Model 70 pre 64

[240gord]

I have a question for the Winchester experts.
I was cleaning a 1960 Winchester Model 70 someone re barreled to 7mm rem mag.On the recoil lug it is stamped 458.It is not part of the sir number.
Was it a 458 before?

 

[MattW]

458 was the first standard length magnum cartridge that Winchester chambered. They stamped 458 on the bottom of all their earliest standard length magnum actions but there wasn't demand for that many 458s so they used them on 264s and 338s. I don't think they stamped 458 on the later production actions but I could be wrong. It is unlikely that yours was ever a 458 Win Mag rifle.

 

[9.3mauser]

All the pre '64 .458's were Super Grades. If yours isn't a Super Grade, then it wasn't ever a .458.

 

[Rembo]

I have one with the 458 stamp. It was originally a 264, was rebarreled to 7 Rem Mag before I got it. Now it's a 257 Wtby.
The original short mag actions can be differentiated from a standard 270/30-06 action by the mag box. The sides are shaped differently.

 

[240gord]

Thanks for the info.I have a 375 H&H as well, going to check it as well as the 30-06.
Gord.

 

[240gord]

Just check a couple of others,
375 H&H is not marked,barrel is stamped 375m 52.Action is 1953
263 sabre on a 57 action is not marked.The gun smith marked barrel manufacture twist and who it was made for in 1964.
one other was not marked on the receiver 30-06.