I'm not going to look at all of the comments about bronze brushes destroying barrels. If the bronze brush will destroy your Barrel your Barrel was not going to remain intact anyway. I have seen people use a stainless steel brush and not put a mark in their rifle. If you are rifle barrel was softer than the bronze brush, you wouldn't be able to shoot it
I have a Winchester Model 54 chambered in 270. It belonged to my grandfather. He and a few other gentleman would travel to Utah from Kansas deer hunting every year. They would pack up into the mountains and hunt for 2 weeks. Apparently, everyone in Utah back in the’30s was issued a deer permit and this group would get a number of tags and fill them for folks that couldn’t. This was in the depression and that deer meat was highly valued. My dad said his father harvested a little over 200 deer with that rifle over the years. This was in a time when deer were basically extinct in Kansas. Back in the 90’s I mounted a scope on it and worked up some hand loads for it. It’s a solid 1.5” to 2” shooter. He had the trigger worked on and it will fire if it’s knocked on fairly hard. I took it out and harvested a nice buck on the family farm that he and his father started in the late 1800’s. Such a great feeling to be able to do that, old world craftsmanship and modern wildlife conservation coming together across generations.
just came across this vid today. recently i was gifted my great grandfathers deer rifle, its a winchester model 55 non take down in 32 win special. the gun is in fine condition and perfect working order. fired a few rounds thru it and is accurate enough for me to hunt with. i will be the 4th generation to carry this rifle into the deer woods, then my son and nephew and their kids, we hope to get 2 more generations taking a deer with it this year then its going up on the wall. the history behind it is just to long to type here but gives ya goose bumps holding it knowing the family history behind the rifle, thanks for he vids, i watch often be safe
The same exact gun made 1951 model 7270 caliber.You can't beat that gun It out. Shoots the 6.5 creed.It really?Does these guys here to tell you the same thing?Especially when it's in a model seventy three sixty four Pre war guns are all great guns
My Grandpa passed 6 years ago to the day. Before he passed he left me with his .243 model Win 70 made in 1947. It's my most prized possession and have killed many deer with it since
What an awesome rifle with great family history!!!! Two years ago, I was given my first family hunting rifle, a 1903 .30-06, that was sporteried by R.F. Sedgley. It's at least 84 years old and still shoots great. I now use it for opening day of Virginia rifle season and I always hunt the family farm!!!
Good Morning Mr. Spomer, very nice rifle there, Serial #: 37865, I checked a few places and it appears to be a 1941. By the way, great videos and great content. Have a good day and Merry Christmas!!
Winchester has a site detailing the serial numbers of those original M 70s and the dates they were made. My M 70, a .270 caliber, which I acquired from my grandfather, has the # 25822 and was manufactured in 1939; I have photos of the elk my grandfather and uncle took with similar weapons! I've learned to shoot, hunted, guided, and have given up hunting to just admire that timeless gun and relish the memories associated with it!
Ron, I am a little late in viewing this video, but you had me yelling at the screen with the scope adjustments. Those old friction scopes always needed to be moved beyond and moved back and then taped like you did. lastly you never mentioned the bullet weight originally used. In the forty's most likely it would be 180 grain or 220 grain that was hand loaded. Shooting high and right with 165 grain is not out of the realm of where it should hit. I would have at least tried some 180 grain and left the scope alone unless they were way off. After my mild rant I did enjoy the video. Keep up the good work Ron.
My father and i are fortunate enough to each have a model 70 in 375h&h (1953 & 1954 ). My father was gifted his by a friend of my grandfather's when my father was still in high school. He then purchased the second rifle, that now belongs to me when he was at university in 1988, a year before i was born. It became my rifle on my 21st birthday. Both rifles have taken multiple cape buffalo and even elephant. They never fail. I have other modern rifles that are fun to shoot and very accurate, but my m70 is always my first choice for either hunting myself or accompanying hunters on our property. When you have a m70 in pre-64 it is not just another rifle, it is a passion and a love affair. It is not just a tool in your arsenal, it becomes s part of who you are as a hunter. It is a little piece of history from a time when it wasn't about shooting sub moa groups or trying to ring steel at over 500 yards. It is about knowing and understanding your rifle. Knowing and understanding your prey. Its serves to me as a reminder to be a hunter and not a shooter.
I have a win m54 also. Serial 3547.made in 1926. They are beautiful and awsome rifles. Smooth as butter.and the stocks are beautiful.i love mine. It's still all original.not drilled for a scope and never be.😊
I purchased a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 in 1996 that had an old post and beam scope on it , at a gun shop in Desert Hot Springs, Kalifornia. It was brought in by a snowbird family that lived in Alaska 5 months out of the year. They told the gun shop it had been in their family for many years in Alaska. I checked the serial number right after I bought it. One of the earliest models made in 1937. If it could talk I’d love to hear the stories it could tell. Since it wouldn’t talk to me I took it out and shot a coyote . Ol Wiley was skinned before he hit the ground !!
I'm in charge of my family's Winchester rifles. I have 2 1894 a 3240,30wcf. My great grandpaps and my grandpaps. I still use them. Conservatively for hunting. I don't take them out in wet weather. I got a doe with the 30 wcf. It was made in 1909. I would not ever sell.😊
Absolutely gorgeous rifle !! Your buddy's groups will get a lot tighter when he stops coming off the trigger so fast. If he watches this video and concentrates on his trigger control, he can tighten his group up by Staying on that trigger well after the shot has been fired. Great video and he's a lucky man to have such a priceless rifle. Thank you guys.
I have a couple pre-64 model 70s I have a standard weight pre-war 30-06, standard 257 Roberts, featherweight 308 and a featherweight 30-06 with a peep sight, they are absolutely beautiful guns!
I'm almost certain the first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Model 70 in 257 Roberts. It was definitely a 257 Roberts and about 95% sure it was a Model 70. This would have been circa 1979 and the rifle would have been pre-WWII. 1939 to 1940 would be my guess.
I have a M70 in .30-06 from 1952. She's seen some miles but still shoots ~1-1.25 MOA. I shoot it about once a month. Have many other .30-06 rifles - from R700 to a Sako 85. This vintage M70 is my favorite.
The first rifle, firearm of any kind I shot was a Winchester model 70, I shot that rifle on Christmas morning 1963 and the remarkable thing about that shot was that I was born in January of ‘59! It’s a scary/fun story but a bit long for here, so I’ll just say it should never have happened. But that rifle is in my safe today.
Ron what about doing a Vintage rifle week? Dust off some of the old classics and see how they shoot, model 70s, savage 99, Rem 700s ect… I’d watch it!!
