Gents, I'm 200 miles from my copy of Rule.
Which cartridges were offered in the M70 Carbine?
My copy is on loan but all original cartridges were available except possibly the H&H magnums. The cartidges added prior to 1952 were also available in them. I do not know about the additional cartridges being offered after 1952; I never saw or heard of a 308, 358 or 243 carbine nor any Win mag carbines.
270, 30.06, Hornet, 7MM, 250.3000, 257 Roberts, 35 Rem.
Of all the pre'64 M/70's I've owned only one was a Carbine and it was a .270, I believe Poconojack is correct as to the calibers available in Carbine configuration.
Thanks Pocono!
Drilled and tapped from the factory?
The pre-war carbine rear bridges definitely we’re not factory d&t, the receivers had two factory d&t holes in the front ring, clip slots and sn#’s to approx. 60,500. Transition and barrel clean-up carbines should be factory d&t on the rear bridge. Guess that anything is possible, but I’d be suspicious of a gun that did not fall within these guidelines, especially a d&t pre-war gun.
Seems to be a few M70 carbines popping up for sale on GB lately
The key thing to remember about pre 64 Win 70 carbines is that NONE of them ever had soldered on ramps. They were all integral. Very few absolutes with anything but that is one you can take to the bank. There are a few more for sale these days and the prices have come down considerably on them. I had two carbines and still kick myself for selling them. They felt better than a standard M70 to me. I had a very early preWar, 1936 or 1937 (bad memory) in 30-06 and a 1949 257 Roberts. Now that I think about it, I know I also had a 1954 barrel cleanup in 30-06 as well.
I have one in 30/06 but I have a hard time getting used to the way the safety works. Otherwise it is very accurate.
You are right on the integral ramps, Mike. You have to be extremely careful with an inspection.
I have an original Model 54 carbine in 270 WCF that is checkered. Also known as the NRA carbine/short rifle. Another in 22 Hornet that is rare.