Well- I went and did it...

[PatMarlin]

Finally after all these years...

I got a (my first) Model 70 pre-64 made in 1961 standard in 30-06. It has the Winchester Monte Carlo type of stock, 24" barrel. All original, and in REAL good condidtion. Prolly 98% (maybe even better). Unaltered. Doesn't look like it's been fired much at all. Perfect bore and crown. Came from a guy that died and had 80 in his collection.

The wood is exceptional, blue perfect cept a few marks where the scope mounts had been. A few dings in the butt of the stock finish by the bottom sling ring. Has an original sling too.

This makes up for some self butt kicking from passing on a couple in the past, and it's what my Dad used to hunt with, so I'm happy to own a piece of real Americana that's vanishing away day by day.

BA John was telling it's to nice to shoot and drop the collector value, but I want to use it for what it was built for and can't wait to work up a cast load.

[fourarmed]

Gorgeous! Now tell us you gave $300 for it, and my day will be completely ruined.

[PatMarlin]

I cringe to say it took four times that. But it's the nicest one I've seen compared to ones that have sold for even more money and not in as good condition.

BA- John told me back then (in 1961) it took a whole months wages for a guy to buy this rifle, and with what I make now, that's about what it took..:mrgreen:

[rbstern]

OK, so you have one gun that's worth more than any three or four of my guns. :)

But it is a beauty. Congrats!

[kenjuudo]

Pat, Ya know how luck works, I wouldn't be dropping any trees for a while, or walk around in any thunderstorms.:twisted:

jim

[PatMarlin]

It's worth three of any of my other ones too...


-and "Tisk, Tisk, Tisk" on you Jim... :mrgreen:


...

[Buckshot]

..................Nice looking rifle, and no doubt. Great cartridge too!

...............Buckshot

[PatMarlin]

THanks Buck and everyone.

It was a stretch to pull this off, but I figure it's about the same as buying 2-3 rifles, and for me it's a once in a lifetime purchase. No kids to feed so whatyagonna do?

A level above the average deer rifle puchase? yes, but then I gulp at the level grades of guns that put this one in the dirt. I think it was a good investment specially with New Haven closing.

[carpetman]

Pat Marlin---Nice looking rifle and you bought a 30-06 during it's 100th year. Probably that price tag you now choke on will change someday to "ONLY paid xxxxfor it. A gun dealer friend told me there are more buyers for guns over $100,000 than under. Would be nice.

[StarMetal]

Pat,

Nice rifle and I congraduate you. Let me say this though, for those of you that would like to have one like that...you can, sorta. The CZ 550 is a damn close copy to a pre-64 Winchester that can be had. It doesn't have the split left bolt lug just like Winchester, the bolt release to remove the both is exactly the same, about the only difference is CZ uses a side mounted slide safety and of course has a set trigger. I have one and it shoots cast so good it's boring....no challenge to even find a good load. The price is right too.

Anyways you have a nice piece of history.

Joe

[PatMarlin]

You're prolly right C-Ray.

30-06 probably the most usfull and famous cartridge. Has taken every game aninmal on the planet. "Happy B-day" 30 cal. of Nineteen Hundred and Six.

Part of this too unfortunately is my owning for myself what my Father had, who was pretty abusive in telling his kids they were worthless growing up. Sorry state of affairs.

[Ken O]

Congrats Pat! Looks like a great addition to your family. I hope someday to own one also.

[Blackwater]

Good move, Pat. I got a M-70 identical to yours, except it was made in '51, in a swap with a buddy nearly a year ago. Have never had a M-70 before, and this one's the std. wt. with "magnum" wt. barrel and the forend screw. Shoots itty bitty groups at 100, with the first load I shot in it. Can't remember if it was the 150 or 165 Silvertips, but I used a 150 gr. Speer PSPBT for my deer this year. Worked slick as ever. Ain't no flies on the ol' '06, are there?

YOurs is better than mine, though. My stock was cut for a Wms. peep on the left side, and has been refinished. The metal's all original, though, but I'm thinking about slimming down that already "ruined" (for collectors at least) stock so it feels and handles better. I'll leave that forend screw in.

Many criticize that forend screw as making it tempermental to bed, but I for one think the old timers knew a thing or two about guns, and this one certainly shoots with the screw in it. The buddy who owned it before me diddled with it to get it to shoot, but I don't have a problem with having to do that. I do it to rifles that don't have the forend screw, so why should the ones with it be any different? I keep thinking about getting a Wenig stock for it now, and rust bluing the metal. I don't think it'll ever go anywhere, and it's a user in my hands, not a collector, and I think the old gun deserves an upgrade or two for my and my family's and heirs uses, so .... if I EVER get my current projects completed, I'll likely lay in on this one. I just want my guns now, to be like I want them to be. Maybe my heirs will one day think ol' granpap did some pretty good work, and be spurred to do something similar? But then, I think a man OUGHT to be able to work on his guns, and I guess that colors my aspirations a lot. Guess the owners of more pristine guns will be happy I'm upping the value of their guns?

[PatMarlin]

Dennis,

I thought I read somewheres that the pre-52 Mod 70's where even better. I don't know what they changed in 52, but someone here prolly does.

