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September 17, 2015
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Hello everyone,
I recently aquired a 1955 Model 70 Bull Gun in .300 H&H Serial# 338XXX, in my reading I found that when the bull gun was reinstated in 1955 they changed the front sight from the dovetail to the screw on front block. However the one that I got has a dovetail mount. The barrel has all of the Winchester markings but the dovetail block isn’t level with the receiver even though the scope block on the barrel is.
Is this simply a case of them using left over parts or does it sound like someone swapped the barrel on it with one from an older rifle?
Thank you for any information,
Chris
July 17, 2012
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There should be a 2 digit date code on the underside of your barrel next to the receiver. I would check that first as it will tell you when the barrel was made which could be a little earlier (but not later) than when the rifle was serial numbered and assembled.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 5, 2014
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As JWA states, check the barrel date stamp under the chamber.
The model-specific parts of relatively uncommon configurations, like Bull Gun barrels, were often made years before the rifle was assembled. So I wouldn’t get too alarmed. If the exposed caliber designation stamp is 300 H&H MAGNUM (as opposed to 300 MAGNUM) then the barrel was roll marked after 1950 or so (when the factory went to the one-piece roll marking dies). It could have sat in inventory until a work order for Bull Guns came down in 1955.
For what it is worth, I have a completely original 220 Swift Target Rifle S/N 354793 (1955 manufacture) with a ’52 barrel that is dovetailed at the muzzle. As I’m sure you know, the 220 Swift target model was discontinued in 1952 and not reinstated. But they still got put together from inventory parts. Newly manufactured target weight 220 Swift barrels (with D&T muzzles) didn’t get made until the 220 Swift was added as a Varmint Rifle chambering in 1959.
Best
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
September 17, 2015
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Thank you for the information.
I pulled the action out of the stock to check and the barrel stamp says 300 54 so it must have been made the year before the action then assembled and sold.
I also noticed that there was some bedding work done as well, I’m assuming that was not done by Winchester. The trigger breaks at a clean 1.5#s, could the target trigger be adjusted that low as standard or does this mean someone worked on it?
Im going to check the accuracy of it tonight at the range with some handloads, does anyone know of any good loads for this old cartridge?
Thank you for any information,
Chris
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