Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors your 2 favorite Pre64 M70 chamberings?

30-06 and .375 H&H.
That said, also have too many early M-70s... including two re-bored and re-rifled to both 338-06 and 35 Whelen
on the original barrels. The 35 Whelen was discovered in Boise, ID. The shop owner said it could be "sent back.
Then he said: "You won't be sending it back". Indeed. It was a custom rifle with a stock that resembled a Super Grade version.
The 338-06 IS on a Super Grade stock that was found with some imperfections.

I like iron sights: if you have a problem scope in Alaska-best have iron sights and/or a backup scope. Gunsmiths are
never close by.

30-06 and 300 H&H

300 H&H for sure but my 53 FW 308 is sure fun to play with and I am not even a big 308 fan.

30-06 and 375 H&H followed closely by 257 Roberts and then 220 Swift

'06 and Hornet.

Transitional models in 257R and 375 H&H. Pretty much bookends of the spectrum but each exceptional in their respective class.

264 and ".300 Magnum"

270 and 30-06

257 Roberts and 2500-3000 Savage. I shoot the same bullet from both, Berger 87gr Match

All of mine have been chambered in 06 or .30Govt '06. I still hunger for a pre war Super Grade in .300 H&H though.

Of all the pre-64s I've owned, my two favorites are my 270 WCF pre war Super grade and 375 pre war. That 375 has tons of proof marks on the bottom of the receiver and looks to have spent serious time in Europe and Africa. The 270 was carried in a scabbard for so long that the barrel is completely polished and in the white. Both shoot lights out and have tons of nostalgia for me.

Favorite "2" that I would like to own... 250 Savage and 7mm Mauser. "Transitions" would be my choice. "Carbines" would be acceptable! I would be humbled to own "shooters" in ANY version!!!

Favorite "2" that I own but don't shoot... 2 digit 30-GOVT-06 assembled the end of the first day of production, 1936 and a "Transition" 375H&H.

Favorite "2" that I own AND shoot... low comb 270 FWT and 264 Westerner.

Good thread... had to think about it and still feel guilty leaving a couple off the list.

Because I am also a Savage guy as well, it has to be the 250-3000. And I have that P64 in a transition gun. 1947.

Next P64 would be the 257 Roberts. I have that one in a Super Grade.

All-time favorite 270 win in a 1955 FW rifle most used center fire rifle I own. Rifle has been rebarreled FW Douglas XX. This rifle still has factory stock that has been reworked completely (RJ Renner Sparkes NV). I have used it since early 80s. I had a pre 64 FW 30/06 with bad barrel rebored to a 338/06 still has factory barrel just rebored. A great caliber for elk and bear on west end WA state. But I reverted to my old 270 this year for deer. I also have a Cliff LaBounty Rebore in pre 64 model 70 a 300 H&H rebored to 375 H&H. It's like a FW 375 H&H. Not a rifle you go shoot 3 boxes of shells with at the range. You have to carry it all the time only shoot it once in a while on hunt. 338/06 and 375 H&H both have composite stocks. 375 with scope and loaded less than 9 pounds.
Really though I could have saved a lot of money and time and done most everything with 270 Winchester. I have had sold traded a bunch pre 64 model 70s along the way. Need has nothing to do with it. I had a lot of fun. For a set or rifles and calibers to use and travel North American, world with 270 Winchester, 375 H&H would be my choice. A 30/06 may be a little more common since choice for travel. But after 40 plus years I shoot my 270 really well.
270 Winchester.
375H&H

Swift and '06. Both chamberings gave consistent accuracy without alot of fussing.

Every Swift tried approximated 1/2" for five at 100 yds with John Dewey's load. Std rifle, target, varmint, all.

Likewise, every '06 (including M-54s) put five 180s in 1" at 100 yds.

300 H&H & 375 H&H AI

I’ve sold all the others.

.30-06 and .220 Swift.

.270 and .257 Roberts are neck and neck for 3rd.

Have owned and pre-'64s (often more than one) in .257 Roberts, .264 Winchester, Magnum .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06, .300 H&H and .375 H&H.

My favorites have been .270 and .308 Featherweights--but if Winchester had chambered the Featherweight in .257 Roberts that would be my ideal. The two .257s I've owned were pre-war and early 1950s models, and while both grouped well, they weighed around 9 pounds scoped.

But of course Winchester wanted to promote their own rounds when the Featherweight was introduced, especially the .308, which was the only round chambered in the initial Featherweight. Had a first-year .308 for a while, which grouped VERY well--after the barrel was free-floated.

The only one left is a .375 H&H.

LOL, that's impossible

300 H&H and 375 H&H
7x57mm and 458 WM

Both sets could be paired for ANY African Safari and ALL the animals the continent provides.

270 W.C.F.
Have owned 20 270 M70’s in various configurations over the years