I have a chance to snag a pre-64 (1957 I beleive) Model 70 in 300 H&H. only alteration is removal of the steel buttplate and recoil pad installed.

It is stainless (kind of a flat finish almost like parkerized). I have never seen a pre-64 in stainless.

I'm no gun expert.

Did Winchester make pre-64's in stainless and would that make this one worth more? Ballpark range of it's value? Sorry I have no pictures and I'm pressed for time. I may buy it at lunch today.

Thanks
Jim

Yes and Yes. According to Hornady, some 264 WMs were barrelled w/ stainless barrels to try and increase barrel life. So there were Pre 64s w/ stainless barrels and they were/are more rare.
That coupled w/ the 300 H & H chambering will boost the cost.

But unfortunately, the addition of a pad makes it a shooter, and not a collector.

Winchester offered stainless barrels in all calibers as an option.

They made a lot of 264 and 220 swift stainless barrels, nearly all of these calibers. They also made a fairly high number in 300 H&H.

All of these three offerings were 26 inch so it makes sense that there would be a disproportionate amount of 300 H&H in stainless compared to 320-06, 270 etc. For the record I only ever saw one 270 stainless barreled pre 64. What is the price of that rascal?

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
What is the price of that rascal?

Less than it should be probably. I bought it.

Funny, I recently purchased a Pre-64 in 300 H&H as well. Mine is blued and has a fair bit of wear on it.

Initial shooting results offer the promise of very good accuracy. 1" with 165 gr. Horn IL's at 3115 fps... and a spooky 3-shot overlap in the .20" range...but added two fliers on top of it.

I've considered having the rifle cera-koted and refinishing the stock with some boiled linseed oil. I'm not after any real collectors value...and I rather like the idea of a nicely coated rifle.

Anyway, good luck with the 300!