Any thoughts on upgrading the bottom metal on a Winchester Pre 64 Action? Is it worth it?? Reliability?? Let’s hear it.

Upgrading to what?

To a single one piece bottom metal; a straddle floor plate with an inside bow release in the trigger guard (Instead of the bottom metal being in three pieces).

I feel like its mostly aesthetics. I have used Blackburn and Weibe both of which are of much higher quality than factory but I cant say they were anymore useful. They do add a lot of class though....

And alot of weight if that’s a concern.

I ditched Blackburn for Featherweight BM and don’t miss it a bit.

mr rcbs: The only plus I can see is appearance, and to some folks, even that is questionable. I've hunted almost exclusively with pre-64 70s for many years from .220 swift on up to .375 H&H and have never had a functional problem whatever that might be. You will read numerous mentions of the superiority of 1 piece bottom metal, but I really question that. The trigger guard shape of pre-64s is very, very classy, inherited from the 03' springfield. You can have steel (on standard grade rifles) or aluminum( on featherweights.) Shape is the same: a couple ounces of weight savings on the featherweights. You can swap them around as well, which I have done. Just my 2 cents worth.

There aren’t too many options readily available; apologize for not asking you specifically which unit. You have some good feedback and things to consider above; only thing I’ll add is a one piece will need to be inlet; just something to keep in mind.

I’ve always done it on a custom build, never crossed my mind if it’s just a factory made rifle. Sunny Hill makes a nice unit as well as Blackburn, either will dress up a rifle IMO.

I agree with John55, most of my customized pre 64 model 70's have the 1 pcs. williams unit, I've been happy with them...I wish someone would take up where Ross left off.

Gunsmith recommended I do it so I pulled the trigger. One piece bottom metal from Blackburn (sold to swift bullet company) sold me one …brand new machines in the white

IMHO & FWIW,
A Pre-64 Winchester 70 is not a full custom without proper Oberndorf release bottom metal...

Regards, Matt.