I was just curious what the barrel tension screw is used for on a standard weight pre 64 model 70? It seems like this would make the gun extremely finicky when it comes to accuracy. I was thinking about buying one of these rifles but am concerned about the screw and accuracy. THANKS!

The tensioning screw is one of the reasons for the Pre-64's generally excellent accuracy. If you have access to older "Rifle" and/or "Handloader" magazines. Ross Seyfried wrote a good article on them and how to use the tension screw to best advantage.
Best advice is: If you find a good Pre-64 at a fair price you can afford Buy-it. They are a true classic that will hold value better than 99% of the other rifles you might choose......DJ

Some of them shoot well with tension and other do not..I try them and mark the screw at the accuracy spot..Sometimes I take them out and free float the barrel if they shoot better that way..then I cut the screw and glass it in to the echeon for looks..also knock out the barrel lug..but only if I intend to keep the gun and if its not quit collectable.

I have owned a few M-70's and some shot best with tension on the screw and some shot best with the screw taken out completely. Each gun seems to be an individual and you will need to try it with various amounts of tension. That said, they are great guns, although a little heavy, and all of mine have shot very well. My advice- buy it,you'll like it.

Think of the forend screw as a kind of "BOSS". Playing with the forend tension can enable you to tune the rifle. At the very least it gives you several options that Ray eluded to in his post. You can use it, adjust it, remove it or free float it easily.

It is possible the forend screw tension will make the rifle shoot to it's best possible potential.

I always pull the screw out, because there is problem with the barrel forend screw that I haven't read on this thread.

If the wood moves, so does the point of impact.

For a hunting rifle, I would rather have a rifle that shoots the first bullet to a consitant point of impact, than a 1" 5 shot group.

Just my thought.

Unless the barrel if free floated it's going to change the pressure on the barrel anyway. Mine stays sighted in good enough for game hunting with the screw tight.

A friend has had a 270 for a long time and he took the screw out.

Roger makes a good point..I would rather have a 2" free floated gun that shoots big clover leafs than a 1/2" gun with pressure on the barrel, at least for a hunting rifle..I place dependability in dogs,horses,guns,men and wimmen first and foremost

Ray , Got that that right..... I place trust in Dogs , horses , guns and other peoples dogs I dont even know way before them wimmmens.....