Pre64 Win 70, 220 swift Replacement Barrel?

[Uncle Richard]

Anyone know where I can get a replacement barrel for a pre-64 winchester 220 swift? The serial number indicates the rifle was manufactured in 1939. The rifling is still strong, but the throat shows some burn marks and slight corrosion.

I know original parts are rare, but does anyone manufacture replacement barrels? Google search didn't help.


Greatly appreicated, thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

Nobody makes factory marked drop-in replacement barrels if thats what you mean.

But any decent gunsmith can rebarrel it with a very good stainless steel barrel blank turned to match the factory stock channel.

It will ruin whatever collector value your Pre-64 has, but it will almost certainly shoot better then it ever did.

rc

 

[brickeyee]

It will ruin whatever collector value your Pre-64 has

Keep the original.

You can always put it back on.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.wisnersinc.com/rifles/winchester/70pre.html
jack first distributors
http://www.gun-parts.com/winchesterrifle/

http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Rapid...ommon/viewPage.cfm&PageId=7686&CompanyId=1246

 

[Clark]

The collector value of pre 64 M70s is nothing to sneeze at.
If the outside of the gun looks stock, and there is no sentimental value, sell the rifle and buy another rifle.

I only own two pre 64 M70s and they are $400 beaters.
But I talk to collectors at the gun shows, and they are walking around with thousands of dollars looking to fill in holes in their collections.

 

[NCsmitty]

If the rifling is still decent, you may be able to set the threads back and recut the chamber to clean up the throat, and maintain the value. It's certainly worth a shot. A competent gunsmith can do this quite easily.


NCsmitty

 

[rcmodel]

The most important question is?

How bad has the throat erosion affected the accuracy?

If it's not shooting shotgun pattern groups, I wouldn't get too concerned about it yet.

rc

 

[Zeke/PA]

There are barrel makers who can, especially with CNC machinery duplicate very accurately the contour of a Pre-64 Model 70 barrel.
Of course, the work ain't cheap.
There is in the family a pre-64 swift that has had a un-told number of rounds through it from Chuck hunts,Deer hunts,turkey hunts and load development that still shoots as accurately as I can remember it.
No NOTICEABLE throat erosion though.
Twer mine, I'd leave it alone till accuracy REALLY fell off.

 

[Zeke/PA]

If the rifling is still decent, you may be able to set the threads back and recut the chamber to clean up the throat, and maintain the value. It's certainly worth a shot. A competent gunsmith can do this quite easily.


NCsmitty

In the Pre-64 Model 70's, the barrel is turned to accomidate a rear sight base AND a forearm screw.
The barrel , might have to be set back more than ONE thread , maybe more to maintain the sight index.
THEN, the forearm screw location in the stock itself would have to be moved.
Not a good idea even for a competent gunsmith.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Considering the prices on a pre-64 220 swift, I would probably buy another gun before I rebarreled one of that collector value. That is unless it is pretty trashed out gun or if you never intend on selling it.

Keep the hardware and old barrel though. It will be valuable.

 

[A.Rifleman]

How does it shoot now?

If it does not shoot well enough then polish out the throat and barrel with a compound. Also consider having the crown touched up so that it maintains its original look.

The original barrel has a barrel 'nut' half way up and it fits the stock there. Set backs are not a good idea.

I have such a like new barrel replacing the worn one on my old M70.

If you can't fix it look for a new 'old' one.

 

[Zeke/PA]

The collector value of pre 64 M70s is nothing to sneeze at.
If the outside of the gun looks stock, and there is no sentimental value, sell the rifle and buy another rifle.

I only own two pre 64 M70s and they are $400 beaters.
But I talk to collectors at the gun shows, and they are walking around with thousands of dollars looking to fill in holes in their collections.

Good point!
A 1939 (Pre-War) Swift will bring in top dollar and chances are VERY good that a potential buyer won't ever shoot it anyway.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Thanks for the replies.

I will never depart with this rifle, not even if it's worth top dollar to a collector. My dad gave it to me, and it's been in the family 60+years.

I have a lot of confidence in my gunsmith, he's one of those old time master craftsman. He said leave the rifle alone. Only do something if the accuracy is poor. He did say the barrel is dated 1937 and serial number indicates the rifle was assembled in 1939.

Thanks for the advice, doesn't seem to be a lot of hope. I will pray and ask God for a replacement in kind barrel. You never know, it could happen. Even if I find one, won't replace it until accuracy is very poor.

The gunsmith said there were some minor corrosion and burn marks in the throat, but he said it should still shoot fine and keep below 3800fps. Just not confident of the accuracy. I plan to shoot it this week. I'll let you know how it shoots this weekend if interested.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Richard,
Do you reload ?
If so, your reloads don't have to be "screamers" for best accuracy.
The tiny bit of corrosion PROBABLY is because the rifle barrel itself was made in the pre-stainless era of Model 70 "Swift" barrels.

