My new Model 70 pre 64- 375 H&H "working" rifle- Have sight question

I DO NOT support drilling that rifle!

However you could mix old world craftsmanship with cutting edge sights….

Have a competent smith drift the rear sight out of the dovetail and order an RM62 mount.

The smith can machine that custom blank base to the rear sight dovetail.


Then you can mount either an RMR or SRO sight to make it easier on your eyes and preserve the value of your rifle by storing the rear sight in a safe place.

I say if you want to hunt with it, then drill it and put some nice glass on it!

Hi Christian,

Absolutely!!

It IS a working rifle! It was made to be used in the most practical way!

Traveler1 said:

@318AE and @Denvir Tire. I have not used a peep sight since my NRA days as a kid. Express are fine now, eye sight is good enough. These sights are just a little wore out, I need them replace them sure, as the front is bent and the rear is loose.
But on the other hand, peep does make sense, for more precise shooting. Don't you have to notch the stock and tap the receiveer for a peep sight? Or can you use the existing holes on the left side of the receiver.

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If you were fitting a target peep sight (intended for shooting out to 1,000 or maybe 1200 yards, you would have to notch the stock BUT you just need a standard Redfield or Lyman diopter sight.

I cannot support drilling that old rifle. Then again, it’s your rifle, do with it as you wish.

Gentlemen,

Thanks for all the responses, opinions ans suggestions. I still have not got a chance to fire her yet but I have compared her to several other rifles including modern Mod. 70's and shotguns as to the balance and pulling her straight into my line of sight. She is the best, only my Citori and Savage Mod. 99 compare. I don't even have to tilt my head, exactly where I am looking the bead appears.

Because of this I am hesitant to add scope or modern red dot/Trijicon RM style sights. I have never used a red dot or RM style sight before. @deewayne2003 do you use a RM style sight? If you do, does it make adjust your check on the comb?

Yes, I am still on the fence about tapping her, even more so since pulls up so nice. I know she is not a collector value because the condition, but she all original. @Vintageguy I agree about redos either leave it or go all the way and then its just another custom pre 64.

@Velo Dog, I looked at NECG, but did not see a front sight that looks to work with a M70 dovetail front ramp. I like this sights as well. Its neatly impossible to find a Lymm 6w front v sight to replace the worn one (not out) on her. My first order of business is to get a highly visible front sight and shoot several boxes of shells and get a feel for this express site. Then checked under her hood and get her serviced by gunsmith. A complete disassembly, ultrasonic bath and inspection is what she needs.

Thanks Again,

Kelley

Resurrecting an old thread here hoping to get some help with a similar situation..

While dropping off a rifle for some adjustments at the gunsmith, I had the good fortune of running into an old colleague of mine that I haven’t seen in at least a decade. Of course we started talking about guns and he mentioned he had a pre-64 Model 70 in 375 H&H among other interesting specimens. Long story short, I ended up trading him my pre-64 Model 70 in 30.06 with replacement stock for a 280 AI build he is doing (plus some cash) for his pre-64 375 H&H.

Based on the serial number, it is a 1948 production, which in magnum actions, the rear of the receiver was not D&T for a scope, etc. I enjoy shooting irons, but my eyesight doesn’t allow for me to do it very effectively anymore. I am 100% against drilling any holes, or perinatally modifying the rifle in any way, but given my poor eyesight, I would love the option of putting a red dot on the front of the receiver where two holes form the factory exist, not permanently modifying the rifle in anyway. In the above post, there is the suggestion of using a Weaver style base and mounting a red dot to it, but I have not ever seen one actually mounted like this. I have also heard that a Warne base could also possibly work. Does anyone have experience here? Below are pics of my new rifle, she is a peach and a real joy to shoot… I just can’t see these irons well enough to hit anything!

Griffin & Howe Side Mount:

Cannot see from your photos, but is it drilled and tapped for a receiver sight? Had a 1949 375 HH mod 70 that was and I used a Lyman 57 for many years. For what I needed it was fine.

Yes it has the two screws on the left side of the receiver...

Don’t live life based on the value of things, that’s living for money when there’s better things to live for - if you want to fit X scope mounts to it then go for it.

I suggest that you buy the appropriate Model 57 and try it out. Cheap option without alteration to the receiver.

I grew up using a peep sight so never gave it a thought. For me the receiver sight option is one I would try. IMO almost the same as a red dot and you have the mounting option available as is. You may have to remove the rear sight. With practice you should be able to do what you can do with a red dot. Good Luck.

Certus said:

Don’t live life based on the value of things, that’s living for money when there’s better things to live for - if you want to fit X scope mounts to it then go for it.

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For me personally it is not about the money at all. I have a place in my heart for old stuff, and especially old original stuff....and they are only original once. I would not have it in my heart to deface this nearly 80 year old rifle by drilling new holes in the receiver to mount a scope or anything else. That's just me...its about preserving a piece of history that will probably be around doing what it does long after we are all gone. I would much prefer just shooting the irons she came with but unfortuantly I can no longer do that and feel confident while hunting. That is why i am looking for alternatives...

Luvthunt said:

I grew up using a peep sight so never gave it a thought. For me the receiver sight option is one I would try. IMO almost the same as a red dot and you have the mounting option available as is. You may have to remove the rear sight. With practice you should be able to do what you can do with a red dot. Good Luck.

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Thank you Luvthunt for the info. I will look into that. I am not very familiar with Lyman sights but I will be doing some reasarch on them and see what might work for my application.

Buckums said:

For me personally it is not about the money at all. I have a place in my heart for old stuff, and especially old original stuff....and they are only original once. I would not have it in my heart to deface this nearly 80 year old rifle by drilling new holes in the receiver to mount a scope or anything else. That's just me...its about preserving a piece of history that will probably be around doing what it does long after we are all gone. I would much prefer just shooting the irons she came with but unfortuantly I can no longer do that and feel confident while hunting. That is why i am looking for alternatives...

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Now that I can agree with

Buck
With a little practice you may find the receiver (peep sight) as good as a red dot. Understand I have nothing against red dot, I have been using red dots on my handguns for 20+? Years. Like them but the receiver sight is without concerns ie battery, on/off etc on a hunting rifle

I bought a similar rifle that came with a Lyman peep installed. Unfortunately, it seems that the stock must be modified for the peep assembly.

Bush Buck said:

I bought a similar rifle that came with a Lyman peep installed. Unfortunately, it seems that the stock must be modified for the peep assembly.

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Know what you mean, my 49 mod 70 took the mounting without stock mod. My 53 30-06 had to have stock mod at rear ring . 375 was std stock 30-06 was a Monte Carlo?