Found it at a pawn shop today verified by serial number 1958 action. Has a Leupold VX-III 2.5-8X36 mounted on it in two piece windage adjustable bases and rings. It must have been set for a small statue shooter as the scope is way too close for proper eye relief and the stock is around 1" shorter than I like. Barrrel is a light contour not quite a fwt contour SS around 22-24", couldn't tell what make of black synthetic stock was on it. I did get to weigh it and it is right at 7.65 lbs, would have taken pics but my phone was dead at the time.

Asking Price $800 out the door but I never jump on the first offer, I'm not up on Winchester's and need a decent low offer to go to him with. Guy did say he would hold it for me until Monday. I've bought several rifles from him so I'm sure it will be held. I'm not too excited about it being a .280 I've owned them before and they never shot better than my .270.

My smith tells me he can get that much for an action....I've seen them for much less and bought complete original rifles for much less than that...The rifle in question may be worth that to the right person, but you have to ask youself how much money it's going to take to get it to where you can use it...Is it worth it to you???? The scope is pretty desireable as many people love them here and would be a quick sale if you wanted to get rid of it...Is the smithing work quality and does it check out with go/no go gauges???? How does the bore look?

VXIII $250
Action $400
Stock $?
Barrel $150

Did the stock have any kind of checkering, painted, cheek piece, Decelerator? From the weight you described it's fairly light. I'm fudging on the barrel $ and obviously not any gunsmithing work. Might be a Bansner, BP stock, etc.

I'd say if you can get it for $700 you'd might be accused of theft.

Carlos has some good useable numbers there. Kind of how I pictured it too....except the barrel may be of question until it's checked with gauges and verified to be in good useable condition...

Looked like it needed a good cleaning but rifling was strong. Looked like it had been used but not abused. Don't have a headspace gauge to check it out. I was looking at it more as a donor anyway for a future build of some sort. Like I said I'm not a big fan of the .280, I know the work but it just don't trip my trigger so to speak.

$250 seems a little low on the scope since they sell on here at $300 plus on a regular basis. Even for the old VARI-XIII's don't sell very often for less than $300.

Stock was without checkering or cheek piece and was flat black, but had the decelerator pad on it.

Since it is a pawn shop I doubt I'll ever figure out where the barrel came from.

I guess Karnis and I can get the new ones (VX3) for pretty cheap so that's where I come up with that figure....

I rarely can find the new ones for less than $400 anywhere, but I'm sure I don't have the connection on Leupold's you and Carlos do. The 2.5-8 is my favorite Leupy of all time.

My estimates were kept low for illustrative purposes.

It sounds like a good deal to me. When you go back in, make an offer and take a pic. Post it and the collective we should be able to tell you what kind of stock it is. Might even be able to tell you it's a Douglas #2 at 22".

Trust me, only a loony would build on a pre-64 M70 with a stainless barrel, chamber it in .280 and slap a 2.5x8 on it. I think it was purpose built and well thought out.

I recently bought a 1950's model 70 fwt with a Bansner stock and Shilen after market barrel at about that price and think I did ok. Actions like that are generally worth more than $500 in my area and the scope is worth at least another $275 so anything for the barrel and stock would be a plus.

My pre '64 FW in .30-06 cost me $700.


Since the .280 was never offered, there's no particular collector value. And since you don't really want that chambering, you'd be buying an action...and a project. It would be worth more to someone who wants the .280, or if the rifle's condition was exceptional.

That was what I was thinking as well when I saw the rifle. I'm becoming one of those loonies the older I get. It first caught my eye because I've always got my eye open for another M70 to build my .338-06 on since I can't bear to tear apart that rifle that you sold me.



Nice rifle and nice snag for $700! Too bad it has that recoil pad on it.

I knew there was no value to a collector when I saw the stainless steel barrel sitting on the action and it was in a synthetic stock. There are a lot of people out there who like the pre-64 action to build on. Who knows I may give the .280 Rem another shot if I buy the rifle or I may rebore or rebarrel it into something I want.

The Browning Safari that I mentioned in the .308/.30-06 post this AM, had a stock 1" short padded. I originally intended to make a custom something out of it (bought it right). I found the stock handy with winter clothes and just set the scope forward enough that it works. I have never banged my nose with the thumb. So, twenty years later, it is still like I bought it and has become my favorite walking rifle. The ladies in my life like it also. jack

Poor Pal, he's always getting slapped down about the added recoil pad . He just couldn't find any like mine for that price I guess:




.....and just think, he could have held out and spent the extra $100.00 for one with original aluminum butt plate . ...In all seriousness though Pal's rifle is a beauty and just about the perfect "shooter" now.....that aluminum butt plate is hard on the shoulder after a while....

