Need some help with Winchester Model 70

[Mike B]

Have a buddy that is trying to sell the gun in the pics below. Winchester Model 70 30-06, lookup of serial says it was made in 1952. To be honest, I don’t know enough about old guns. What’s it worth? He wants $700 and my gut says I’d be stealing it to buy it for that. Any feedback? Scope is included, and it’s an old Zeis Divari-C 3x9

 

[sierraone]

If it is mechanically sound and no rust issues, (forward upper receiver and scope mount?) buy it. Don't know much about old Zeiss scopes, but even if you need to replace the scope and all else is good, it's worth $700. I don't personally care for see through mounts, but they are easy to replace.

Since he is a friend and apparently close by, take it to the range and check it out as is.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

That may be at the low end, I'm not sure. Do you know how it shoots? Do you know what's going on there at the front scope base, scratching or....?

 

[Mike B]

That may be at the low end, I'm not sure. Do you know how it shoots? Do you know what's going on there at the front scope base, scratching or....?

I don’t know how it shoots, but it’s sitting in my office right now so I bet I can get him to let me go shoot it.

I’ll look closer at the front mount, I don’t think it’s scratching, it looked like some kind of glue at first inspection.

 

[Von S.]

I have many pre 64's in various stages of collectability because of condition and caliber and what you have there is a shooter that has no rarity at all.

You really have to figure out what it is worth to you as a shooter.

And oh my....see thru scope mounts? I thought that they made the man who invented them travel the world collecting them up before they hung him from a creeky tree and beaned him with rocks until he stopped twitching.

The scope I would sent back to the factory for a rebuild before I went hunting with it.

If I really wanted the gun for me for some odd reason I would do 500 at best and as a resale.....much less.

Is it a good gun? Yes! But so are the new ones.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I’ll look closer at the front mount, I don’t think it’s scratching, it looked like some kind of glue at first inspection.

Man I'd really want to know as those see thru mounts would be the first thing to go and new bases/rings would be in order.

 

[WAB]

That may be at the low end, I'm not sure. Do you know how it shoots? Do you know what's going on there at the front scope base, scratching or....?

That front scope base looks odd. If it is silver soldered on I would not buy the rifle. It may just be the photo.

 

[WAB]

If it’s glue or silver solder there is likely an issue with the threads in the mounting holes. Not insurmountable but in all honesty, not a rifle that would justify the cost. The best outcome for that rifle may be as an action in a custom build. It’s a good action, but IMO, no better than the new crf M-70’s or a decent ‘98 Mauser.

 

[Milehighshooter]

If that front site is NOT welded on, without scope that's a $7-800 gun to take out and hunt with. Not a collector there. He wants $700 for the whole thing, that's a great deal, not a steal though. You wouldn't be taking advantage of him

 

[Milehighshooter]

IF the front ring is welded on.... I would still consider it at $700 and not a dollar more. You can probably sell that scope for $250 or so, putting you at 450. Remove the front ring, grind off any evidence and put a peep sight in the rear and run it as an open sight gun. Maybe rebore to 9.3x62 or 35 Whelen. Have the metal coated. You're into a "custom" pre-64 short range gun for well under 1k.

 

[Ray B]

The side of the receiver shows a couple of holes that are "after-market" which in addition to everything else, lowers the value. but I'm a sucker for old Winchesters and Zeiss scopes, so I'd pay $700, maybe even $800 if everything else is in good condition.

 

[Von S.]

At $700+ I would be hard pressed to ask the seller which President or member of the Royal Family did that rifle used to belong to?

Try to remember that you really can't take advantage of any seller unless he is retarded and he trades you that rifle wrapped in c-notes for your offer of a a yo-yo, a ping pong ball, and a naked picture of Betty White.

Mostly I allow the seller to say what he wants, If I am in disagreement, and after my present and Royal family stuff I will give him one more chance to make an offer if it is still too high I will just say no and we are done? If I am the one making an offer and the seller finds it unacceptable he has the same right.

By the way! The two holes on the side of the receiver were to attach the keyed base for a detachable one piece scope mount. Now they were interesting .


The see thru mounts on there aren't brazed as the lower half were normally made out of aluminum and the top clamp was steel. And over the years when I would take them off they immediately went into the trash....even the screws as they were always buggered up.

 

[Rob404]

Looks like it had a side mount scope mounted on it at one time, early 50s Winchesters are good shooters, offer 500.00, pay up to 600.00

 

[Mike B]

Thanks guys for the info. I’m going to pass on it. Too many unknowns and I just got my taxidermy bill

 

[Mekaniks]

Thanks guys for the info. I’m going to pass on it. Too many unknowns and I just got my taxidermy bill

You tell him I will buy it for 700

 

[lockingblock]

It all depends on the bore and mechanical condition. Cycle rounds through it, look hard at the bore.

 

[sestoppelman]

Hey!! Did anyone notice it had two screws in the side of the receiver for a #@)(#(*&*(#U_)(_)(R_)EW(RJDJNFU#(#()R*&#()R#_)()+ side scope mount?!?!?!?!#$&&$#^#(*&)(*#))!!!!!!!!!!!! I FREAKING HATE SIDE SCOPE MOUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#!*&#(!&#^*&@()#*&#_)(*!)(@*+)(@+_)@)$*_)(*#)*& AAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Newboomer]

I think you slightly upset sestoppelman.

 

[sierraone]

Hey!! Did anyone notice it had two screws in the side of the receiver for a #@)(#(*&*(#U_)(_)(R_)EW(RJDJNFU#(#()R*&#()R#_)()+ side scope mount?!?!?!?!#$&&$#^#(*&)(*#))!!!!!!!!!!!! I FREAKING HATE SIDE SCOPE MOUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#!*&#(!&#^*&@()#*&#_)(*!)(@*+)(@+_)@)$*_)(*#)*& AAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I concur with Ses on the side scope mounts. They may have been effective during their time on early M70s, but I despise them. There are a lot of them still out there with many on older higher end English rifles.

 

[Waterbuck2008]

Lots of anger directed at a couple of sillly little screw holes! Not sure the see-through mounts are much of an upgrade ...