I just bought a Pre 64 Model 70 300 H&H made in 1952 in absolutely MINT condition.
The only thing that is not original is the recoil pad which is a Pachmeyer.

I paid $950 out the door for it.

My plans for this rifle is to send it to someone who can blueprint/accurise it for me & hunt with it.(Any suggestions ???)

This is my first Pre 64 Model 70 & I'm wondering if I did OK in regards to whatI paid for it versus what it's going value is regards to a Pre 64 Model 70 in 300 H&H.

I figured for the condition it's in & the fact that I've always wanted a 300 H&H I did OK.

Look forward to hearing back from some of the Pre 64 model 70 experts.

Thanks

You got a good price. The price for the action alone is about $700 to $750. Since a pad has been added, the rifle is now a shooter and it sounds like that is what you want it for.

I also have a Pre-64 M70 300H&H and will be taking it to Africa with me next week as my "light" rifle.

With respect to blueprinting/accurizing, I suggest you give it a good cleaning (use Wipeout to remove all copper fouling) mount a good quality scope (Leupold, etc.) and take it to the range prior to having anyone touch it. These guns are typically good shooters and 1952 is a very good quality year.

Since you purchased a 300H&H, I assume you handload. With a little load development, I would be surprised if you could not get it to shoot under MOA with Nosler Partitions, Barnes TSX's, Swift A-frames, and other top quality hunting bullets.

Give it a try and let us know how it shoots. Good luck.

Tim

While I don't consider myself an expert on pre 64 M70's I think you did OK. A classic chambering in mint condition, what more could a discriminating rifleman ask for? Shoot it first and see how it does. If it's not up to your standards, proceed.

That is an outstanding price. H&H usually go for 12-1300 bucks or more especially if it's the condition like yours. It's a joy to handload for. I obtained real good results with IMR-4350 and 180gr Partitions ( max book load of 65gr) but I think you can do better velocity wise. Good luck! jorge

No, you way overpaid, but being the nice guy that I am I will give you your money back for it so you won't have to lose any money on the deal .

Seriously though, you did well. I am still looking for a nice 300 H&H "user", and would have been happy to find the one that you got.

Good shooting,
Jim

I've owned a great many pre-64 Model 70s over the years, and most of them shot very, very well in factory-original condition. I would NOT have someone "accurize" that .300 H&H! All they'll do is ruin it, and likely won't help accuracy at all. If you tighten the screws properly and work up some good handloads, that rifle should shoot with superb accuracy. The year 1952 was a very good one for the Model 70........

AD

Odd coincidence, Winchester is offering the Mod. 70 in .300 H&H at this time in sort of a "Classic" thing, I suppose like Remmy does. It's on their web site, don't know price. My .02 worth, you done fine, shoot it before you let somebody screw it up. Might not need any attention at all. Gun like that would have to shoot pretty damn crappy before I did anything to it anyway. JMO.

Where on the website do you see a model 70 300 H&H?

That's a good price considering the in demand caliber. There was one for sale here that I mentioned in Classifieds and it sold to an AR member. That one was a parts gun made up from orginal Winchester parts. It sold for $850 with a 3-9 Leu Compact.

Of course shoot it first. Start right off with 180 gr bullets, suitable powder and magnum primers. If it does not shoot well at all after some stock screw experiments then consider a delicate crown job.

I have made brass out of 375 H&H's to set the shoulder for headspace and it does not seem to help a lot.

You have heard the phrase that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? That is the way it is with Pre-64 Model 70's.

As opposed to the other guys I think you payed a little too much for the thing, but hey, if you wanted it and are happy what the heck?

I never understood why pre-64 Model 70's could command the prices they did, but that is just my opinion.

I once owned a pre-64 in 300 H&H that I picked up in a trade. I gave the guy a shotgun for it that was worth maybe $400.

It was not MINT, it was a shooter. And shoot it did! With any number of powders I could get over 3000 fps with 180 grain bullets and the groups were very good.

I would not let anyone work on it unless it really needs it.
Just take it out and shoot it as is.

The one I had shot quite well. The 300 H&H actually is a sleeper of a cartridge. Good performance and often very good accuracy.

I sold the one I had as I already had a 300 Win Mag and a 300 Wby Mag, enough already.

I think you will enjoy your new, old, rifle.

R F

I think you made a good buy.

I would shoot it before even dreaming about sending it somewhere for modifications.

If there is any doubt in your mind, send me an E-Mail and I'll buy the gun from you and give you $100. profit.

I have the same rifle, but a '57 vintage. Shoot it first. With 180gr factory Winchester FailSafes, mine shoots .3's with no work at all done to it.

That was a good buy, particularly if it is mint, regardless of pad. I would not alter it, it probably shoots just fine now.

I think it was a pretty good price for a mint rifle. I paid almost that much for a Pre-War "shooter" with refinished wood and a drilled rear bridge. It is a little easier to find unmolested rifles among the later production with the factory-drilled rear bridge.

I have the same rifle, vintage 1939. It's dead stock. The safety takes a little getting used to and the rear bridge isn't drilled so I use Stith mounts and an old 2.25x Zeiss Zeiklein. I use a slip-on recoil pad that actually doesn't look as bad as you would think. It has always shot well. A little trick is to be sure all your screws are tight (you don't have to lean on the screwdriver) then fiddle with the screw in the barrel boss. Mine likes the screw with just a little bit of tension. I've a 1953 '06 that likes it real tight. Good Shooting!

Jim

I appreciate all the replys & the offers
I agree that I'll definitely have to work some loads up & see what I have before I decide what to do.
One of the things I plan on doing is to make a new stock for it. I have a great piece of French Walnut & a very nice piece of English that I'm thinking of using on this rifle.

I think on my way to having a "Nice" rifle.

A great Pre-64 Model 70 in a great caliber with a very nice piece of wood.

What more could I ask for ???