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Folks, I have a 1957-built Winchester Pre-64 Model-70 Target rifle chambered in 30-06. It’s bone stock and has seen very little use. Bore is bright and rifling crisp/sharp. It has the heavy, not the bull barrel and wears the standard Marksman stock with the adjustable hand rest on the bottom of the forearm. Both wood and metal are in very good condition….overall, about 97%. It has no sights, but does wear a set of Leupold bases and rings. I’m thinking about selling it here locally in Colorado Springs and was wondering what a good fair, reasonable price might be? The Blue Book at our local library is about 4 years old, but it says Target models sell for roughly the same price as Standard rifles. However, my research on various web sites suggests Target models have been selling for more. For example, I’ve seen Target models in 30-06 sell on GunsAmerica, Gunbroker, and GunsInternational for $2000, plus or minus a couple hundred. Comparable Standard Grade guns have been selling for around $1200-$1400. I know it would help to have pics, but I don’t have any at this time. I’d be selling only the rifle; there’s no box or original paperwork. Given my description, what would be a fair, reasonable price? Any thoughts on a bottom-line price? Thanks.
November 5, 2014
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One of the things I find a little ironic about pre-64 M70s is that the Target models in general do not generate as much collector interest as, say, Super Grades or uncommon/rare chamberings. The total number of Target Rifles produced was about the same as the number of Supers. Most of those, maybe 80%, were chambered in 30-06. On the other hand, Target rifles tended to get shot A LOT compared to your average hunting rifle, so I would expect attrition rate to be higher than for Supers. Hence I’m puzzled that they don’t command higher prices than they do.
That said (and recognizing that I am both a fan of the Target models AND an idiot), I have paid as much as $3600 for a true mint condition late M70 30-06 Target Rifle and $3700 for an equally mint late National Match rifle. Laugh all you want… Like I said, I’m an idiot, but these examples were virtually unused.
If the rifle is about 97% with all original attachments (including scope blocks and Bakelite adjustable hand stop) and clean (not glass bedded and not free floated), I certainly would not consider an asking price in the $2250-$2500 range to be excessive. For 1957, the rifle would not have come from the factory with metallic sights (unless specifically ordered that way). The muzzle would have either a 3/8″ dovetail with Lyman filler block or two D&T 6-48 holes, depending on when the barrel was made, and there would be no receiver sight. It should have the two telescope sight mounting blocks on barrel and receiver ring. Of course the Leupold scope base necessitated removing at least the receiver block, so that is a minor distraction from the collector point of view.
What do others think?
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
Lou,
I find it funny that you call yourself an idiot for paying “too much” for a Winchester. We have all done that at one time. As George Madis stated years ago, “you never pay too much for a Winchester, but you may buy it too soon”.
Walter
I have my dads model 70 target rifle he shot at camp perry in the 1970″s … he was on the NRA board and Executive Committee and we went to camp perry when i was a kid. i don’t know a lot about it but it’s is perfect and i’ll never use it. Should i take $ 1,000 for it? i have an offer. thanks 509-948-5514 chuck
What does D&T the receiver to mount a Noske scope do to the value of a pre-war SG? Nothing good, I know, but I wonder how big a hurt it puts on an otherwise 95% gun. Seems unbelievable that after their experience with the M.54, Winchester failed to anticipate that factory sights no better than those on a ’94 carbine weren’t going to be adequate for the “rifleman’s rifle.”
I’m glad, however, some previous owner did it; otherwise I couldn’t be shooting it.
November 5, 2014
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Chuck-
What is the serial number of your Dad’s M70 target rifle? A high condition post-war pre-64 M70 Target rifle could be worth $3-4K to the right buyer. Post-64 guns may be worth less depending on variation, but I’d want to defer to seewin on that point as it is not my area. The Camp Perry provenance of your Dad’s gun could make it worth more than a similar undocumented example.
Clarence-
Just my personal opinion… A high condition pre-war M70 SG, if unaltered, could be worth $4-8K depending on the chambering. Non-factory D&T holes will discourage many collectors, so the value would be reduced significantly. I’d say by 50%… But keep in mind that you are starting from a high value so even a big hit in price can leave the gun worth a significant sum. And a vintage period-correct Noske scope helps ‘legitimize’ the work as contemporary.
Just my opinions…
Lou
WACA 9519; Studying Pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters
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