Winchester Model 70 (pre-64)

[STORM2]

Looking for research book on older Model 70 Winchesters (pre-64). I want to study the bolt changes and calibers offered.
suggestions welcomed.

 

[Mike Montgomery]

Try "The Rifleman's Rifle" by Roger C. Rule

Mike

 

[Bill Score]

Not terribly expensive if you get the soft cover reprint.

 

[STORM2]

Thanks, my LGS has a reference copy I previewed today. It has more than I can absorb so I’ll order one. The soft cover for sure….the hard copy is pretty tall. Thanks for the assistance.

 

[INShooter]

Not trying to derail the thread but what is the going price for a hard back version. Asking for a friend….

 

[Bill Score]

Not trying to derail the thread but what is the going price for a hard back version. Asking for a friend….

Bout a 1000 large rifle primers these days

 

[FNSafari]

Hard cover of Roger Rule's book...anywhere from 250 to 400 depending on condition of book and dust jacket for a first edition.

 

[Brians356]

While you're wating for that book, there's quite a bit of info on design changes here (written in 1980). I expect aspersions to be cast on the source "because Wayne" but a calm, clear-minded reader just might glean something useful.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Model 70 Story: The Early Years

A continuation of the history of the Winchester Model 70, exploring its early beginnings and rise to popularity.

www.americanrifleman.org

(Full disclosure: Second owner here of my dad's 1961 M70 Featherweight.)

Edit: An even better appraisal of the Model 70 (old and new), also short on the kind of detail found in the book discussed here, but a good read. Chuck Hawks was a noble servant of the shooting community. RIP.

Winchester Model 70 rifles (Win. Model 70)

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[1K6BRA]

There is just something special about the pre-64 model 70 Winchester. I searched for many years before I found this gem, a 1949 standard grade in 250-3000 Savage. I still use it to bring home the winters supply of venison every other year or so with Speer 87 grain hot-core bullets. I also have an original hardback copy of the rifleman‘s rifle book. It is definitely a must for the hard-core model 70 fan, well worth the money in paperback or hardback.

 

[Brians356]

There is just something special about the pre-64 model 70 Winchester. I searched for many years before I found this gem, a 1949 standard grade in 250-3000 Savage. I still use it to bring home the winters supply of venison every other year or so with Speer 87 grain hot-core bullets. I also have an original hardback copy of the rifleman‘s rifle book. It is definitely a must for the hard-core model 70 fan, well worth the money in paperback or hardback.

That's a nice photo of a nice rifle. It's somewhat appropriate that you put Speer bullets through it, as Jack O'Connor, indelibly linked with the Model 70, had his home in Lewiston, Idaho at the end of his life. That's the town of both Speer Bullets and the Jack O'Connor Museum, and also where I was born and raised, and first fired my '61 Featherweight at age 10.

You might like this article about O'Connor and his Model 70s.

Jack O'Connor's Perfect Model 70

How Jack O'Connor's insight on the Winchester Model 70 helped shape the concept of the American classic rifle and continues to influence generations of big-game hunters.

www.outdoorlife.com

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[Bill Score]

View attachment 1323261 There is just something special about the pre-64 model 70 Winchester. I searched for many years before I found this gem, a 1949 standard grade in 250-3000 Savage. I still use it to bring home the winters supply of venison every other year or so with Speer 87 grain hot-core bullets. I also have an original hardback copy of the rifleman‘s rifle book. It is definitely a must for the hard-core model 70 fan, well worth the money in paperback or hardback.

Outstanding! A 250-3000.... definitely not one seen often!

 

[Brians356]

Outstanding! A 250-3000.... definitely not one seen often!

250 Savage is one of the five rarest Pre-64 Standard model chamberings, and values are not even listed for those in the Blue Book as they are "seldom seen or sold."
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[STORM2]

softcover on the way.

 

[INTJ]

I REALLY want to participate in this thread, but since I moved last year and sold my big safe; my Pre-64s are a pain to get to. I should have my new safe in a month.

I currently have a 50s vintage .270 FWT in 90%+ condition. It still has the aluminum buttplate. I also have a couple of project gun Pre-64s. One is a long action that has been rechambered to 300 Ack, The other is a standard action that would make a very cool 300 WSM.

 

[STORM2]

I don’t own a 70 yet. I bought the book to educate myself before I buy so I can avoid any $crew ups.

 

[STORM2]

Book arrived (soft cover). Good news, I wont concern myself damaging a $400/500 hardcover volume in the truck so the soft edition is really best for shopping reference. Bad news, I still want the hardcover!
I refer to this style of content as “Intense research reading” and it will end up with sticky’s and highlighting. It’s nice to have accurate data on hand when you are on the look out for a gun.

 

[jcm800]

LGS has a couple nice orgional Winchesters on consignment. Pre 64 70 target 243 and a 52c. Both had 2" Unertl Ultra Varmint scopes. If the 70 was a 300 H&H it would have been coming home....
$3995 / $2995

 

[pdhntr]

Book arrived (soft cover). Good news, I wont concern myself damaging a $400/500 hardcover volume in the truck so the soft edition is really best for shopping reference. Bad news, I still want the hardcover!

Certain books can be a great investment. Sometimes better than a rifle.

I "invested" in an African hunting book a little over a year ago for around $400. The book is selling now for almost double the price. In hindsight, if I would have started collecting books when I started collecting rifles, the book collection would be worth much more than the guns I have.

Jim

 

[skywag]

 

[STORM2]

Nice rifle!

Copy on the books. I own 2 complete Clawson sets. There are actually 2 versions of the big book, one with dedication to his wife and one without. I have both.