Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors New Guy With 1954 Model 70

New guy here and there seems to be a lot if interest in pre 64 Model 70's on this forum.
Been looking for a new to me deer rifle and as usual with me it can't be new. Have always wanted a pre 64 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. Did not want a pristine one as they command a premium price but I wanted an unmolested one which are hard to find.
Stopped into local gun shop this morning and found exactly what I was looking for in the rack, 1954 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, had a period correct Weaver V4.5 scope on it that is clear, still has original folding sight and sight hood. Some loss of bluing in places at carry points. Wood in better than average condition for a deer rifle but checkering is worn down typical of a 60 year old well used rifle.
Good condition but not collector quality so won't mind carrying it thru the woods.
Man, I just love vintage firearms, real quality.

Nice rifle.

I think it looks great!! Congrats on purchasing one of the best hunting rifles ever made. Welcome to the fire....

I think you did very well for your first try! And, I doubt that you will regret your purchase.

Welcome to the campfire.

donsm70

That's saaaawwwweeeeetttt!

And welcome to the 'fire.

That's a very nice one.

Only thing I would change would be those mounts.....

You have over hang at both ends. No need for extension bases with that scope.

A set of Dual Dovetails would look a lot better.

Looks almost as good as my 1952 270. You done good.

Nice first post! Welcome to the Pre-64 addiction!

Augie: Welcome to the Campfire and good catch on that 1954 vintage Model 70.
In my experience that vintage Rifles shot very well.
You have a solid, handsome, classy and very safe Rifle to Hunt with and be proud to own.
And it holds a lot of bullets!
I love the uniformity of the figure in the butt end of the stock!
I bought my first pre-64 Model 70 47 years ago and still thrill to bring home a nice one now and then.
My first Model 70 was in caliber 22 Hornet and today it is worth approximately 15 times what I paid for it!
Treat that Rifle well and enjoy - you have made a wise and rewarding investment I am sure.
Long live the Riflemans Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
P.S.: Great photos and posting of them - by the way.

They don't make them like that anymore....

Great find, you have a good taste in rifles. welcome to the fire. very best WinPoor

Augie, Welcome, and that IS one sweet rifle, but beware, you have stumbled into a veritable den of Mod. 70 enablers. Asking this bunch if you need one more Mod.70 is like asking Otis Campbell if he'll have another drink.

welcome Augie: lots of knowledge on these rifles here. Old 70s have the lines that are hard to put into words. But using them is even better. Working the bolt back and forth, feeling those cartridges slide out of the magazine into the barrel so smoothly, etc. Nice. Actually I prefer the ones with some miles on them- they were rifles to be used.

Welcome to the campfire and the forum where the cool people hang out, congrats on a very nice rifle...enjoy!

No apologies needed for that rifle. I have always admired pre-64 model 70's as they represent much more than just a hunting rifle. Early Model 70's take me back to the days when hunters wore high lace up boots, red/black plaid hunting coats and America when it was emerging from older/harder life to a new and promising world in which hunting was an important component.

There seems to be a proliferation with today's hunters/shooters to buy and shoot plastic and stainless guns that lack any of the character the Model 70 has. I have several, they all shoot and the every day workmanship that went into those guns is now a thing of the past.

Congratulations on your purchase, I hope you aren't too taken with other guns made of plastic and stainless steel...

A nice find and nice grain in the butt stock. I am sure it will shoot as good as it looks.

Doc

You may spend a lot of time trying to find a nicer looking one.

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Looking forward to sighting this rifle in,hopefully this weekend. I'm liking looking thru this old Weaver,with the thin steel tube it's like you just see the lens.
I'm not new to collecting Winchesters, have rim fires and Model 12 shotguns,enjoy shooting clays with the old shotguns.The Model 70 is my first Winchester centerfire. Pic of a 1959 WS-1 Skeet gun,



Not many plastic guns in the collection, prefer vintage steel and wood.
Once again thanks for the warm welcome.

I'm starting to dislike you. Sweet Model 12.

Yes welcome, Augie. Rest assured there is very little disagreement here as most are supportive of others.
Other than that, good looking pre '64 with some nice grain.
Keep us posted with the range sessions.

He sucks doesn't he!!!

A nice WS-!. Where in Maryland are you?

Doc

That's some killer wood on your shotgun. Makes my mod.12 look like a J.C. Higgins.

Carroll County Doc.

Augie,

Welcome to the fire..... not much interest here in them old Winchesters.. can't stand them myself . Too reliable, the action makes that funny noise when you cycle it... Nice rifle.

That is a gorgeous M70. Like you, I wanted JUST one nice M70, in .30-06. I got it, but it was too nice, so now I have two more, and now I'm looking at the fourth (gotta have a Featherweight). Love your rifle. Only thing I'd do is add a set of 50's-era Redfield rings and base, and a Lyman 4X. I'm kinda addicted to that combo.
Bob

You old sandbagger, You have the nicest collection of all us on this site put together, THAT is a tall chore!I know nowhere on the internet that you will find more pre 64 mod 70 lovers and collectors than here. I look at yours and get lead! Im an old fart so that is a chore! very best

Well said WP. Whitebird makes the rest of us look like amateurs.

I want to be just like him, when I grow up.

donsm70