From my first rifle shooting experiences over 50 years ago I was amazed at the precision of these implements. Who could ever imagine that they were able to make target holes 100 yards away which would land within an inch or two of each other! It truly seemed like magic to me, and it still does. By the way, my '06 Model 70 is the last rifle I would ever part with. Bob
I agree. Winchester rifles are the best. I still hunt with my grandpaps 1894 made in 1909. I inherited it after he passed. It has a 26" octagon barrel. . It stamped Nicole steel barrel proofed for smokeless powder. 30 wcf. It was my first deer rifle. I still use it. I killed my first Pennsylvania buck in 1978. And a lot of deer since. And a doe this year. No money can buy.😊
My father back in the 50's use to buy military surplus 06's and refurbish them. Turn them into match rifles. He'd buy an 03/A3 for about $35 and restock, put Redfield sites on them, we couldn't afford scopes. He also did a couple 8mm Mausers. We use to go to the Pine Tree Gun club in Northumberland county Penna. He would show off the stupidity off his then 8 year old son. I'd sit at the picnic table (only bench there). I'd sit on my knee's and squeeze off a round, the recoil would knock me off the bench, He'd say want to try it again, I'd readily agree. His shooting buddies said "that's the toughest 8 year old we know" I appreciate your show.
Ive got my dad's old Springfield Sporter that age. I love it. Me and my brother screwed with the scope so much he missed deer lol. So he broke it on purpose. Now we're stuck shooting like dad.
I have a 1955 Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30-06. I bought it in 1999 from A friend of an elderly neighbor. I have many rifles- but this is my rifle ! It has collected 12 elk & 13 deer since 1999! I will buy & sell other rifles - but this rifle will be handed down to one of my sons! They can fight over it after I’m gone!!! :-))
Ron, I love how excited you and Doug are about the performance of this Model 70. These are the guns that we grew up with and still hunt with. Not what they're producing today.
I still have my "plain Jane" Remington Model 721 bolt action 30'06. My Uncle gave it to me for my 14th birthday in 1962. It still shoots very accurately today--especially with Federal 180gr "accupoint" rounds.(1.5" groups at 100yds.)
Hi Ron. Winchester rifles are the best. Period.i have several . I even have a m54. Serial #3527. Made in 1925 first year they made them. Barrel stamped 30 gov 06. Still all original never drill for scope mounts.also m70,s. All pre 64. I love my Winchester all still original. No need to do anything to them. The hunt just fine.😊 God bless Ron.
I have a 1970 manufactured model 70 custom in 270. It is a beautiful rifle and a fabulous shooter. It is the fifth m70 I've owned. Thieves got three. I hope to pass my custom on to my son or grandson. I love my model 70's!
Ron, one of the few videos of yours that I can relate to. I have a Browning A-5 from 1950 and an M1 Garand from 1944 that belonged to each of my Grandfathers. I also have a model 70 in 270 short mag my wife gave me for my 40th birthday in 2002. Great guns, great videos, and greater memories! Thanks, Thomas, Mississippi!!
I have a 1951 Belgian made A-5 that was my grandfathers I believe it had only been shot 50 times before it came to me. Also have my dad's Marlin 30.30 that's a 1952 and I still hunt with it.
Hello Mr. Spomer Greetings from India. I have recently purchased a Winchester model 70 pre 64 chambered in.270 Winchester, which to my great satisfaction still shoots great and is one of the prettiest rifles I have seen. Unfortunately here in India the situation is very different than in the USA, here, we have very limited choices of ammunition . I solely depend on the wisdom of people like you. Hope you grace us with more videos and knowledge in the future. Once again thank you for this great video.
Great video Ron.i love watching your videos and listening to your podcast. I am 56 years old and have learned more from your videos than I can say. They are very educational on shooting and I thank you for that.
I have the 308 model 70 that my grandfather bought in 1953 to replace the 30-06 model 70 that was stolen from his 50' Mercury 3 days before leaving for a hunt in Idaho. Although he had a large collection it was his "go to" hunter. The stories that go with it are too numerous to mention here, but money cannot remove it from this family. Glad to see another guy with similar ties. I hope more folks like us chime in.
I have a early 30's model Winchester mod.70 That was the first gun I ever rebuilt and the first stock I ever carved. It is probably my favorite Bolt action that I've ever touched.
Right before Ron said he'll tap on the scope, I was ready to make a comment. Then he said it, and I cannot remember who taught me that, but it's always been something that I do when zeroing with any adjustment. This man knows his stuff
Great gun . I have my dad's 30-06 , JC HIGGINS HE BOIGHT AT SEARS IN 1955 AND A BB GUN FOR ME AT THE SAME TIME. I STILL USE IT FOR ELK AND I HAVEN'T HAD TO ADJUST THE SCOPE FOR AT LEAST 20YRS. Believe it's a Belgium made Browning , stamped Jc Higgens for sears ?
Yes, pretty close for sure. I bet you have a J C Higgins Model 50 or Model 51 sold by Sears. Only made for 2 years, 1950 and 1951, hence the Model numbers. Available in 2 calibers, 30-06 and .270 with the 06 being by far the most popular. Fantastic post WWII sporting rifle. Action was made by FN Mauser in Belgium with very good materials and workmanship. Barrels were usually supplied by High Standard and were chrome lined. Very accurate rifles. I was able to download quite a bit of info as well as the original owners manual. I have a Model 50 in 06. Timney makes a very nice replacement adjustable trigger that really helps.
Friend of mine gave me a JC Higgins version of this rifle and pretty rough condition a few years ago at first I'd like to mention he has since passed on to receive his glory and what a nice man he was my son recently out of the army move back to his home area of Houston Texas and when it's a hunt with my Marlin 336 C in 3030 having heard this he insisted on giving me that JC Higgins in 270 swearing at a 30-30 was insufficient for a hunting rifle in Texas . Most of the work the gun needed was cosmetic which I'm pretty proficient at and I gave it to my son for a birthday present with a modern scope on it three to nine. There were a few character marks on the gun character marks on referring to that came with the story I left those in place along with the story when I refinish the stock. He successfully uses the 336 Marlin more than the 270 but at least he has the option at this point and unfortunately for me my time is limited but he will very soon have a very nice collection to choose from as my days are numbered due to illness . You know after 65 years all the guns I'm leaving to him are irreplaceable nothing expensive or particularly collectible but all with the little bit of character. Such as a model 49 saddle gun Ithaca a 96 Mauser nicely sporterized before it was sacrilegious to do so a 1957 Winchester model 94 and so on . Sorry I'm just rambling cuz I got nothing better to do God loves you guys and Merry Christmas to all
Love it! Nice 06, and the furniture has been well taken care of, It is impressive. I have a Springfield 30-06 1903-A3 that was manufactured in 1911. I do reload for it with 165gr projectile and IMR 3031. OH, I have a Kraig 1898 and load it with the same bullet and powder.
The 03-a3 manufacture started during ww2 in 1942-44. If your rifle was made in 1911 it is a 1903. Remington and Smith-Corona made @1,000,000 03-a3's between them. Year of manufacture should be stamped on the receiver.😎 The 03-a3 will have an aperture rear sight, while the 03 will have a ladder rear sight on the barrel.
I have been fortunate to own 20-30 of these in my 60+ years of collecting rifles! Great guns but I like my husqvarna rifles and Sako’s as much and anything Mauser too! Hundreds of guns and almost all of them shot good if they were halfway taken care of! Nothing like a gun that has seen many family memories down through the years!
