As to the pre64s....
A 1950 .270 was my main, and for some years only hunting rifle, for about 30 years and it just plain worked in that role. After I wised up and scrubbed the bore really well, it was also very accurate. Still, if any of my FNs were fitted with an M70 safety and hinged floorplate (so far that's not happened) there's no doubt in my mind that it would be a better and safer rifle, and just as functional afield. So, after passing the M70 on to my son, I'm not looking for another one. The current Hawkeyes, I think, fill the role of an affordable and reliable CRF rifle pretty well, and if you shop around, current M70 Classics can be found at surprisingly good prices too. I've mostly moved on to lighter push-feeds that, surprise surprise, are also totally reliable and come in at about 2 or 3 pounds lighter than my old .270. My arms really appreciate that difference on my trip out of the woods when the day is done.
