Winchester Model 70 - Need Some Help

[dmar]

Have an opportunity to buy a late New Haven era Win Model 70, in .270. Gun is in nice condition, no wear/marks on the bluing, and I only saw one very small ding on the wood. Comes with an older Bushnell scope (looks pre-China, but could not see the stamping...) with Weaver rings. Not sure how much has been put through it, but it is pretty nice.

I've got a similar vintage Model 70 in 22-250, and it's a great shooting gun. I really like Winchesters, and could use it for hunting, but I just don't know the values on these guns nowadays.

Gun is priced at $499, with the scope, do you guys think this is a jump on it price, or not. What do you think ballpark value on this? I know the new Rugers/Savages with plastic stock and cheap scope combos go around $450 and up, so it seems like a good deal...?

 

[arjay]

Sounds good to me,I'd snag it if I still hunted.

 

[dmar]

I should add, its a regular grade (Classic...?), not a Super Grade or anything. The scope was nice and clear, I believe it was a 3x12...

 

[DWalt]

Unclear - a post-63 WRA or an earlier one? In any event, $499 is not bad. Several years ago I bought a Model 70 in .270, ca. 1966, at an estate sale for $400 and thought that was a good deal, especially as it appeared to never have been used. Not as good as a near-perfect 1962 Featherweight in .308 I bought a little later at another estate sale for $500.

 

[dmar]

Unclear - a post-63 WRA or an earlier one? In any event, $499 is not bad. Several years ago I bought a Model 70 in .270, ca. 1966, at an estate sale for $400 and thought that was a good deal, especially as it appeared to never have been used. Not as good as a near-perfect 1962 Featherweight in .308 I bought a little later at another estate sale for $500.

This is a later model. Not sure exactly, but it looks like early 2000s vintage... I wish it were pre-64, it'd be home with me already for that price!!

 

[Texas Star]

It should already be home with you. Someone else has probably bought it by now.

Whether the std. or Featherweight Classic form, it's worth that, easily. And it's one of the best production hunting rifles made, with collector potential.

The scope probably isn't super, as Bushnell has a wide range of quality. Their Elite line is pretty good, though. You can change to a better scope, though The rifle alone is worth the price.

These are probably the best factory hunting rifles made. And the .270 ctg. is superior for most animals short of very large bears. A Win. M-70 in .270 is a fine combination for an all-round hunting rifle.

I hope that you aren't too late to buy this one, if as described. From the date mentioned, it should have the Mauser '98 type extractor. And it'll handle a pierced primer better than the old pre-'64 rifles. The stock is also better than the pre-'64 model.

My son and I have them in .270 and two .30-06 examples, Fwt. Classics. I wish I could post photos: one of his '06s is extremely acccurate for a light sporting rifle, and all three are quite accurate.

I think some men have paid that for a Remingon M-700, which I think is an inferior rifle.

 

[mauser9]

Sounds like a good deal to me also. Real walnut and decent bluing are not the norm these days without shelling out big bucks in my opinion. Had a 1974 vintage Model 70 which was not bad but improved with the XTR line years later. I would grab it also rather than buy some of the budget jobs today for the same money. Then again I would look for used today on just about anything concerning long guns.

 

[alwslate]

Is it a push feed action or does it have the Mauser type extractor?
After the introduction of the pre 64 type action Winchester continued
to sell rifles based on the post 64 design. The late push feed rifles
sold fairly cheaply when new and so the action type does effect value.
The scope probably adds little value but if you were happy with it then
you wouldn't have to spend money for a new one. I would say that if
it's a claw extractor action model $499 sounds good. If it's the push
feed type $400 is closer.

 

[Stevie]

The Winchester 'Classic' is the designation for US Repeating Arms/Winchester controlled feed actions.

Like my Featherweight....it's marked on the barrel 'Classic-Featherweight'..has the 'Mauser' claw-extractor

 

[Frank237]

Upgraded CRF action, David Miller stock design...WINNER. Hope You bought it.

 

[DWalt]

The post-1964 Winchester M70 (especially earlier ones) often comes in for heavy criticism because it does not have the external claw extractor and also for other reasons, such as a perceived ugly stock with impressed checkering. Even so, it is still an excellent and well-made rifle, and should not be overlooked if at a good price. There are even collectors of these "cheapened" M70s, as there are several interesting variations.

 

[Drm50]

It's a good buy. The new "cheap" entry rifles have put many guys
in same situation. I would rather buy older rifle in good condition
than a new plastic stocked job. Most bolt actions in deer rifle
calibres have been carried more than shot. Another fact is that
it will probably be worth more as time goes by, not so with new
Plastic entry guns. My favorite bolt gun is same as Dewalts,
M-70fw pre64, which I got new on a trade back in the day when
there was no such thing as a pre 64 yet. I have owned many of
the newer models and found them to be as good as any off the
rack rifles from the major competitors.

 

[msinc]

It is a good deal and if I had the chance I would not waste any time making the purchase. The New Haven Model 70's were great rifles...I do not think you will be disappointed.

 

[dmar]

Is it a push feed action or does it have the Mauser type extractor?
After the introduction of the pre 64 type action Winchester continued
to sell rifles based on the post 64 design. The late push feed rifles
sold fairly cheaply when new and so the action type does effect value.
The scope probably adds little value but if you were happy with it then
you wouldn't have to spend money for a new one. I would say that if
it's a claw extractor action model $499 sounds good. If it's the push
feed type $400 is closer.

It's the CRF/Mauser type extractor, same as my other USRA M70, so that's definitely a good thing... It also has the cheek weld stock, and the grain on the wood is pretty nice.

I told them to put the rifle aside for me, and I'm going to go by later and buy it! I've done a lot of business with these guys, so they are good to me. Thanks to you all for your input, it's been a while since I've shopped Winchester M70s.

As nice as I think these late model M 70s are, I sure hope that I come across a Pre-64, that is affordable, some day. You guys that have them are fortunate.

 

[mauser9]

Glad you ask our opinions dmar and am happy it is CRF. I believe as stated above it should be worth more as time goes by having a walnut stock and good bluing. I realize some aren't as fussy concerning appearance and that's their business but I still feel you are making a wise choice overall with this Model 70. Am sure the new Model 70s made by FN are big bucks!!

 

[dmar]

OK guys, it would be rude not to post pictures, so here you go... It's a nice looking rifle, and I can't wait to shoot it! Serial number is G12xxxx. I think that makes it an early 90's gun.

 

[dmar]

For some reason, I'm only able to post one picture per post (getting an error message when I try to upload a second pic...), so I'll do a couple of other posts to get more pictures up. Any advice on how to do multiple pics per post would be appreciated!

 

[dmar]

And another...

 

[loc n load]

Winchester 70

I own several model 70's. Pre 64 and later models. Back in the 60's, 70's and 80's, I hunted in various parts of the country, hunting ground hogs, varmints, deer, elk and moose. A model 70 was on most of most of those foray's. Regardless of what I was hunting, if I did my job, the model 70 did it's job. You snagged a nice rifle, use it and enjoy it.

 

[model70hunter]

I've owned many pre 64's, they are great. I still have 2 my Dad's that he bought new in 1952 and a 1948 custom I've had for some time. I still hunt with Dads.

I've owned newer ones too. No issues with them. I've noticed many older cheap or rough deer rifles over the $400 mark now. And what I heard you say was newer cheap ones cost that much.... I don't think the newer cheap ones will hold value like a Win or Rem.

You got a great deal, it is a very nice looking rifle. Check your scope screws, stock screws and have fun.