I don't want to sound like a Grumpy Old PIA (even though I am one ), but I'm afraid that it would take multiple detailed photos, particularly everything to do with the barrel (ramp, crown, roll marks, proofs, under barrel stamps) to answer your question.  It would also help for you to consider (you do not need to name names here) WHO is "offering" the gun...  An "Old Friend" or a "Dealer"...

M70 Carbines, in and of themselves, are not particularly "rare".  They made almost 8,000 of them.  But they are "popular" amongst collectors and original ones command high prices.  There is really NO (as in ZERO) accurate information about relative rarity of style/chambering of M70 Carbines (WADR to Roger Rule), but 22 HORNET would be among the less common ones.  Hence, there is A LOT of fakery when it comes to Carbines in 22 HORNET, 250-3000 SAV, 7 M/M, 35 REM, etc.   The buyer MUST beware, especially when dealing with "dealers"...  Even honest dealers may not know what's "fake" and what's "real"...

Anyway...  A clean legit pre-64 M70 22 Hornet would be a pricey gun.  Easily reach $7.5K or more in a well-attended auction.  A single bridge hole for a Redfield JR mount is a significant "hit" but I'm still thinking it's a $5K gun.  In a perverse way, the hole adds weight to the "authenticity" argument, since most fakers would repair that hole.  Yes, I know, it's dirty...  But buying/selling/collecting "rare" M70s is a dirty business.  Too many people out there who will do anything for a buck...

So it all comes down to pics...

Good Luck!!!  Just my (cynical) take...

Lou

P.S.  This one MIGHT (???) be a legit 22 HORNET Carbine.  If anyone sees any issues PLEASE let me know...

I love pre 64 winchester model 70s!

Anthony #5411 said

............ after meeting you, it's no wonder he took a liking to you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Tony
  

Thanks Tony!  It was great meeting and talking with you in Ohio Too............

george@georgeamlott.com said

Anthony #5411 said                                                                                                                                                                                                   For me a little bit of wood glue into the split, with a strap to help tighten it wouldn't hurt. IMO!
Thanks for sharing!
Tony 
  

That's sort of what Lou said.........except he suggested a different type of glue (after he told me to maybe just leave it alone).  The small check actually is more visible in the close-up pictures than to the naked eye.  It is directly in line with the butt plate screw hole, so I believe that it just occurred naturally as there is no evidence that the rifle has been dropped or played with in any way. I'll probably just leave it alone for now.  It'll be securely tucked away in my safe.....not out in the field. Maybe Lou will chime back in on the subject.........
  

George,

I can agree with you, and also like Lou's suggestion. I can understand how these pictures, can make something like that , look worse than it really is!

Like I was saying before, that little check wouldn't stop me from pursuing this rifle as it's very nice, and you're lucky to have the opportunity to meet an older gentleman as you have, and after meeting you, it's no wonder he took a liking to you.

Tony

Anthony #5411 said                                                                                                                                                                                                   For me a little bit of wood glue into the split, with a strap to help tighten it wouldn't hurt. IMO!
Thanks for sharing!
Tony 
  

That's sort of what Lou said.........except he suggested a different type of glue (after he told me to maybe just leave it alone).  The small check actually is more visible in the close-up pictures than to the naked eye.  It is directly in line with the butt plate screw hole, so I believe that it just occurred naturally as there is no evidence that the rifle has been dropped or played with in any way. I'll probably just leave it alone for now.  It'll be securely tucked away in my safe.....not out in the field. Maybe Lou will chime back in on the subject.........

George,

I really like you're example! The little bit of glare on a few pics, isn't that bad and a very selection of pictures, as this time of year with the Sun glare can be a challenge. IMO!

Not knocking the rifle at all, just curious from others as I suspect the small and very little split in the wood, at the heal of the butt stock, that doesn't bother me in the least and wouldn't deter me from pursuing this fine example, was possibly caused by the screw hole, as a weak spot in the wood, as the Fine Walnut Wood on this rifle, can tend to move a little in different weather conditions, as on others. For me a little bit of wood glue into the split, with a strap to help tighten it wouldn't hurt. IMO!

Thanks for sharing!

