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June 22, 2026
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Hello. This was my first pre-64 M70 that I purchased a few years ago. – .30 GOV’T .06 – I believe it is a 1948 manufacture date based on serial number. The rifle shoots pretty darn good as she sits, but I really don’t care for the stock, which is an aftermarket stock of some sort, maybe custom not sure, but I have been told its likely a replacement stock from the 60’s or 70’s. Regardless, its bulky and I really don’t like a Monte Carlo style stocks. So I am trying to get recommendations / opinions on best options for replacing it. Any good stock makers that are worth the money? Drop in stocks? I don’t want to break the bank but also not going to cheap out either. This clearly is no collector’s piece, and will be used heavily primarily for hunting whitetail, mule deer, and the like. There really isn’t anything wrong with the stock, and it shoots well, but it’s just not my taste or fit. Attached are pics of how she sits currently. thanks for any help.
November 5, 2014
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Hi Buckums-
What is the serial number? Reason I ask is that 1948 was when Winchester changed from the Type II “transition” receiver with cloverleaf tang to the Type III “latter” receiver with the oval tang. I can’t quite make out which yours is…
IF it’s a type III (oval tang) receiver, and you like the look/feel of the low comb (NRA style) stock, then for a hunting rifle I think I’d just watch eBay for a take-off stock with an added recoil pad. You’re likely to find one for $150 or so, and if it’s already been cut for a pad you can replace the pad, glass bed the action, etc. to your hearts content without worrying about devaluing an “original” stock.
Just my take… It’s what I did to the 1950 vintage 30-06 Standard rifle that I use on deer… Not a great picture of the gun (scanned off a Kodachrome slide), but this is what it looks like with an average TX whitetail…
Best,
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
June 22, 2026
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Hi Lou, and thank you for the response. the serial number is 129807, and below is a pic of the tang. That is a dandy buck and I really like that stock on your 30.06. that is much more my taste. As I was cleaning the rifle, on the butt plate it is stamped with “BISHOP”. After some research, it looks like a semi custom stock maker from that era. Used Ozark Walnut, which is cool since that is my stomping grounds. I have not noticed that marking before. After cleaning it up a bit, the stock is growing on my somewhat, but the weight is too far back and it doesn’t balance well, like my factory stocked 375 H&H M70 does.
November 5, 2014
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Hi Buckums-
I’d never post a photo of myself unless I was wearing a mask… 
You rifle was made in early 1950, so it’s a Type III-1 oval tang gun. Which is good, since it makes finding a stock much easier. It should not be too difficult to find a low comb take-off stock with added pad for a decent price, and as long as it wasn’t cut too short you should be good to go. I think there were couple of them on a table at Cody…
Bishop was a popular maker of semi-finished and finished/drop-in stocks back in the day. I never did care much for their Monte Carlo stocks, but a lot of people in the 1950s wanted the MC to replace the low comb if they were mounting a scope.
Good Luck!!!
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
August 8, 2024
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Buckums, I really like the stock that is on your rifle. If it was mine I would take that rifle to the woods as is, and be very proud of it! I have always liked the Monte Carlo stock. In fact my favorite Model 70 style is the Super Grade that Winchester started making in 1955. Guess what it has a Monte Carlo stock! Nothing wrong with the low comb stock with a peep or iron sights. You just need a neck like a giraffe for a good cheek hold when using a scope.
January 20, 2023
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10-4 Bo. My 1950 Super Grade has the old pancake cheekpiece and low comb stock. Love the gun; it’s an ’06, but I gave up on and pulled its scope in low Redfield rings and put on a newish Lyman 48 WJS-H and the Redfield Full Gold Bead generously gifted me by Lou Luttrell. Now it works as intended and I’ve got a 1.25″ 100 yard, 3-shot target to prove it.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
January 20, 2023
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Louis Luttrell said
Hi Buckums-
What is the serial number? Reason I ask is that 1948 was when Winchester changed from the Type II “transition” receiver with cloverleaf tang to the Type III “latter” receiver with the oval tang. I can’t quite make out which yours is…
IF it’s a type III (oval tang) receiver, and you like the look/feel of the low comb (NRA style) stock, then for a hunting rifle I think I’d just watch eBay for a take-off stock with an added recoil pad. You’re likely to find one for $150 or so, and if it’s already been cut for a pad you can replace the pad, glass bed the action, etc. to your hearts content without worrying about devaluing an “original” stock.
Just my take… It’s what I did to the 1950 vintage 30-06 Standard rifle that I use on deer… Not a great picture of the gun (scanned off a Kodachrome slide), but this is what it looks like with an average TX whitetail…Best,
Lou
Lou, Your idea of an “average” Texas Whitetail is a hell of a lot more impressive than most I’ve taken over the years. I suspect that is an “average South Texas brush country buck.”
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
November 5, 2014
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Hi Zeb-
Nope… That’s a middle of the State low fence “Hill Country” buck. I took my middle Son hunting there a long while ago when he was in high school b/c you see lots of deer and turkey, i.e. it’s not “boring” for a teenager. He shot a much nicer one than mine (and a turkey and a cull buck)…
Main reason I like that photo is b/c my face is covered!!!
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
March 31, 2009
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Louis Luttrell said
Not a great picture of the gun (scanned off a Kodachrome slide), but this is what it looks like with an average TX whitetail…Best,
Lou
PM me I’d like to know how to do this.
June 22, 2026
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Thanks all for the replies. I will keep my eyes peeled for a replacement stock. In the meantime, I’m going to run her like she is. I cleaned up the stock with some elbow grease and renaissance wax, put on an older gloss 3×9 Leupold I had laying around. The cheek weld attained with this MC stock and the rings / Redfield base it came with is really almost ideal. Surprisingly, the MC stock on this ol gal is actually starting to grow on me.
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