Just traded for a pre 64 model 70, in .308. The serial number checks out to 1953. The stock, floor plate and barrel are all featherweight, but there is no hole in the bolt Knob, as on my other pre 64 featherweight. A little reserch shows the .308 was a comercial cartridge starting in 52, The serial number is on the bolt, in a rather unprofessional scrawl, the proof marks on the barrel match up to he reciever, I guess the thing that throws me is the solid bolt knob, Any Ideas ? I am into tis rifle with an old M8 4X leupold 460.00, dollars so it would be hard to hurt my feelings since the action is probably woth at least that. The stock is not origional so unless it shoots real well I will probably have it rebarreld, to somthing cool like .257 Roberts AI...tj3006

Really hard to tell. The Pre 64's have probably been fooled with so much due to their value these days, it would be difficult even for an expert to determine.
A few of the featherweights slipped through without the bolt handle drilled. Also, the marking on the bolt sounds about right- I think they marked them with one of those electric pencils and they all look a little ragged. However, since you aren't sure if the stock is the original it really doesn't have much collector value and the featherweights usually have the least collector value anyway. The dead giveaway would be if the butt plate is plastic- if it is then it is a featherweight stock, but possibly not necessarily for that rifle.
At least you're not into it for much more than the action is worth.
I have one in 30-06 with the old 4X Weaver steel tube and it is a tremendous shooter. I'll be keeping it around for awhile until I decide what to do with it. At the least it will be my loaner rifle for visiting hunters. - Sheister

All of the early first run 308 featherweight rifles had solid bolts.I have two of them now and have seen many.

I have a 1953 featherwight 308 it has a small hole in the bolt handle , maybe its one of the first holes that is smaller , serial 2791xx. Its about a 1/4 " drill size maybe aliitle bigger. I just got mine a few months ago . Dosent seem shot much but was never cleaned. It cleaned up pretty good ,but the bore is ruff.

Here's a quote from Roger Rule's, "The Rifleman's Rifle":

" ...the next change in mid 1952. At that time, the ovoid bolt knob was drilled with a .275" diameter hole .425" deep in the underside, to reduce overall rifle weight. This was designed as a feature of the new Featherweight rifle also introduced in mid-1952. It was soon adapted to all Model 70 styles, but was one of the slower modifications to be implemented and actually did not occur on many early Featherweights"

hope this is helpful...Jim

Tj3006 ,, The bolt serial numbers on all mine are just sqribled on with a eletric pencil. Thats normal.





what is your serial #??

Thank you gentlemen !
It would seem then that mine is all origional parts. That is good. It has had a recoil pad put on and there is a name and ssn number on the bottom o fthe pistol grip. stamped so it doesnot look bad, but of corse it is not a colectors piece with those things done. I hve loaded up some 165 gain hornady over RL-15 and some 150 grain speers over varget. If it shoots well I will probaly leave it as is. If it does not shoot well, I will likly use the action for a custom.
thanks again guys ...tj3006