Model 70 is a great rifle, reliable, easy loading, smooth feeding, a definite go to rifle. Mine is a featherweight that I have owned for 23yrs and I still catch myself picking it over my other rifles.
I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 30.06 Springfield made in 1953 that I got from my dad. It lived most of its life in Michigan and the humid climate caused some extensive pitting in the barrel... but it still shoots 3/4 minute groups with hand loads. It is also a rifle with some long ago memories and one that both my dad and I admired for its accuracy and its looks. It's a beautiful rifle and will be a memento that will remind me of him when he's gone... but he isn't gone yet, he just turned 84 years old today!
@Nick-wn1xw That is true. Dad was not very good at maintaining his guns. But, with the humidity in the east, a gun that isn't well cared for will fall victim to the rust monster. I did 4 years in the Marine Corps so weapon cleaning is second nature for me, and I live in the dry climate of Wyoming now so my guns are in top form. Even when I lived in Michigan I took care of my guns and kept them well oiled, yet once in a while I'd find a little spot of rust trying to form from a drop of water that got missed on the wipe-down after hunting in the rain or snow. It's a constant battle and it's not necessarily neglect that can lead to rust pitting, sometimes it's just a bit of carelessness.
I belive the sling stud stuck to the shooting rest, that would explain the flyers. You really need to remove the sling or atleast consider it when shooting from a bench rest. Nice rifle, have a M70 post 64 in 308, after freeing the barrel channel it grouped 0.75" or better with milsurp and handloads. Recoil is a killer though with that crooked stock.
have the serial no lookup right in front of me-the rifle was made in 1940-start with 31675 and end with 41753-all rifle in between were made in 1940-37865 puts it right in the middle of the year
My go-to Deer-rifle is a 1908 Carl-Gustaf 6.5x55 , custom stock, bolt and trigger . The barrel and action is original Military , it will put 3-rounds into an-inch @100-meters every-time and sometimes better . Dave nz
What an amazing story and rifle.. I have my Great grandpas Winchester model 1917 which has all the WW 1 markings on it. It was made in 1918 from the serial number. I shoot it once every couple months and still shoots crazy good. Love the old rifles.. Ones especially that have awesome stories behind them. Great video
Nice gun. That’s a pre-war vs a pre-64. Turn those scope adjustments all the way in and then back them out while giving the scope a tap. Pull the bolt out and re-bore sight. The internals in old scopes can bind up a bit. This process frees the insides up again.
Watched the entire video . Ron , you make long version videoes fun AND educational . This superb gun could benifit from a modern scope upgrade . The gun is excuizit in craftsmanship. You too look like good old friends that both apreciategood fireatms . Good show ! Ontario Canada .
I have my father's pre-64 M70, made in '52. I sent it to Kleingunthers in the early 1980s to have their accurizing service performed... glass-bedded and muzzle recrowned. It shoots 3 rounds of Fed Premium 165gr BTs under 1" at 100 yards. They also removed the barrel hold-down screw and free floated the barrel after an inch or so of bedding at the chamber. The old M70s were a very smooth-cycling action from the factory, more so than the Classics of the 1990s, but my two .243 Classic Stainless rifles (one is a factory rifle with Hogue Overmolded stock, the other a Cloward-built high power over the course rifle) have had the action smoothed to where they cycle like oiled glass. The sporter shoots under 1" with Federal 75, 85, and 100 gr loads, the Cloward rifle with its 26" Lilja 1:9" barrel shoots handloaded 107gr Sierra match bullets under 1/2 MOA at 600 yards. People who don't think M70s can shoot have never shot one. I think your friend's M70 needs a new scope... and sighting that 165 gr load 3" high at 100 yards should let him hold center chest on a deer out to 350 yards or so and get a hit.
My 16 year old son has a Marlin 336 from the 1950s, in .35 Remington. Last Saturday, I witnessed my boy putting three factory loads (Hornady Lever Revolution) into a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards from an informal rest on his backpack. He does have a scope on it, but it's an old fixed low power Weaver. That rifle shoots! He bought the rifle off of a family friend for $600.00. His hunting buddies kinda chide him over his antique rifle, but it does its job just fine. I hunt with an older (1957, I believe) Remington 760 pump, and it is also a great shooter. Nothing wrong with an older rifle, if cared for.
In the old days cleaning rods were made durable and tough, especially those used by the world's militaries in order to last a long time. They were made of steel and could, would, and did damage rifling and crowns when used carelessly. But most modern civilian cleaning rods are made of softer metals that will often bend, strip threads, or break when used incorrectly or carelessly. Which is a good thing. Better to damage or break a cheap cleaning rod than an expensive gun barrel. They are usually made of aluminum and are not a great threat to a gun barrel. At least not much more than a bullet. Plus cloth barrel snakes can be used for most quick cleaning jobs reducing the number of times a cleaning rod is used to the bare minimum.
This video brings forth a great deal of sentiment value to me. Why? I’m proud to say that I have my granddad’s pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. He killed every species of non dangerous game in North America with that rifle using 165 Partitions. What year was it made? 1953…
I have a friend. Who when he was younger.worked for a coal company..they had what was called a company store.he bought every model 70 they made.one each payday..he still has all those guns .never been shot still in the boxes.
I have a Husqvarna Mauser action from 1950 (bought not made) and it’s a tack driver. Dad’s last deer was a Florida doe shot in the neck because of the grass height. Stepped off 297 paces/yards. A 90lb doe. Old doesn’t mean anything. Clean and maintain it’ll last centuries. M1 Garand from 1942, a 1917 Eddystone Enfield all in ‘06 and all shoot great. Maintenance is key.
243 to 30-06 is a BIG jump in recoil, but the recoil of the 06 is not terrible. Since he is keeping it as an heirloom more than a tool, I would not change anything on it. I have a sporterized EDDYSTONE that my father-in-law gave me. It had a 4x fine crosshair scope on it. I had a Bushnell 4-12 with AO and duplex crosshairs lying around that I put on it. It shoots very well for being 106 years old. I hope to give it to his great geat grandson in a few years.
I have an Enfield model 1917 made in sept 1917. This is the predecessor of the model 70. They are quite similar other than the 1917 has a 2 position saftey similar to the rem700. I inherited this rifle from my grandfather who inherited it from his father. It had a new stock put on it in the mid 80s and had the trigger poloshed but other then that its only been cleaned. This rifle shoots sub moa all day. Ive found a nice cozy spot in my safe for it now but would not hesitate to make it my only rifle.
Mine is stock, and has a low 3 digit serial #. Very likely it never went overseas. The first few hundred of a production run was often used to verify specs, then used for training or guarding munitions plants, etc. the condition supports that belief. I like peep sights better, so i prefer this to a standard Springfield
1937 model 70 in 270 cal. with 5 numbers in the serial! Hunted, guided, hunted and it STILL is better that MOST other rifles on the planet!! When I finally put a scope on it, the gunsmith that mounted the scope said the metal was the hardest he'd ever drilled into for setting scope screws!