Tony 

On the other hand, this 243 has always shot well with any factory ammunition i cared to put through it. The barrel was hammer forged and is of a fairly heavy contour for a sporter. And the trigger is the same as before. The action is plenty long enough to handle the full length Holland cartridges, the pull only shortened by a bolt stop. I suppose the lack of a controlled round feed didn't bother me because my first deer rifle had been a Remington 600 carbine. Neither ever misfed or failed to eject because I never short-stroked the bolt. 

The question whether the pre-64 Model 70/Mauser 98 action is "superior" to the Remington 700 style action depends on what quality you most favor. If absolute accuracy is the standard, the question has long since been answered.

Reliability is a more subtle issue because it depends on user skill and construction quality. Harry Selby never had a problem with his post-73 African whereas I might jam one functionless and soil my bush shorts if charged by a wounded Cape Buffalo. On the other hand, a cheaply made mauser clone from Wheredahellistan might snap off it's badly heat-treated extractor or give up its bolt stop when operated violently.  

However, given the cost of a modern safari for Cape Buffalo or the big cats, or a guided Alaskan hunt for Coastal Grizzly bear,  anybody who can afford such can surely afford a reliable rifle. If I were younger and won the Texas Lotterry,  I expect I would choose a proven Mauser 98 derivative that my gunsmith had given a very close look. 

antler1 said

Maverick I would agree with this modified statement you have made. Your original statement said " cover up a thumbnail" implying grouping at 400 yards. I also agree with Bill that most hunters should not be taking 400 yard shots at game 
  

Huh. What size gloves do you wear? I've got a decent sized thumbnail! At least in the 1/2" to 3/4" in sized range.

I mean I know most guys here aren't the biggest fans of the U.S.R.A.Co., as we all generally like to collect the Pre-64 Winchesters. But 30 years ago we bought a brand new out of the box USRACo / "Herstal Group" / Winchester Model 70 chambered in 300 Win. Mag. in 1996 when the BOSS system was introduced. And it could cover up your pinky finger at 400 yards. We didn't have to do much to adjust it to its sweet spot. That rifle for whatever reason liked the Number 6 setting. Once we found it, we rarely ever touched it again. In fact only reason we ever needed to readjust it was because we took it hunting and banged it up. I recall one time on a deer drive running dogs, I flung slap off a four-wheeler rack coming around a curve too fast. Thought I surely messed it up that time. My dad tried dropping it off a mountain elk hunting in Colorado. It along with the Leupold scope just kept on trucking.

I suppose we may have gotten lucky with that one rifle though. I had bought another late production USRACo made in the year 2004, Model 70 chambered in 300 WSM. Only problem I had with it is USRACo's version of the Highly checkered stock. The dam fancy deluxe stock cracked on me while I was firing, actually in the act of taking a deer. I raised up to shoot a buck and realized real quick something was off and I (had to) emptied the magazine at the deer until I could get it down. Ended up having to run across the field and get up on it close to finish him. I got real lucky with finishing him. Anyways ended up getting a replacement stock and the rifle is doing fine now. They had a bad batch of stocks, wood selection, installed it incorrectly or something else was wrong with the original stock.

Louis Luttrell said

BTW... My only "quibble" with the rifle is that the sheet metal slide in the 22G rear sight has been altered (sight notch cut into a deeper "V") and the stop screw replaced.  The sort of thing you might do when sighting in a gun with your desired combination of ammunition and distance.  EASY "fix" if you only want "factory original"...  
Best,
Lou
  

Ben was kind enough to send me the proper slide and stop screw which I replaced tonight.

Thanks Ben! and…Thanks Lou for your keen eye!

IMHO, one to two inch groups at 100 yds. is perfectly acceptable accuracy for a sporting rifle

Anthony #5411 said
Very Cool Bryan!
 
Tony
  

Thanks Tony!!

The Contest Contender list is starting to grow!

https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/doc-pardee-club

Maverick said

P.S. I'll also agree that most people can't hit the broad side of a barn! Let alone the door hinge screw on the barn door. 
  

That's me with iron sights.  Past about 50 yds I really can't see where on the target I am actually holding.