I know where there is a Model 70 375 stock in original condition for 75 bucks, PM me if you want it and I'll get it for you.

A friend took on a very similar project recently. Someone had added a crude muzzle brake and butchered the original front sight, so he cut it off at the sight ramp, crowned the barrel (23"), added a NECG ramp front sight and express rear to cover the original holes and compliment the new front sight. He replaced the bottom metal with Williams, rust blued, restocked with a fairly decent semi inlet off eBay, ended up with a very nice rifle for not much money. The 23" barrel is just right on his 375.

Barrel length on a .375 isn't all that important as its not a hi vel gun to start with...so the 23 inch barrel is fine..

The value of the action alone is $700 to $750..but I would only value the barrel at $35.00 as is...

Your pretty close on value and a $100 bill one way or the other isn't a heck of a lot if you like the gun and it can give you hours of enjoyment fixing it up or just pick up a stock and use it as is..

Another way to figue it is that you can pick up a like new pre 64 barrel and stock for about $200 each...add $400 to $895.00 and you have a decent pre 64 for about $$1295.00 and thats about what the gun would be worth with the bolt handle like it is..

It is akin to making a silk purse out of a sows ear in some respects...as you could probably shop around and find a real nice pre 64 M-70 .375 in 85 to 90% condition for $1500.

Just some options and food for thought.

Based on your description, I personally would only value it for the action at $700 to $750.

Tim

As you stated, the stock really has no value. Unless the barrel shoots really well, I wouldn't give it any value at all either. The value of a Pre-64 M70 375 H&H barrel is pretty much gone when you remove the sights and cut it down. The rear sights on that rifle are hard to come by and will run you well over $100 if you can even find one.

A great action for a project gun, but I would offer $700 and maybe go $750.

Good luck.

Tim

Sounds like a great project piece. I agree with the others however, worth more like $700.

Gentlemen,

Well on my way home today (don't you just love that begining) I stopped in a smallish gun shop to see what they were about and found this rifle which really piqued my interest.

I need a 375 like I need a hole in the head, but I've always admired the pre-64s in this chambering.

So.. I say barreled action due to the fact that the stock it resides in is not the original. Actually can't figure out exactly what it is from. It looks like it may be from an early post-64 gun, but any way you slice it, it is worthless. The rifle itself is in really nice shape with a serial # of 290,000 or so, which is a good thing...but...the barrel has been shortened to somewhere around 23 inches I would guess. The front sight is gone, the rear has filler screws. The barrel is therefore a reblue. The reciever appears to be in original finish with no extra holes (I was aghast to note the weaver aluminum bases still installed) but the bolt has been jewelled (nicely) and reblued as the knob is now a nearly gloss blue. There is nary a speck of rust anywhere except very minor corrosion on the trigger bow. The bolt face looked to be nearly as new. Generally did not appear to be fired much as one might expect with a 375.

Anyway, the guy there said they bought it from an older gent, and due to the whacked barrel, its value was much diminished. The price was $895.

The more I think about it, the more I think it may not be such a bad price.

Anybody want to comment?

Regards,

Bob

Ray & Fla:

Thanks for the thoughts. I will go down and take a hard look and see if they can scope the barrel, I know they have one there.

and Joel, just cut that out , you're not making this any easier on my wallet!

--Bob

Guys:

Thanks for the input!!

I think I will go back and look at it again, measure barrell etc. I really have no need for one, but you rarely see one in my parts of the country NJ/Pa, and its starting to gnaw at me.

What do you all think about the barrel length on a 375. Is a barrel around 23 inches excessively short?

Thanks again!

Bob