I have found a Model 70 winchester in 264 Win Mag. It was made in 1960. Condition is actually pretty good considering it is almost 50 years old.

I will get some pics up this evening, but I would rate the overall condition somewhere around 80%. It appears all original, but I am no expert. (were they drilled and tapped from the factory?) The checkering is still sharp. The wood is intact, with the expected dings and minor scratches. The bluing is fair, with most wear on the mag floor plate, the balance point of the rifle. It has a flip down rear sight, which makes me think the drilling and tapping is factory. It has a ramp front sight. I took the barreled action from the stock and it appears to have a very old, but well done bedding job.

I found out there were only about 3000 made in this chambering. What is an approximate value of an unrestored original rifle in this condition?

Oh yeah, I will have to measure the barrel, but it is long. Probably 26". Anybody know what they called this model in 1960?

They came with a 26"bbl and were called the "Westerner". Not sure on the value though.

They were made well before the factory started to apply a patch of bedding compound to the bottom of the barrel channel, under the chamber re-inforce.

I can't say much as to value, either - except to say they are seldom found, and are sought after by Winchester collectors, regardless of their value as a hunting tool.

.

I just got the same rifle, and havent even got around to shooting it yet. I am saving up for a scope and need to work up some handloads.

Are you saying that the factory did bed them or didnt?

Kimberman-
Can you post pics of yours? Would you mind saying ot IMing me the price?

If the 80% holds true, best guess would be in the ballpark of $1000-1100...

I would have to agree about that range maybe just a tad higher depending on what part of the country you are in. The D&T is fractory.

I have one that was manu in 1962. Very nice gun and I have enjoyed it alot.

One more thing.... wiht a 26 in barrel your is a standard model (unless it is marked supergrade on the floor plate and has a black forend cap) and not the featherweight.

What do you mean D&T, the bedding job?

This is not a super grade. Floor plate is plain, no forend cap. Will get pics after work today.

Drill & tap, duh! Sorry

Does anyone know if Winchester did any bedding on these from the factory?

Yes, but not with fiberglass or plastic.

What did they use? I cant tell what this material is/

hydro: I've learned never to say "never" when it comes to pre64's. so I won't say that bedding material was never used. But I've nver heard of or seen an original pre64 M70 which was bedded at the factory using some sort of "Material", or "compound", other than the original wood.

If that's incorrect, I have no doubt someone will correct it...

I'll say it for you southtexas, Winchester never used any substance to bed the pre 64 rifles..the stocks were all machine bedded with a small amount of quick hand fitting, some good and some not so hot...

I recently purchased a Pre 64, 264 Win caliber in near mint condition for $1200. for a client and have seen several for that kind of money lately...

I would not pay more than $800, if that, for a 75 to 80 percent gun on todays market...

I guess mine was bedded after it was sold. Either way, they did a nice job.

I was inspecting the rifle last night and I was impressed with the simplicity of the trigger. It has a nice pull as well. Seems like a nice gun. The more I think anout it, the more I just want to shoot it.

Atkinson- Thanks for the opinion. If your numbers are right, I did fine on this. I figured it would be a good buy.

Pics uploading to PB as we speak. Coming shortly.

Here we go.

hydro556,

The metal finish is not attractive. The stock seems good however I can't see the butt plate or pad thats there.

If the barrel is excellent inside and you want the rifle offer $495.

The bluing is not nearly as bad as the pictures suggest. I tried to get the pics to show the worst of it, and it actually appears worse than it is.

The stock is very solid, with minor wear from 50 years. The bore looks great and has been scoped.

There was a recoil pad added at some point over the years. Overall, it is in pretty good shape. I have seen plenty of 20 year old rifles in much worse shape.

I am just trying to decide whether to cut it or shoot it. I am leaning towards the latter. I am too nostalgic I guess.

Also, based on all the research I have done, your estimate is way off. Thanks, though.

I'd shoot it, IIWY..


If I had one of those and someone offered me $495, I'd be showing him the end with the hole in it and asking just how fast he can get to the end of my driveway..

Redneck, I agree on the price assessment.

And I am with you, I dont think I will be able to chop it up. I will have to find another for that.

Maybe I will have to try and find some 264 Win Mag dies.

One correction from your original post.. There were 24,114 rifles made in .264WM (pre-64s) according to Rule's book, 13th on the list of chambering rarities.. Tops is the .300 Savage with only 362 made, down to the .30-06 of which 208,218 rifles were made..

Yeah, do some reloading.. It's a very fun round to shoot.. Keep in mind that your rifle most likely has a short throat due to the bullet used for that chambering in the day which had a step design.. Be careful not to jam a modern bullet into the lands. Consider trying 120 gr pills to start..

Have fun!!

Thanks for the correction. In my reading recently, I read somewhere that 3K of these were chambered in 264 Win Mag. Guess one shouldnt believe everything they read on the interweb.LOL/

Redneck, your numbers interest me. Would you mind sharing the other chamberings that were less prevalent than the 264 WM?

OH CRAP!! You mean that Nigerian WON'T be sending that huge check????


OH NO!!! (scream)

LOL.

Any chance you can either give me that chambering info or point me to where I can get that plus other info pertaining to this rifle?

hydro, I'm not Redneck but I seem to have the same info he does. So the numbers go like this: .300sav.= 362, .35Rem=404, .458=1226, 7x57=1470, .358Win=2000, .250Sav.=2750, .300Win=4916, .338Win=9500, .375=14,005, .257R=14,641, .220Swift=19,934 .22hornet=20306

Thank you sir.

Thanks for helping him out.. I was gone watching our local high school girls hockey team win the TAX HELL WISCONSIN State Championship..

They wupped Fond du Lac 10-4... YEEEHAAAAA!!!

Old guns with honest wear are sweet. I like that one a lot.

I have decided to find another for my build. I think this one is too nice to chop up. I wish I had kept the 60 year old Unertl I ran across last year.

I am going to sell the Pre 64 on Gunbroker and look for something else to build off of.

The Westerner I bought IN 1961 was a fearherweight with a 26" barrel. It said Westerner on the barrel. They made some with a standard barrel/heavier a little later. Westerner was a beauty to carry and shoot. And thats all I have to say about that!