Old Winchester pre-64 Model 70 or Model 54

[corning]

I have an old Winchester pre-64 model 70, or model 54. I'm wondering if there are any data bases that I can put the serial number into that would indicate what model it is, and the year of production.

I'm also looking for parts. My rifle has a magnum bolt face. I am looking for another bolt with a standard bolt face (.308/30-06). I am not interested in shooting it as a magnum anymore, but would like to have the barrel cut down and re-chambered for .308 or 30-06. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you.

John

 

[FNSafari]

I can’t in good conscience suggest anything that would bastardize a pre 64 model 70.

 

[corning]

I can’t in good conscience suggest anything that would bastardize a pre 64 model 70.

Already been done. It has a competition stock on it, and a huge bull barrel that I put on it. I bought it second hand from a retiring competitive shooter in Cleveland over 30 years ago. So, just trying to make it more usable!

 

[swd]

The bottom metal is M70. Bolts are out there. It’s doubtful there’s enough barrel to cut back a magnum chamber to make a 30-06 and have enough diameter to cut a tenon.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I would leave it as a magnum and load light loads or even cast bullets if you dont want or need the full power of the magnum. There are several places you could lookup the serial numberand see what year it was made. PM me and I can do it for you.

 

[Will Henry]

Looks like a pre-war M70. The bolt face can be reduced and the extractor replaced, if that is your preference. WH

 

[Darryll]

If you have access to a copy of the Blue Book of gun Values on page 2435 there's an index of Winchester

serial numbers for rifles and shotguns. I hope that this helps.

Darryll

 

[DGP4]

I'll second the use of reduced recoil loads and leave everything as is. There is plenty of relaoding info for light loads in that caliber.

 

[Mel Hoover]

The excellent book by Roger C. Rule entitled The Rifleman’s Rifle gives an excellent description of both the Winchester Model 54 and Model 70. If you have the serial number you can easily find the year of manufacture and much more information. Good luck.

 

[Catfur]

As to the date, look here: https://winchestercollector.org/dates/

It should be easy to tell a 54 and a 70 apart by the bolt.

 

[Old Navy]

I can’t in good conscience suggest anything that would bastardize a pre 64 model 70.

The vast majority have already be bastardized as I recall. That is why the ones that haven't are so collectible.

 

[Bill Rodolph]

If you can find a standard extractor, it will pull a case out, even on a magnum bolt, but then will drop it most likely and not hold it to eject. Making it a single shot, but shootable with a standard size case head. (.473)

 

[Brians356]

If it's already been "bastardized" what's knowing the YOM do for you?

What's the serial number?
-

 

[Ggmac]

The cost of rechambering , threading and additional work on the bull barrel will cost almost as much as a new barrel . I would use light loads and leave it as is .
Another possibility is to have a new barrel in a rimmed cartridge, there by eliminating the need for a new or bushed bolt . It would be single shot but I’ve had a mag bolt work with rimmed cases . Say 30-30 , 30-40 , 225 win etc

 

[SBS]

The cost of rechambering , threading and additional work on the bull barrel will cost almost as much as a new barrel . I would use light loads and leave it as is .
Another possibility is to have a new barrel in a rimmed cartridge, there by eliminating the need for a new or bushed bolt . It would be single shot but I’ve had a mag bolt work with rimmed cases . Say 30-30 , 30-40 , 225 win etc

You would need the large rim sizes. The .225, like the .220 Swift, has a .308 size rim.

 

[SBS]

I have an old Winchester pre-64 model 70, or model 54. I'm wondering if there are any data bases that I can put the serial number into that would indicate what model it is, and the year of production.

I'm also looking for parts. My rifle has a magnum bolt face. I am looking for another bolt with a standard bolt face (.308/30-06). I am not interested in shooting it as a magnum anymore, but would like to have the barrel cut down and re-chambered for .308 or 30-06. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you.

John

Best way to tell a 54 from a 70 action is to look at the bottom of the action. One main difference is the front action screw goes into the bottom of the 54 recoil lug, not behind it like the Mod. 70. While you can find some that have had a hole drilled and tapped behind the lug so that Mod. 70 bottom metal can be used, the hole in the recoil lug will still be there (or obviously filled). Another difference is that the cut for the Mod. 70 bolt stop is not present on the 54 receiver-- the 54 used the front of the trigger for a bolt stop (against an angled cut out in the bottom of the bolt body). This actually makes the 54 receiver a little more rigid, as the mod. 70 cutout almost cuts the receiver into at this point. The footprint of the two is the same as far as dropping down in a stock, so you often see 54 actions dropped into M70 prewar stocks with M70 bottom metal and sometimes with M70 firing pin assemblies and some times with M70 bolts (which requires either a Mod. 70 bolt modification or a custom trigger & bolt stop). Both models started out with serial #1, so you need more than a serial number to determine model, but not hard to tell the difference with the above clues. Also a small difference in the width of the cutout for the trigger, but difficult to describe.

 

[Ggmac]

You would need the large rim sizes. The .225, like the .220 Swift, has a .308 size rim.

I stand corrected

 

[clowdis]

John,
Gun Parts Corp. shows barrels in stock for that rifle. They show bolts too but are out of stock. Maybe one of the newer CRF bolts may fit that action? Supposed to be copies.

Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Parts for Sale

Need parts for your Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Series rifle? Shop for Winchester 70 Pre-64 Series parts today with Numrich Gun Parts.

www.gunpartscorp.com

 

[Bill K]

If this rifle is a 30 caliber magnum cartridge 300 H&H for instance. Just download some light loads or even cast loads, as others mention and enjoy it as is.

 

[SBS]

corning, what is the action, 54 or 70? And what have you done with it? You have our curiosity aroused.