Winchester Model 70 question

[David LaPell]

I spotted a Winchester Model 70 rifle, serial number puts it in 1962, lightweight version all original in .308 with a little wear on the stock (finish, no cracks or dings) and the metal is about 90%. What would a gun like this run for these days? I have not been keeping up on Winchester values.

 

[gregintenn]

A grand or more around these parts.

 

[Smith357]

Around these parts an all original rifle with good honest wear runs about $1000.

 

[jrm53]

Plus thats a pre-64 when they changed the model 70. Jeff

 

[mes227]

I agree with the estimates of $1,000 or more. Hard to find good condition pre-64s for even $1,000. The more unusual the caliber the higher the price. .308s are fairly common. I looked today at a .257 Roberts in "good" condition (that is, normal wear, good mechanical condition) for $2,300. Didn't buy it but that gives you an idea.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Good rifle but it will kick the daylights out of you. Try it before you buy it.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Good rifle but it will kick the daylights out of you. Try it before you buy it.

Low recoil loads in a .270 FWT are very manageable even with a hard plastic butt plate.

I traded my 88 for a 1937 Model 1897 after shooting about 3 rounds in the 88 with full power .308:

 

[K.38]

Was it a lightweight or a featherweight? Does the serial number have a G in front of it? The lightweights came out in 1985.

The lightweight models I've seen from the 80s and 90s and even the M70 standards from 1962 didn't go much over $500 if that.

 

[bushmaster1313]

M70 standards from 1962

In good original condition any pre-64 is about $1000 or up, but many say the quality went down after 1959.

 

[mes227]

Good rifle but it will kick the daylights out of you. Try it before you buy it.

I have a 1950 M70 in 30-06 with a steel butt plate. It kicks like a mule....but I use a slip-on Winchester recoil pad and that makes in completely manageable even when putting multiple boxes through at the range. The .308 will kick noticeably less.

 

[frbeall]

I bought my 1961 standard 6 months ago in 98% condition with a Weaver scope in perfect shape for $1000. It's .30-06 and a lot of fun to shoot. I've seen them go for much more.

 

[Texas Star]

One of the problems with buying a collector's rifle to hunt with is that you lose value if you mount a recoil pad.

Unless someone is just dead set on using a pre-'64, I really think the present M-70 is a better, technically safer rifle. And it comes with a recoil pad installed!

I also like the stocks better than the old ones.

A man I once knew bought one of the M-70's made about 1965. He encountered Jack O'Connor on a mountain hunt for sheep. Jack was polite, but my acquaintance said that he looked a little dismayed when he saw the rifle. Of course, O'Connor was carrying a custom-stocked older M-70 in .270. He preferred to talk about the cartridge, avoiding mentioning the differences in the rifles. But what he said about the "new" M-70 in print was the boldest condemnation of a gun that I've read by a major firearms writer.

The other fellow took his post '64 to Africa, too, and it killed plains game very handily. But it had cosmetic issues as viewed by a traditionalist, and I was exceedingly glad when the 1972 revision made the M-70 again a good rifle by modern standards. By the time they added the old claw extractor about 1980 and offered the Featherweight Classic, they were on track again.

I really think the present M-70's are the best production hunting rifles now made. Maybe the best ever.

 

[Cyrano]

My step up from shooing a 22 was shooting a 1953 vintage M 70 in 30-06. I got used to the increased recoil over the 22 fairly quickly. It did kick more than a Garand when I went into the service.

 

[Smith357]

One of the problems with buying a collector's rifle to hunt with is that you lose value if you mount a recoil pad.

My M70 in 06 is just fine for hunting without a recoil pad, It's just one shot, worst case scenario is I have to take a second shot. Sighting it in is a whole different story, I'm pretty much done after 12 - 15 shots from the hard butt plate.

 

[gregintenn]

Pre 64 Featherweight:

Current manufacture mod 70 classic Featherweight:

You can buy a brand spanking new one for less money than a nice example of the pre 64. I know the panache associated with the old one, and they're great rifles. However, for hunting, I prefer the new one. I also prefer the newer stock design. They both sport the controlled round feed action and a three position safety.

 

[patrick james]

I just bought a new Model 70 in 22-250. What a rifle ! Fit and finnish is perfect. It's nicest rifle I have bought in years. My rifle shoots Remington factory ammo into 5/8 inch group at 100 yards.

 

[gregintenn]

My newer mod 70 will do this at 100 yards. I don't have a picture, but the pre 64 will place three shots touching in a cloverleaf pattern at 100 yards, with factory Remington ammunition! I once had a heavy barreled 220 Swift pre 64 that would do the same thing. The model 70's are shooters.

 

[mes227]

I just bought a new Model 70 in 22-250. What a rifle ! Fit and finnish is perfect. It's nicest rifle I have bought in years. My rifle shoots Remington factory ammo into 5/8 inch group at 100 yards.

Fantastic rifle and caliber -- this combo is at the top of my "must have" list.