Replacement stock for pre-64 M70?

06 January 2019, 23:30

I have stumbled upon a Winchester M70, actio made around 1958. It is a .338 Win mag, doughnut barrel. An Alaskan model I guess but no such markings on it.

The blueing is in great condition and the bore looks new. However, the stock is badly cracked from the recoil lug to the pistol grip.

I’m now looking to find a budget friendly replacement stock so that I can shoot the gun and see what kind of accuracy it gives me before I decide what to do with it.

What would you recommend, who makes a drop in,more or less, stock for this gun?

Klein.

06 January 2019, 23:40

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

I understand those a pretty desirable guns...You might REALLY look for a factory stock. ..Or glue up your damaged stock and have a good man duplicate and finish up to factory specs

06 January 2019, 23:52

Bill Leeper

If the stock does not have pieces missing and is not oil-soaked,it can be repaired so the repair is nearly invisible and the stock stronger than it was when new. Regards, Bill

07 January 2019, 00:08

TJAY

Boyds has them as low as 137.00

07 January 2019, 01:38

p dog shooter

quote:
Originally posted by Bill Leeper:
If the stock does not have pieces missing and is not oil-soaked,it can be repaired so the repair is nearly invisible and the stock stronger than it was when new. Regards, Bill

Plus 1.

I fixed a couple really broken up stocks on the inside.

07 January 2019, 03:11

Jim Kobe

quote:
Originally posted by TJAY:
Boyds has them as low as 137.00

Don't buy the Boyd's. They are a P.O.S. I recently verified that when I purchased on to be use for a pattern stock

If your stock's exterior is decent, it can be repaired to stronger than new as stated above.

07 January 2019, 05:41

dpcd

Ok, to a high end custom gunmaker, Boyds stocks are crap. They are CNC made and one size, fits sort of, well enough. But for the average guy who wants a drop in stock to replace his tupperware factory one, they are fine. They are not a $4000 hand made stock and are not advertised as such. Each has it's niche in the market and you can't really compare them.
But for your pre 64, if the metal is mint and not used and abused, try to get an original. If it is already worn, then it doesn't matter.

07 January 2019, 07:24

Toomany Tools

I have mostly budget-minded customers who hunt with the one or two rifles they own, so for them I install a lot of Boyd’s stocks and they work great.

07 January 2019, 07:45

Mark Clark

Try here. I have bought a few parts from them.
https://pre64win.com/collections/stocks

07 January 2019, 12:19

Klein

Thank you all for your input!

I have been reluctant to have the original stock repaired because I’m not sure if that ruins the “value” of it, it no longer being 100% original.
If the gun shoots fine I’ll keep it and use it for hunting. If it does not shoot so well I’d like to sell it to some one who is in to collecting pre-64s

If I use it for hunting I would like to have a stock that is glass bedded and with a longer LOP to fit me.

If I use the original stock, would you consider it to be sacrilege to bed it at the same time as the crack through the recoil lug is fixed and add a piece of wood to the but end to get proper LOP? I’m not worried about the actual dollar value as I, like I said, will probably never sell the rifle but about the “emitional” value.

Klein

07 January 2019, 17:39

devere

Klein: I've hunted with pre-64s almost exclusively now for 30+ years. I have a half dozen that are strictly using rifles and a few collectors. In my using rifles, I've refinished stocks when necessary, and in one case replaced a stock from a magnum caliber rifle. In those rifles, I want functional, reliable rifles for the elements including several hunts in Alaska. BOTH a Boyds and factory can be made to work well, but I agree with the other posts that a good wood man can most likely fix that stock just fine. Fixing it will not, in my opinion, lessen the value any more being that it already has a substantial crack. If you decide to get rid of the factory, bear in mind that if it has the solid red factory pad, that itself is worth some money. You see them advertised often on e-bay but I don't know exactly what they end up going for. Good Luck.

07 January 2019, 19:41

dpcd

You should get a Boyds laminated stock in your choice of style and color. Glass bed it and put a one inch recoil pad on it. For less than the price of fixing your original one. If your hunting involves any rain, snow, mud, rough handling, then the Boyds stock will not be affected. It sounds as if your rifle is not in mint condition but rather is a used, hunter; you won't hurt it any more by using it. As for your original stock, keep it; some future owner might want it.. But yes, once you bed it and add wood to it, it is no longer collectable, if it is now.

07 January 2019, 20:22

p dog shooter

quote:
But yes, once you bed it and add wood to it, it is no longer collectable, if it is now.

I wouldn't think a broken stock would have much collectors value.

The only way it is useable is to fix it.

As far as cost to fix it what 20 bucks or so for some accu-glass and a bit of time.

Not much if one does the labor.

Hiring some one else for sure. But if you hire some one to bed the new stock you have to add that cost to.

If you can bed a new stock you can bed and fit the old one.

07 January 2019, 20:30

Duane Wiebe (CG&R)

quote:
Originally posted by devere:
Klein: I've hunted with pre-64s almost exclusively now for 30+ years. I have a half dozen that are strictly using rifles and a few collectors. In my using rifles, I've refinished stocks when necessary, and in one case replaced a stock from a magnum caliber rifle. In those rifles, I want functional, reliable rifles for the elements including several hunts in Alaska. BOTH a Boyds and factory can be made to work well, but I agree with the other posts that a good wood man can most likely fix that stock just fine. Fixing it will not, in my opinion, lessen the value any more being that it already has a substantial crack. If you decide to get rid of the factory, bear in mind that if it has the solid red factory pad, that itself is worth some money. You see them advertised often on e-bay but I don't know exactly what they end up going for. Good Luck.

Dead ringer duplicate Winchester pads are available from Galazan

07 January 2019, 21:02

dpcd

I was just envisioning a tiny little crack in the recoil lug area of a mint, flat new original stock. Without pictures, my mind sees that.
Any wear on it at all, or on the metal and you have a shooter grade rifle that you can do with what you want.

07 January 2019, 21:12

Johral

There's an MPI over on 24HCF for under $300

07 January 2019, 23:08

MileHighShooter

Theres a rough original pre64 on 24CF as well for 195

08 January 2019, 07:18

Bobster

Indeed, it's easy. I fix them all the time. Acra-glass with no colorant (it weakens the bond). 45 min cure Devcon is just as good. Drill across the crack after cure and epoxy in a brass all thread. When cured dress the thread end and bed the action. Make sure rear tang has several thou clearance for any setback so not to split wrist.

quote:
Originally posted by p dog shooter:
quote:
But yes, once you bed it and add wood to it, it is no longer collectable, if it is now.

I wouldn't think a broken stock would have much collectors value.

The only way it is useable is to fix it.

As far as cost to fix it what 20 bucks or so for some accu-glass and a bit of time.

Not much if one does the labor.

Hiring some one else for sure. But if you hire some one to bed the new stock you have to add that cost to.

If you can bed a new stock you can bed and fit the old one.

08 January 2019, 22:04

Gary MacDonald

I've got a pre64 factory stock . It may be a pre war light weight . It's been many years since I found the paper I wrap in the stock to remind me what it came off of . I've got the stock just not the paper . I only know how to email pics . I know I sold the steel butt plate . Email if interested ggmac5@aol.com

09 January 2019, 12:16

Klein

Thanks again everyone!

From your advice I have decided to get the original stock repaired and then, depending on how the gun shoots, either have the stock professionally refinished and go do some hunting or else sell the rifle to some one who is in to pre-64s.

Klein