Can I save this rare 300wm pre 64 m70 ?

[pilar]

I found a very rare and interesting Winchester m70 pre64 .300wm
But don’t know if it is salvageable at a decent price
It was once stolen and recovered, but the thieves damaged it by knocking off the scope and the serial number was partially scratched down , it is probably beyond any reasonable collectible value
And would be repaired to a hunting rifle
Hopefully a local gunsmith can work some magic on it or someone has a recommend someone

 

[Aiden204]

seems like a relatively simple job, should turn out alright.

if your question is "can it be saved?" definitely. Id definitely save it despite it possibly being cheaper to buy one already sorted

 

[pilar]

seems like a relatively simple job, should turn out alright.

if your question is "can it be saved?" definitely. Id definitely save it despite it possibly being cheaper to buy one already sorted

Owner wants $950 for it ( I assume because it’s a collector item)

 

[Flipper Dude]

So, out a grand before you ever start the project that may or may not turn out as you like it, for a rifle you have no emotional attachment to? Hard pass for me. But if that’s a project you’d enjoy, I’ve spent $$ on dumber stunts.

 

[Russ16]

What do you mean by saving it? I’d just mount a scope and hunt. If the bore is good $950 for a shooter pre ‘64 isn’t outrageous.

If you want to replace the buttons that’s easily done at home. If you want to stick refinished I’d try my hand at doing it myself. It won’t impact how the gun shoots of you don’t do a great job.

As you said it has no collector value. Treat it as shooter the rest cosmetic.

 

[deewayne2003]

Ooooh….. with the partially obliterated serial number and other issues, I think $900 is steep.

 

[pilar]

What do you mean by saving it? I’d just mount a scope and hunt. If the bore is good $950 for a shooter pre ‘64 isn’t outrageous.

If you want to replace the buttons that’s easily done at home. If you want to stick refinished I’d try my hand at doing it myself. It won’t impact how the gun shoots of you don’t do a great job.

As you said it has no collector value. Treat it as shooter the rest cosmetic.

One of the scope mount holes is damaged and needs to be removed and repaired
I don’t know how big of a problem that is?

 

[Russ16]

One of the scope mount holes is damaged and needs to be removed and repaired
I don’t know how big of a problem that is?

A gunsmith should be able to remove the piece broken off in it quite easiest. If the hole itself is damaged retapping it is fairly straight forward.

If you’re looking for a shooter .300 you can get a quality new gun like a Tikka cheaper. But if you like the Model 70 this is a good way to get an affordable shooter.

Assuming the bore is good.

 

[coreydb]

Forget the rifle and keep looking. Too much destruction to the receiver to ever look normal. The receiver can be repaired but the grinding over the serial numbers will always be detectable. It will never be a "collectable" because of the grindings, but will definitely be a solid utility gun. The destruction wipes away the "collectable" aspect as well as the price. Recommend going to gunsinternational.com and search. You'll find one there.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

i would argue the collectibility with the owner given it’s been marred and will need some work. But as a donor action/rifle/or still shoot 300WM after a trip to the gunsmith it looks worthwhile to me. But for a good deal less on price than what is being asked (just my 2c).

 

[Javaman]

Pics seem to show cosmetic issues. As others noted, local gunsmith can clean up any mechanical or machining-needed issues.

I’d ask myself how much do I want a project, how much do I like/want 300 wm, how much do I want/need a shooter quality rifle vs collector. Pre-64 seems irrelevant given condition - it will never really be more than it is except providing you a feeling of accomplishment to find the treasure and then fix it up. I’d get real clear on bore condition (a simple Bluetooth endoscope lets you see that).

$500 cash money and you have a project.

 

[Flbt]

Ooooh….. with the partially obliterated serial number and other issues, I think $900 is steep.

That number will be a problem.
If your ever checked I can see problems coming from that

 

[skydiver386]

For me it would have to look like a mirror finish in the bore, and even then the price is very steep for the condition it's in.

If you could buy it for maybe half that, ok, but if not, move on.

 

[RedTag]

A few questions. What type of sale is this? FFL to FFL? In person at FFL? Or private parties? I would be hesitant to buy a gun private party with the serial number like that. If it is released to you by an FFL then it should be fine as they must ensure that serial number can be logged in and out of their bound book. And a thorough in-person inspection would be required in my opinion. A gunsmith inspection would be better yet. If everything checks out legitimate and functional, then $950 is a reasonable price for a fixer upper pre-‘64. You could get a newer rifle. You could get a more expensive rifle. But you can’t really get a better rifle than a pre-‘64 Winchester Model 70.

 

[dchum]

I’ll be the one to say buy it!

300 win mag is one of the more rare offerings in Pre 64 mod 70s. Made for less than a year really. I can’t find one offered online at the moment. Lot more 300 H&Hs out there

I bet it still shoots! 950 is not too bad!

 

[pilar]

A few questions. What type of sale is this? FFL to FFL? In person at FFL? Or private parties? I would be hesitant to buy a gun private party with the serial number like that. If it is released to you by an FFL then it should be fine as they must ensure that serial number can be logged in and out of their bound book. And a thorough in-person inspection would be required in my opinion. A gunsmith inspection would be better yet. If everything checks out legitimate and functional, then $950 is a reasonable price for a fixer upper pre-‘64. You could get a newer rifle. You could get a more expensive rifle. But you can’t really get a better rifle than a pre-‘64 Winchester Model 70.

It’s a FFL to FFL transfer from Montana to Texas
Guy traded a dirt bike for the gun and wants to make a 375 ruger out of it!
I could just buy a soul less tikka or Sauer 100 , but a Winchester M70 300wm is the 1st gun I bought my self hauling hay all summer in high school, unfortunately I was forced into selling it.

 

[Russ16]

I don’t agree with the comments on the serial number. Even if it is a private individual I would ask that it go through an FFL for that reason.

I should also say I would see if you could lower the price but the asking price isn’t ridiculous.

 

[Flbt]

I do agree with the comments on the serial number. Even if it is a private individual I would ask that it go through an FFL for that reason.

I should also say I would see if you could lower the price but the asking price isn’t ridiculous.

Going through a ffl or not. There could be serious issues if you are checked and the damage to the number.
I could easily see you being pulled off a hunt to jail. True it going through a ffl will get you out of trouble.
But it want bring the hunt or time back

 

[Russ16]

Going through a ffl or not. There could be serious issues if you are checked and the damage to the number.
I could easily see you being pulled off a hunt to jail. True it going through a ffl will get you out of trouble.
But it want bring the hunt or time back

I apologize my earlier statement was meant to say I don’t disagree. I’ve corrected it.

I wouldn’t travel with the gun internationally at all. Domestically I’ve never had a gun checked anywhere I’m not sure who would be doing the checking.

I do believe there is a process for having the gun serial number repaired.

 

[farmer_john]

$500 max. If it were me due to work needed to fix it.