Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Why the fuss about pre-64 Model 70's in .257 Roberts?

Why does the pre-64 Model 70 in .257 Roberts go for twice as much as other chamberings?

Is it just the rarity?

The supply is limited, but what is driving the demand?

Edit: Seems to be as rare as .375 H&H. Fewer than 15,000 made, according to the Standard Catalog of Firearms, whereas more than 40,000 were made in .243.

So it's the low supply driving the demand?

That's usually how it works.

I wish they weren't so highly sought after. I have seen 2 in the past year well over $2000

The perfect rifle in the perfect caliber...too bad more people didn't realize this when they were available.

Personally, I think the standard size Model 70 is a bit big and heavy.

Did they make the pre-64 Featherweight in .257 Roberts?

A gunshop in my area had a pre-64 M70 in 257R back in the late
90s, price was $1600. I looked at it a couple of times, pretty
good condition, and I knew it wouldnt last long. The second
time I went in to look at it a "collector" came in and told
one of the employees that he had heard they had a 257 for sale
and wanted to know the price. Employee told him $1600, the guy
immediately got loud and said he bought Win M70 257s all day
long for 700-800 and said the owner was out of his mind for
asking that kind of price. He never even handled the rifle and
stormed out of the gunshop.

The .257 Roberts sort of splits the difference between all the popular 6mm rounds and the 6.5mmx55 Swedish. What's so magical about it? That you can drop down to varmints, and on up to elk?

I purchased my prewar M/70 .257 Roberts at a gunshow in 1999, it had a Weaver K10 on it. I paid $950.00 for it whereupon the dealer informed me that he had a brand new stock for it under the table which was included in the deal. I sold the stock for $350.00 and the Weaver K10 for $100.00, so I have the grand sum of $500.00 invested in my .257 Roberts. One of the best M/70 deals I've ever made.

Can we see it?

That sum's it up.

Well, I went and did it. Even though the only explanation in my case is Winchester induced psychosis.

Please don't tell the NICS people I've gone insane, I may need to get another Winchester in the future.

Sweet, in any caliber, but particularly in one that is so widely desired as that. Is there a way to make sure it's not a rebuild to .257 Roberts?

I love the looks of the older pre-64 70s.

The serial number dates to 1949 and the integral front ramp with stippled top is consistent with that time frame.

What does the barrel stamp have to say?

Where is the barrel stamp?

Sadly, no.

I will shoot my 1958 .270 FWT with reduced recoil factory loads which should suit my target shooting at 100 yards very well

I enjoy Sierra 110's with 54 grains of IMR 4350 for that very purpose. And varmints. And hogs. AND blacktails too.