School me on this Winchester M70...

[Slickshooter]

Came across this Winchester M70 in 416 Taylor for sale, serial number seems to be 14832 which would make it a 1938 year of manufacture I believe (is this right?). Seems in nice shape, from the few pics what do you guys think? Are these old Winchesters a good platform for future builds? Are there any downsides from these years of manufacturing? Should I be looking at a new one instead? The price for this and a new Safari Express in 416 Rem Mag are the same (where I'm located). Any thoughts are appreciated as this rifle looks like a beauty to me for some future DG hunts. Cheers

 

[Daryl S]

Looks good to me. Here's my model 70, S#1830 - Sept of 1936, .30 GVT 06 stamped.
I read Winchester started making M70's in April of 1936.
Also, SUPER SMOOTH and slick action.

 

[Daryl S]

Slickshooter, if yours has the original stock, or not, very nice. Those express sights - WOW! I wouldn't even scope that rifle, personally.

 

[Hooked Now]

Came across this Winchester M70 in 416 Taylor for sale, serial number seems to be 14832 which would make it a 1938 year of manufacture I believe (is this right?). Seems in nice shape, from the few pics what do you guys think? Are these old Winchesters a good platform for future builds? Are there any downsides from these years of manufacturing? Should I be looking at a new one instead? The price for this and a new Safari Express in 416 Rem Mag are the same (where I'm located). Any thoughts are appreciated as this rifle looks like a beauty to me for some future DG hunts. Cheers
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I understand your quandary. Frankly, I'd like to be the one to rescue you from this predicament. Lend a machete to your philosophical thicket. Buy the Taylor. Its beautiful on a great action and it is a super cool cartridge (if you reload). If you dont reload you should send me a note so I may release its current owner from his burden.

 

[Slickshooter]

Hahahaha, love it...but unfortunately for you I reload lol. I really want to pull the proverbial trigger on this one but just making sure that there isn't a 1938 jinx or problem with the actions or something weird that I am unaware of.

 

[Daryl S]

I believe my 1937 M70 is the smoothest, nicest working, slickest Mauser-type bolt action I've ever used.
I've got a Varberger with only 60 degree bolt lift and it's pretty good, but not in the same class as that slick Winchester.

 

[Monski]

It looks like a well built rifle.

 

[zephyr]

Pull those bases.. plug the holes and shoot the irons
Don't let that one get away...

 

[Daryl S]

DITTO!

 

[RedTag]

Definitely looks to be built on a nicely modified pre WW2 receiver. The safety looks like it was modified to swing forward to fire (like the post war rifles) rather than swing back to fire. I would personally change that back to the original swing back to fire configured safety, just because I really like it that way. I would say this was originally chambered for the standard .30-06 or .270 as evidenced by the stripper clip guide. It would have been milled farther back had it been originally built as an H&H Magnum. The pre war guns were not d&t on the bridge so this was added later for conventional scope mounting. This may or may not have been done correctly. I had to have one of mine redone by a gunsmith but that was not too expensive. So the questions I’d ask would be how well was the work done opening the bolt face to accommodate the belted .416 Taylor, making sure of reliable feeding; and of course installation of the barrel and sights. These receivers were made with Winchester proof steel and should last a very long time.

 

[Mekaniks]

If it done correctly, this could be a really cool custom rifle.

If you don't buy it let us know and I am sure there is someone here that will jump on it

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Cool build, and I’d also guess she was probably a 3006 or 270 in a prior life. I’ve got a Pre64 Custom 416 Taylor as well but whoever built it, didn’t add express sights for some odd reason. I keep debating letting her go or adding them for this very reason. Did you try pulling the stock? Sometime the custom builders will put their info on the underside and you might find something out.

For the price, I’d snag her and see how she shoots. 416 Taylor is a sweet cartridge and the prewar actions were some of the best.

 

[Slickshooter]

Thanks for the replies fellas, very good info on the likeliness of what it went thru to become a Taylor. Too bad properly head stamped brass is basically unobtainable up here for a trip with it to Africa as I can find dies for it. Maybe a rebarrel/rechamber would be a good idea at a later date. Do I need another rifle? My heart says “yes” but my brain says “hold on there cowboy”

 

[ftrovato]

Buy it! Shoot it! Enjoy it!

 

[Boyd Brooks]

Buy it, shoot it, love it! My 416 Taylor is my favourite rifle to shoot. 400gr pills at 2350+ feet per second, nothing stands a chance. Surprisingly mild recoil for a medium bore.
My avatar picture is my Taylor.

 

[lkydvl]

buying a current model 70 when this is available would be one of the dumbest things you could do!

 

[Shootist43]

I bought a similar rifle many years ago. It too has a 14XXX serial number. It started out as a 30-06 but some previous owner had it re-chambered to a 300 Weatherby Magnum.

 

[Slickshooter]

buying a current model 70 when this is available would be one of the dumbest things you could do!

Roger that

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thanks for the replies fellas, very good info on the likeliness of what it went thru to become a Taylor. Too bad properly head stamped brass is basically unobtainable up here for a trip with it to Africa as I can find dies for it. Maybe a rebarrel/rechamber would be a good idea at a later date. Do I need another rifle? My heart says “yes” but my brain says “hold on there cowboy”

Norma makes and sells 416 Taylor Head Stamped Brass (I know because I have a bunch). It’s presently available from several online retailers including AH’s own site sponsor @RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION

Norma 416 Taylor Brass

Norma 416 Taylor brass offers elite performance with annealed necks, tight tolerances, and benchrest-grade quality. Built for longevity and accuracy. Shop now!

ravenrocksprecision.com

 

[Slickshooter]

Norma makes and sells 416 Taylor Head Stamped Brass (I know because I have a bunch). It’s presently available from several online retailers including AH’s own site sponsor @RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION

Norma 416 Taylor Brass

Norma 416 Taylor brass offers elite performance with annealed necks, tight tolerances, and benchrest-grade quality. Built for longevity and accuracy. Shop now!

ravenrocksprecision.com

Fair enough but I'm in Canada unfortunately...I'll check out some stores up here and see if they can import. Thanks