pre-64 model 70 value?

Fellow wants to trade me a 1963 mod. 70 .300 win mag standard grade in very good condition(one owner). I was wondering were I could get a ball park price on it. He is seeing them in the $2500-$3900 range. Any help would be appreciated

 

https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...model-70-bolt-action-in-desirable-300-win-mag

https://lsbauctions.com/8701/winche...bolt-action-rifle-redfield-scope-mfd-1963-cr/


https://www.gunauction.com/buy/14829188

 

You could buy a rifle on gunbroker for half or less of what he is wanting. Take what you saved and rebarrel and restock it for a nice custom rifle.

 

Sounds like his price is like a new one from 1963 unfired in the box with all the hang tags.

 

From what I'm seeing now it is more in $1200-$1500 range?

 

Those are some crude rifles for that much money- hard to believe.

 

muleman69,

Selling and buying used firearms is a process fraught with a multitude of pitfalls and perils. Written descriptions can be the worst part.

But the very hardest part is the emotional attachment to the timeworn historic stories which come with the Pre-64 Winchesters. These are just rifles but all of the old time writers held the Pre-64 in such high regard that today this translates into higher dollars for not as much real time value. Jack O'Connor and Elmer Keith were two of the biggest contributors to this type of attachment and price distortion. Their stories perpetuate that type of ideal and distortion. Look at the links above to see where the values are then check another 1/2 dozen sources as proof.

This seller(trader) is cherry picking rifles which are obviously in far better condition or a higher grade but not sold at market in order to maximize his profit and trade value. An asking price can be significantly different from a 'sold' price. This is no different that other sellers quoting Midway's MSRP or highest price as market value when selling on any classified sections of forums.

Get prepared by researching the product. Get high quality photographs or better still get the gun to a real and reliable appraiser.

 

“Crude????”

 

Yes. Like an old war surplus type feel

 

I see ads for Tikka Master Sporters with high prices all the time. $1800-2600 asking. I paid $1200 for a nice 22-250 and $1400 for a minty 308. I’d had a “few” beers when I bought the 308.

 

That’s a new one I’ve never heard before. All my pre-war Model 70’s “feel” as far from “surplus” as anything I can imagine. Kind of wonder how all the top tier custom gunsmiths choose and make due with these “surplus” actions. Must be a cost savings over them and the Salvage and Tikka actions some rave about on here????

A few examples:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...r-pete-mazur-257-roberts.cfm?gun_id=101298233

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...70-300-winchester-magnum.cfm?gun_id=101285136

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...d-1-2-round-octagon-bbl-.cfm?gun_id=101283207

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...mod-70-1-4-rib-qd-mounts.cfm?gun_id=101271284

I can post more if you would like.

 

Alcohol will dull your horse trader instincts. I know from experience.I`ve made wonderful deals between 1&2 am. Then woke up in the morning,to the question "How did this get here ?". I quit the juice. Jeff

 

It’s been a buyer’s market the last couple of years for most firearms. I think a street value would be between $1K - $1800 depending on the shape.
JMHO

 

Friend of mine in Little Rock Arkansas was a rich man who collected mod 70s. Had over 250 of them, could quote word for word Robert Rules book and specs. Had a lot new in the box with hang tags and all, told me once that he would not have one made later than 1956. Said Winchester got in trouble financially along about then and because of the amount of hand fitting and expense in the manufacturing that they started going down hill, he got me my main two hunting rifles in the 60s, a 375 H&H and a 300 H&H. Both were made in 1950, both very smooth and both 3 shot one inch rifles. Have hunted with both ever since and never had a complaint. As to the prices I would also say to muleman 12 to 1500 would be more realistic. Just my opinion..
John

 

does cal affect the price ,,,,I have .220 swift in about the same condition,,,???

 

It is all in the eye of the beholder as to what their Pre-64 Winchester is worth. They ask a pretty penny and if a buyer wants it bad enough and believes the pre-64's are really worth it, it will sell.
Have had and own pre-64's and to me they are not better than many of the new models, that we have now days, or a custom or home made custom rifle are. But then that is just my opinion.

 

im not sure I’d classify a Model 70 as crude. Considering when and how it was manufactured. It is certainly above a FN Commercial Mauser and the Mannlicher Schoenauer of pre-war vintages. Today we have such a plenty of quality actions we forget that our grandfathers weren’t so fortunate.

To answer the OP. The 300 Win Mag chambering is rare as it was only done in the last year of production of the “pre-64” model 70. If it is fully in original configuration it will command a big price.

 

Five or six years ago I bought one made in 1949, a 300 Magnum. It looked new, and I paid $1700. I would agree with the posters here that a 300 Win Mag in 85% condition is a thousand dollar rifle. Gunsmiths are the prime market for less %-age at $600-800 to build customs on.

 

Yes. Not many 300 Winchester’s made, obviously. I imagine lots of 220

Just wondering what distinction you are drawing between pre and post war commercial Mauser actions. Why do you favor pre-64 action over commercial Mauser action?

What current production action do you favor over the one described at the link below?

https://granitemountainarms.com/about.html

 

Mauser 98 actions are fine, but in my opinion, a bit stiff and clunky in operation. Compare the 98 to a Mannlicher. The Mannlicher was sometimes referred to as “buttery smooth” compared to the 98. The M98 is not a stiff action and this affects the inherent accuracy of the rifle. IMO the Model 70 is the best of both worlds smooth where it matters and strong and stiff for accuracy. The 70 can’t take the big African cartridges like the “Magnum” 98 but those big thumpers aren’t truly needed even for Africa.

Don’t get me wrong, I have 98s. But if I had to choose an action to build a high grade custom rifle, it very hard to NOT choose a pre-war 70.