I have a Winchester Model 1907 351 WSL made in 1908 that was given to by my great grand father when I was 12 years old in '56 It still shoots pretty good. I have been reloading for it but it is very hard to get cases and bullets for it these days. I haven't shot it for a couple of years now. The last time my great grand father, my grand father, my father and I all shot together was in 1958 about 3 months before my great grand father died at age 92.
My go to hunting rifle is a 1903 Springfield that was made in 1906, my grandfather bought it surplus in 1964 and sold it to me a few years ago, it’s still an incredibly accurate rifle
I hunt with a winchester model 88 in .243win and my dad has a BSA in .270win. I just bought my first rifle, a modern weatherby vanguard in 30-06. Lots of memories with my old rifle though I’ll pass it down to my son one day.
Ron.for new year. I took my grandpaps 1894 30 wcf. Made in 1909. 26" octagon barrel. She still works just fine. I shot my first Pennsylvania buck with it in 1978.still using to this day. Took a Pennsylvania doe this year. A million dollars could not buy
Ron. Your experience really shows when you can estimate, on the fly, the bullet drop and wind drift for a target 300 yards out. First shot, wait for it, ding! After the first three shots, the resulting groups afterwards did not surprise me at all. With any except the newer higher priced scopes, you have to encourage the scope to actually move the erector tube. The erector tube will take a few shots for it to settle in. Tapping the scope with a tool (enough to simulate the recoil of the gun) will help. When you adjust the point of aim to go up, (to better meet the point of impact) you are wanting the erector tube to go up. It is that old spring in the scope to do the moving, and that usually takes a few shots for that spring to finish moving the tube. The same thing happens when you are moving the point of aim to the right. If the opposite corrections were to be made, you would see the point of impact change almost immediately. It probably took 4 shots for the scope to settle in. Therefore, Ron, your first shot was probably off because the scope was still settling. If Doug has shot 4 shots, you would likely to have shot a very small 3 shot group. Otherwise, it's nice to see a nice old venerable gun shoot so well.
Funny, his grandad was named “Afton”? My oldest son’s name is “Alden”, & we love it when you talk about our loved .30-06’ & other calibers like .260 Rem, & we hate 6.5 Creed!
I just bought a 30-06 M70 in a French Walnut stock. I hope when I get to be your age Ron, I'm still reminiscing about the Win Model 70 and what made it such a great rifle. Awesome vid with Doug.
fun video i have my wifes uncles 721 rem in 270 plain jane rifle and i love it i carried it today deer hunting no luck one that got away was my dads 722 rem in 222 that his uncle bought for him he shot a lot of groundhogs with it when i was a kid in the late fifties and early sixties he sold it to friend of his in the early seventies when i was away in the navy wish it was still in the family
I love the Pre64 Model 70's. However, there is 1 factory rifle in my opinion that gave the Pre64 M70 a run for it's money and that is the Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer
@@borkwoof696 I got a 1971 rem700 308 BDL that shots under a hafe inch at a 100yards with many different brand bullets also shot and seen others print groups as good were not talking 2000 and older Remington
@@warrengreen3217 that's awesome. However, while the rifle may shoot very accurately (which the older R700's usually do), the overall craftsmanship when it came to the fit and finish wasn't on par. I know this because I have a 1974 R700 in 30-06. A rifle may be super accurate, but that doesn't mean that the hand-fitment is there to the same degree as on other rifles (Ruger American comes to mind).
I own a couple of rifles and shotguns that range from 45 yrs. to over 65 yrs. that still operate fine. I recently gave my Winchester Model 70 (30-06) and I bought it in the 70s. I also gave him a Savage Model 99 (.303 Savage caliber) that my father-in-law bought used back in the 60's and have no clue how old it is. It's just expensive to shoot because the ammo is not only hard to find, but quite expensive when you do.
I resontly lost my uncle and I found his old number 1 safari gun 505 Gibson it had some problem but I found parts to it now it's shoots brand new but the rounds are a pain in the neck to find but it's a good old rifle kicks with the force but nothing to my great grandad's 4-bore SxS stoping rifle that is a real man's gun right there
I'm not going to look at all of the comments about bronze brushes destroying barrels. If the bronze brush will destroy your Barrel your Barrel was not going to remain intact anyway. I have seen people use a stainless steel brush and not put a mark in their rifle. If you are rifle barrel was softer than the bronze brush, you wouldn't be able to shoot it
Agree. What's worse for a barrel: 180grain pills at 2740fps, or a small brass brush?
Well said sir
I have a Winchester Model 54 chambered in 270. It belonged to my grandfather. He and a few other gentleman would travel to Utah from Kansas deer hunting every year. They would pack up into the mountains and hunt for 2 weeks. Apparently, everyone in Utah back in the’30s was issued a deer permit and this group would get a number of tags and fill them for folks that couldn’t. This was in the depression and that deer meat was highly valued. My dad said his father harvested a little over 200 deer with that rifle over the years. This was in a time when deer were basically extinct in Kansas. Back in the 90’s I mounted a scope on it and worked up some hand loads for it. It’s a solid 1.5” to 2” shooter. He had the trigger worked on and it will fire if it’s knocked on fairly hard. I took it out and harvested a nice buck on the family farm that he and his father started in the late 1800’s. Such a great feeling to be able to do that, old world craftsmanship and modern wildlife conservation coming together across generations.
I also have that model 54 in 270 win. It needs a stock but very clean.
just came across this vid today. recently i was gifted my great grandfathers deer rifle, its a winchester model 55 non take down in 32 win special. the gun is in fine condition and perfect working order. fired a few rounds thru it and is accurate enough for me to hunt with. i will be the 4th generation to carry this rifle into the deer woods, then my son and nephew and their kids, we hope to get 2 more generations taking a deer with it this year then its going up on the wall. the history behind it is just to long to type here but gives ya goose bumps holding it knowing the family history behind the rifle, thanks for he vids, i watch often be safe
I was born in 1951. My wife bought me a 1949 Model 70 in .270 Win about 10 years ago that became my go to rifle.
She's worth renewing your vows, a foot massage, a Tiffany necklace and a good dinner out.
The same exact gun made 1951 model 7270 caliber.You can't beat that gun It out.
Shoots the 6.5 creed.It really?Does these guys here to tell you the same thing?Especially when it's in a model seventy three sixty four Pre war guns are all great guns
@PaulOppelt-m7v Your words are like poetry sir!
My Grandpa passed 6 years ago to the day. Before he passed he left me with his .243 model Win 70 made in 1947. It's my most prized possession and have killed many deer with it since
What an awesome rifle with great family history!!!! Two years ago, I was given my first family hunting rifle, a 1903 .30-06, that was sporteried by R.F. Sedgley. It's at least 84 years old and still shoots great. I now use it for opening day of Virginia rifle season and I always hunt the family farm!!!
I could watch a whole series of episodes just shooting model 70's and hearing their stories.
Great content!
