Yet another rifle project, pre 64 m70.

[troy fairweather]

The safety at times is getting hard to come off fire to the first position, I took it all apart and the detent is fine. So it must be the ramp on the firing pin I need to hit with the file, I need to do some more looking first tho to see exactly were to file.

 

[shooter1niner]

Very nice score. I had a Pre-'64 M 70 and had a Hart barrel in 280 Rem. installed. What a great caliber and shooter. That being long action I would go with .270, .280. or .30-06 or what ever long action cartridge you desire...

 

[sage5907]

Troy, I am not in the business of selling gun parts but I have extra parts from putting rifles together and I will sell them if you are interested. The top five barrels are all 30-06 and the bottom barrel is 308 Winchester. All are in good to excellent condition and you can take your pick for $80 shipped. You can ask questions about each barrel and I will comment.

The stock is a pre 64 Winchester featherweight built and completed by Reinhart Fajen in Warsaw, Missouri. It is called a Fajen Aristocrat. The outside of the stock is as beautiful as it gets and the inside has some old glass bedding that doesn't need to be removed. Years ago the web between the trigger and magazine box cracked but it was repaired by a gunsmith and after years of use it has never cracked again. The stock is Missouri american walnut with contrasting grip cap and forearm tip. This is a free floated barrel with the gap between the barrel and stock the thickness of a sheet of sandpaper. The recoil pad is a new Pachmayr Decelerator. I have owned this stock since the 1980's and it will shoot less than minute of angle. You can simply bolt in your barrel action without any revisions. It will only work with a pre 64 Model 70 featherweight barrel. The cost is $140 shipped. You can ask questions and I will comment.

 

[redneck2]

That seems quite generous and an exceptional way to restore the rifle. Be nice if you could get the receiver back to original finish

 

[troy fairweather]

View attachment 1122720 View attachment 1122721 View attachment 1122722 View attachment 1122723 View attachment 1122724 View attachment 1122725 View attachment 1122726 View attachment 1122727 View attachment 1122728 View attachment 1122729 Troy, I am not in the business of selling gun parts but I have extra parts from putting rifles together and I will sell them if you are interested. The top five barrels are all 30-06 and the bottom barrel is 308 Winchester. All are in good to excellent condition and you can take your pick for $80 shipped. You can ask questions about each barrel and I will comment.

The stock is a pre 64 Winchester featherweight built and completed by Reinhart Fajen in Warsaw, Missouri. It is called a Fajen Aristocrat. The outside of the stock is as beautiful as it gets and the inside has some old glass bedding that doesn't need to be removed. Years ago the web between the trigger and magazine box cracked but it was repaired by a gunsmith and after years of use it has never cracked again. The stock is Missouri american walnut with constrasting grip cap and forearm tip. This is a free floated barrel with the gap between the barrel and stock the thickness of a sheet of sandpaper. The recoil pad is a new Pachmayr Decelerator. I have owned this stock since the 1980's and it will shoot less than minute of angle. You can simply bolt in your barrel action without any revisions. It will only work with a pre 64 Model 70 featherweight barrel. The cost is $140 shipped. You can ask questions and I will comment.

Let me think on it for one of the barrels, still not sure how I wan't to go with this gun and money being tight complicates things as always. I'm surprised there not much pre 64 stuff out there like new stocks and other parts. Even new bottom metal stuff other then a few semi custom makers that are pricy there's not much available. I'd like a rifle kinda like the ones al bisen did for Jack O'Connor but any stocks like that are pricy. Not sure I care for how the boyds stocks look, there soleless if that makes sense. May have to just get a Richards stock and do the work but can't decide which one I like most of the 3 I looked at.

 

[troy fairweather]

Very nice score. I had a Pre-'64 M 70 and had a Hart barrel in 280 Rem. installed. What a great caliber and shooter. That being long action I would go with .270, .280. or .30-06 or what ever long action cartridge you desire...

I am almost thinking of doing a straight 280 rem, I have to see how it feeds the 280ai cases, the standard 280 will definitely feed. 6.5-06 is kinda in my head to. Or do a 284 win.

 

[troy fairweather]

That seems quite generous and an exceptional way to restore the rifle. Be nice if you could get the receiver back to original finish

I think once I clean the action up and rust blue it should look good, it's hard to match winchesters original finishes.

 

[troy fairweather]

That fajen is a nice looking stock, I'm Not the biggest fan of the roll over check but this would match the 50s styles.

 

[horsemen61]

I am almost thinking of doing a straight 280 rem, I have to see how it feeds the 280ai cases, the standard 280 will definitely feed. 6.5-06 is kinda in my head to. Or do a 284 win.