I wasn't really trying to slap it down for the pad, just the vents and the white line detract from the rifle. I'd swap it out for a decent Decelerator on it or something. I'd be proud to own that rifle as well.

Not at all. Don't feel sorry for me. I wouldn't want to shoot it w/o a recoil pad. And that's what made it a bargain (which is why I jumped on it). And it has the grain going in the right direction.

If you reject it put me in contact with the seller!

I agree with this, and there's no flies on a .280. If it was something I was real interested in, I might start with an offer of maybe around $500 to $550 and see where it goes from there. I like to haggle out deals back and forth, so it can get interesting finding his bottom dollar and your top dollar. You may end up getting a nice rifle at a price you are very comfortable with. You may even end being accused of thievery
Good luck in your negotiations,
BD

Well here are the pics and it is a Vari-XIII not a VX-III. Not that really bothers me much since the glass seems to be in good working order. It has aluminum bottom metal as well.













[img]http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/280%20REM/5.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/280%20REM/8.jpg[/img]

Dang man I wouldn't change a thing; 'cept maybe commissioning a high-grade walnut stock...

That looks like a Douglas #2 and the stock surely resembles a Brown Precision.

http://www.brownprecision.com/images/custom-high-country-180-700.jpg

Featherweight action and bottom metal appear to be in good/nice condition considering it's vintage. After all it's 54 years old with little wear on the bottom metal, which went away with much carrying. From the pictures it appears that somebody took relatively good care of it when it was original. I suspect that it may have been re-barrelled due to a roached out barrel or someone really wanted a .280 Rem. on what appears to be a fairly clean mdl. 70 donor action. The action and bottom metal bluing looks better than most shooters I see in pawn shops and gun shows these days. The bolt has been jewelled, most likely by whoever built the rifle to its current configuration.
It's hard to venture a guess as to who made the barrel and smithed it together because I can't see any other markings besides the caliber stamping. It has a target crown though, which is nice. I don't believe there are that many synthetic stock makers for Pre's out there but if I was to hazard a guess, it appears to be an early Rimrock or Mickey, though some of the fitting looks to be a little rough for a custom smith's work. I subtracted the weight of the scope and mounts (about a pound)off the overall weight you mentioned and I'm leaning toward one of the better made lightweight stock makers. It's a fairly lightweight Pre-70 all up. I'm sure that that someone else here on the "Fire" will know exactly which stock it is.
Anyhow, without having it in hand, those are just my thought's about it based on the info and pic's you posted.
Again, hope the negotiations go well, keep us posted if you should get it, and if so, how it shoots.
Best,
BD

Good call on the stock Carlos, I didn't even think of the Brown Precision

I got it, the pics were from my back yard. I'm going to clean it up and see if I can get a little more eye relief from the scope by flipping the rear base around. May load up a few rounds since I still load .280 for my BIL and see how she shoots.

Just under $625 out the door after tax. I called my GS buddy this morning and snapped a couple of cell pics and he told me to buy it right away and if I didn't want it he'd take it off my hands. He thought the same as Karnis on the stock and barrel profile. I didn't tell him what I paid though in case I have to do some horse trading with him down the road.

Sounds like you got a good deal! Congrats!

BTW, why do you have to clean up your back yard?

Wow, great deal! The action looks clean and if you want to use it as a donor for a 338-06 it would be great...just remember the rule, don't shoot the donor! Someone took care putting that one together judging by the appearance. Bet once you clean the barrel and put a couple of foulers down it, it will no longer be a donor...

Thief!

That's great. Good for you.

I'll second that!!, and congrats on negotiating a real good buy.
Hope it shoots as well as it looks! If you perk it up a little bit fussing with acraglas here and there to fix some chipping around the inletting and possibly a fresh coat of stock paint of your choice, she's going to really pop some eye appeal. Carlos mentioned it earlier, and I very much agree, that the sum of the parts are worth quite a bit more than what you paid for the entire rifle.
Good for you as well!! Let us know how it shoots!!!
Best, BD

You stole it....Good for you....Very nice snag...

It's a Brown Precision...looks just like one of my rifles.Nice snag.

Let us know how it shoots. You got a great deal on that package.

I won't be shooting this rifle unless my hunting partner's son will let me handle it again in the future. I had been tasked a while back to keep my eye out for a hunting rifle for my buddies son (10 year old), who just got his hunters safety card and will be going on his first deer hunt this year in Oklahoma. My buddy saw the rifle and asked what I had to have for it I told him to pay me what I had in it. It was a little more than he wanted to pay so I sold it for $325 and kept the scope, he had a VX-II 3-9 to put on it anyway. Besides I was needing a good scope for my new Whelen anyway.