Good Morning Mr. Spomer, very nice rifle there, Serial #: 37865, I checked a few places and it appears to be a 1941. By the way, great videos and great content. Have a good day and Merry Christmas!!
1941 is correct
Winchester has a site detailing the serial numbers of those original M 70s and the dates they were made. My M 70, a .270 caliber, which I acquired from my grandfather, has the # 25822 and was manufactured in 1939; I have photos of the elk my grandfather and uncle took with similar weapons! I've learned to shoot, hunted, guided, and have given up hunting to just admire that timeless gun and relish the memories associated with it!
Ron, I am a little late in viewing this video, but you had me yelling at the screen with the scope adjustments. Those old friction scopes always needed to be moved beyond and moved back and then taped like you did. lastly you never mentioned the bullet weight originally used. In the forty's most likely it would be 180 grain or 220 grain that was hand loaded. Shooting high and right with 165 grain is not out of the realm of where it should hit. I would have at least tried some 180 grain and left the scope alone unless they were way off. After my mild rant I did enjoy the video. Keep up the good work Ron.
My father and i are fortunate enough to each have a model 70 in 375h&h (1953 & 1954 ). My father was gifted his by a friend of my grandfather's when my father was still in high school. He then purchased the second rifle, that now belongs to me when he was at university in 1988, a year before i was born. It became my rifle on my 21st birthday. Both rifles have taken multiple cape buffalo and even elephant. They never fail. I have other modern rifles that are fun to shoot and very accurate, but my m70 is always my first choice for either hunting myself or accompanying hunters on our property.
When you have a m70 in pre-64 it is not just another rifle, it is a passion and a love affair. It is not just a tool in your arsenal, it becomes s part of who you are as a hunter. It is a little piece of history from a time when it wasn't about shooting sub moa groups or trying to ring steel at over 500 yards. It is about knowing and understanding your rifle. Knowing and understanding your prey. Its serves to me as a reminder to be a hunter and not a shooter.
Beautifully said!! 👍
Im restoring a 16 ga. Iver Johnson Champion presently and Im very confident in "OLDER" guns coming back from the grave.
My Iver doesn't even have serial numbers. How about yours?
Ron, you had me at Winchester Model 70 30-06!
There just aren’t many rifles that have more legend and mystique than an older M-70/30-06!
I have 4 Model 70 Winchesters, 1950, 1951, 1951, 1951. They still shoot as well as my custom built super-dupers.
My model 54 in 30-06 definitely still gets the job done. It was my great-grandfather’s, then my grandfather’s before it was passed down to me.
I think the 54 is a lot less common than the model 70 and was made before the model 70
@@trumpsagenius6914 Correct on both counts!
I have a win m54 also. Serial 3547.made in 1926. They are beautiful and awsome rifles. Smooth as butter.and the stocks are beautiful.i love mine. It's still all original.not drilled for a scope and never be.😊
100 years old? It's still a youngster! What a treasure!
RON!!! your having way too much fun sir, your enthusiasm is contagious
I purchased a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 in 1996 that had an old post and beam scope on it , at a gun shop in Desert Hot Springs, Kalifornia. It was brought in by a snowbird family that lived in Alaska 5 months out of the year. They told the gun shop it had been in their family for many years in Alaska. I checked the serial number right after I bought it. One of the earliest models made in 1937. If it could talk I’d love to hear the stories it could tell. Since it wouldn’t talk to me I took it out and shot a coyote . Ol Wiley was skinned before he hit the ground !!
Love old guns, and I hope people will keep them forever in their families!!
I'm in charge of my family's Winchester rifles. I have 2 1894 a 3240,30wcf. My great grandpaps and my grandpaps. I still use them. Conservatively for hunting. I don't take them out in wet weather. I got a doe with the 30 wcf. It was made in 1909. I would not ever sell.😊
I also love old guns. But how am I going to buy them if you all keep them in your families lol
Absolutely gorgeous rifle !!
Your buddy's groups will get a lot tighter when he stops coming off the trigger so fast. If he watches this video and concentrates on his trigger control, he can tighten his group up by Staying on that trigger well after the shot has been fired. Great video and he's a lucky man to have such a priceless rifle. Thank you guys.
I hope Ryan appreciates it as much as you do.
I have a couple pre-64 model 70s
I have a standard weight pre-war 30-06, standard 257 Roberts, featherweight 308 and a featherweight 30-06 with a peep sight, they are absolutely beautiful guns!
I'm almost certain the first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Model 70 in 257 Roberts. It was definitely a 257 Roberts and about 95% sure it was a Model 70. This would have been circa 1979 and the rifle would have been pre-WWII. 1939 to 1940 would be my guess.
@@czguy3045 27:59
@@czguy3045You want to sell that 257 ha? I inherited gramps 270 made in 1958 and love it, I dream of having one in 257 also.
I have a M70 in .30-06 from 1952. She's seen some miles but still shoots ~1-1.25 MOA. I shoot it about once a month. Have many other .30-06 rifles - from R700 to a Sako 85. This vintage M70 is my favorite.
Best show ever! I have a fifty year old Model 70 that I really enjoy .30-06 is hard to beat
The first rifle, firearm of any kind I shot was a Winchester model 70, I shot that rifle on Christmas morning 1963 and the remarkable thing about that shot was that I was born in January of ‘59! It’s a scary/fun story but a bit long for here, so I’ll just say it should never have happened. But that rifle is in my safe today.
I have a 700 bought in 1972,shoots as good now as 50 years a go!
I just went out a few days ago with a Remington Model 8 from 1923. There is an extra level of "wow factor" when it's old!
I have several rifles well over 100 years ago and they shoot great, I still love hunting with them.
I love it !
I want one !
It's perfect !
And yeah, " life is more fun with a dirty barrel ".
With all your years of experience, I love how you were still so excited to work with this rifle.
When you shoot quick and don't let the barrel cool down. It will dance all over the paper just wherever.
Ron what about doing a Vintage rifle week? Dust off some of the old classics and see how they shoot, model 70s, savage 99, Rem 700s ect… I’d watch it!!
Don't forget the M1 Garand
From my first rifle shooting experiences over 50 years ago I was amazed at the precision of these implements. Who could ever imagine that they were able to make target holes 100 yards away which would land within an inch or two of each other! It truly seemed like magic to me, and it still does. By the way, my '06 Model 70 is the last rifle I would ever part with. Bob
I agree. Winchester rifles are the best. I still hunt with my grandpaps 1894 made in 1909. I inherited it after he passed. It has a 26" octagon barrel. . It stamped Nicole steel barrel proofed for smokeless powder. 30 wcf. It was my first deer rifle. I still use it. I killed my first Pennsylvania buck in 1978. And a lot of deer since. And a doe this year. No money can buy.😊
My father back in the 50's use to buy military surplus 06's and refurbish them. Turn them into match rifles. He'd buy an 03/A3 for about $35 and restock, put Redfield sites on them, we couldn't afford scopes. He also did a couple 8mm Mausers. We use to go to the Pine Tree Gun club in Northumberland county Penna. He would show off the stupidity off his then 8 year old son. I'd sit at the picnic table (only bench there). I'd sit on my knee's and squeeze off a round, the recoil would knock me off the bench, He'd say want to try it again, I'd readily agree. His shooting buddies said "that's the toughest 8 year old we know" I appreciate your show.
