S.R.,
Over the past decade, I have seen only about three 54's in hornet. I quit going to gunshows during this tenure, so the three were all local gunshops. The three as I recall, were around 850-1050 or so, some had vintage scopes(minor) so were just rifles. Most were at least 85% to me. I do remember one of the three that had a 20x Unertl on it..............yeah, shoulda bought it but was too poor at the time.
The 54 is the predecessor to the pre64 model 70. You will notice some similarities, and yet some upgrades from a rifle point of view when upping to the pre64. With that said, I think the 54 is a fine rifle to have.
The trigger mechanism will be more crude than the pre64 as well as some cosmetics like bottom metal. Some of that is the eye of the beholder of course.
Wish I had bought one of the three...........I have a pre64 70 now, why it was bought over the 54's previously, I cannot tell you why that was, guess the time or money was not there for the buy. These rifles are full sized rifles, which I truly enjoy, but some think a hornet oughta be 4 lbs tops with scope......... :-) I have long dreamed of a 54 or pre64 70 in 22 khorent with a second barrel in 17 khornet......
Probably, if original barrel, will be 16 twist, so the hornet short bullets of the day......
Hope you consider showing it if it comes your way........
Last edited by redz06; 08/17/19.
