Winchester Model 70 Pre 64

noonskie

Are the Model 70's pre 64 really a better quality rifle from 64 on and why?

n/a

I am not a historian by any means, but IIRC the Winchesters of the pre-1964 era to a large extend were hand built/assembled.

The 1964's and on were more of a mass produced/mechanized operation.

The largest differences were the actions, from Mauser type controlled round feed to push round feed, plus the wood was pressed, not checkered.

In the 1990's USRA (the sucessor to Winchester with rights to use the name) brought back the CRF action, inproved the wood, and the Model 70 looked alot like it did pre-64...IMHO.

I did read an article where the bedding on some of the last New Haven 70's weren't the best, and it did affect accuracy.

I bet that the new FN made 70's will be good rifles.

kumatelives

fit and finish are much better on the pre-64 and the claw extractor helps pry loose sticky cases.Accuracy is sometimes better in the pre 64,but I have shot several post 64's that were hard to beat.The M70 classics had a better stock design that really cut recoil compared to the pre's but the actions weren't as smooth.I shoot a pre-64 in 270 that was built in 1952 and it has never failed to fire even in sub-zero weather,I have used this rifle to harvest jack rabbits up to Shiras moose with the same hanload my brother and I concocted some 28 years ago.If you have the chance to purchase one,it would be recommended by me,just my 2 cents

GuvamintCheese

There is not much comparison between the two, and the prices reflect it. Pre 64 quality is hard to find in a rifle these days, unless you have someone custom hand make a gun for you.

cccooper

Presumed to be better means higher price for 98%+ rifles. I traded a pre-64 in .270 for 2 M700 Remingtons. 1 30-06 & 1 .257 Roberts. I think I got the better deal but the guy REALLY wanted it.

MrOrange

A lot of people like the pre-64s because, as mentioned, they utilized a good deal of hand fitting. What these folks are missing is the fact that hand fitting means bad parts; if you have parts that are made to tight tolerances, like nowadays, you don't have to whittle them to fit.

I recall an article about "the good old days" pre-64 that mentioned that the factory was still using overhead belt driven machinery!

There was an unfortunate period where Winchester's efforts to reduce costs exceeded the manufacturing abilities of the factory, but thanks to our friend the computer most all modern made firearms are made with a nice level of precision.