So a local shop has an old pre-64 featherweight 243 on the used shelf. Slick action, nice shape. Replacement, poorly finished stock and borescope shows a very poor bore condition for the first 3" of rifling, a lot of fire cracking and eroded lands in the throat.

Action is clean and cycles like it should, meaning smooth as hell. What is the value on the actions now? Just curious as I don't need another project, but I keep thinking about the damnded thing.

One thought was to rebore/rifle to 6.5, 308, or even a 358 if that muzzle is big enough and make a nice hunter out of it, but I just can't come up with a winning purchase amount that would make it worth it.

Go to GunsInternational.com and search pre-'64 M70s. There are bunches and bunches for sale. Condition determines value & well used M70s don't bring much. I've paid as little as $600 for a pre-war M70 in .30-06 with a good action but other problems. I'd be reluctant to pay much more than $600 to $750 for a M70 action, but the gun shop owner is bound to want much more for the shot-out M70. Unfortunately, the glory days of M70s and M12s have come and gone, the exception being rare or pristine pieces.

I just sent payment for one, $600

I’m still hesitant on it and they’re asking $700...I was thinking $500 would be top end. We’ll see what they say.

I normally sell standard (30.06) for $650.
Standard magnums (264/338) for $750
Long magnums (300H&H/375) for $850.
Fwts usually sell for at least $600 because of the aluminum bottom metal.

I buy mod. 70s for $500 to $600 in very good condition at local gun show every year..Your buying a action, only, Id say $400 to perhaps $500 tops..

Yes. $700 is too much. Pitting absent, $500 is more like it. Nice prospect for a dandy .338 Federal. Might need to open up the ramp a little. But, maybe not.

Ditto to what Atkinson said. $450-ish for a 1948 to 1963 one as you described. 1946-47 transitional models (clamshell top safety lever) seem to be slower movers because of the safety. Not sure what earlier ones are bringing.

Well I ended up with it...traded 3000+ rounds of Russian surplus 5.45x39 ammo I had $340 invested in andno use for. Talked myself into it...now to decide on a good caliber for another hunting rifle...


As an aside, factory stock was refinished and in the process checkering was sanded off completely along with stock shortened and a red pad installed along with two diamond inlays added to the buttstock on each side...other than that slick action and I’m looking forward to building a nice little sporter. Thinking of 6mm Rem or a 250 Savage but I’m still brainstorming.

perfect platform for a wicked 358 winchester - my own tiny 358 is a mexican mauser, soda straw 20" barrel, and a repurposed 96 weight plastic stock... and remington sights + rem. bolt handle and timney trigger.. it's a dream to carry, accurate through 4 shots (5th is always a flyer due to heat) and hits piggies like a brick

358 was on the list as was the 284, but I have both already, the 358 in a BLR that shoots great. Going to have to think this one over a bit. Came with a Kassnar 4x scope which I kind of like, old Japan glass but still clear and in good shape.

Everybody needs a 308.

"Everybody needs a 308."

Indeed. And a M70 Fwt makes a very good hunting .308.

Have a 308 m70 pf too...fthwt bbl profile (youth) in a fthwt stock. Shoots really well with 150gr Lapua Mega’s.

So here’s my latest plan, replace the internal box for a full length and follower, duplicate contour and chamber for 7x57 and make a stock similar to Jack O’connor’s Sheep rifle #2 and top with a plain 4x scope.

turned mine into 6.5 x55

quote:

Originally posted by matt salm:
So here’s my latest plan, replace the internal box for a full length and follower, duplicate contour and chamber for 7x57 and make a stock similar to Jack O’connor’s Sheep rifle #2 and top with a plain 4x scope.

Sounds like you’re going to have a “classic” Rifle when completed.