Rebarrelling a pre-64 M70

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Fatelvis

Fatelvis

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I have a pre-64 Win model 70 in 30-06, that I was thinking of rebarrelling to a flatter shooting and lighter recoiling cartridge. Could you recommend a cartridge, and maybe a gunsmith that would do the work? I was thinking about maybe 6.5/06? Or should I stick with the stock barrel (are they considered cometition grade?) It would be used for informal target and steel to 600yds and beyond. Thanks!
 
For the cost of rebarreling you can buy another gun and save the value of your pre-64.A factory savage,I know they are ugly,can shoot incredibly well with handloads.I have a 111 in 338wm that shoots .30" groups.I wouldn`t recomend the 338 if you need less recoil but it is just an example of accuracy for around 400 dollars minus the scope.It will cost that much just for a good barrel for your m70.
I know its your gun and you`ll do what you want with it,but I hate to see a collector gun ruined by putting aftermarket parts on it.Especially if it still shoots ok.just my 2 cents.
 
Sure, why not? Take a classic collectors item and then Bubba it by rebarreling it for some really specious reason, thus turning it into something that people thirty years from now will be scratching their heads over while saying "what a shame, this was a beautiful rifle before Bubba screwed with it. It would be worth $xxx if unaltered, but now it's only worth $yyy... what a crying shame.... "

:what:


So preserve the beautiful classic that you have, and buy something else in the caliber that you want. It'll be far less expensive in the long run, and truly... you'll be doing your old rifle a favor by not screwing with it.


Willie

.
 
In most cases pre-64 Winchesters, espcecially in 30-06 have little collector value. They are just 50-60 year old rilfes that are the basis for a good custom in most cases. If not certain of it's value I'd make sure. Subtle differences can make the difference between a $500 rifle and a $5000 rifle. If the former I'd chunk barrel and stock and rebuild the action into anything you want.
 
Hey, it's your rifle so do what you want with it.

From all you said I think I would go with a 25-06. There's nothing wrong with a 6.5mm-06 but unless you are a handloader the 25-06 would be a more practical choice when it comes to ammo. The difference between a .257" bullet and .264" bullet is negligible so no real loss there. Velocities are also similar although the 25-06 achieves those velocities at lower pressures. IMO it's a better choice...
 
jmr40 said:
In most cases pre-64 Winchesters, espcecially in 30-06 have little collector value. They are just 50-60 year old rilfes that are the basis for a good custom in most cases. If not certain of it's value I'd make sure. Subtle differences can make the difference between a $500 rifle and a $5000 rifle. If the former I'd chunk barrel and stock and rebuild the action into anything you want.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
 
A Pre-64 Model 70 in.30-'06?
Don't ruin a really good rifle by rebarreling, restocking etc.
Actually, if you research the factory rifles available today, you'll be able to fullfill your needs.
Don't ruin a classic, desireable, Pre '64 Model 70 Winchester.
 
Boy, that pre '64 thing sure does seem to get folk's dander up! I paid 500 dollars for a second year model 70 and that was too much. It has been at the gunsmith shop for a couple of years getting turned into what ever the heck I want. With a couple of exceptions they are just old rifles.

The 6.5-06 would be an excellent choice. I have a couple of .264's and I really like them. The 6.5-06 is probably a better round than the .264 as far as efficiency goes, as it does not give up much to the .264 and burns less powder. As others have said the .280 is a good hunting round. You could get a .270, but then again everyone has a .270!
 
Agree with Conrad, this isn't a postage stamp to be devalued by licking.
Put the .30-06 barrel on the shelf so your grandson can have the rifle returned to stock and trade it for a 3D video game after you are long gone.

I recommend 6mm Remington.
A 6.5-06 with 142 gr SMK for 600 yards is not going to kick a whole lot less than .30.
There are few high-BC .25 bullets And if your new barrel doesn't "like" them, you are sunk.

Of course that will still cost more than a serviceable new factory rifle that will shoot quite well.
 
I forgot about the 6mm Remington! With a 1:9 or even a 1:8 twist barrel, it will handle 90-105 grain .243 bullets easily.
 
Pre-64 model 70's are very much misunderstood. Everyone has heard about them. Most people seem to think there is something special about all of them and that all of them are rare collectables.

None of that is true. If the internet had existed in the 1950's the model 70 would have been one of the most trashed guns discussed. They were a failing company with quality and sales slipping. They were far from the great gun company that existed prior to WW-2. By 1963 when the last of the pre-64's were made the company was in shambles.

The fact was that the pre-64 design was far more complex and expensive to make than the competition. Winchester had to either produce a shoddy product, or redesign to a cheaper design to make a profit. In many ways the post 64 guns are far better quality than the pre-64's built after WW-2. They just weren't controlled round feed.

