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If you had a pre 64 model 70 action

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28 February 2007, 23:46
TerryR
If you had a pre 64 model 70 action
what rifle would you make/have made?

it was a 300 Win Mag
28 February 2007, 23:49
olarmy
Depends on what you want to use it for.

Elk=338. Deer/antelope=264Mag (if you are a handloader) 7Mag if you are not.
28 February 2007, 23:52
577NitroExpress
Same response as I gave on the Big Bore Forum:

I had the same question about a year ago.

Since the action is viewed as one of the best made American actions, I went with the caliber viewed as "all American" (My opinion): .30-06

With a Krieger Barrel, Sunny Hill bottom metal, Talley Scope mounts, Leuopld Scope and NECG open site, it is an "All American" rifle.

(I would do this unless I DIDN'T have a rifle chambered for in the 300 Mag range or .338 Win Mag.)


577NitroExpress
Double Rifle Shooters Society
Francotte .470 Nitro Express




If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming...

01 March 2007, 00:06
DougH9
30-338 Win. Magnum. WIll fit and feed perfectly from that action (I have one).
01 March 2007, 00:11
Rancho Loco
.300 win mag..
01 March 2007, 00:41
cewe
9.3x62 -be different Wink


http://www.tgsafari.co.za

"What doesn´t kill you makes you stranger!"
01 March 2007, 01:48
Daks
I admit some need for education here:

What is the big deal about a pre-1964 action on a Model 70? The push feed system on my '76 has never had a problem. Why all the fuss about the pre-64 actions?

I understand that's when manufacturing processes changed and for a few years, the Model 70's kinda sucked. But by 1970, even Jack O'Connor said that Winchester had addressed every problem and the guns being produced were the equal to those made before 1964.

So what's the deal?
01 March 2007, 02:25
djpaintles
quote:
Originally posted by Daks:
But by 1970, even Jack O'Connor said that Winchester had addressed every problem and the guns being produced were the equal to those made before 1964.


If O'Conner really said that he was wrong, they weren't.
The Pre-64's had cut rifled barrels. They are a mid-length action between the current short and longs. They fit certain rounds better. Especially with the Pre-War Pre-64's they were much better made, finer finishing etc.
They had an anti-bind lug on the bolt instead of a split lug like on the push feeds or the spacer on the new Classics. The pre-64 version is nicer though the new Classic style probably blocks gas better.
The magazine boxes are set up differently on the Pre-64's. On the new ones the boxes come all the way up to underneath the rails whereas the pre-64's they were notched in underneath. The earlier ones had the rails timed to feed very well. Some of the newer ones don't.


As far as the original question how about a 9,3x64? Unfortunately the bolt is too large for the std. size head 9,3x62 if it was a 300 mag originally. The 9,3x64 is also a great round and fits sweetly into a Pre-64 action..................DJ


....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
01 March 2007, 02:32
ForrestB
quote:
Originally posted by Daks:
But by 1970, even Jack O'Connor said that Winchester had addressed every problem and the guns being produced were the equal to those made before 1964.


If JOC said that then its proof that he really was on the take from Winchester for all those years.

How many high-dollar customs have been built on post-64 pushfeeds?

TerryR, I almost forgot to reply to your question. Since your rifle was a standard magnum, another standard magnum would be the easiest solution by far. I'd build a 300 WM or a 338 WM, with a preference for the 300.


______________________________
"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon
01 March 2007, 02:59
Daks
I appreciate the information. Thanks!
01 March 2007, 03:00
Michael Robinson
quote:
Originally posted by ForrestB:
quote:
Originally posted by Daks:
But by 1970, even Jack O'Connor said that Winchester had addressed every problem and the guns being produced were the equal to those made before 1964.


If JOC said that then its proof that he really was on the take from Winchester for all those years.


I don't know about Jack O'Connor.

But I do know that in some of its post-1964 advertising, Winchester quoted its "Man in Africa," David Ommanney, as saying essentially the same thing about the push feed Model 70.

