Fireman, a word of caution: I recent installed a rings/base/scope on a new M70 Featherweight Classic, and the rifle was very "rough." Bolt release was stiff, bolt didn't cycle smoothly, and worst of all, the scope base holes were drilled off center.

Make sure you go over the rifle with a fine tooth comb before you make a committment to purchase for sure.

I also have a 243 Winchester Model 70 that the screws for the scope mount were drilled off center.

Is Winchester hiring the blind, or is this Affirmative Action at work??

Pretty depressing out of a good company like Winchester.

seafire

Guys thanks for the tips. I will go over the rifle very carefully.

One reason I am leaning towards a new rifle is that it will be mine, a keeper if you will. I have a tendancy to trade used rifles pretty frequently. If I buy a new one and go with some mild customizing I am more likly to keep it.

I did not want to go with a pre 64 because if I had some work done to it it would hurt the value. If I start with one that has already been altered I think I can find one for less than the new mod 70.

My favorite rifle is a fairly new M70 FWT Classic in 7mm-08. I had Mark Penrod of Penrod Precision redo the trigger and it is super. It is also one of the most accurate, trouble free rifles I've ever owned.
My ONLY complaint about this rifle is the availability of stocks. I bedded the stock, and it took me several different ways to get it how I liked. Now that I have it shooting to perfection, I would like to get a new walnut stock and bed it, so I'd have a beauty. Well it seems that over the last several years, Winny has changed the stocks a time or two. I keep buying off ebay and getting ones with deeper bottom metal cutouts, barrel channels (I figured that one out, the WSMs don't have the step down at the chamber that the standard calibers do) etc. Anyway, someday I'll find a good looking stock that fits.
Aside from that it's a super gun, and I love to shoot it and hunt with it.

I have a M70 Classic Stainless in 300WSM. The day I got it I had my gunsmith lessen the trigger to 2.5#s, square the bolt, and ordered a HS Precision stock. The gunsmith did some minor bedding, and the gun shoots sub MOA groups. I only own 2 rifles (the other a Rem 700 SS in 270 Win which was modified like the M70). Surprised to read here of the problems with M70s. Perhaps I got one which was assembled on a Thursday.

You could buy a used pre-64 mod. 70 that has already been ruined as a collector for about the price of a new rifle, modify the thing to your hearts desire and never loose any value. It will still bring what you bought it for in the future. Most of the barrels will shoot better than the average shooter can and you will have a true classic to boot.

I stopped today and took a quick look but did not have time to pull it apart. The screw holes are aligned and the reciever front and rear a flat. The tang looks good from the top but will check more when I pull it apart.

Brad how do you like those NECG sights? I want to add iron sights to this one. Much of my local deer hunting can be done with iron sights. It is hard to tell with out sights on it now but I think the stock(wood)does not have enough drop for iron sights. What do you guys think?

I have been thinking hard on a pre 64. Many are priced way highter than a new one. I have emailed a couple of guys that have 'em for sale but have not gotten any responses.

I am hoping to get this soon and use it this season. I won't get the custominzing done until winter

Brad, that's a "pretty" down and dirty, get-it-done type of rifle The more I think about it (read: M70 rifles) the more I want to build on them!