Well, Winchesters are different!!! Actually, I have to admit that I also get caught up in this and sometimes moan and howl about guys modifying relatively rare, classic rifles, each of us has different views on this and we all probably vary a bit, from day to day. My basic premise is that I will modify where something like a split stock or severely worn finish is involved and will keep minty specimens totally stock, ecept where a babypiss yellow stock is concerned!!!

I would drill and tap and even glassbed a rifle such as Frank's, but, where Savage's Mod. 70 is concerned, the best course of action is for him to just send it to me, prepaid, for inclusion in my collection! My gunsafe is terribly crowded, but, I try to help my AR pals out!

I have received a couple of P.M.s and replied thereto, I will just say that I hoard my old gunparts as I frequently find rifles in need of refurbishing, so, I don't want to sell any items I now have.

Well, each to his own, I have three of these, one of which is the very rare "roundbolt" style. When I got it, the metal was pretty good, but, the stock was beat, so, I stripped it, sanded it and glassbedded the entire action mortise and barrel channel; then, I had it re-chambered from 7mm Mauser to .280 Rem. and it shoots like sweet perfection. I also had the safety changed to a two position Mod. 70 style and the bottom metal modified to take a single trigger, as I hate double set triggers. This is MY rifle and I will use it as I see fit.

I bought another in 7mm, nearly mint and have kept it stock, so far, but, I may change it, if I so desire. My third one came with buggered dsts and a beat stock, although the metal was very good. I pulled the bbl. and everything else and fitted a 1909 Argy bottom metal unit, it will get a Blackburn trigger and Gentry 3-pos. safety and a Serengeti stock as it becomes a .338-06.

I also have two ZG-47s both mint and stripped one for the action as it had a horrible, yellow stock and the short bbl. and it will get the Gentry safety and become a 9.3x62. I also have stripped several P-64 Mod. 70s to build custom rifles as I USE my rifles for serious hunting and will modify them to suit my needs.

These are TOOLS and not the Crown Jewels, although they are very fine rifles, at least the barrels and actions, the stocks are pretty crappy, although well fitted, especially in the 721-22 series. I think that it is up to the owner of any object to use and dispose of it as he sees fit, that is one of many reasons why I oppose state gun control.