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Howdy folks, young collector here that just picked up a model 70 in 300 Win made in 1963 (571xxx) everything on the rifle is correct (stock,pad, roll marks, proof marks, sights and finish) and from the outside looks awesome. This being where my question is, after removing the stock from the barreled action I was horrified to see 30-06 on the under side of the barrel, but the more I talk to other people myself I believe I have a parts clean up rifle. Attached pictures for reference, hoping for good info!
November 5, 2014
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Hi Dirtman-
What I can see of the gun looks correct (second pic won’t load for me)… By 1963 it was common for there to be nothing stamped under the barrel except for the index mark used for barrel alignment (located exactly 90˚ from the extractor cut). But when they were marked, “30-06” was used for ’06 barrels (replacing the earlier “1906” stamp) and 300M for 300 WIN MAGNUM barrels (same stamp as used formerly for the 300 H&H MAGNUM).
Your exposed barrel markings and misaligned proofs look good. The barrel has the “Trademark” stamp on it, as opposed to the “circle R” symbol, but both were used (abut 50-50) with the “Trademark” stamped barrels generally being earlier that the (R) barrels. I think that the “clean up” theory you’ve heard is very reasonable and likely correct…
Question for you… According to barrel specs published in Roger Rule’s book, the 30-06 used a 4-groove barrel with 1:10″ twist while the 300 WIN MAGNUM used a 6-groove barrel with 1:10″ twist. Which is yours??? I can go check my guns, but have not done it yet…
All-in-all I see no reason to worry about at this point…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Dirt man, l would also be concerned with a 300 Win Mag. With a 30-06 marked under barrel! Is the bottom of the recoil lug marked 458? All the Pre 64 Model 70 short Magnums that I have seen are so marked. This will help you to know that the receiver is in fact a Factory short Magnum.
Louis Luttrell said
Hi Dirtman-What I can see of the gun looks correct (second pic won’t load for me)… By 1963 it was common for there to be nothing stamped under the barrel except for the index mark used for barrel alignment (located exactly 90˚ from the extractor cut). But when they were marked, “30-06” was used for ’06 barrels (replacing the earlier “1906” stamp) and 300M for 300 WIN MAGNUM barrels (same stamp as used formerly for the 300 H&H MAGNUM).
Your exposed barrel markings and misaligned proofs look good. The barrel has the “Trademark” stamp on it, as opposed to the “circle R” symbol, but both were used (abut 50-50) with the “Trademark” stamped barrels generally being earlier that the (R) barrels. I think that the “clean up” theory you’ve heard is very reasonable and likely correct…
Question for you… According to barrel specs published in Roger Rule’s book, the 30-06 used a 4-groove barrel with 1:10″ twist while the 300 WIN MAGNUM used a 6-groove barrel with 1:10″ twist. Which is yours??? I can go check my guns, but have not done it yet…
All-in-all I see no reason to worry about at this point…
Lou
Lou you were the man I was hoping to see a reply from, and upon further inspection the rifle has the correct 6 groove rifling! The second picture you couldn’t see is just a picture of the whole rifle, I’m almost in shock that I have something that is of not so common knowledge!
Bo Rich said
Dirt man, l would also be concerned with a 300 Win Mag. With a 30-06 marked under barrel! Is the bottom of the recoil lug marked 458? All the Pre 64 Model 70 short Magnums that I have seen are so marked. This will help you to know that the receiver is in fact a Factory short Magnum.
Bo I honestly did not check it, (I’ve also never heard of the 458 stamp on all factory short magnum recievers) but all other things aside I believe the rifle to be 100% legitimate
My 1963-vintage Pre-64 Model 70 is very similar to yours, with “30-06” stamped on the bottom of the barrel and “458” on the bottom of the action. These rifles were some of the most unattractive Pre-64s made, with very light colored stocks and tiny pattern checkering. However, having one like yours (and mine) in remarkably good condition and in a limited caliber, is a win.
Of note, I walked into the Camelback Gun Shop in Phoenix, AZ back in 1978. Among the used guns on display were a Pre-64 Westerner in 264 Win Mag and one in 300 Win Mag, both in pristine condition. I bought the 264 Westerner for $250, if I remember correctly. In today’s money that’s a little under $1200. The salesman offered the 300 Win Mag for $280–a tad over $1300 in today’s money–but I turned him down. My reason? I already had a 1968-vintage Model 70 in 300 Win Mag and didn’t need another. Oh, to be young and naive again!
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