Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Does this sound right? Model 70 308 FWT

I got in a trade deal today, made a deal on a pre64 308 Featherweight, I pick it up next Saturday, Soooo I start trying to learn a little on Featherweights, my serial number is 1375XX, (1950 production date) Barrel is stamped "Featherweight", does this pass the smell test with the Model 70 experts? Thanks Vic

No.
Are you certain of the SN?

yes sir

It doesn’t even pass the 308 introduction smell test.

Without further information, I would guess a rebarrel.

Echo the Wolverines thoughts.

Thats about what I discovered, dates just don't work out, but with all the knowledge on model 70s here felt it better to just ask, thanks

308 Win wasn't SAAMI standardized until 1952 IIRC.

I wouldn't be picking it up next saturday....

.308 Winchester came out in 1952. Your SN is definitely 1950. I'd be asking some questions or be asking for a very good price.

I'd slow down even more if it did not have the spacer at the back of the mag. IIRC the feed rails are slightly different on the short cartridges also, so I would definitely be checking feeding.
Obviously not original but I believe if done right it could be entirely useable as a hunting rifle. Also a question of what stock and which bottom metal is with it. In any case, a parts gun. that should be priced accordingly.

Im still good on the trade with the guy, I can use the stock and action if its not a shooter, I have made deals in the past without the ability to know everything, I have a spot in the corner of my shop that bears witness to that. I got tipped off when he was doing the salesman pitch on the very rare Pre64 .308 Model 70. appears clean, so Im good with it, and he got his experienced Model 37 20 Gauge he has been searching for. So as they say on Dances with Wolves "Good Trade".

Have any pictures?

Not really, there have been guys here that have tried using similar set-ups and they did not feed correctly. You are buying a "parts gun" at best and if they did try to modify the feed rails, you could end up with a pos paper weight. "Good deal", you tell us after you confirm it feeds and operates properly.. I probably wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot stick and knowing me I would have told the seller to quit blowing smoke up ones azz, regardless of how good of a salesman you think he is/was. When referring to rarity, you also want originality, not bubba rare/created that greatly reduces value. Now, had it been a 1952 receiver, you would have been cooking with gas. A 1950 receiver with an ebay 308 win barrel, not so much.

Still trying to figure out how to post pics

Thank you for your opinion, I do own some originals.

Very politely done Slick Rock!

Yes sir. Agreed

Postimage is probably the easiest.

https://postimages.org/

No sign in or login, just select the picture you want to upload and then hit copy link for internet forum - and then paste that link here. After doing it a handful of times it will take you all of 20 seconds.

My FW 308 is serial number 270xxx so 1953 if that helps you at all.

Use postimage.com

It is so easy to use their site, anyone could do it.