I have an interesting problem/opportunity - bear with me...

I have a pre-64 Model 70 in .375 H&H, all original but altered (re-blued, stock trimmed for recoil pad, open sights taken off). I have shot the gun and accuracy is not a problem with the factory barrel (1" or so at 100 yds). The finish on the stock is worn in places. The bluing is very good.

Problem - I paid too much for this gun ($1700) and I have 3 other new Model 70's in .375 H&H. I have only 3 hunters in the house and we use these guns every other year on trips to Africa. I was overcome by the "I want to own a pre-64" disease, but have since healed up and realized that if it shoots straight and works, no need to have a "collector's" gun (yes, I now know this is not a collector's gun, duh and shame on me). I did the same thing with duck stamp prints but that is a different story. I will try to never collect anything again, except cash and memories of trips to Africa, but that is another tale....

Solutions -
1. Sell the odd ball at a loss to someone in love with pre-64's. Worth somewhere between $1200 and $1500 based on offers I have had. Keep the money for the next trip to Africa.

2. "Doll" this gun up and take it to the dance. Re-install open sights (which ones???), re-finish the stock to a non-glare oiled finish, or re-stock and refurb with a solid gunsmith like the Biesen's or Mark Stratton or ??

3. What would you do or suggest? I hate having "stuff" laying around that does not carry it's own load. In other words, things at my house need to be there for a purpose. Right now, Mr. pre-64 has no purpose.

Help with constructive ideas... Especially you guys with great imaginations....

Well if it is already an altered pre-64 then no harm done doing something else to it.
Here's a thought; ready the gun for an Africa trip for example Williams front sight, Brockmans pop up rear peap, scope it with a 1.5-5 Leupold or 2-7 or 2.5 -8, re-finish stock to oil, find a good 300 grain load for it and take the thing to Africa and if it still doesn't float your boat sell it off as a Safari ready and proven rig or use it as a tip for your PH. My guess is someone over there would be thrilled with it and use it until it is threadbare as a rifle like that was intended.

Just a thought

Sell it and move on. I'm not a collector, and only keep the guns that I have a use for or interest in, and when the interest fades, they move on to provide funds for something else.

You'll only be more dollars behind if you do something else to it, and it sounds like you still won't really care for it.

I vote for number one since you have three others. Number two is pouring money into a gun that will be worth no more than it is now.

BUT, if you decide to go ahead and doll it up, Jim Wisner makes a reproduction pre-64 express rear sight and the D'Acy Echols Legend fiberglass stock will make it a different toy than the other three.

I would fix it up with a replacement front and rear sights, refinish the stock or have Biesen put on a custom handle if I could afford it and sell the other three 375s. The pre-64 action is much better than even the latest Mod 70 action IMO.

465H&H

#1, DUMP IT.

Why put anymore money in a rifle you do not like? And you stated that you have too much in it now. Get what you can for it and use it on your next hunt,

Hog Killer

Thanks, just posted this baby for sale in the classifieds...

Your advice was helpful...

and i'll be the voice of reason..

just like springfield 1903a3, this will skyrocket in price..

6 or 8 years ago, you could buy a cmnplete 1903a3 from sarco, for less than a c note...

today it's 4-5 TIMES that...

I would suggest holding on to it a year or so, THEN selling it

jeffe

Actually Jeff, that's the voice of a broker testing his client's tolerance for risk.

YOu guys are something else!!!

My experience in the "gun tradin' business" is that it is very hard to make any money. If you are not a pro, then knowing what to hold onto and what to sell is a problem.

I just like to have stuff that I use a lot..

Jeffeosso - if this is something you want to play with, send me a pm with an offer.... I will send pics for free...

I have another option for you.
Since I looked at the photos and was also in the process of buying another I had to pass on yours. You were correct that the purchase price was a bit high but you have the foundation of any wildcat you choose with that action and caliber. It is already altered so fear not. It is already past the true value as a pre-64 with a bubble that I suspect will burst within a couple of years and I don't see the rifle making up the difference.
There are some really honest wildcats out there that could shine with that solid and magnum length action. Think about 450 Ackley, or maybe a Gibbs or Lott or one of the new AR rounds.
Or as Jeff suggests just put it away and wait a while. Forget about it and when you next remember, it may be worth a ton more.
Or sell it to me for a little loss and wash your hands of it all.
Frank

quote:

. "Doll" this gun up and take it to the dance. Re-install open sights (which ones???), re-finish the stock to a non-glare oiled finish, or re-stock and refurb with a solid gunsmith like the Biesen's or Mark Stratton or ??

3. What would you do or suggest?

No. 2!! I'd use a sidemounted scope (G&H or Jaeger) and a Lyman aperture rear like a 48 or 57, and a Sourdough up front......

I think I might consider rebarreling and either restocking or refinishing the stock you have. A 300 H&H would be cool in africa too.
Or go the other way and do a 416 or even a 458 lott.
Or mabye think of somthing you might want to trade it on.
I have allways thought the .358 STA is a cool round and thought of doing one on my Classic 7mmSTW, but since that one has a chance to be prety valuable some day . I think I will sit on it, mabye get my self a p-14 for an sta or an 03 a3 and do a 358 Norma instead.
I could talk all day on the varios posibilities of that rifle.
As a matter of fact the7mm STW is a prety cool round for hunting here in the states...tj3006

Sell.

Doll it up, sell the rest of them, and use this one! It's already shown its a shooter! UNless of course, it doesn't feed right and won't hold 3 down easily. Those old ones are smoooth.

I don't know how chopped up it is, doesnt sound to bad, but I didnt read in detail.

I'd put some sights on it swap the pad for a red rubber winchester repro pad and shoot it like you got good sense, you won't get your money back out of it either way you go.

I'd consider the original purchase price a sunken cost and forget about it. Then I'd probably use it as a donor action for a custom rifle.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,
What you build - .404 Jeffery, .458 Lott or ? Assume this is a DG rifle and that I have 3 other .375's.

Thanks for the help and advice.

No need to throw more money out the window and hope it shall come back in thru the door. Sell or trade for something you want!!

Cheers
/JOHAN

dogcat,
PM replied to. My vote would be for a Lott.
Cheers,
Canuck