Many people, myself included, greatly prefer CRF. From 1964-1994 the only option for a CRF rifle was to buy a used pre-64 Winchester. It was the desire to own a CRF action that drove up prices during that time. Not the rifles as a whole. A great many of these guns had the stocks and barrels removed and gunsmiths built customs off the actions. Just look on E-bay or gunbroker. They are flooded with take off pre-64 barrels and stocks.

Since 1994 Winchester has been producing high quality CRF rifles that are far better shooters than the pre-64's. Ruger and Kimber are now producing CRF rifles as well. For someone looking for a hunting rifle or gun to shoot in CRF any of those guns are much better choices.

Since then common pre-64 rifles are just another 50-60 year old rifle. If I owned one that had family history I wouldn't sell it. But I wouldn't buy a common pre-64 rifle built after WW-2. If you wanted to sell a common pre-64 rifle and make a profit you are about 20 years too late.

There are some pre-64's that do command collector prices. Guns made in rare configurations and in rare calibers bring a premium. Even many made after WW-2. That is why I'd make sure of what I had before modifying one. But if it is a common gun making it into a custom or semi-custom rifle will improve the guns value, not reduce it. There are 1,000's of custom pre-64's out there that have been modified that are worth far more than the rifles left stock.
 
They are just hunks of steel anyway. This argument is akin to the bubba vs. the unaltered milsurp rifle. Or the don't put a scope on a lever action crowd. Cracks me up. These aren't the Holy Scriptures from Jerusalem, they're guns. I wonder if 300 years from now will anybody here be using their pristine unaltered pre-WW2 M70 or their scopeless Marlin 336?
 
Abel said:
They are just hunks of steel anyway. This argument is akin to the bubba vs. the unaltered milsurp rifle. Or the don't put a scope on a lever action crowd. Cracks me up. These aren't the Holy Scriptures from Jerusalem, they're guns. I wonder if 300 years from now will anybody here be using their pristine unaltered pre-WW2 M70 or their scopeless Marlin 336?
Click to expand...
I own six of these "pristine, unaltered" Model 70 Winchesters and you are correct in saying that they are just "hunks of steel". Time was when these "hunks of steel" were the best factory rifles available. I guess it takes an "old timer' to appreciate what a Model 70 once was. Today's generation is not really interested in the shooting sports or hunting as we once were so it's not surprising that a quality factory rifle has lost it's appeal.
P.S. I own three Marlin lever actions and they ALL have glass atop!
 
Zeke, the pre-64 M70 hasn't lost its appeal with me at all. But a barrel just screws off after it wears out. A rifle barrel is a part that, if used enough, gets replaced. There is no reason to save the barrel and not shoot a rifle just because its a "classic". You shoot it until the barrel wears out and then you have your gunsmith screw another on. If a fella wants to switch to another cartridge, the smith screws another barrel on. It's that simple. It's a tool. If you get more enjoyment and use from your tool by leaving it in OEM condition and using it in a limited capacity so as not to wear parts of your tool out, that's your business. But I use my stuff and if there's anything left for my son, he can have it when I die. I figure that if the good Lord sees fit, I may be able to put another forty years worth of use on my gear.
 
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It's not that simple on a pre-64 Model 70.

If you want the new barrel to have a sight base dog knot that fits the stock inletting and front stock screw like the original barrel.

rc
 
Abel,
Except for a .220 Swift that just "marginally" lost some of it's accuracy, I have never seen a rifle/barrel that was "shot out". The Pre-War/Pre-64 Model 70's were proud possessions at a time when a person owned ONE rifle, ONE shotgun, MAYBE a.22 rifle and if you streched somewhat,A handgun.
Shot out? My pet "deer rifle" is a four digit Pre-War Model 70 topped with a 4X Redfield glass that STILL shoots Minute of Angle groups (handloads).
Interest in the shooting sports is waning, so goes the appreciation of a classic factory rifle.
 
I'm guessing that every time someone uses a pre 64 barreled action in their new McMillan fiberglass stock, it makes the unaltered originals go up in value? You purists should be happy!
 
Boy, that pre '64 thing sure does seem to get folk's dander up! I paid 500 dollars for a second year model 70 and that was too much. It has been at the gunsmith shop for a couple of years getting turned into what ever the heck I want. With a couple of exceptions they are just old rifles.

The 6.5-06 would be an excellent choice. I have a couple of .264's and I really like them. The 6.5-06 is probably a better round than the .264 as far as efficiency goes, as it does not give up much to the .264 and burns less powder. As others have said the .280 is a good hunting round. You could get a .270, but then again everyone has a .270!
Click to expand...
Pre war M70's are going for $500 now? And you think that's to much? PM me I'll buy a hundred from you at that price.
 
Last pre war 70 I rebarreled was in 6.5X06.

I also ordered a custom reamer that had a base dim of .467 and I am not sure what the neck was but it required a 360 deg turn on a necked down 06 brass to get a nice fit .001 to .002 smaller.

I chronograph 3015 with 142 Sierras and shoot it at 1000 yards. Very little recoil. very flat shooter.
 
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