Pre-64

[Timbo14]

Just a question for the database:

How common were the factory 26" SS barrels with the black oxide coating?

I have a 1960 .264 with one and was curious if this was the norm on the std rifle?

[Fjold]

It was normal for the 264 Win magnum. I don't think that it was offered in any other chambering.

[toby]

They were a rarity not many made.

[buffybuster]

Original 1962 Remington M700's in 7mm Remington Magnum also had blacken stainless steel barrels. The stainless was believe to resist throat erosion better than cro-moly and they were blacken at great expense (multi-set plating process) as marketing thought buyers would not accept the bare stainless.

[Wrangler John]

I also had one in .264 Magnum, the muzzle was not blackened but left white. In the original ammunition Winchester also used a double diameter bullet in the .264 Magnum. The 140 grain bullet just ahead of the cannelure was bore diameter (around .256" IIRC), I surmised so it could fit the short throat of the chamber by riding the lands, I don't recall why they did this, maybe as a pseudo freebore to control pressure, or due to magazine limitations, but I did verify this by measurement.

The .264 Magnum and that rifle were the most accurate combination out of the box I had purchased up to that time.

[Noonanda]

What is the difference between a pre-64 and a post 64 model 70? I know that the pre 64's are more valuable and or desired but I don't know why that is.

[Fjold]

What is the difference between a pre-64 and a post 64 model 70? I know that the pre 64's are more valuable and or desired but I don't know why that is.

In 1964 Winchester changed the Model 70 from a controlled round feed action to a pushfeed action. They stopped hand fitting the metal parts, changed numerous small parts from metal to plastic, changed the stock from cut checkering to impressed checkering and did a bunch of other cost cutting things to make the price more competitive with other brand production rifles.

Later they reintroduced many of the original features in the "Classic" model 70s after their sales tanked on the post 64 model 70s.

[GM4spd]

It was normal for the 264 Win magnum. I don't think that it was offered in any other chambering.

220 Swifts were also done this way,Pete

[kendog4570]

In 1964 Winchester changed the Model 70 from a controlled round feed action to a pushfeed action. They stopped hand fitting the metal parts, changed numerous small parts from metal to plastic, changed the stock from cut checkering to impressed checkering and did a bunch of other cost cutting things to make the price more competitive with other brand production rifles.

Later they reintroduced many of the original features in the "Classic" model 70s after their sales tanked on the post 64 model 70s.

A little blasphemy here, but the post '72 push feeds are every bit as smooth and silky as the pre 64 guns, and in many ways a better action. Chuck a few in a truing fixture and run a dial indicator over them and you will see a marked tightening of tolerances in the push feeds over the Pre 64 guns. No need to hand fit something that comes out of the fixture ready to go.
A little more blasphemy, right before the Clinton gun bans, Norinco produced a M70 Controlled round clone, and it was tighter and truer than any Winchester.
I'll duck now....

[toby]

A little blasphemy here, but the post '72 push feeds are every bit as smooth and silky as the pre 64 guns, and in many ways a better action. Chuck a few in a truing fixture and run a dial indicator over them and you will see a marked tightening of tolerances in the push feeds over the Pre 64 guns. No need to hand fit something that comes out of the fixture ready to go.
A little more blasphemy, right before the Clinton gun bans, Norinco produced a M70 Controlled round clone, and it was tighter and truer than any Winchester.
I'll duck now....

All said neither of which will ever hold a candle to the true Rifleman's Rifle the one and only PRE 1964 Winchester model 70.

[Fjold]

A little blasphemy here, but the post '72 push feeds are every bit as smooth and silky as the pre 64 guns, and in many ways a better action. Chuck a few in a truing fixture and run a dial indicator over them and you will see a marked tightening of tolerances in the push feeds over the Pre 64 guns. No need to hand fit something that comes out of the fixture ready to go.
A little more blasphemy, right before the Clinton gun bans, Norinco produced a M70 Controlled round clone, and it was tighter and truer than any Winchester.
I'll duck now....

I have pushfeed and CRF rifles so I'm not prejudiced but I prefer CRF in my big game hunting guns. I actually have never wanted a pre-64 Model 70 as I believe that the "Classic" CRF action is better with the anti-bind bolt. Also, Winchester never made the pre-64 in a left handed version.

The post 64's never looked as good as the pre-64 models and most people buy rifles based on looks.

[kendog4570]

All said neither of which will ever hold a candle to the true Rifleman's Rifle the one and only PRE 1964 Winchester model 70.

Maybe David Tubb and many others never got that memo. Plenty wins and National titles with the ol' push feed.

Jack O'Connor was a great scribe. Typical of a lot of "gun writers", past and present. I don't think he spent much time on the firing line. I listen to the likes of Mike Venturino and Jim Carmichael. They are not afraid to compete with us mere mortals and let the results speak for themselves. There are a few others, but not too many.
I'll duck some more....

[toby]

Maybe David Tubb and many others never got that memo. Plenty wins and National titles with the ol' push feed.

Jack O'Connor was a great scribe. Typical of a lot of "gun writers", past and present. I don't think he spent much time on the firing line. I listen to the likes of Mike Venturino and Jim Carmichael. They are not afraid to compete with us mere mortals and let the results speak for themselves. There are a few others, but not too many.
I'll duck some more....

So it's now about competition rifles, OK! I'm speaking of rifles in general and except for the Quote I never said anything about O'Conner, and the David Tubb reply, Whatever! Mike and Jim are great gunners I've followed them from the beginning's well almost. We all have opinions. You can keep yours.

[TMB 1]

I thought the Rifleman's rifle was a model 92 Winchester

[Dutch Henry]

I read somewhere that in the years prior to WWII Winchester used stainless steel barrels on M70 rifles chambered in .220 Swift. The idea being that barrel life could be increased.

Shooters of the day seemed to be turned off by the idea of a rifle with a shiny barrel, so Winchester plated the barrels with iron, after which the barrel went through the normal bluing process.

I'm not sure if process was or wasn't changed for later manufactured rifles. Only working from memory here.