All with no hearing protection and no shooting glasses and certainly no recoil pad.
Huhwhat didyousay!
Ive got my dad's old Springfield Sporter that age. I love it. Me and my brother screwed with the scope so much he missed deer lol. So he broke it on purpose. Now we're stuck shooting like dad.
I have a 1955 Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30-06. I bought it in 1999 from
A friend of an elderly neighbor. I have many rifles- but this is my rifle ! It has collected 12 elk & 13 deer since 1999! I will buy & sell other rifles - but this rifle will be handed down to one of my sons! They can fight over it after I’m gone!!! :-))
Ron, I love how excited you and Doug are about the performance of this Model 70. These are the guns that we grew up with and still hunt with. Not what they're producing today.
Today's model 70's produced by FN are even better.
I believe 1941 great rifle I have a 1950 in 270 I love it
I still have my "plain Jane" Remington Model 721 bolt action 30'06. My Uncle gave it to me for my 14th birthday in 1962. It still shoots very accurately today--especially with Federal 180gr "accupoint" rounds.(1.5" groups at 100yds.)
I have my dads 721 ackley improved still dropping them to this day
Nice, I also have my father's 721 30/06 with a Redfield 3x9. Shoots wonderfull.
Hi Ron. Winchester rifles are the best. Period.i have several . I even have a m54. Serial #3527. Made in 1925 first year they made them. Barrel stamped 30 gov 06. Still all original never drill for scope mounts.also m70,s. All pre 64. I love my Winchester all still original. No need to do anything to them. The hunt just fine.😊 God bless Ron.
I have a 1970 manufactured model 70 custom in 270. It is a beautiful rifle and a fabulous shooter. It is the fifth m70 I've owned. Thieves got three. I hope to pass my custom on to my son or grandson. I love my model 70's!
Ron, one of the few videos of yours that I can relate to. I have a Browning A-5 from 1950 and an M1 Garand from 1944 that belonged to each of my Grandfathers. I also have a model 70 in 270 short mag my wife gave me for my 40th birthday in 2002. Great guns, great videos, and greater memories! Thanks, Thomas, Mississippi!!
I have a 1951 Belgian made A-5 that was my grandfathers I believe it had only been shot 50 times before it came to me. Also have my dad's Marlin 30.30 that's a 1952 and I still hunt with it.
Hello Mr. Spomer Greetings from India. I have recently purchased a Winchester model 70 pre 64 chambered in.270 Winchester, which to my great satisfaction still shoots great and is one of the prettiest rifles I have seen. Unfortunately here in India the situation is very different than in the USA, here, we have very limited choices of ammunition . I solely depend on the wisdom of people like you. Hope you grace us with more videos and knowledge in the future.
Once again thank you for this great video.
Great video Ron.i love watching your videos and listening to your podcast. I am 56 years old and have learned more from your videos than I can say. They are very educational on shooting and I thank you for that.
I have the 308 model 70 that my grandfather bought in 1953 to replace the 30-06 model 70 that was stolen from his 50' Mercury 3 days before leaving for a hunt in Idaho. Although he had a large collection it was his "go to" hunter. The stories that go with it are too numerous to mention here, but money cannot remove it from this family. Glad to see another guy with similar ties. I hope more folks like us chime in.
Looks like you two had a lot of fun.
I have a early 30's model Winchester mod.70 That was the first gun I ever rebuilt and the first stock I ever carved. It is probably my favorite Bolt action that I've ever touched.
yes, that was a mistake. I meant early 40s, my apologies
A friend of mine had a model 70 in .375 H&H Magnum. That was some beautiful rifle.
Right before Ron said he'll tap on the scope, I was ready to make a comment. Then he said it, and I cannot remember who taught me that, but it's always been something that I do when zeroing with any adjustment. This man knows his stuff
The knowledge and wisdom of Ron is something to really get ahold of and learn from.
According to the reference I found, that SN would correspond to May 1941 production.
Great video! A few years ago I picked up a 1961 M70 Standard in .270. Beautiful rifle
What a great story on the model 70 which BTW was manufactured in 1940.
This is a wonderful segment. For those of us that will never get to shoot “Grandfather’s Rifle”, this is beautiful.
Two years ago, I took a trophy whitetail with Grandpa's Savage 99. I'm glad I was alone because it broke me down.
Simply heartwarming! Some of the best of TH-cam right here
Great gun . I have my dad's 30-06 , JC HIGGINS HE BOIGHT AT SEARS IN 1955 AND A BB GUN FOR ME AT THE SAME TIME. I STILL USE IT FOR ELK AND I HAVEN'T HAD TO ADJUST THE SCOPE FOR AT LEAST 20YRS. Believe it's a Belgium made Browning , stamped Jc Higgens for sears ?
Yes, pretty close for sure. I bet you have a J C Higgins Model 50 or Model 51 sold by Sears. Only made for 2 years, 1950 and 1951, hence the Model numbers. Available in 2 calibers, 30-06 and .270 with the 06 being by far the most popular. Fantastic post WWII sporting rifle. Action was made by FN Mauser in Belgium with very good materials and workmanship. Barrels were usually supplied by High Standard and were chrome lined. Very accurate rifles. I was able to download quite a bit of info as well as the original owners manual. I have a Model 50 in 06. Timney makes a very nice replacement adjustable trigger that really helps.
Friend of mine gave me a JC Higgins version of this rifle and pretty rough condition a few years ago at first I'd like to mention he has since passed on to receive his glory and what a nice man he was my son recently out of the army move back to his home area of Houston Texas and when it's a hunt with my Marlin 336 C in 3030 having heard this he insisted on giving me that JC Higgins in 270 swearing at a 30-30 was insufficient for a hunting rifle in Texas . Most of the work the gun needed was cosmetic which I'm pretty proficient at and I gave it to my son for a birthday present with a modern scope on it three to nine. There were a few character marks on the gun character marks on referring to that came with the story I left those in place along with the story when I refinish the stock. He successfully uses the 336 Marlin more than the 270 but at least he has the option at this point and unfortunately for me my time is limited but he will very soon have a very nice collection to choose from as my days are numbered due to illness . You know after 65 years all the guns I'm leaving to him are irreplaceable nothing expensive or particularly collectible but all with the little bit of character. Such as a model 49 saddle gun Ithaca a 96 Mauser nicely sporterized before it was sacrilegious to do so a 1957 Winchester model 94 and so on . Sorry I'm just rambling cuz I got nothing better to do God loves you guys and Merry Christmas to all
Enjoyed the video I have two model 70s one in 30-06 and a 375 H&H they are great firearms I think they are one of the best hunting rifles ever made
Love it! Nice 06, and the furniture has been well taken care of, It is impressive.
I have a Springfield 30-06 1903-A3 that was manufactured in 1911.
