pre-64 model 70 value?

[JimT]

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.

Thanks for the clarification. I’ve known about Mannlicher’s being buttery smooth ever since I bought a pristine example when I was a junior in high school (still own it).

 

[SBS]

If what the OP wants is an original pre-64 .300 Win. in nice condition, it will not be in the $1000-1500 price range. It is the scarcity that dictates the price range. True, if he just wanted a really nice shooter, he could buy a .30-06 action, have it made into a .300 Win. with a top notch barrel for less than a nice original. But the same holds true for other scarce calibers in pre-64's. For example, you can't buy one in 7.65 Argentine or 7x57 for the price of an action and a new stock & barrel. And you won't have any luck trying this line of reasoning to the seller of a scarce rifle. The pre-64 .300 Win. Mag. was a sought after rifle already by the mid 70's. I sold one then to an owner of a small manufacturing concern (in the firearms industry) for $900 and he was glad to find it. While this seller's idea of a price range may be somewhat too high, the low end of it may well be what the rifle would sell for on the open market -- depending on condition. JimT's post noting the recent sale of such a rifle for $2000 which was described as having "90% bluing" is a decent reference point. While we sometimes stumble onto really underpriced firearms, it's not often with scarce pricey ones.

 

[Evan]

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

That's dreaming. For 2500-3900 it better have a nice piece of wood on it and very minimal visible wear. If it is an honest standard grade, with a plain looking stock, plain blue, and the usual wear and tear of a cared for but used rifle, then I'd say 1500 is a better starting point.

Honestly, I don't get these prices. For 2500-3900, I'm taking my money to a smith and supporting the craftsmen of this era in building me a beautiful rifle.

 

[JimT]

That's dreaming. For 2500-3900 it better have a nice piece of wood on it and very minimal visible wear. If it is an honest standard grade, with a plain looking stock, plain blue, and the usual wear and tear of a cared for but used rifle, then I'd say 1500 is a better starting point.

Honestly, I don't get these prices. For 2500-3900, I'm taking my money to a smith and supporting the craftsmen of this era in building me a beautiful rifle.

The majority of the “craftsmen of this era” are nothing more than assemblers compared to the gunsmiths of the past. For what these assemblers are asking for a completed rifle you can buy an actual wood stocked custom rifle that is a true work of art. Just take a look at the 4 links I provided above!!

 

[centerlineseal]

I remember walking around the gunshow at the Houston Astrodome (side venue building, which the name escapes me, oh yeah, Astrohall) with a mint pre 64 (some closet dings) in 300 H&H and it was like flies following sh!t (or honey) until I got my asking price of $1,150 in 1987. Took less than an hour. Location, location, location.

I kept the 338 Winmag in the same model (belonged to my deceased brother), rode hard and put up wet, even re-blued, cause I knew where the $$ was.

But, I expect I can get close to $1,500 for it now because of the caliber. I'll never know, not for sale, and we've killed a few elk with it since.

300 Winmag may bring some serious $$ in the right Location, location, location!

 

[farmerjohn]

Friend of mine has this one for sale, I would love to have it, just don't need two of them. Second leif hasn't been filed, 25x,xxx serial number, 2500$ plus shipping......oh, 375H&H

 

[farmerjohn]

Muleman, not trying to hijack your thread. Just trying to give you an idea of what you can get for the money and the 375s usually bring the big money...
John

 

[muleman69]

Muleman, not trying to hijack your thread. Just trying to give you an idea of what you can get for the money and the 375s usually bring the big money...
John

No problem all good info. Just trying to get a ball park on what the rifle is worth.

 

[msinc]

I just sold a standard grade 270 unfired and pristine from 1957 for $1700.00...I think your man might be a little high. I was glad to get $1700...."seeing" them for sale is one thing, actually selling {and getting paid} can be quite another!!

 

[LoganDon]

I have 3 pre-64s, 270 &30-06 made in 1955 and a 308 Featherweight made in 1963. 30-06 was customized a few years ago and it is a truly beautiful shooter. Shot my deer this year with the 308 which has an old Koller/Morgan scope on it. Coincidentally, I am 76 years old and I have 3 grandchildren.

 

[butchlambert]

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

If you want the best Mauser clone see Stuarts Satterlie's in CM or Titanium.
https://satterleearmsrifles.com/actions/
Notice he uses a Mod70 type trigger.

 

[muleman69]

If you want the best Mauser clone see Stuarts Satterlie's in CM or Titanium.
https://satterleearmsrifles.com/actions/
Notice he uses a Mod70 type trigger.

