Winchester Model 70 model year question

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Question:

I’m being given a Model 70 30-06, ~25 yrs old. Searching the web for info I see repeated references to pre 1964 and post 1964 models. But I haven’t found a source that defines why that’s so. Anyone here able to elaborate? Steve Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I’m being given a Model 70 30-06, ~25 yrs old. Searching the web for > info I see repeated references to pre 1964 and post 1964 models. But I > haven’t found a source that defines why that’s so. Anyone here able to > elaborate? > Steve

There are lots of differences. Go to the local library and get a book on Winchester history and you will find out more than you wanted. Changes were made in the rifles for the 64 model year because the other version was very expensive to produce. Some major changes are: bolt – claw extractor gone on post 64 stock – pressed checkering, floating barrel (big clearance gaps) The negative changes were fixed in coming years. The 68 vintage action is considered to be improvement due to an anti-bind cut on one extractor lug. The new "Classics" are every bit as good, maybe better, than the pre 64. Do not be lead astray… the early post 64 rifles are GOOD rifles, but the pre 64 and very recent rifles are GREAT rifles. Take advantage of a good price on one of the mid-60s models (after all, everyone knows they are junk – hehe) and make it your ugly, beat it up, hunt in the rain rifle. You’ll be glad you did. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Steve, After 1964, Winchester changed a lot on the Model 70, mostly to make it easier and cheaper to manufacture. It was a disaster, and only now are they picking back up the features they dropped then. Sam in Gainesville Fl

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Serials up to 581,471 were "pre-64". I’ve been carrying that around in my wallet for years, waiting for my chance at one. 1936 to 1947 SNs 1 thru ~60,500 1947-1948 SNs 60,501 thru 87,700 1948 thru 1963 up to 581,471 I do not recall the significance of the earlier distinctions. Matt in MO Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Pre-64 Model 70s had the claw extractor like you now see on the new classic Model 70. Post 64 models had the push-pull feed just like the Remington Model 700. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I’ve got a Mod 70 that has a serial # starting with G . Does this signify the factory, special features… TIA Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I’ve got a Mod 70 that has a serial # starting with G . Does this > signify the factory, special features… TIA

Response:

The "G" signifies an action incorporating the ‘68 improvements, i.e. the anti-bind slot cut into one bolt lug. For everything Winchester, see "TheWinchester Book" by George Madis. Madis is good, yes. But there is also a web site where you can look up the serial number you have, with much finer resolution between years than you can get out of Madis’s tables in the appendix. I had the url bookmarked — and lost it when my hard drive failed a couple months ago. Some of the rest of you must have it, too. Somebody post it, or email it to me, please! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Thanks to all who replied. I picked up the gun from a local dealer Friday ( shipping a gun cross country is an exercise in patience). Its a pre-1964 Model 70. Interesting piece of history was packed with it. The cleaning kit had a 2-3 oz. bottle of oil with the contents listed as " lanolin and sperm oil". Steve Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

: The "G" signifies an action incorporating the ‘68 improvements, i.e. the : anti-bind slot cut into one bolt lug. For everything Winchester, see : "TheWinchester Book" by George Madis. : Madis is good, yes. But there is also a web site where you can look up : the serial number you have, with much finer resolution between years than you : can get out of Madis’s tables in the appendix. Madis also does not agree with Roger Rule’s Book on th eModel 70 as to dates and serial numbers. — Isaac(Ike) B. Wilder That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

: Serials up to 581,471 were "pre-64". I’ve been carrying that around in my : wallet for years, waiting for my chance at one. : 1936 to 1947 SNs 1 thru ~60,500 : 1947-1948 SNs 60,501 thru 87,700 : 1948 thru 1963 up to 581,471 : I do not recall the significance of the earlier distinctions. Those numbers would correspond roughly with the typeI, TypeII and TypeIII receivers. The typeI receiver has a cloverleaf tang and does not have the rear bridge tapped for a scope mount and has a small safety that operates on the left side of the bolt. The typeII has the clover leaf tang but is drilled and tapped on the rear tang and has th esafety on th eright side of the bolt. The typeIII has a rounded tang and a larger safety on the right side. Much of this overlapped so th enumbers are not perfect. The so called transition model 70s were made in the 47-48 time frame you reference. THey are usually typeII with a safety that is small but operates on the right side of the bolt. have fun looking — Isaac(Ike) B. Wilder That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/