You Beat me To It that’s what I was going to suggest if it were me and I’d wait and save do what I had to to make it a 6.5-06 SuperGrade even if it took multiple years I have a nice Rem 721 that is an 06’ that will one day become a 6.5-06 why because I’m a 6.5 guy lol I’m nuts for them will it do anything my 6.5 PRC won’t nope but it will have panache and that’s worth it to me also heads up I follow Pre64win.com on social media they took a pre 64 action mated it to a Proof 280AI barrel and said it was a bugger to get it to feed I believe it involved some judicious file/Dremel work to get it to feed iirc the 2nd or 3rd rd down would hang up every time

 

[troy fairweather]

You Beat me To It that’s what I was going to suggest if it were me and I’d wait and save do what I had to to make it a 6.5-06 SuperGrade even if it took multiple years I have a nice Rem 721 that is an 06’ that will one day become a 6.5-06 why because I’m a 6.5 guy lol I’m nuts for them will it do anything my 6.5 PRC won’t nope but it will have panache and that’s worth it to me also heads up I follow Pre64win.com on social media they took a pre 64 action mated it to a Proof 280AI barrel and said it was a bugger to get it to feed I believe it involved some judicious file/Dremel work to get it to feed iirc the 2nd or 3rd rd down would hang up every time

I've wanted to do a 280ai for years on a nice action, even before it was popular. Feeding is a concern and I don't know the 70 good enough to tewk it. I don't have any 280ai on hand to try but will see what it does with my 7x57ai brass. At least I have my bottom and mag stuff from my 270 pre 64 I can try until I get new parts. I really like the standard 280 and that's just higher on the list then the 6.5. But 6.5-06 would be cheaper to make brass tho.

I would love to make it a sg again but it's so much money, floorplates are like $400+ stocks are like $850 and up if I could find one. Mine does still have the rare sg Redfield front sight, there's one in eBay for $450 maybe I can trade mine for some parts and a stock of find someone to buy it.

 

[troy fairweather]

Just seen pre64.com has a nice synthetic ramline stock for $75 this maybe good for now to use the rifle until I can decide what to build it as.

 

[stillquietvoice]

I've wanted to do a 280ai for years on a nice action, even before it was popular. Feeding is a concern and I don't know the 70 good enough to tewk it. I don't have any 280ai on hand to try but will see what it does

I have done loaded up 280 ai cases. When are you going to be at your dad's again? I'll bring dome up.

 

[Southmountain]

Can a CRF Model 70 be re-barreled to a smaller caliber? 30-06 to 270 for example?

I thought they could only be rebarreled to a larger caliber. From the McGowen website, "Also on the Winchester Model 70 pre-fits you are limited on the cartridges that you can put on your rifle. On the Control Round Feed model the extractor can be altered and the bolt face opened up for larger cartridges, such as going from a 308 Winchester to a 300 Winchester Short Magnum" (https://mcgowenbarrel.com/winchester-rifle-pre-fit/). Maybe I'm misunderstanding it.

 

[Nature Boy]

I've wanted to do a 280ai for years on a nice action

I can’t think of a better choice.

 

[sage5907]

Actually when you talk about 280 Remington v 280 AI you need to talk about barrel length. I personally want a 22 inch barrel on a hunting rifle and that is why I have a 280 Remington. A 280 AI needs a 24 inch barrel to get the extra velocity. Also, there is a point where higher velocity leads to less accuracy and I have found that 140 and 150 grain bullets traveling between 2900 and 3000 fps seem to shoot really well. A standard 280 Remington does this.

When it comes to building a rifle every choice that is made involves money and the cheapest Model 70 build is with a 30-06 barrel because there are so many of them around. There's a big difference between buying a $80 used 30-06 barrel than a custom Bartlein costing over $800. Bartlein charges $350 for the barrel, $350 to thread, chamber and headspace and you still have to pay a gunsmith to do the blue job. Not only that, when you select a new caliber it costs $300 to get set up to do handloads. Dies, case neck mandrel, powder, bullets, and working up new loads.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have done loaded up 280 ai cases. When are you going to be at your dad's again? I'll bring dome up.

Don't know when I'll be up, dad may still have some ai cases I could use.

 

[troy fairweather]

Can a CRF Model 70 be re-barreled to a smaller caliber? 30-06 to 270 for example?

I thought they could only be rebarreled to a larger caliber. From the McGowen website, "Also on the Winchester Model 70 pre-fits you are limited on the cartridges that you can put on your rifle. On the Control Round Feed model the extractor can be altered and the bolt face opened up for larger cartridges, such as going from a 308 Winchester to a 300 Winchester Short Magnum" (https://mcgowenbarrel.com/winchester-rifle-pre-fit/). Maybe I'm misunderstanding it.

Most any 30-06 based cartridges will work if they have the .473 bolt, bolt face can be opened but there looks like less meat on the m70 then a mauser.

 

[sage5907]

Can a CRF Model 70 be re-barreled to a smaller caliber? 30-06 to 270 for example?

Yes, it is easy to change a cfr Model 70 Classic from a 30-06 to a 270 Winchester. Remember that the Winchester Classic has a different thread on the tenon that the ones currently being made. If you have a Model 70 that says Classic on the side of the barrel you can go to eBay and buy a Model 70 Classic barrel in 270 Winchester and pay a gunsmith to change the barrel. If you have a featherweight you have to buy a featherweight Classic barrel so it will fit the stock. The cost of the barrel is about $100 on eBay and a gunsmith charges about $120 to make the change. Keep an eye on eBay and wait for a barrel to come up for sale.

