Can I save this rare 300wm pre 64 m70 ?

[coreydb]

I just now got off the Rock Island Armory Auction site. There are over a dozen pre 64 model 70 Winchesters up for auction and ALL are less than the one you're looking at. Although the auction is almost over, this place holds periodic rifle auctions. Keep abreast of the auction dates and see what is offered. This is just one auction house and one way to look for guns.

 

[Flbt]

It's not a "good deal", but if you like it, what the heck!

I wouldn't pay the asking price.




You are in the "free state" of Texas.
I'm in the "free state" of Georgia.



I'm pretty sure that local LE, nor game wardens, would not care about the condition of the SN.

I would, certainly, have some work done, if taking it out of the country or into a "blue" area.

Don’t know what part of ga you are in.
But in south ga I bet the local dep. Would care.
Leo around here takes defacement of the sn very seriously.

 

[Safari Dave]

Don’t know what part of ga you are in.
But in south ga I bet the local dep. Would care.
Leo around here takes defacement of the sn very seriously.

Maybe I'm more rural than the norm, (north GA mountains), but LE around here, LE doesn't get seem to get too excited about hard to read SN's.



Dang, I've got a couple of older rifles that don't even have SN's.

 

[Flbt]

Maybe I'm more rural than the norm, (north GA mountains), but LE around here, LE doesn't get seem to get too excited about hard to read SN's.



Dang, I've got a couple of older rifles that don't even have SN's.

If they don’t have the number it’s not a problem or wasn’t.
Its the defacement that’s the problem.
Any place that has a good bit of meth.
That one of the things they were thought to look for. Or at least was I not sure what they are tough now a days

 

[Safari Dave]

I guess it depends on the individual officer and the situation.

I can distinguish the SN of the OP's rifle.



If an LE officer suspects a person of illegal activity, then all bets are off.

I've been pulled over for speeding with at least 6 guns in plain sight, and the LE officer didn't bother to check a single one.

I guess it all depends on the situation.

 

[Flbt]

I guess it depends on the individual officer and the situation.

I can distinguish the SN of the OP's rifle.



If an LE officer suspects a person of illegal activity, then all bets are off.

I've been pulled over for speeding with at least 6 guns in plain sight, and the LE officer didn't bother to check a single one.

I guess it all depends on the situation.

Yes and where and training.

 

[Flbt]

I guess it depends on the individual officer and the situation.

I can distinguish the SN of the OP's rifle.



If an LE officer suspects a person of illegal activity, then all bets are off.

I've been pulled over for speeding with at least 6 guns in plain sight, and the LE officer didn't bother to check a single one.

I guess it all depends on the situation.

Form what I see of that sn
If it was mine it would not leave my farm.
Here I would not take the chance of it being checked.

 

[Safari Dave]

Probably better safe than sorry...

 

[RedTag]

Valid points made all around on the subject of the serial number. That the rifle was purportedly recovered (presumably by law enforcement) would necessarily imply that the damaged numbers were deemed discernible enough to allow for continued lawful possession. The numbers are clearly not “obliterated” or “removed” in their entirety. But you could find yourself in the weeds with the question of whether the numbers would be considered “altered” or “damaged”, and the difference is very significant. If the s/n is considered “altered” then it’s illegal: don’t buy it! If the s/n is considered damaged but still discernible then it should be technically legal to own. As much as I hate for a pre-‘64 to go to waste, I would personally skip this one and move on simply out of an abundance of caution and being personally unwilling to put in the effort to ascertain a definitive answer. If you’re serious about pursuing it then you may want to seek professional legal advice before proceeding. And factor that into the price of the project.

 

[Sideshow]

Do you know if it shoots? I’d ask to take it out with the owner shoot it from a sledge and see if it groups. Really no use doing anything until that’s confirmed imo. Yeah the serial number I can seeing being a pain. But nothing there a good gunsmith our gunmaker can’t fix.

 

[uplander01]

I wouldn’t bother

 

[Garciamarquez1918]

If it speaks to you, buy it and send it to the guys at www.pre64win.com. All they do is restore pre 64 Model 70s and prices are reasonable. I'm having a rifle in worse condition (several nails in the stock!) worked on right now and will post pictures when it's done.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I think it's funny that on a website of people who are largely "buy once, cry once" when it comes to hunting related expenditures, many are saying not to spend a bit of money for something that it sounds like would bring you joy to own.

Go for it.

 

[farmer_john]

I think it's funny that on a website of people who are largely "buy once, cry once" when it comes to hunting related expenditures, many are saying not to spend a bit of money for something that it sounds like would bring you joy to own.

Go for it.

Theres a difference between buy once cry once. And value for money.
Most folks are arguing for using the defects to negotiate a lower price point. To where the value and price line intersect.
Even if he just wanted it for a donor reciever he should try to talk them down

 

[Muskox]

The generation that are buying Pre-64 M70's is fast tracking to the ever-after. So if anything the value of the rifle is what you personally think it is worth.

If someone asked me if I wanted a custom rifle made on a Pre-64 M70 or a custom rifle made on a new production 700 Clone, I am building it on a Defiance. The amount of black magic and witchcraft a Pre-64 M70 needs especially that one is insane.

The Musingfield is out of production but I would rather have one of those then spend a ton of money on a Pre-64 M70 to bring it to the year 2026.

It will never be what a new production custom action will be.

If it brings you joy, then yes by all means.

 

[Muskox]

Matched Receiver & Bolt Body - Standard Action - 1949

This is a matching receiver and bolt body pair from a 1949 standard rifle. The receiver is marked with the serial number 128071; the are faint markings on the bolt. Receiver - The receiver bluing has general wear and fading along with some spots of freckling and discoloration. There are no dings...

pre64win.com

You can buy this for $350 shipped and spend another $500 on parts and at least the guy then another $2000 on smith work, a barrel and another $500 on a barrel.

Or you can buy a used Dakota plastic stocked gun for $3000 and save a few bucks. Or a Kimber 89.

 

[Paul K]

If it was me, I would try to beat him up on the price a little bit and go for it. I'm always up for a challenge and it always cost me more than I anticipated . But I always liked the end result. As for the numbers, that can be fixed.

Paul

 

[Muskox]

$500 for that rifle is fair.

I'd want at minimum a hand written bill of sale.

I'd also pre-game this with a gunsmith to make sure that they are willing to work on the rifle like it is.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

The damaged serial number would turn me off.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

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 View attachment 738078View attachment 738079View attachment 738080View attachment 738077

@pilar
A good smith could turn that back into a beautiful rifle.
Bob