Gents,

Found a nice Pre-64 M70 in .338. I think the gun would be a good hunting rifle - it is probably 90% metal and 95% wood. One thing: the holes in the receiver are missing the plugs and they appear to be a little larger than on say a 30-06. I started to wonder if they had been "opened-up" or re-tapped.

Questions:

1.) should the holes be the same, regardless of caliber?

2.) how hard will it be to find plugs (although I'll probably put a scope on the gun anyway?

3.) asking price is $1,600. Reasonable given year and condition?

Thanks

This is my all-time favourite rifle, I have had five of them and currently have four in very nice shape. I have lots of fine rifles, but, I will never be without a P-64 "Alaskan" shooting 250 NPs.

Yours sounds good and the holes in the receiver may be opened to 8/40 from 6/48, all of mine have had this done in order to strengthen the scope mounting system. Even if the side holes for a receiver sight were opened, no biggie as Brownell's sells 8/40 plug screws which will fit neatly. I use a receiver sight on all mine with a 1 piece Leupy QR base and high rings with a Sourdough front; this gives me both a scope and ghost ring sight option with the twist of two levers, a sound idea in B.C.'s conditions.

The price sounds about right given the condition and if a gunsmith checks it out as a-ok, I would buy it. Install a Rimrock, High Tech or Brown stock, or, a D'Arcy Echols Micky if you can afford it and whatever scope/mounts you like; then, take it hunting and you will never let it go. These were made in the days when Winchester and America built REAL rifles and no rifle made in factory trim is superior for really tough conditions or big game.

Its no bargin but probably worth the price...be sure the holes are in line would be my first prioriy, if its been monkied with..sounds like they have been enlarged to 8/40s perhaps and thats a good thing, but only if it was done properly...A better caliber would be hard to find, my .338 is the last gun I would ever part with, other than my family guns.