pre 64 dilemma

[LowThudd]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That is what my Grandpa used to say. I would fix the pad, leave it as is otherwise.

[damon1272]

Fix the pad. I would update with a kick-eez as they work great. Other than that keep shooting it. Great rifle with a cool family history. Use it and then pass it down. I would not rebarrel unless it needs it.

[divingin]

I'd say a scope change (or repair if that's possible); other than that, it's as much a keepsake as anything, so leave it the way it is.

[desert dog]

I say fix it up and use the damn thing. Guns are tools, not conversation pieces. And a gun with a legacy behind it makes every hunt 100 times more enjoyable. You can't put a value on honoring the memory of your grandpa.

I have a 1961 M70 30-06 that my Gramps bought new. He killed countless mulies, bears, and varmints on his property in Idaho with that gun, and took it on an African Safari in the 70s. He gave the gun to my father in 1980, and my father killed several deer and elk with it. My father passed the rifle to me in 2005, with a dirty barrel, a creepy trigger, and a couple cracks in the stock. When Gramps passed away, I also inherited his pre-64 300 H&H and his huge collection of old Winchester shotguns.

I have since cleaned up that old 30-06, rebedded it into a McMillan stock, did a trigger job, rebuilt the bolt (firing pin, spring, extractor), and bedded on a new scope base. I have hunted with this rifle in 4 states, Canada, New Zealand, and Africa. It handles like a dream, is smooth as silk to operate, and still shoots MOA with the original barrel.

I have some very nice custom hunting rifles in my safes, but always grab Gramp's old model 70. I plan on giving this gun to my oldest son in the near future.

Take that gun hunting again my friend. That is its destiny.

[Jimmy's]

Rejuvenate it for the next generation, bring it back to life, what ever that takes.

[djc1965]

That is one sweet looking rig. Nice job

[USMCM16A2]

Beautiful rifle.

Gents,



A beautiful example of the gun-makers art. A2

[870classic]

There are some Pre-64 model 70's in museum quality 99+% out there in private collections. Obviously, this is not one of those, however, this rifle has a great history to it. Re-scope the rifle, fix the pad and continue to shoot it and don't worry about it being a collector item.

Restock it if you want.
Rebarrel it to a 35 Whelen if you want. But the 30-06 will take anything that walks, crawls or slithers on the north American continent so rebarreling it to a 35 Whelen would be just as good as a 30-06.

All the best.

[CandG]

There are some Pre-64 model 70's in museum quality 99+% out there in private collections. Obviously, this is not one of those, however, this rifle has a great history to it. Re-scope the rifle, fix the pad and continue to shoot it and don't worry about it being a collector item.

Restock it if you want.
Rebarrel it to a 35 Whelen if you want. But the 30-06 will take anything that walks, crawls or slithers on the north American continent so rebarreling it to a 35 Whelen would be just as good as a 30-06.

All the best.

I'd rather have one like the OP's... what good is a museum quality pre-64 if you can't even shoot it

[JackEllis]

I say fix it up and use the damn thing. Guns are tools, not conversation pieces.

Yep.

I'd rather have one like the OP's... what good is a museum quality pre-64 if you can't even shoot it

Yep.

Firearms like the OP's are meant to be used. Winchester never intended for them to be kept in a glass case and admired.

[plumbum]

Dude, that thing is perfect as is!!!!

[pennstater]

Dude, that thing is perfect as is!!!!

^^^This!^^^. Leave it be.

[Jimmy's]

This rifle is a fine candidate for a true restoration which would cost way more than it would ever be worth except maybe to the owner, or a renovation. scrap the barrel and stock, chuck the scope.
Get a barrel of choice and caliber, get a new wood stock or have one made or get a B&C stock then have the barrel, action and bottom metal Cerakoted.
Get a modern scope and then you will have something the kids may want later.
Yes a nice custom rifle that dad built or had built out of Grandpas old tired Winchester. Yes I'm going against the grain here but it's what I do, I never follow everyone else if I did I would own a Glock and a Remington and a Mosin or two well it ain't ever going to happen.
That is a nice rifle but it's not a real nice rifle.
Anyway doing something of this nature was you initial idea so I'm giving you some support on it.

[RNE228]

My free 2 cents

I would
- Update the recoil pad. Put the old one in a box with the sights you found
- Fix existing scope. There are places that can fix refill gas, and fix seals

If you can't get scope fixed, find another; they are out there on Ebay, Gunbroker etc.

Worst case, get similar new scope, but keep the old one. A 2x7 Leupold would be a perfect fit for that rifle and for most hunting.

And then go shoot it!

[71MUSTY]

http://s346.photobucket.com/user/djc...g.jpg.html?o=3 just trying to learn how to upload pics. I appreciate the replies

OMG it's not even broke in yet. Leave it alone, It's beautiful.