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November 7, 2015
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I’m not a Model 70 collector, never will be. I recently ordered a paperback version of Rule’s Model 70 book to tide me over until someone around here gets around to publishing his book.
Rule’s book is a tough read, especially for someone with minimal interest in the subject. I can’t help but be in awe of Rule’s attention to detail and ability to describe the guns he clearly loved. The book is full of useful details and will always be part of my growing reference library.
My question; are the pics better in the hardbound version? Sometimes the pics in my paperback copy are a bit hard to make out and I want to see the details he’s describing but sometimes the pics are just too dark. If worthwhile I’d like to add a hard copy version to my library, if not I’ll get by with the paperback version.
Yes, I have a few modern Model 70’s; one is the 670 that helped me learn to reload and shoot centerfire rifles plus one of the excellent early FN/Browning Super Grades from about 10-11 years ago. That 670 put a lot of bullets in the berm and more than a little meat in the freezer. The SG is a beautiful safe queen but has earned its keep. Someday I’ll add a pre-64 M70 and I want to be able to recognize the right one when it comes along.
Y’all have a great weekend, way past my bedtime!
Mike
Mike, the pictures are much better in the 1st edition, and progressively get worse through the 2nd and lastly the paperback edition.
Good luck with your search,
Steve
November 7, 2015
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Finally finished Rule’s book this evening. Still amazed at the sheer volume of data included in a few hundred pages, all presented in an interesting format. I am in awe of Roger Rule, his method of organizing all these data is a bit hard to follow but I waded through it as best I could. I think the paperback version will suffice for my purposes, Steve. I needed a reference book to help me understand and recognize the Model 70 and I think I have it…for now.
Mike
Mike.
I am waiting (impatiently) for Lou to get busy and write his new reference book on the Model 70… maybe if I sweet talk him, he will put a picture of my lone Model 70 S.G. in his book 
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Mike.I am waiting (impatiently) for Lou to get busy and write his new reference book on the Model 70… maybe if I sweet talk him, he will put a picture of my lone Model 70 S.G. in his book
Bert
I think you have something there, Bert. Including a number of special rifles like Rob Kassab and Brad Dunbar did with their excellent 1895 book would make it more interesting without turning it into a coffee table book. I’ll don’t think I’ll ever be a Model 70 collector but I’ll always be interested in them and will add Lou’s book to my little library.
Mike
November 5, 2014
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Mike-
Roger Rule’s book is a remarkable piece of scholarship and essential reading for anyone interested in the pre-64 M70. IMHO there are a few areas (like sights) that Roger kind of glossed over, and even fewer inaccuracies, but nothing is going to supplant “The Rifleman’s Rifle” as the definitive work on M70s.
My little “project” is ongoing (I’ve even written a chapter!!! One of at least fourteen… 
). There’s still a massive amount of photography to do, along with document research, and, of course, the survey. I don’t think people realize just how many component parts there are to photograph until they start taking the guns apart!!!
At least there are a lot of people helping this effort, especially seewin and JWA. I know where most of the “special rifles” I’d like to include “live” and hopefully the owners are going to let them be included. My modest collection is sufficiently diverse to cover all the basics (styles, chamberings, manufacturing periods, etc.) but the real fun will be doing the “special order” chapter…
The last chapter that will be written will be the “production” chapter that will use survey data. There are some things we can do analyzing production trends over time that should be fairly accurate and that Roger couldn’t do from the limited information he could get from Harry Chamberlain. We’re getting close to 20,000 entries, but I want to try and reach 24,000 (4% of total production) before spending my time making all those graphs, etc. My thanks to all the WACA members who have contributed to the survey to date. Keep it coming… Every pre-64 M70 helps, and it doesn’t have to be a “rare” or “collector” gun.
Bert-
Would inside cover be an acceptable place for your M70? I have something else in mind for the front cover of the book…
BTW… You don’t need to send me pics of your SG Hornet… Justin Hale (pre64win.com) kindly lets me have access to the cloud file where he stores the images he takes of M70s for the website. So I have access to his photos of your gun!!! All I’d need is a copyright release from pre64win.com. I kind of like the ones showing the whole “kit”…
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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