's Potato Chips...'Ya just can't have one!!!!


Jayco

you should load and shoot them...

Jayco, you mean the BBC's? They have been around since at least the early 70's.....pretty sure.....I've been using them since the early 80's IIRC.

OU: Good group! And what I have seen myself with the BBC's,the pre 64's and the 375 H&H!

The most accurate pre '64 M/70 I've owned was a .338 Winchester magnum, it would put three shots into a nice tight cloverleaf. The .257 Roberts and .35 Whelen I currently own will consistently group their shots into an inch to inch and a half with nearly all loads if I do my part.

guns: Those 338's were NICE rifles....

I own several and I have never had one that would not shoot well. I like them over all other rifles. I like my Mannlichers too and the Savage 99. I like any rifle that was made with pure craftsmanship over cookie cutter rifles. Just my two cents though and I respect everyone else's opinions. I like my Model 673 and my 700s also. Thanks...Bill.

Check the serial number and manufacture date again as the .338 did not come out until 1959.

According to Rule's book on the Model 70... the 338 was a mid year 1959 release...the 338 with the 25 inch bbl is an excellent big game rifle.....however, I prefer the 375

I located an old Bitterroot brochure...cost was $1 plus a self addressed stamped envelope...the brochure states..."Bitterroot Bonded Core bullets are the original since 1964"...

There are lots of original pre 64 Win 70's in 338 and 264 with 1956, 57, & 58 dated receivers.

Winchester made a lot of receivers for the 458 in 1956 and 1957 before finding out that people weren't going to pay more than double for it from other calibers. The receivers were used to assemble it's offspring. All Win Mag actions have 458 stamped on the bottom of the recoil lug to identify the wider rails and mag well opening for the assemblers.

The serial number on this is 46213x.Looks like '58 to me.
It's complete with Weaver roll-over and a Tasco 3-9...Waiting on PhotoBucket to reappear...
And I will be selling one of them shortly..I have entered to world of Double Rifles..I've closed a deal on a Merkel 9.3x74R....rifle

Rule's book on the M70 shows on page 229-... 1959 serial numbers began with # 440793 and ended with 465040...your 338 seems to be one of the first 338s...which were released in mid year 1959...my 338 shows serial number 450xxx....

My other one is SN #49419X and is marked 458 on the bottom of the lug. I have not taken this new one apart yet,but will soon.

It was sometimes odd how Winchester turned these gun loose,my .308FW is a first MONTH release,with a solid bolt knob,aluminum butt,SN 26845X,it was purchased in late 1950's
Roger Rule is a neat guy,we email each other about once a month,man, the stuff that guy knows....

I agree..Rule knows the Model 70....and has forgot more than I will ever know.....I have both the field edition and the autographed limited edition..of "The Rifleman's Rifle"... regardless of the year 1958 or 1959..your M70 338 is one of the first and one heck of a rifle...especially with 52 elk to it's credit!!