I agree GSP7,The one i just traded for is allready engraved on the aluminum floor plate,It looks quite good but i think i will try to replace it with a steel- one non engraved to keep it original.I will check around and see what i can find out about replacement parts.The sight is a little flip up type like is on a ruger,Lyman i think,I have seen some pre 64 winchesters with the older style sights with the 2 piece elavater type like on a30-30.I just dont know what year they quit putting that kind on.I have seen them on the 1950 year model with the dog knot in the barrel,mine is a featherweight and and does not have the dog knot,it does have a streight back stock though.....its in good shape and i am thinking about scopeing it with a leupold but just dont know what power/style yet,I hate to mess up the balance with one to big,What about a 2.5x8?Or 1.5x5VXiii?Any suggestions to try and keep the traditional looks and handling together?A leupold 1.75x6 power may be the best,but i really like those 8x settings for target/varmint/field/ work..... I do like to stalk/still hunt thickets with iron sights too ,especially scouting, with long range hikes where keeping weight down goes a long ways!!!I try to give the old buck a chance to outrun the bullet sometimes when i feel like tracking like a indian with a iron sighted bolt action...... Theres a lot of pride/skill in a hunt going one on one with abuck on the ground....Lots of fun too....i will have to see how well she shoots with irons before i make up my mind...Thanks guys

The M70's that came with the Monte Carlo cheekpiece are too high for me to really use the iron sights comfortably. I have had those rifles for a long time and have never used the irons. The stock fits a normal scope quite well.

Those old rifles look pretty good to me just as they are. But some must just have engraving. I admit I like it too.

Here is the 1953 version.




If I had this, and I do, I would leave it alone as it's just right as it is!

With your low comb you can use the irons. Get that Leu 2.5-8 and put it in Weaver Tip Off mounts with Weaver bases. The Weaver bases are very low and you can see the sights over them.

What is the barrel length on a pre 64 winchester model 70 in 308 caliber?What kind of iron sights came on them?Year 1957.If the floor plate is to be engraved and case colored should the engraveing be done first?Who makes nice custom replacement stocks for the pre 64 winchesters and what is a good price for a custom made stock?Should the streight back type stocks be used with a scope or are they built mainly for iron sight use?Did the 308 caliber come in a super grade?Can high energy/light magnum ammo be safely used in the old guns?

I have a pre 64 .308, featherweight. I have never seen a pre 64 308 that was not a featheer weight. I am not saying they don't exsist I just have never seen one, and I bet if you do find one it will be rare enough to be darned expensive. As far as the strength is concerned would not wory it is plenty strong. It sounds like you are going to do a custom. I wanted to make sure you know that the model 70 short actions were made on long actions meaning the magazine has a spacer. No problem function wise but if you are going to biuld a custom you might think about rebarelling , to a long action cartridge. A new magazine assembly is about 75.00 from numerich. Any goodstock maker woluld love to buildyou a stock, in wood, if you wanted to go synthetick, mc Miln has them. tj3006

I have a 1953 m70 308 featherwight also . Floor plate is aluminum on feathewieghts. Havent seen a standard rifle pre 64 308 either. Maybe a target model.

If I was searching to by a pre 64 model 70 featherwieght, I would not want one someone "customized" with engraveing.

I take a bone stock one everytime . Id say id rather have one with nics and scratches,"character" rather than one gussied up with engraveing.

Who could do up the bottom floor plate and trigger guard in metal/steel?I thought the metal was aluminum but wasnt sure.The little rifle is handy as all git out and I would love to restock it in a walnut stock as good/pretty as the kimber8400 rifles have....Does winchesters custom shop ever restock old model 70s?
Thanks for the help