The Accurate Reloading Forums
M70 value...?
09 July 2010, 00:13
Idaho SharpshooterM70 value...?
For decades now I have been told that the old model 70 is THE most desirable action to build a custom rifle on. Some will argue the better 98's, but the pre-64 is one of the two best.
I also read that a complete action is a $700? item. I have one for sale, but not a single bite.
Rich
09 July 2010, 00:50
butchlocoh alright I'll give you $20 for it

09 July 2010, 01:01
Idaho Sharpshooterit's good to have friends...
Rich
DRSS
09 July 2010, 01:16
jsl3170rich,
may i sadly assume it's a rh action?
Jeff
09 July 2010, 01:27
airgun1I checked you ad. A picture or two may help sell it here at that price.
That serial number puts that as a prewar receiver. The rear bridge was not factory drilled unless a special order (needs documentation).
An unmolested prewar stock is a big plus; I believe you posted elsewhere that this has a peep notchout. The rarer/older the gun the less mods the better as far as restoration goes. Even if the metal was super clean a guy looking to restore is going to run because unmolested prewar stocks are few and far between and go for nearly what you are asking for the gun.
Your price is a tad high. You are short $200 worth of action parts. A few pics may help sell it here. Pics would also help to sell it on GunBroker. Nothing is absolute, but your SN puts it as a prewar and not a Transition model. Pics would clear that up.
PA Bear Hunter, NRA Benefactor
09 July 2010, 06:51
ted thornNo bottom?
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09 July 2010, 06:58
Toomany ToolsSince you asked I'll be frank. Here's the deal: things change and the demand has dropped. I buy pre-64 complete rifles in good overall condition, in .30-06 or .270 for right around $500 (I have four right now and one is a Featherweight, so $650 for a rifle that is not complete is way too high a price...at least for my market. The rifle you describe would be worth around $400 at most around here...but markets vary around the country so you may want to try Gunbroker.
John Farner
If you haven't, please join the NRA!
quote:
Originally posted by jsl3170:
rich,
may i sadly assume it's a rh action?
Jeff
weren't they all?
09 July 2010, 07:47
Mike_DettorreI would agree with John. I have seen a fair number of pre-64's in 270/30-06 in serviceable shape very good to very good plus for around $650. So one missing a $150-$200 of parts with noticeable wear is $400-$450 max.
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
09 July 2010, 07:50
jsl3170tongue in cheek 22wrf, obviously lost in translation.
09 July 2010, 20:52
Idaho Sharpshootergranted.
But, I hear all the time that builders take the basic action and replace everything else. This one is a good place to start, and you are not trashing a complete rifle with collector value.
Whatever, it will make a very nice something if I don't sell it. 6,5x68 Shuler?
Thanks,
Rich
09 July 2010, 21:52
J.D.SteeleGood used M70 bbl = $50-$120
Good used M70 stock = $40-$140
Good used M70 bottom metal = ~$100
Good used M70 sling swivels, iron sights and buttplate = $50-$100
So, the cannibalized parts from a typical M70 will bring ~$240-$460, let's say $350 salvage value plus the complete receiver and bolt or $250 salvage plus the complete action.
Plus the added hassle of selling the parts separately, leaving the action worth even less. So IMO a complete average M70 should sell for no more than $750 at max in order for me to be interested at all. And even then I'd be more-or-less swapping dollars.....JMO.
Regards, Joe
__________________________
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I just paid a gent in Cloverdale, VA $775 for a "complete" pre-64 M70 action made between 1948 and 1958. I'll know the ser # next week when it arrives.
Alan
10 July 2010, 18:31
butchlambertI was offered a prewar Mod 70 yesterday in 375 H&H Improved. It is a complete rifle for $650. plus shipping and ins. It has an old Baush&Lomb 2x8 scope. The top rings are drilled and tapped and it has holes plugged on the LH side from a previous sidemount. It is well used and the stock has a split near the tang. Sounds kinda Iffy to me.
Butch
10 July 2010, 19:07
M1Tankerquote:
Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
granted.
But, I hear all the time that builders take the basic action and replace everything else. This one is a good place to start, and you are not trashing a complete rifle with collector value.
You are exactly right about most of the parts being replaced. But the deal is that most guys buy the COMPLETE rifle for $600 then sell off the odds and ends parts for a couple hundred to offset the cost a bit. $400-450 would be a far more reasonable asking price for what is essentially a parts gun or a restoration project.
William Berger
True courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
The courageous may not live forever, but the timid do not live at all.
10 July 2010, 19:30
Boss HossI have bought one as a donor (was a 300 H&H) for 600 that was in great condition. Only use the 98's now for builds because the Model 70 is just too bulky.
Seems that in the last few years the values have stayed flat to decreased somewhat.
When you go to the Guild show it seems that there are fewer Model 70's but there are still members displaying them.
10 July 2010, 21:54
kcstottAnd Rule #1 in selling anything
It's not what it's worth, But what you can get. Sometimes it's worth more then what you can get and sometimes it's considerably less
www.KLStottlemyer.comDeport the Homeless and Give the Illegals citizenship. AT LEAST THE ILLEGALS WILL WORK
12 July 2010, 22:31
Bob NisbetI guess that the value of the Pre-64 Model 70s is still influenced by the caliber.
When I look at the 375 H&Hs, they are still at stratosphere prices, and the pre-War 375s are more yet.
Latest asking for the 375s I have seen was pushing well beyone $2200.
Bob Nisbet
DRSS & 348 Lever Winchester Lover
Temporarily Displaced Texan
If there's no food on your plate when dinner is done, you didn't get enough to eat.
13 July 2010, 03:22
butchlambertSo I should look again at the 375H&H Improved again at $650?
Butch
13 July 2010, 03:45
ted thornquote:
Originally posted by kcstott:
And Rule #1 in selling anything
It's not what it's worth, But what you can get. Sometimes it's worth more then what you can get and sometimes it's considerably less
I just found that out a couple weeks ago after my wife and I sold our weekend house on the river.
We didn't do as good as we had hoped for.
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Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper
Proudly made in the USA
Acepting all forms of payment
13 July 2010, 03:49
vapodogquote:
so $650 for a rifle that is not complete is way too high a price...

I've had offers to buy entire pre-64 rifles complete for that much!
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13 July 2010, 18:32
Jim KobeI guess it is where you find the seller. I have a few I would not sell for that.
Jim Kobe
10841 Oxborough Ave So
Bloomington MN 55437
952.884.6031
Professional member American Custom Gunmakers Guild
13 July 2010, 20:09
J.D.SteeleHave sold for less and have sold for more, depends on the condition and rarity, see my SWAG at prices above. Recently have sold 'em for as little as $500 (butchered FW) and as much as $2000 (
EXC 375H&H). Sold a very nice '53-vintage 270 with Win solid pad, this one was a true MOA rifle, for $700. Sold to a friend, admittedly, but still IMO the price was almost as much as the retail value around here.
'Around here' and 'cash' are important caveats when pricing anything(G).
Regards, Joe
__________________________
You can lead a human to logic but you can't make him think.
NRA Life since 1976. God bless America!
14 July 2010, 00:36
airgun1You should have it bought it by now!!!
quote:
Originally posted by butchlambert:
So I should look again at the 375H&H Improved again at $650?
Butch
PA Bear Hunter, NRA Benefactor