I do reload for it with 165gr projectile and IMR 3031.
OH, I have a Kraig 1898 and load it with the same bullet and powder.
IMR 3031 is a bit too fast burning. IMR 4064 or IMR 4895, N- 140 are good powders for the 30-06.
The 03-a3 manufacture started during ww2 in 1942-44. If your rifle was made in 1911 it is a 1903. Remington and Smith-Corona made @1,000,000 03-a3's between them. Year of manufacture should be stamped on the receiver.😎 The 03-a3 will have an aperture rear sight, while the 03 will have a ladder rear sight on the barrel.
I have a 1903 a3 manufacturered in 1942. Still works fine
Very cool. Grandpa made a great buy!
I have been fortunate to own 20-30 of these in my 60+ years of collecting rifles! Great guns but I like my husqvarna rifles and Sako’s as much and anything Mauser too! Hundreds of guns and almost all of them shot good if they were halfway taken care of! Nothing like a gun that has seen many family memories down through the years!
Luv those pre 64's
Me to😊
Model 70 is a great rifle, reliable, easy loading, smooth feeding, a definite go to rifle. Mine is a featherweight that I have owned for 23yrs and I still catch myself picking it over my other rifles.
Beautiful rifle! Nothing today comes close.
I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 30.06 Springfield made in 1953 that I got from my dad. It lived most of its life in Michigan and the humid climate caused some extensive pitting in the barrel... but it still shoots 3/4 minute groups with hand loads. It is also a rifle with some long ago memories and one that both my dad and I admired for its accuracy and its looks. It's a beautiful rifle and will be a memento that will remind me of him when he's gone... but he isn't gone yet, he just turned 84 years old today!
@Nick-wn1xw That is true. Dad was not very good at maintaining his guns. But, with the humidity in the east, a gun that isn't well cared for will fall victim to the rust monster. I did 4 years in the Marine Corps so weapon cleaning is second nature for me, and I live in the dry climate of Wyoming now so my guns are in top form. Even when I lived in Michigan I took care of my guns and kept them well oiled, yet once in a while I'd find a little spot of rust trying to form from a drop of water that got missed on the wipe-down after hunting in the rain or snow. It's a constant battle and it's not necessarily neglect that can lead to rust pitting, sometimes it's just a bit of carelessness.
I belive the sling stud stuck to the shooting rest, that would explain the flyers. You really need to remove the sling or atleast consider it when shooting from a bench rest.
Nice rifle, have a M70 post 64 in 308, after freeing the barrel channel it grouped 0.75" or better with milsurp and handloads. Recoil is a killer though with that crooked stock.
have the serial no lookup right in front of me-the rifle was made in 1940-start with 31675 and end with 41753-all rifle in between were made in 1940-37865 puts it right in the middle of the year
Your a year off, 31675 was the last of 1940 and 41753 was the last of 41.
@@jaydunbar7538 you are right-which would make it a 1941 model
My go-to Deer-rifle is a 1908 Carl-Gustaf 6.5x55 , custom stock, bolt and trigger . The barrel and action is original Military , it will put 3-rounds into an-inch @100-meters every-time and sometimes better . Dave nz
Swedish Mauser is one fine rifle. 😊
I also have that year of sweed ..same additions with a laminate thumb hole stock. Great shooting😊rifle.
What an amazing story and rifle.. I have my Great grandpas Winchester model 1917 which has all the WW 1 markings on it. It was made in 1918 from the serial number. I shoot it once every couple months and still shoots crazy good. Love the old rifles.. Ones especially that have awesome stories behind them. Great video
Silly, u mean ww1, u must be a kid
Nope not a kid just made a mistake. ya know people do male those.Hope you have a great night .. @@paulcisco1026
I bought a featherweight version 3 years ago in 7mm-08
"I believe there's a hole in the paper.."Made my day.😂
I have am 1880 st Etienne 12 gage
I use it to hunt on a weekly basis, it works perfectly.
Good times. Nice gun. As it stands right at this moment, the Winchester Model 70 needs to be my next gun.
Nice gun. That’s a pre-war vs a pre-64. Turn those scope adjustments all the way in and then back them out while giving the scope a tap. Pull the bolt out and re-bore sight. The internals in old scopes can bind up a bit. This process frees the insides up again.
Watched the entire video . Ron , you make long version videoes fun AND educational . This superb gun could benifit from a modern scope upgrade . The gun is excuizit in craftsmanship. You too look like good old friends that both apreciategood fireatms . Good show ! Ontario Canada .
I have a winchester from 1902, shoots great. I have a revolver from 1862, shoots great
Nice Rifle ! I've got an old Rem model 721 that will group under an inch with 150 or 180 grain but has terrible groups of 5 inches with 165 grain .
I still have my 721 I got when I was 14 in 1962. Mine really likes Federal premium 180gr. Accupoints
I have my father's pre-64 M70, made in '52. I sent it to Kleingunthers in the early 1980s to have their accurizing service performed... glass-bedded and muzzle recrowned. It shoots 3 rounds of Fed Premium 165gr BTs under 1" at 100 yards. They also removed the barrel hold-down screw and free floated the barrel after an inch or so of bedding at the chamber. The old M70s were a very smooth-cycling action from the factory, more so than the Classics of the 1990s, but my two .243 Classic Stainless rifles (one is a factory rifle with Hogue Overmolded stock, the other a Cloward-built high power over the course rifle) have had the action smoothed to where they cycle like oiled glass. The sporter shoots under 1" with Federal 75, 85, and 100 gr loads, the Cloward rifle with its 26" Lilja 1:9" barrel shoots handloaded 107gr Sierra match bullets under 1/2 MOA at 600 yards. People who don't think M70s can shoot have never shot one. I think your friend's M70 needs a new scope... and sighting that 165 gr load 3" high at 100 yards should let him hold center chest on a deer out to 350 yards or so and get a hit.
My 16 year old son has a Marlin 336 from the 1950s, in .35 Remington. Last Saturday, I witnessed my boy putting three factory loads (Hornady Lever Revolution) into a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards from an informal rest on his backpack. He does have a scope on it, but it's an old fixed low power Weaver. That rifle shoots! He bought the rifle off of a family friend for $600.00. His hunting buddies kinda chide him over his antique rifle, but it does its job just fine. I hunt with an older (1957, I believe) Remington 760 pump, and it is also a great shooter. Nothing wrong with an older rifle, if cared for.
Yes, older rifles are like older hunters in that regard!
Your son's buddies are not as wise as they think.
In the old days cleaning rods were made durable and tough, especially those used by the world's militaries in order to last a long time. They were made of steel and could, would, and did damage rifling and crowns when used carelessly.
But most modern civilian cleaning rods are made of softer metals that will often bend, strip threads, or break when used incorrectly or carelessly. Which is a good thing. Better to damage or break a cheap cleaning rod than an expensive gun barrel. They are usually made of aluminum and are not a great threat to a gun barrel. At least not much more than a bullet.
