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Nice rifle and a 243 heavy bbl as well. What is it you want to know?
Some if the heavy bbls were chrome lined I believe.
My 1957 243 shot very well when I had it.

David
 
I've used and owned M-70's since the early 70's. I have had post 64's and my last 3 are the newer CRF FN made in SC . Ironically I just bought my first pre 64 M-70 of 1960 vintage in 300 H&H. It is still in the mail, should be here in the next few days. The pre 64's were coveted because of the control round feed, 3 position safety, and general reputation of being well built rifle. Hence the it was given the title the "Riflemans Rifle" . From 1964 on wards Winchester cheapened there whole line to save costs. the M-70 went to a push feed style bolt and generally cheapened the rifle so it was only a shadow of it's former self, especially the late 60's vintage rifles. The years went by, the quality of the rifle improved to a point. Winchester went through many restructuring and ownership changes.
About 10 yrs. ago or so they started manufacturing the M-70 again with CRF. And the M-70's built under the FN flag in South Carolina are some of the best made M-70's ever produced including the pre 64 vintage rifles.

From the looks of the one in your picture it appears to be in very good condition. Hard to tell from the picture if it has been redone or just well cared for and loved over the years. Yours with the longer heavy contour barrel and absence of iron sights is probably a varmint model. Appears to be a standard grade stock with raised comb and no cheek piece. My newer feather weight M-70 in .243 gives me 1" groups with my reloads out of a light contoured 22" barrel, so yours should out of a 26" heavy barrel with good reloads should at least match the accuracy of mine, hopefully better.
I am no expert on Winchester M-70's by any stretch of the imagination, I just like them, always have. Shot a lot of moose with my early 70's push feed in 30-06. So there will probably be someone else of more expertise chime in here and add some info I have not included.
 
mrgoat said:
About 10 yrs. ago or so they started manufacturing the M-70 again with CRF. And the M-70's built under the FN flag in South Carolina are some of the best made M-70's ever produced including the pre 64 vintage rifles.
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And the new ones assembled in Portugal are even better then the 100% usa ones. In my house I have a usa and 2 Portugal ones. Looked at lots in stores and I still feel the Portuguese ones are better fit, finish, and more accurate.
 
D/G . . You made a good investment. . Not many objects you can buy, use, collect and sell down the road for more than you originally paid.

I find the pre-64 M70 to be a high point in North American gun manufacture with the pre-64's a hands on machined firearm made by old school craftsman that most have since passed on. . The pre-64 Winchesters required so much hand work they couldn't compete with Remington's rifles and shotguns that utilized stamped sheet metal components and mass producing assembly lines. . It was John Olin's love of hunting and pride in making fine firearms together with the financial aid from Olin Industries that kept Winchester firearms going for as long as 1963. . The "New Design Team" soon put an end to it.

I've owned and hunted with pre-64 M70's for quite some time now. . Bought, sold, collected to where I have 15 pristine pre-64 M70's in assorted calibers. . My latest was a pre-64 in 300 Win Mag. . That was a tough one to find as only made the last year, available after Feb. 1st, 1963 with only 4900 built.

To learn all about pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters. . "The Rifleman's Rifle" by Roger Rule is a worth while purchase.
 
I have a copy of The Rifleman's Rifle By Roger Rule and if I can find it tonight I will let you know about the 1960 stuff.
My stuff is still in boxes since the rec-room and gun room are still under construction and deer season is fast approaching, and the weather here in Ontario in just balmy and I have no idea why I am not outside, oh ya I am working on the rec-room and gun room.
Rod said it best, The Rifleman's Rifle By Roger Rule is one great book to have.

David
 
Wonderful rifles, a bit heavy, very accurate not fussy about Ammo, seriously overbuild, shoulder beautifully, never wear out.Just a real good choice,,,,I have several.
 
257Roberts said:
Nice rifle and a 243 heavy bbl as well. What is it you want to know?
Some if the heavy bbls were chrome lined I believe.
My 1957 243 shot very well when I had it.

David
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Not sure about chrome lined, that's more a Benelli thing of the 90's and up. I do remember reading that some of the pre 64's had stainless barrels, namely the 220 Swift HB. I'm not sure if this one falls into that category. Very cool rifle nonetheless.
 
I've got a early 50's 220 swift with the standard barrel contour in stainless. The barrel has a dull finish to it, not a bluing like the regular barrels. Also, I believe there is a "ST" mark on the barrel near the shank on the underside, only visible with the stock removed.
 
Just got a 1959 Win model 70 featherweight in .30-06 handed down to me, was my grandfathers. It's a nice gun, spent some time researching it and like what I see so far. Also inherited a 1984 Ruger M77 .300 win mag, both are very nice, my grandfather would be happy knowing it went to someone in the family that would use it, since at the time he passed, I wasn't hunting, hadn't gotten into shooting until I moved up North a few years back.
 
DG found my book.
1960 SN from 465,041 - 504,257 total of 39,217 rifles.
According to The Book there was a Varmint Rifle in 243 with a 26" medium heavy barrel with a Monte Carlo Stock and the price was $149.59. (How things have changed.)
There was 13,053, 243's made from 1958 - 1960 and a total of 4,614 Varmint rifles built in 243 prior to 1964.
That is all I can tell you for sure.
David.
 
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