Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Price check, please on a almost new 1961 TARGET MODEL, with blocks, in 243

That's nice of you to try to help a buddy out in selling this. It was manufactured in 1962 according to Rule. Late 62 in fact. Somehow, your always off on your DOM???? No biggie as it's only 1 year. I look forward to seeing some pics. If winpoor ends up buying it, I'm sure he'll post some regardless. Good luck with your sale. Sounds like a nice one. Did you check to see if it had a "T" stamped on the trigger?

I got the date from the owner before I saw the rifle, His estimate. No "T" stamped on the trigger, and I looked. But the owner tells me that these later ones did not have the "T" stamped. I do not know if this is correct or not, but this sure looks to my untrained eye like a near perfect specimen. And, this is the same person/owner who inherited the other Model 70's that a couple of guys here have purchased and been quite happy with.

I know a guy that bought a 300H&H rifle that was built from a short mag action and was "quite happy with" it as well

Maybe I missed it....what is the asking price?

$2750 plus $40 for shipping and ins, USPS.

I'd have that baby in so many different poses by now that it would make our heads spin. Why you keeping the pictures from the open forum? I'm sure guys like reelman, handwerk, balltownbob, bobinNH, gunwizard, oregon45, winpoor, whitebird, poconojack, stuvwxyz, blackdog1, and many more would probably like to throw their 2 cents in. This would be helpful to the potential buyer and seller.

Safariman sent me photos of the gun, it is a very nice example! My problem is a small mil spec flip phone that really does not do justice vis the photos. I am .243 Varminter heavy, They are really same guns sans marksman stock. My late Varminter has a CM barrel vs the usual SS, mottled barrel, from my photos I can not tell is this gun is CM or SS. Price is fair and in line!! Im bumping 80 long guns and need to clean house before any new ones inbound. Im also bleeding cowfeed this time of year and that always locks the checkbook up! My dealings with Safariman have been good .I have noticed that the .243 has made a big comeback in last couple years. I never had a problem nailing whitetails with the cal., once I got on the correct bullet. very best WinPoor

I hope all goes well for the buyer and seller. I'm done with this one..

Would the price be lower if there was no middle man (you)? What would be the best way to communicate directly with the owner?

Safariman: My 2 cents worth on the M70 Target. I have a Swift Target model made in 1950. Bought it 2-3 years ago from a nationally known dealer in old 70s. I bought another target model from the same dealer in .270 Win.which, caliber-wise, is fairly rare. When I got the .270 I decided to have another very sharp old M70 man look it over for authenticity and he told me it was a parts guns, even though the common things like s.n. matching, etc was correct. I sent it back and got a re-fund.

I have a fair number of old 70s in both shooters and collectors and have looked at many more. And as you probably know, these rifles are probably one of the most messed with models of guns out there. There were many little variations with the target models alone: sight options, stainless and blued barrels, especially in some calibers, "T" marked triggers (not all target models have this mark") and the list goes on and on.

Were I spending money on an old 70 for investment purposes, I would not buy another target unless the deal was tremendous. As I've looked at prices of the common target calibers in the past 2-3 years, a number of other variations have appreciated much better, for example, .375s,.300 H&Hs.

I would say that you could find a .243 Varmint in comparable condition for a bit less money than a .243 Target and still have the same fun shooting it, if that's how you want to use it.

As I said, just my 2 $ worth. Good Luck.

ruffed grouse,

Thanks for your input and as you say .2c worth. This rifle is coming from a local and well know collection and the few rifles that have been released from it have all been correct and exemplary pieces. But, I know where you are coming from and understand your cautions.

Not my gun, anyways. Just putting notice here in the event that someone at this site and forum had the hots for one of these in a rare caliber.

MARK