1964 Model 70|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

Mitch, 

I’m assuming you bought a Model 70 with the new push-feed action first offered in 1964 and not a controlled feed pre-64 varmint model sold out of remaining inventory in 1964. 

The Standard style post-63 Model 70 featured a heavier contour barrel than previously, which was sold with a set of (removable) Williams iron sights. It was available in 243 and some confuse it for a varmint model.

However, there was also a dedicated 1964 Varmint model offered, which had a much heavier contour barrel without sights but with installed scope blocks. It was initially offered in 243 and 220 Swift but fairly quickly the Swift was withdrawn and the new 225 Winchester substituted. 

If you can post pictures, it would be helpful If you would do so.  

I’m attaching a photo of a Standard style 1964 rifle (actually, the 1966 version that has a slightly different stock) that is chambered for the 243 cartridge. It is still in the family and I took a Whitetailed buck with it several years ago.

Mitch,  You should never apologize for a post-63 Winchester. Until the late Sixties or early Seventies they were, with exceptions, no things of great beauty but — all the Bravo Sierra should be disregarded about accuracy out of the box. The rifle had bettet accuracy and much bettet gas handling than the previous guns. The model 70 trigger on the past 63 guns was the same as before and one of the best on the market. 

I own two, both made in 1980, the last before USRAC took over in New Haven. Both have the push feed 1964 action and are beautifully made. 

In particular, the 1964 Varmint rifle was, at the time, the most accurate centerfire production rifle ever made by Winchster. There were specially tuned custom target rifles that could beat it, but nothing out of the box in regular production could.