Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors New to me model 70. Pick this one apart.

It's a standard weight 30-06. Probably not "right", but it shoots good and will make a fine deer rifle. I believe it was made in 1949.

Nice rifle. Is that butt plate anodized or painted?

Greg, looks solid as a rock. And "right" to me anyway, can mean shooting little tiny groups and the piece of mind that your deer rifle is one of the finest weapons ever produced by anyone for any purpose.
I can barely make it out, but is that super grade swivel studs I see?

John

Looks like it was made somewhere around 1950. Low comb stock appears to have been refinished. The butt plate also looks like it may be aluminum instead of steel which the std wt rifles came with back then. The receiver has been polish blued and the barrel also looks suspect for a re-blue. Is the bolt serial #'d to the receiver? Is it a carbine??? The supergrade sling swivels are a nice touch, but not original at all. Nice rifle, but it's been professionally restored and "messed with".. My best guess..

If not original super grade studs, they are that type. I didn't think they'd be original to the rifle, nor the aluminum buttplate.

I will say I don't know too much about Winchesters, aside from they are of great quality.

I'm sure the "gold leaf" in the lettering isn't original, but should be fairly easy to remove.

It isn't a carbine; just a standard rifle. If it's been refinished, it was done by someone who knew their business.

I don't recall seeing a serial number on the bolt.

I was also wondering about the discoloration in the serial # and Winchester trademark in the receiver, but couldn't tell in the pics what it was..

The first load I tried in it was 150 grain Speer boattails on top of 51.2 grains of IMR 4064. This produced 1" groups at 100 yards.

With the Redfield 1 piece mount, rings, and 3-9 duplex reticle scope, did I get burned at $800?

Rhetorical question..

I'll take that as a yes?

You did very well. I'd love to snag a beautiful rifle like yours for $800.00!!!!!! You have to realize that it's still a pre 64 model 70 and there is true value in that. It's the best damn hunting rifle ever made!!!

I'm pleased with it, and as I said, I don't know all I should about them. I really didn't suspect a refinish, except for the fact I think the sling swivel studs weren't factory original, and the stock finish matches there.

Did rifles this early have a matte finished receiver like the later ones?

Congratulations. You did well.

donsm70

Greg, When you subtract for the inherent value of the Redfield and the mounts, you've probably got $650 in the rifle itself. Got Burned? Not at all, just the opposite I think. You did very well.
John

Fellow you have yourself a fantastic gun that someone gave a little botox or facelift to, nothing wrong with that in my eyes! Enjoy the heck out of it and it will drop anything you want like a sack of cow feed! very best on a nice one WinPoor

Yes..

If you start feeling like you have been had I will give you 900 for the rig ,no problem! very best winpoor

Thanks for all your help guys.

I'd be a happy camper to get that rifle for $800. Go forth and taketh mucho game with her.

I'm no expert, but IMO, that is a VERY good deal if it is accurate. If it isn't accurate, it still isn't a bad deal. If the first thing you tried was in the 1 MOA range, I think you done good.

Hint, get yourself a box of federal prem, 165 gr BT's ,Ive never owned a pre 64 mod 70 or a NH classic sporter, plane jane nor SG that did not shoot them better than Im going to tell folks here! very best WinPoor
PS I also bought a case of 168 gr Federal match that I use to test all 30-06 Winchesters, I use them as base line to compare guns with, I also use a 36X proven Leupold with a 1/8th moa lee diamond dot to"see what the gun will do" I pick out clear cool no wind days so as to give each gun an equal chance, I also hold the baby blue bud lites to 2 to steady 61 yr old nerves!This little test I do feels like cheating for a country boy who grew up on iron sights! very best WinPoor