 

[Uncle Richard]

Zeke

Yes I reload. my Uncle Richard taught me and continue to learn (hence the name).

I plan to keep the velocities 3800fps and below. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. The gunsmith saw some some minor cracking from heat and corrosion was due to improper cleaning.

 

[Jim Watson]

Since you consider the rifle to be a "keeper" and a shooter, you must also consider the barrel to be a wear part subject to replacement when accuracy falls off. You would have the brakes lined on Uncle's Dusenberg to keep it safe to drive, wouldn't you? The same thing applies to his rifle. Barrels wear with use and are replaced when worn out.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Zeke

Yes I reload. my Uncle Richard taught me and continue to learn (hence the name).

I plan to keep the velocities 3800fps and below. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. The gunsmith saw some some minor cracking from heat and corrosion was due to improper cleaning.

The family shooters/reloaders had a lot of faith in a 55 grain Sierra for the Swift as I recall.
The scope involved is/was a 15X Lyman

 

[sage5907]

Uncle Richard, there is a used M70 Winchester 220 Swift barrel listed on eBay today. The auction ends tomorrow. Better check it out. The current bidding price is $152 so it will probably sell for less than $200. You'll need a gunsmith to install the barrel. BW

 

[Uncle Richard]

shooter5907! - Well praise God! Its the proper length and has the correct scope base.

I sent the guy an email asking if a gunsmith checked it and if came off a rifle or was a replacement in kind, hopefully he will respond. The description says in good condition. If this was taken off a rifle, I would think its a safe assumption the barrel was probably damaged due to high velocities/pressures.

What do you guys think?

the following link may not work, but it's easy to find on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-64-220-...ps=63&clkid=7286789259444915290#ht_500wt_1173

 

[Zeke/PA]

shooter5907! - Well praise God! Its the proper length and has the correct scope base.

I sent the guy an email asking if a gunsmith checked it and if came off a rifle or was a replacement in kind, hopefully he will respond. The description says in good condition. If this was taken off a rifle, I would think its a safe assumption the barrel was probably damaged due to high velocities/pressures.

What do you guys think?

the following link may not work, but it's easy to find on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pre-64-220-...ps=63&clkid=7286789259444915290#ht_500wt_1173

It MUST be installed by a COMPETENT Gunsmith.
It is not necessarily a case of merely removing the present barrel and replacing it with another.
I don't think it's a good idea.

 

[Jim Watson]

I can't get enthused.
It is a used barrel. It has a lot of cosmetic flaws, who knows how many rounds fired.
You've GOT a used barrel on the rifle without the price and the gunsmith cost of having it installed.

Unfortunately, a Krieger will cost about $625 installed by them. But you would KNOW it is a new barrel and a good barrel.

 

[Old Dog Man]

Pre-64 Win.

If you insist on shooting it, try some Tubb's fire lapping bullets (hand loads) they can smooth the throat area. Just don't use the #1-2-3's only a couple of the 4's and 5's will do the job. Al

 

[sage5907]

Uncle Richard, it's common to see used Model 70 barrels on eBay and GunBroker so even if you don't buy this one another may surface in a few days. One observation that I made is the barrel is stainless steel and they don't hold the finish as well as a regular barrel so that may account for the 90% blue. Since the bore is small and the lands are shallow it may be harder to determine the condition of the bore. Another point I would make is that Winchester held their tolerances closer than other manufacturers and the barrel could fit with minor adjustments by the gunsmith to align the witness mark and get the headspace. Someone else could have an idea of the gunsmith time but I would think it would take at least 2 hours to make the change so that would equate to at least $120. BW

 

[Zeke/PA]

Uncle Richard,
Do yourself a BIG,BIG favor and keep the rifle as IS;
A Winchester Model 70 PRE-WAR in .220 Swift !!

 

[Uncle Richard]

Uncle Richard, it's common to see used Model 70 barrels on eBay and GunBroker so even if you don't buy this one another may surface in a few days. One observation that I made is the barrel is stainless steel and they don't hold the finish as well as a regular barrel so that may account for the 90% blue. Since the bore is small and the lands are shallow it may be harder to determine the condition of the bore. Another point I would make is that Winchester held their tolerances closer than other manufacturers and the barrel could fit with minor adjustments by the gunsmith to align the witness mark and get the headspace. Someone else could have an idea of the gunsmith time but I would think it would take at least 2 hours to make the change so that would equate to at least $120. BW

Shooter - thanks for the advice. I will keep watching but won't buy this barrel. It measures 26". It should measure 26.5" end to end I think, so chamber might have been setback.

The only way I will replace the barrel is to get a replacement-in-kind.