 

[troy fairweather]

I can’t think of a better choice.

I'd like to build it almost like your, believe it's a 308 can't remember, but won't have that much money. Think manners makes a copy of the m70 monti Carlo in wood but there $400+.

 

[horsemen61]

I would love to make it a sg again but it's so much money, floorplates are like $400+ stocks are like $850 and up if I could find one. Mine does still have the rare sg Redfield front sight, there's one in eBay for $450 maybe I can trade mine for some parts and a stock of find someone to buy it.

That’s why I’d work with PRE64Win.com and get it exactly how I wanted even if I had to save for years

 

[sage5907]

I would love to make it a sg again but it's so much money, floorplates are like $400+ stocks are like $850 and up if I could find one. Mine does still have the rare sg Redfield front sight, there's one in eBay for $450 maybe I can trade mine for some parts and a stock of find someone to buy it. That’s why I’d work with PRE64Win.com and get it exactly how I wanted even if I had to save for years

Years ago when I was buying pre 64 Model 70 rifles I had the choice to buy either the standard model or super grade model at reasonable prices. I always picked the standard grade because I am a hunter and I do not want to own safe queen rifles. I feel even stronger about this today. Many for the standard grade rifle made about 1953 are just as pretty as a super grade. I never liked the supergrade cheekpiece or the checkering that wrapped over the top of the grip. Also, you have to be careful when you deal with pre64win.com because those people are in the business of making money. They are really high on everything. I bought a receiver from them one time and they shipped one with a different serial number. I returned it for a refund. I still buy Model 70 parts but I watch eBay and GunBroker for good deals. Most people like me are always trading up which is to buy something like a floorplate and then put the lesser quality floorplate up for sale. Everyone wins when you do that.

 

[Offfhand]

Having a Pre-64 M-70 action in hand offers a multitude of tempting possibilities for building your forever dream rifle. I've enjoyed several similar projects and have learned to take my time and look around for workable ideas and suggestions. For example, don't be in a rush to replace original floorplate and trigger guard as there are more desirable choices in aftermarket bottom metals. An example shown in attached pic.
Another pic shows how the M-70's flanged tang can be reshaped into a contour that melds more gracefully into a custom stock. And notice how the bolt stop has been elegantly reshaped and checkered. These are simple but highly effective modifications that add a lot of class to a M-70 project.

 

[troy fairweather]

I would love to make it a sg again but it's so much money, floorplates are like $400+ stocks are like $850 and up if I could find one. Mine does still have the rare sg Redfield front sight, there's one in eBay for $450 maybe I can trade mine for some parts and a stock of find someone to buy it.

That’s why I’d work with PRE64Win.com and get it exactly how I wanted even if I had to save for years

Maybe if the bluing on the action was Pristine then maybe but it needs to be sanded and reblued so no real collector value, and like what sage said it becomes a safe queen. The m70 became popular because it's a excellent hunting rifle.

 

[sage5907]

Maybe if the bluing on the action was Pristine then maybe but it needs to be sanded and reblued so no real collector value, and like what sage said it becomes a safe queen. The m70 became popular because it's a excellent hunting rifle.

Every Model 70 that I own has the original factory receiver finish because it is good looking and very resistant to rust and other types of corrosion. The pre 64 Model 70 receiver was milled, forged and hardened in a high temperature salt bath and the process gave it great strength, color and durability. I don't have a problem with a re-blue job on a Model 70 receiver that suffered from hard use and troy doesn't have any choice but to do a re-blue on the action he purchased. The action needs to be polished and re-blued and the bolt polished and the bolt handle and extractor re-blued. The only hard use that I would be concerned about would be a rifle that had been through a house fire because I don't know what a high temperature fire would do to the action.

 

[troy fairweather]

Every Model 70 that I own has the original factory receiver finish because it is good looking and very resistant to rust and other types of corrosion. The pre 64 Model 70 receiver was milled, forged and hardened in a high temperature salt bath and the process gave it great strength, color and durability. I don't have a problem with a re-blue job on a Model 70 receiver that suffered from hard use and troy doesn't have any choice but to do a re-blue on the action he purchased. The action needs to be polished and re-blued and the bolt polished and the bolt handle and extractor re-blued. The only hard use that I would be concerned about would be a rifle that had been through a house fire because I don't know what a high temperature fire would do to the action.

Wish I still had use of the hot blue tanks were I used to work here and there but they stopped bluing then closed down, my buddy still has a tank but don't think his salts are any good. I like that bluing I have the acid to start the rust I just need to build a steam chamber one day and order one of the carting wire wheels, I have 2 09 Argentine mausers I need to blue and probably a few other guns. I think I'll get lucky with this action there's a small ding that's barely noticeable on the sharp edge above the Winchester trade mark. Nothing I can really do about it but considering the damage to the barrel in lucky the action was not dented other then the sand paper or brick used up and down the gun.