The most prized Model 70s in all variations are those made prior to 1964, the older the better. Some calibers are in the rare category. Around that time, Winchester was prostituting most of their firearms line to lower production costs to better compete with other manufacturers, most notably Remington. Generally, Winchester rifles and shotguns for a few years beyond 1964 were scorned by the buying public because too many corners had been cut. They were perfectly serviceable guns, but no one could compare the quality and appeal of the post-64 guns to those made earlier. I once had a 1967 M70 in .270 that I bought around 1995 for less than $100. Nothing wrong with it at all, but I couldn’t get any enthusiasm worked up about it. Very plain wood, clubby stock with a big gap around the barrel, and impressed checkering. I kept it a few years before selling it to a friend for, as I remember, $175. On the other hand, I still have a Model 1200 Skeet Grade 12 gauge pump and it is my favorite. It displaced the pre-64 Model 12 shotgun. Truth be told, I would not trade that 1200 even for an equivalent condition Model 12. I think it is that good.
I presently have two Model 70s, a 1937 Standard in .270 and a 1953 Featherweight in .308. Those will be the last rifles I sell when the day arrives. Regarding the .270 as a useful varmint caliber, it works superbly in that role if 110 grain bullets are used. I have another .270, a Model 7400 Remington semiauto. Some love to denigrate the Remington semiautos, but mine groups like a good bolt action and is very dependable. Not sure it is because of the rifle or the caliber. I am one of those who firmly believes that a good rifle chambered in .270 or .30-‘06 is all anyone needs in the lower 48. Forget all the other calibers.
There is a book titled “The Rifleman’s Rifle” by Roger Rule that will tell you everything you would ever possibly want to know about the Model 70, old or new. But if you can find a copy, it won’t be cheap. Probably $200+ today. I have a copy that provides the serial number range for each year of new M70 production from 1963 to 1981. There were around 750,000 of the “new” M70s made in total by Winchester during that time. The greatest production in a single year was in 1977, about 77,000. USRA production began in July 1981.
I am very catholic about scopes. I find that older El Paso Weaver K2.5s, K4s, and K6s bought cheap at gun shows are at least the equal of any other for normal use. And those Weavers are also historically correct for the earlier M70s. I am not crazy about variables but I do own several.