Thanks Butch,these are nice actions and beautiful rifles. Your rifles are to die for. Probably would die if the wife found out....lol thanks again

 

[Evan]

The majority of the “craftsmen of this era” are nothing more than assemblers compared to the gunsmiths of the past. For what these assemblers are asking for a completed rifle you can buy an actual wood stocked custom rifle that is a true work of art. Just take a look at the 4 links I provided above!!

Like every era, there are assemblers, and there are craftsmen. See Butch's comment with the link to Satterly as a wonderful example of a modern craftsman trying to make a living today of building rifles that outshine the old Win70 in every way. I'll support people like that if I want to spend that kind of money.

 

[JimT]

If you want the best Mauser clone see Stuarts Satterlie's in CM or Titanium.
https://satterleearmsrifles.com/actions/
Notice he uses a Mod70 type trigger.

Just wondering why you favor the Satterlie over GMA or Prechtl?

In any event at $6500+ for the action, I think I’ll stick with buying a complete Goens, Heilmann, Balickie, or Simillion rifle for about the same price.

 

[SBS]

I just sold a standard grade 270 unfired and pristine from 1957 for $1700.00...I think your man might be a little high. I was glad to get $1700...."seeing" them for sale is one thing, actually selling {and getting paid} can be quite another!!

For those who don't know; quantities of calibers produced:

.270 Win. ----122,323
.30-06---------208.218
.300 H&H ------37,186
.375 H&H ----- 14,005
.300 Win. Mag. 4,916

Calibers .270 and .30-06 account for over 1/2 (56.8%) of all pre-64 M70 production (581,471 rifles).

 

[butchlambert]

Just wondering why you favor the Satterlie over GMA or Prechtl?

In any event at $6500+ for the action, I think I’ll stick with buying a complete Goens, Heilmann, Balickie, or Simillion rifle for about the same price.

Same price, I think not today from these guys. You might want to contact these fellows. The real custom guys consider the GMA a kit receiver. Many hours spent smoothing and bringing them to the custom level. You might check this website for Prechtl prices.
https://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/products.php?cat=387
Add about $4000+ for a stock and add a barrel with a quarter rib, banded sling swivel, front banded sight, polishing and rust blue, your looking at $12,500 minimum. Add machining the double square bridges for your top quality rings and the price of the rings.
Ask me how I know.

 

[msinc]

For those who don't know; quantities of calibers produced:

.270 Win. ----122,323
.30-06---------208.218
.300 H&H ------37,186
.375 H&H ----- 14,005
.300 Win. Mag. 4,916

Calibers .270 and .30-06 account for over 1/2 (56.8%) of all pre-64 M70 production (581,471 rifles).

I totally understand and appreciate the numbers you posted, never seen that before...I think your point is that because so many 270's were made the price of the 300 Win Mag would obviously be higher as it was a rarer rifle.
Of those 122,323 270's, how many do you think still exist as unfired, pristine condition guns, just like they would have the day they were made??? Ya think there might be 4900 of them floating around out there?? I have to seriously doubt it. Real estate has three buzz words...location, location, location. Guns have three also, condition, condition, condition!!!

 

[SBS]

I'm not the one trying to sell a .300 Win., but I think with guns, No. 1 is desirability, then scarcity and condition -- not sure which one is 2nd and last. While there are pre-64 calibers more scarce than the .300 Win., I don't believe any of them are as desirable as a shooting caliber. Calibers such as .250 Savage, .300 Savage and .35 Rem. come to mind. Not knocking your sale of the pristine .270, but consider what a .300 Win. would bring in the same condition -- I would bet serious money it would be considerably more than a .270 or .30-06. Even a nice .270 brings more than a similar condition .30-06; just the supply and demand thing.

 

[JimT]

Same price, I think not today from these guys. You might want to contact these fellows. The real custom guys consider the GMA a kit receiver. Many hours spent smoothing and bringing them to the custom level. You might check this website for Prechtl prices.
https://www.newenglandcustomgun.com/products.php?cat=387
Add about $4000+ for a stock and add a barrel with a quarter rib, banded sling swivel, front banded sight, polishing and rust blue, your looking at $12,500 minimum. Add machining the double square bridges for your top quality rings and the price of the rings.
Ask me how I know.

I guess I didn’t make myself clear. See the 4 gunsinternational links I posted above for examples of used rifles by those gentlemen. I can find lots of others in that price range by these and other top-tier builders.

 

[mikeinct]

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a pre war mod 70 Safari Grade in 375 H&H. asking price was 800 in the mid 1980's . I would have bought it, but it was custom ordered w/o being drilled for a scope sight. mike in ct