I think once someone changes the rifle taking away most of the collectors value, from then on it's a "users" value, and the useful improvements that you like make it worth it.

I guess firing an un-fired rifle takes half the true collectors value right off the top.

[Blackwater]

Pat, I asked my buddy, who's fairly well read on the old WW's, and he said he didn't know of anything about the pre-52's, unless maybe it was about then when they started having trouble making a profit, and MAY (???) have started cutting a few corners in effort to avoid what finally came to pass in '64. Thanks for the info, though. All I know is this one really shoots. Sub MOA with the first load I tried, and that was loaded with the intent it be suitable for several '06's I have. Sometimes it just all comes together.

BTW, my buddy, who I got the rifle from, did a fair amount of tinkering on that forend screw to get it "right." Apparently, he did a fine job in the end. This and my '03 I restocked, and the M-77 with the Shilen barrel, all in '06, are most likely going to be my mainmost huntin' rifles in the future. Will have to take the Whelen out now and then for a dance or two, and the .45/70's as well. This is a peculiar situation for a fella' who thinks the bestest deer rifle goin' is the .270 Win., isn't it? Have a "good" custom Mauser supposed to be completed soon, and it's a .270, but I'm thinking about giving it to my son. I won't be sure what I'll do until I get it (FINALLY!!!) in my hot little hands. May have to keep it a season and "blood" it before givin' it away.

I started out long ago with a Ruger 77 in '06, and that was back when they still had the forend tip bedded with only a thin lengthwise strip of raised wood, and it's been a LONG time since they bedded them like that. Now I guess I've come full circle. When fate puts SIX '06's in a .270 lover's hands .... well, maybe it's fate calling????

[PatMarlin]

You'd like my .270 Dennis...

It's a Commercial FN Belgium 98 Mauser with a full c-ring breach. Built right after WW2. Stocks got a good gouge in it but the rest of the rifle is perfection. That thing will drive tacks a 200 yrds.

My father-in-law gave it to me. Bout fell over too, cause he never done something like that. Never new it was a Belgium FN, till I pulled the stock off one day, and was blown away when I found out what it was.. :drinks:

I love bolts.. :mrgreen:

[Blackwater]

Pat, my mouth's watering! Thanks for a vicarious thrill! Ain't nothin' quite like a really nice rifle, is there?

[Throckmorton]

next year you'll have forgotten..almost..what you paid for it and it'll still be a great looking shooter.
and the next year,and the next year...

Great looking rifle,congrats on fulfilling a 'need'.

[6pt-sika]

Nice rifle congrats :drinks:

I've owned 4 pre 64 model 70's in my life ;

22 Hornet circa 1938

264 Win Mag circa 1960

243 Win Varmint circa 1956

220 Swift Varmint circa 1961


Used the 264 for deer for a couple seasons and used the varmints for groundhogs for about 5 years. Had the Hornet because it was a Hornet .

None of these were beat up , but they did not look as nice as your 06 :-D

[PatMarlin]

Thanks fellas...

I haven't even been able to shoot her yet. Too busy trying to make back the money I spent on it.. :mrgreen:

I just installed a matt Leupy Vari II 3x9 I had on another rifle with some gloss Leupy scope rings, and it looks real sharp. Kinda liked the feel of the rifle without the scope though.

I think it was a good investment, as seem to be going up monthly, but who knows. It may blow over some. I think model 70's are good buys compared to the costs of some rifles these days... :drinks:

[Chargar]

Pat...If a man has a rifle like yours, he truly has no NEED for another.

Last year, I got mine. It is a 1954 vintage Model 70 like your except somebody has installed a recoil pad. The condition is about the same. SIT DOWN....I paid $500 for it in a local hock shop. It took me four months to pay it out.

It now wears a vintage El Paso made Weaver K3 and is a cast bullet shooting Jessie.

You have the ultimate American sporter there...

[PatMarlin]

Beautiful Charles... :drinks:

Yours is aproaching at LEAST 3 times that in value now.

What boolits have you put through her? Have you tried your group buy Loverin? Also have your tried any 4895?

We autta start cast boolit- "Team Model 70".. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Chargar]

Pat... Thus far I have fired in my Model 70

RCBS 165 Sil, 311291 and 311284 over 49/WC872 plus 1 cc PSB.
311467 and 311407 Mod over 16/2400

Results have been almost boring and regular. Nice round groups ranging from .5 to .7 inches (50 yards) I have yet to find a bad load..but those loads above have proven themselves in my 03A3 before I tried them in the W70.

I just removed the front barrel screw and put it up. Some day, I will put it back and see what effect that will have.

I have had a number of Pre-64 70's over the years, but let most of them go. I did keep my 1961 Featherweight in .243 bought new by me in 61. I killed 20 deer , several antelope, and a few dozen javelina with it over the years. After 900 rounds, the metal fouling built up so bad the accuracy went South. I removed it, but noticed the bedding was getting a little sloppy. I put it up, planning on rebeding it with glass, but have yet to get my round tuit. That was about 15 years ago. Round tuits are scarce around these parts.