Only later, after he was off the Winchester payroll, did he modify his remarks and refer to the pre-64 Model 70 as the best there was.

Money can do strange things to a man's judgment.


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
01 March 2007, 03:30
MTM
There's only one serious choice...338
01 March 2007, 03:34
Daks
"Money can do strange things to a man's judgment."

Yeah, kinda makes you wonder if he wasn't on someone else's dime when he retracted that statement, doesn't it?

Anyhoo, thanks for the info.
01 March 2007, 04:29
Stoneybroke
quote:
"Money can do strange things to a man's judgment."

I stumbled on a pre-war low number, in 30-06, complete with Weaver K2.5 with exposed brass turrets at a VERY low price. Since I can't afford a gun-bearer to lug that 9 pounder, I walked it through a gun show in PA. Two gents got into a bidding war. The one that was ready to give up his first born got the rifle. Oh well, I get really silly about Mannlicher Shoenauers and pre Garcia Sako Foresters.
01 March 2007, 05:16
Michael Robinson
Forgot to mention I would go with a .338 Win. Mag. Wink


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
01 March 2007, 05:16
molar1
quote:
If you had a pre 64 model 70 action


I'd sell it or trade it for a 700 action Big Grin
01 March 2007, 07:03
raybass
264 winchester magnum or 7mm remington magnum probably the most useful to me. beer


Straight shootin to ya
01 March 2007, 07:12
30378
Its true value will only remain if you keep it as original as possible.


Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry any firearm. NRA Benefactor
01 March 2007, 08:09
DM
quote:
what rifle would you make/have made?


NONE, i'd sell it and use the $$ for something i'd much rather have.

DM
01 March 2007, 08:17
rembo
if it still has the 300 Win Mag barrel in it and everything is in decent shape I'd leave it alone. A Pre'64 M70 300 Winny is on my list of rifles I wish I'd kept...they were a one year only deal in '63....about 5000 made..
01 March 2007, 17:22
Thomas Jones
Personaly, I would either leave it alone , or do somthing you can,t just go buy at the local gun shop.
I would 1st think about a .358 Norma mag.
But A wildcat on the new .375 ruger case might be a great idea too !
I don't know what or where you hunt so mabye if you shoot in wyomong or some such open country, the .264 makes more sence.
If you go .264 get a 26 inch tube...tj3006


freedom1st
01 March 2007, 18:59
djpaintles
quote:
Originally posted by molar1:
quote:
If you had a pre 64 model 70 action


I'd sell it or trade it for a 700 action Big Grin


If you ever do come across a Pre-64 action there would be a line of people at your door willing to trade off a POS 700 for a Pre-64 action. Heck I'd go buy you a brand new 700 rifle to trade for a good pre-64 action.....................DJ


....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
01 March 2007, 23:57
Bear in Fairbanks
TerryR:
I too would go with the .338 Mag. I'd also spend the money & get a Kreiger barrel and install a set of open sights as a backup.
Bear in Fairbanks


Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes.

I never thought that I'd live to see a President worse than Jimmy Carter. Well, I have.

Gun control means using two hands.

02 March 2007, 01:52
grizz007
If it was just the action .. perhaps it would be for my second 9.3 x 64 and as stated if it was barreled in the 300 winny I would opt for it as is and not change a darn thing.
02 March 2007, 03:13
molar1
Originally posted by DJpaintless:
quote:
If you ever do come across a Pre-64 action there would be a line of people at your door willing to trade off a POS 700 for a Pre-64 action. Heck I'd go buy you a brand new 700 rifle to trade for a good pre-64 action.....................DJ


DJ, don't confuse the quality of their rifles with the quality of their actions. I agree that Rem rifles as they come from the factory are indeed a POS. The action is the only thing worth having IMO. Unless I am hunting DG, I have no need for, nor desire a claw extractor and controlled round feeding, but to each his own.