Pre-64 M70 338WinMag

Ganderite

Ganderite

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Farm south of North Bay
I have a nice rifle, made in 1960, that has never been taken hunting. It deserves better, so I am looking to sell it.

In doing some research, trying to get a handle on value, I find that barrel lengths are listed as 24' and 26".

This one is 22" and looks orginal. For sure it is the original barrel (barrel markings) and it does not looked bobbed.

Did they offer a short version?

I have it in a bell and carlson stock, and it is handy and does not kick.
 
My quick research shows 24" barrels, I don't see any 22's. I just payed 900 for a 300H&H that had been refinished (new wood, and blueing) and had been rechambered. Unfortunatly it had other "issues" and had to go back:(
 
That rifle gotta go for $2000 and up. Rare, unused, no recoil. lol

Ever notice how all pre 64's are "unused" and "safe queens".
Mine has been beaten and abused. Kicks hards and shoots very well. I do enjoy the caliber.
 
The Pre-64 Model 70 Alaskan was made with a 25 inch barrel. I have owned one since 1967. It is absolutely dependable and still shoots sub-MOA groups.
 
Unless you have the factory invoice proving it left the factory that way, it is an altered gun which means way less value to a collector. That does NOT mean it is not a fantastic rifle.
 
If it is a non original configuration in a non original stock and does not come with the original stock it has been devalued from a $2,500-$2,800 firearm too likely not much more than the price of a Magnum action.
 
According to the 29th Edition of the Blue Book, the M-70 in .338 was available in two versions in 1960, the M-70 Standard with serial numbers from 52,549 to 581,471 from 1948 till 1963 and the M-70 Alaskan which was manufactured from 1960-63. There is no serial number range listed for the Alaskan. The M-70 Standard was available with barrel lengths of 24", 25", and 26" while the M-70 Alaskan was available with either a 24" or 25" barrel. The Alaskan is shown as slightly more valuable, if both are in 100% condition the values listed are $1975 and $2500 respectively. Did Winchester produce custom shop rifles in 1960? Perhaps yours was a special order barrel length.
 
struff55 said:
If it is a non original configuration in a non original stock and does not come with the original stock it has been devalued from a $2,500-$2,800 firearm too likely not much more than the price of a Magnum action.
Click to expand...

I think you're right....it would probably still fetch $750 or maybe a bit more with the barrel shortened and non-original stock. If it's one of the old B&C Carbelite stocks it's not worth much either. Even having a non-original butt pad lowers the value to me.

I recently bought a rechambered Pre'64 for less than half of what it would have been worth had it not been messed with.
 
Do you have the original wood stock?
If so, what shape is it in?
Has it been refinished?

What shape is the metal work in?
Is the metal all original?
Has it been re-blued?

All this stuff has significance.

Pictures?

Sounds like a nice rifle.
 
And, according to the book, The Rifleman's Rifle, the author states that the .338 Win Mag cartridge can be classed as a M70 mid-year release for 1959. In his charts for standard production offerings - 1960 through 1963 (final year), it is not ever listed as available in other than " Alaskan" configuration or other than a 25 inch barrel length. cheers
 
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