He is an avid reloader and started his first boy out with a downloaded .284 Win in a Ruger 77 flat bolt, and he has taken a couple of elk and several deer and pronghorn with that rifle. It is going to a good cause so I'm not sad to see it go, besides how many of you guys out here would have loved to have a first hunting rifle like this one? I imagine when I see his boy enjoying that rifle and hopefully taking his first elk with it in a few years, I know I made the right decision to pass this rifle on. I didn't need this rifle nor was I too excited about it being a .280 but I knew that I couldn't leave that rifle sitting in a pawn shop.

I was going to have to add a recoil pad and move the scope forward to get it to fit me anyway. It currently has a 13" LOP and the scopes eye relief was all wrong for me to get a full sight picture. So it should be about perfect for his son in two years when he is able to start hunting big game here in Colorado. My buddy is stopping by after church today to pick it up hopefully he will be bringing his son so I can get a picture of his boy holding the rifle.

Keeps getting better doesn't it? Great thing you did there for your bud.

Here is a pic of my buddies son straight from his Hockey tournament still wearing his cowboy boots. He has some growing to do, but he was happy to get the rifle. He is already a good shot with his .22 lr and .223 Rem.

Cool pic there of the kid.
If I had a really shortened p64 stock floating around I'd send it over. Used to have some really used ones.
Good story all around.

Good on you!!!!

Awesome rig! I'd be in rifle nirvana if I was that youngster! Hope he kills a bunch with it

taylorforce1, good friend indeed. If you need any more Vari X III scopes @ $300 a copy, let me know. I think I still have seven or eight (tongue in ckeek). jack

Thats a million dollar smile on that young man, This story couldn't get any better. Good and great on you!
Best,
BD

I lost a little on the scope but gained a lot on the back end, it was worth it I'd say. That was the first pre-64 I ever owned, I don't regret the decision to part with it at all. Maybe the next one will be a .270 fwt that I've always wanted.

Taylorce1 - Great thing to do! You got a great deal, your friend and his son got an incredible deal!

Speaking as someone with three young girls to outfit, that was an amazing thing that you did. I'm sure your friend appreciates it and having something to do with getting a child their first big game rifle is a wonderful thing.

Congratulations to all three of you!

That's a dandy, no-nonsense working rifle and a GREAT story! Good going! That boy's one blessed kid...

Did some digging around, couldn't find an old shortened p64 handle for the kid. Used to have that kind of stuff around and my boys would use them as make-believe elephant, grizzly, indian, train robber and big sis equalizers.
Wish I still had them around, the boys AND
the old riflestocks.
Maybe someone else has a p64 club sitting in a corner...

Custom Pre-64 Model 70 in .280 Rem...........$325

The memory of your first deer rifle...........Priceless


Kudos

Big time!

4 payment I'd ask for a 8x10 pic of his firt critter to go into the ark...grin

Dober

I hope I'm there to take the picture or help him pack out the animal. I've been hunting with his father since 06, and don't see that changing anytime soon. My daughter and his son should get to shoot a white tail doe this season in OK on a mutual friends place, they will probably both be using .223's this time out.

Here is a picture my buddy sent me:

Now that is cool right there. Thanks for posting. That kid looks like he can shoot pretty good for being 9 years old!!

It is pretty cool isn't it!

Awesome. Nice story.

And this is how a grown man comes to envy a 9 year old boy!

load some 120NBT in that thing and rock on. Should ease the thump on the kiddos shoulder a tad more. Tough bullet to boot.

My buddies son got his first mule deer on Sunday with the rifle. At 13 he's growing into it quite nicely.




First Mule Deer

Congrats to the young man and you are still a cool dude for passing that rifle down to your friends boy like that. I'm sure he really looks up to you.

A vx-III is different than a vx-3, so yes, you'll see a price difference. Both are great, just that a vx-3 is more better.

tzone, I started this thread four years ago. I don't think the VX-3 had came out then. This was just a follow up to that thread showing off the owners first mule deer kill with a cool rifle. He's killed a couple of white tail deer in OK with it last year, but I never got a picture of him holding the rifle again until now.

He will likely be a .280 Rem fan for life. He would do pretty well on Elk too with a good 160 gr. bullet.

Nothing wrong with that!

Cool pics... Congrats to all !

and to answer the "original" question from 4 years ago: "Priceless..."