Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors 1st Pre 64 Model 70

I've been wanting a Winchester pre64 model 70 since I was a teenager. Over the years I've had several opportunities to purchase one, but I seem to always find another way to spend my money. Recently, I was in a pawn shop while working and noticed a lone rifle lying on the bottom shelf of a glass case. I noticed the hole in the bolt handle first and just knew it was a model 70. As I confirmed the rifle was what I thought it was, I noticed the price was set at a reasonable $750.00. It should be noted that the rifle was wearing a Weaver K6 in some very high see through rings. The rifle was also equipped with a vintage Bucheimer leather sling.

I asked to speak to the manager of the store. As he was walking over, I noticed this rifle was the only one in the shop that wore a wood stock. I informed the manager that I may be in the market for a more traditional looking rifle and asked if this old rifle was the only one that they had in stock with a wood stock. The manager looked behind him at the rifles in the racks and shrugged his shoulders saying, "looks like it." I asked to look at it and he obliged me. Upon further inspection the rifle was a 30-06 featherweight, the bluing looked good, and the bore was clean and bright. The stock had several small dings and scratches, but no cracks in the wood. After a bit of haggling, I offered the manager $600.00 out the door. To my excitement, the manager agreed to the price. Well, there you have it, I'm now the proud owner of a Winchester Model 70 pre-64. Check out the pics and tell me what you think.

Awesome man. Can't wait to see the pics. One of my most prized possessions/rifles is a pre 64 model 70 (made in '56, the same as both of my parents) 30-06 featherweight. That's the ONLY rifle I will never get rid of, unless I give it to either my mom or dad. Congrats on getting one of the best rifles on the planet!!!

Nice find, the bolt jeweling is a reflection of the times in which the rifle was made--think chrome and tail-fins on cars--and while it detracts from "collector" value it in no way harms the rifle's function. You've got a rifle to be proud of, now get out and shoot the heck out of it!

That's a great rifle, made in '56 just like mine.. You probably know that it isn't all original, with the recoil pad and bolt jeweled. Excellent shooter/hunter right there though. I'd take one of those old rifles over a new one any day of the week and twice on sunday.... Congrats and let us know how it shoots. Are you going to put a different set of scope mounts on it?

Now he just needs one of those spare mcmillans you have laying around to finish it off....

The rifle will be shot and hunted with. Im definitely going to switch the mounts to a vintage one piece redfield and some lower rings. I may put the K6 to use also. As soon as I get the scope mounted in some proper mounts, im going to put some loads together and see how it shoots. Very excited, and yes, I know it's not 100%, but I'm ok with that. The way it is, I'll definitely use the rifle.

Your picture of your "pre 64" shows NO extractor on the side of the bolt body!!



Explain.

Original pre 64 M70 action:

Savage: you need to have your eyes checked.

That's why he only shoots 2 shot groups.. He has a hell of a time seeing the target...

Show us a better picture.

The extractor has been jeweled. You can see that clearly.

Its there, tomorrow I'll get you a pic of the top view.

That action that does not show an external mauser style extractor again:

push feed action

Geese, we all know what a push feed M 70 looks like. And we all (except you,apparently) can see a pre 64 with a jeweled bolt and extractor. Try cleaning your glasses, or perhaps pulling your head out.

One can blow up the pictures already posted and the jeweled Pre' 64 extractor can be seen.

I do think some careful work with emery cloth can "un-jewel" much of bolt, if someone was of a mind to.

ChanceD, I don't know the market well, but if the length of pull is not too short (looks OK in the pics?) and if the rifle is accurate, then I think you made a hellofva deal for $600!

True for all but one apparently.

You can also see the extractor collar (now "in the white") which, of course, a push feed gun does not have.

Now, how in hell BSA can read the serial number to date the gun is a mystery to me . . .

Well, I guess I can blow it up enough to make pretty good guess. I'm having the most trouble with the second digit from the left.