What is a very good pre 64 Model 70 in 220 swift worth. Update on condition.

[koger]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I don't know the value but I am interested since I have one also. I got it from my dad and he was particular about things going together so he found a Lyman super target spot scope on it.
Mine is the heavy stainless barrel. I'm not sure what other configurations were available.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

You will get a true value at an auction. It's worth what it sells for, no more, no less. Lots of crazy ideas on an items worth. Whatever you can sell it for today, is what it's worth, today.

 

[CJ6]

Hope it comes with some brass. Finding Swift brass is tough these days.

 

[1911nut]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

A search of completed sales of rifles on Gunbroker similar to the one you described sold for $2100. - $2800.

 

[1K6BRA]

The pre-64 Winchester model 70 might be the king of the hill as far as options available from a factory rifle. And also special orders were available. Just an absolute myriad of choices and possibilities that it could be, but probably isn’t. You would be best to seek out somebody in the know and have it personally looked at to have any chance of an actual value attached to it. Who knows it could be a rare specimen.Good luck!

 

[Bob3700]

Pre-64 M-70 Winchesters are fantastic rifles. A Varmint model would be in the $2100-$2900 range depending on the rifle, new/ in fired in the box, w/hang tags Would be the high range.
These rifles are 50-60 yrs. old and have usually been shot. Borescoping the bbl.does not indicate how accurate the rifle will shoot. A swift is known to be hard on bbls. so the throat will not look like a fine grade match bbl. It will probably will shoot fine.
Just me, these are not rifles to take out on a prairie dog shoot. Shoot a ground hog or two every other year and appreciate a fine rifle from the 50s n 60s.

 

[Hotshot]

I love mine, inherited from my dad. He always said he got that rifle before he got me. I'm a 1950 model.
One problem I see with value of these and other fine older arms is the newer generations don't appreciate them. They want matte black tactical stuff. That leaves you primarily with a market of old timers who are thinning out fast. Buy it for your own satisfaction of having it, not as a long term investment.

 

[762willdo]

220 swifts tended to shoot out barrels fairly quickly……

 

[ImBIllT]

Price is dependent on what people will pay, but value depends on the user and his plans. If it’s gonna be a safe queen or a wall hanger, then why does bore condition matter? You can shoot a chuck or two a year(as described above) with a very inaccurate rifle. If you plan to shoot it frequently, then bore condition matters, but so does the cartridge. For a 220Swift, I would only buy a used one planning to replace the barrel very soon regardless of how it shot. They don’t shoot fantastically for long. If you replace the barrel, it’s probably going to sell for less in the future. So, if you buy it sell, buy it to look at it, or buy it to shoot, you’ll probably end up with three different values.

 

[Bob3700]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

Do a search for a website for Pre-64 Model 70 rifles. They have many rifles listed for sale with their prices. Will give you an idea of current market values.
Bob

 

[dryhumor]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

It’s worth what YOU are willing to pay if you want it. Life is about learning and experience, if you want it, buy it, enjoy it, don’t look back.

I watch a lot of pre 64 stuff from time to time. I don’t have any, but I can appreciate the rifles. I have friends that are really into them. I never really got into the pre 64 craze, though I’ve always felt that the M70 is a more robust and stiffer action.

That said. I had an FN USA made M70 in 7mm08 rebarreled years ago to 220 Swift. And like the guy you describe, I worked up a decent load, loaded a few rounds and shoot it every now and then. It’s the only rifle I’ve ever made a called shot on a bug… with a witness. I’m about out of those rounds and I’ll find another load for it and do the same. I won’t wear it out, and it won’t be a safe queen, but when I shoot it I’ll enjoy it….

 

[White Eagle]

I have a swift on a newer model 70 action rebarreled by Hart in 220 Swift
it is absolutely a tac driver. I kept the twist rate near original to shoot the same weight bullets it was designed for, I have a 22 CM for the heavy 22's
just can't beat a good 220 Swift

 

[searcher]

Local auctions often sell things at tremendous discounts unless they are also making the offers online. You could get a truly good bargain. Unless you are a collector, I'd pay what you would for a nice, modern shooter in similar condition and no more. Truthfully, there are countless modern arms that shoot much better than those Model 70's and have much better triggers and such. As a collectible, every scratch or ding afield reduces the value to the collector that wants it only because it is a Model 70. Going back to the auction, my neighbor's estate was settled, and guns and ammo auctioned for ridiculously low prices. Because of that, I put explicit instuctions in my will..... Hope you get a great deal!

 

[koger]

Up date. I looked at the barrel with a borescope, it is in great shape. Also I found out who sold him the rifle, and he showed me some groups they shot with it the day of the sale. Factory ammo was shooting around 1/2" group for 3 3 shot groups. He said they shot the gun, and then the guy cleaned it, said he was taking it home and putting it up. Knowing my friend, that is what he did. He would get a nice older rifle, get it shooting good, then put it up, shooting it ony occasionally. I would say that the gun has less than 200 rounds thru it, as my friend was the third owner, and neither of the previous owners would shoot it wanting to preserve barrel life. The first owner bought it new in the box when a local hardware store went out of business in the early 1980s, they found it stuck back in a backroom. No box, papework, etc, just a pristine condition pre 64 model 70 in 220 swift. I will try my best to buy it, unless it goes for crazy money. I have never had a 220 swift, that shot good at velocity, always had to load them down to 22-250 velocity to get them to shoot well.

 

[Zero333]

220 Swift AI is the best way to go anyhow. A 55 gr V-max @ 4,100+ fps is no problem !
A 35 gr V-max @ 4,700-4,800 fps is no problem either !!
A 30 gr Speer TNT @ 5,000 fps is not out of the question.

If I had a 220 Swift, I'd Ackley it right away.

 

[Gary in MD]

Looking forward to hearing how it turns out, good luck with the auction

 

[Zero333]

220 Swift Improved... Not even with a 40* shoulder,.. with only 30 degree trapezoids.

 

[WyleWD]

I am looking at one on a local auction, a friends collection, and I was not familiar with it, Outside is in pristine condition, has redfield base and rings. On the preview day I plan on borescoping it to check the condition of the bore, but I am pretty sure it matches the outside. He was very particular about all of his firearms, especially fine rifles. They had to have a great bore, and be shooters, or he did not keep them. Most of his rifles, have less than 300 rds down the tube, he would buy one, get it shooting good with a good handload, then put it up. He had several varmint rifles as well as deer rifles, about 50 total, but none of them were shot very much, and cleaned before putting them away religiously.

Did you get it?? WD

 

[B23]

220 Swift Improved... Not even with a 40* shoulder,.. with only 30 degree trapezoids.


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There are certain cartridge cases that just beg to be "improved". One of them is definitely the 220 Swift.

I looked at a really nice older Sako Varmint model 220 Swift a few months ago. It was in like new condition but I cheaped out and ended up not buying it. As is par for the course, now I'm regretting not buying it.