This classic pre-’64 Winchester Model 70 bolt-action hunting rifle chambered for perhaps the model’s most classic cartridge – .270 Winchester – is a real keeper.
While working in a gunshop years ago, I happened upon a lovely walnut stock morticed for a Pre-’64 Model 70 action. I inletted it for my rifle, shaped it, stained it, and gave it a handrubbed oil finish. I even checkered it with the best 22 LPI checkering I’ve ever done. Of course, I kept the original stock.
Now, many years later, I’m conflicted. The high-grade walnut stock is beautiful and some of the best woodworking I’ve done, but I’ve become a real stickler for originality. I almost installed the rifle back in its original stock for this report, but I concluded the aftermarket walnut stock is a big part of my history with the rifle, so I kept it on.
Rangetime
Decades ago, when I got really serious about hunting with the Model 70, I replaced its old 6X scope with a new Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10X 40mm scope with adjustable objective and went to work developing good handloads with 140-grain and 150-grain bullets.
The rifle reliably shot every handload into 1.5 inches or a bit less. I gradually worked up the charge weight, and to my great satisfaction, three-shot groups averaged 0.6 inch. Velocity was nearly 2,940 fps.
With a surprising amount of anticipation, I recently took the rifle to my personal shooting range and ran five factory loads through it, shooting three, three-shot groups for average with each load. As you can see from the chart, my old Winchester Model 70 still shoots well enough for bagging big game.
Pre-’64 Winchester Model 70 Specs
MANUFACTURER:Winchester Repeating Arms TYPE: Bolt-action repeater CALIBER: .270 Winchester MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5 rounds BARREL: 24 in. OVERALL LENGTH: 44.8 in. WEIGHT, EMPTY: 9.5 lbs. STOCK: Walnut FINISH: Blued barrel and action, oil-finished stock LENGTH OF PULL: 13.8 in. SIGHTS: Folding rear, bead front TRIGGER: Timney, 2.5-lb. pull (as tested) SAFETY: Three-position wing type