Plus cloth barrel snakes can be used for most quick cleaning jobs reducing the number of times a cleaning rod is used to the bare minimum.
Get a coated Dewey rod. The Best.
This video brings forth a great deal of sentiment value to me. Why? I’m proud to say that I have my granddad’s pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. He killed every species of non dangerous game in North America with that rifle using 165 Partitions. What year was it made? 1953…
I have a friend. Who when he was younger.worked for a coal company..they had what was called a company store.he bought every model 70 they made.one each payday..he still has all those guns .never been shot still in the boxes.
He has a Gold mine. I'm jealous. 😊
Good call on cleaning that barrel.. More than a few times, I have seen a guy clean the accuracy out of an old barrel.
I have a Husqvarna Mauser action from 1950 (bought not made) and it’s a tack driver. Dad’s last deer was a Florida doe shot in the neck because of the grass height. Stepped off 297 paces/yards. A 90lb doe. Old doesn’t mean anything. Clean and maintain it’ll last centuries. M1 Garand from 1942, a 1917 Eddystone Enfield all in ‘06 and all shoot great. Maintenance is key.
243 to 30-06 is a BIG jump in recoil, but the recoil of the 06 is not terrible. Since he is keeping it as an heirloom more than a tool, I would not change anything on it.
I have a sporterized EDDYSTONE that my father-in-law gave me. It had a 4x fine crosshair scope on it. I had a Bushnell 4-12 with AO and duplex crosshairs lying around that I put on it. It shoots very well for being 106 years old. I hope to give it to his great geat grandson in a few years.
I have an Enfield model 1917 made in sept 1917. This is the predecessor of the model 70. They are quite similar other than the 1917 has a 2 position saftey similar to the rem700. I inherited this rifle from my grandfather who inherited it from his father. It had a new stock put on it in the mid 80s and had the trigger poloshed but other then that its only been cleaned. This rifle shoots sub moa all day. Ive found a nice cozy spot in my safe for it now but would not hesitate to make it my only rifle.
Mine is stock, and has a low 3 digit serial #. Very likely it never went overseas. The first few hundred of a production run was often used to verify specs, then used for training or guarding munitions plants, etc. the condition supports that belief. I like peep sights better, so i prefer this to a standard Springfield
1937 model 70 in 270 cal. with 5 numbers in the serial! Hunted, guided, hunted and it STILL is better that MOST other rifles on the planet!! When I finally put a scope on it, the gunsmith that mounted the scope said the metal was the hardest he'd ever drilled into for setting scope screws!
I have a Winchester Model 1907 351 WSL made in 1908 that was given to by my great grand father when I was 12 years old in '56 It still shoots pretty good. I have been reloading for it but it is very hard to get cases and bullets for it these days.
I haven't shot it for a couple of years now.
The last time my great grand father, my grand father, my father and I all shot together was in 1958 about 3 months before my great grand father died at age 92.
Fun fact: the FBI used those in the 30's when they became armed. Pretty good hitting power and fairly easy to train with
My go to hunting rifle is a 1903 Springfield that was made in 1906, my grandfather bought it surplus in 1964 and sold it to me a few years ago, it’s still an incredibly accurate rifle
I hunt with a winchester model 88 in .243win and my dad has a BSA in .270win. I just bought my first rifle, a modern weatherby vanguard in 30-06. Lots of memories with my old rifle though I’ll pass it down to my son one day.
Ron.for new year. I took my grandpaps 1894 30 wcf. Made in 1909. 26" octagon barrel. She still works just fine. I shot my first Pennsylvania buck with it in 1978.still using to this day. Took a Pennsylvania doe this year. A million dollars could not buy
The rifleman's rifle Winchester was the 264 win mag baby never got enough credit both are some beautiful pieces.
I had a guy come into the gun shop I was working at years ago with a rifle just like that. The band on the barrel had the same 30 cal GOVT markings.
Ron. Your experience really shows when you can estimate, on the fly, the bullet drop and wind drift for a target 300 yards out. First shot, wait for it, ding!
After the first three shots, the resulting groups afterwards did not surprise me at all. With any except the newer higher priced scopes, you have to encourage the scope to actually move the erector tube. The erector tube will take a few shots for it to settle in. Tapping the scope with a tool (enough to simulate the recoil of the gun) will help.
When you adjust the point of aim to go up, (to better meet the point of impact) you are wanting the erector tube to go up. It is that old spring in the scope to do the moving, and that usually takes a few shots for that spring to finish moving the tube. The same thing happens when you are moving the point of aim to the right. If the opposite corrections were to be made, you would see the point of impact change almost immediately.
It probably took 4 shots for the scope to settle in. Therefore, Ron, your first shot was probably off because the scope was still settling. If Doug has shot 4 shots, you would likely to have shot a very small 3 shot group.
Otherwise, it's nice to see a nice old venerable gun shoot so well.
Funny, his grandad was named “Afton”? My oldest son’s name is “Alden”, & we love it when you talk about our loved .30-06’ & other calibers like .260 Rem, & we hate 6.5 Creed!
I just bought a 30-06 M70 in a French Walnut stock. I hope when I get to be your age Ron, I'm still reminiscing about the Win Model 70 and what made it such a great rifle. Awesome vid with Doug.
fun video i have my wifes uncles 721 rem in 270 plain jane rifle and i love it i carried it today deer hunting no luck one that got away was my dads 722 rem in 222 that his uncle bought for him he shot a lot of groundhogs with it when i was a kid in the late fifties and early sixties he sold it to friend of his in the early seventies when i was away in the navy wish it was still in the family
I love the Pre64 Model 70's. However, there is 1 factory rifle in my opinion that gave the Pre64 M70 a run for it's money and that is the Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer
And the older rem700
@@warrengreen3217not even close
@@borkwoof696 I got a 1971 rem700 308 BDL that shots under a hafe inch at a 100yards with many different brand bullets also shot and seen others print groups as good were not talking 2000 and older Remington
@@warrengreen3217 🆗🆒
@@warrengreen3217 that's awesome. However, while the rifle may shoot very accurately (which the older R700's usually do), the overall craftsmanship when it came to the fit and finish wasn't on par. I know this because I have a 1974 R700 in 30-06. A rifle may be super accurate, but that doesn't mean that the hand-fitment is there to the same degree as on other rifles (Ruger American comes to mind).
I own a couple of rifles and shotguns that range from 45 yrs. to over 65 yrs. that still operate fine. I recently gave my Winchester Model 70 (30-06) and I bought it in the 70s. I also gave him a Savage Model 99 (.303 Savage caliber) that my father-in-law bought used back in the 60's and have no clue how old it is. It's just expensive to shoot because the ammo is not only hard to find, but quite expensive when you do.
I resontly lost my uncle and I found his old number 1 safari gun 505 Gibson it had some problem but I found parts to it now it's shoots brand new but the rounds are a pain in the neck to find but it's a good old rifle kicks with the force but nothing to my great grandad's 4-bore SxS stoping rifle that is a real man's gun right there
Gee, what a nice rifle. It has that charm only vintage rifles have. Quality ages well.