Scope mounts for winchester model 70 pre 64

D

Danielbear22

Member
Rating - 100%
46   0   0
Location
Vaughan
Hi guys

I have a model 70 pre 64 I tried finding mounts for this weekend at Ellwood Epps and was disappointed they only had 1 type in stick to go onto the original mounts that came with the rifle. Unfortunately, after trying to put them the scope I had planned to install was too short. The scope was your new average 3x10 x 50.

Where can I find mounting rings or which should I buy that will allow your average hunting scope to be installed?

Preferably one that screw down as opposed to Talley rings that screw I'm from the side.

Any help is appreciated and I hope I gave enough info.
 
What bases are on the rifle at present? If Weaver style you have a lot of options. Personally for a model 70 I prefer the older style Leupold /Redfield turn in style. The problem with the newer scopes is short tube length, you need at least a 6 inch straight tube to work. Extension rings are available, they are swept back to move the clamping portion of the rings rearward so a shorter tube scope can be mounted with proper eye relief.
 
I believe they're Talley style. If they were weaver I'd have alot more options.

As for the scope, that's just it. I need the tube to be longer. May need to start looking. Any recommendations on which scope mounts would work?
 
OP - A comment - I missed a whitetail with a Win 94 30-30 - 7 shots - when I was younger - was convinced that a scope would solve the problem. I actually did the same two more times that day - emptied that new-to-me rifle three times - 21 shots - and no deer to show for it. Discovered that a Win 94 ejects straight up - so can not have a scope in a "conventional" position on the rifle. The Angle Eject (AE) Models are different - much more scope compatible. So I think that you are stuck with a "scout" style scope - so Intermediate Length Focus - not a pistol scope, not a conventional scope - to mount with its eye piece forward of the action - often were done using the rear sight attachment on the barrel. Or, as I did, a side mount that gets the scope off to the left of centre, so that a fired shell can eject straight up - I had to rotate the scope so the "windage" turret was "up" and the "elevation" turret was to the left - of course that also reversed their functions - elevation versus windage. Lead to multiple issues - sight line of the scope ends up like 1" to left of bore centre line - about nothing left for a "cheek weld" on a conventional Win 94 stock.

I am likely decades out of touch with what is available now - was a Weaver No. 1 or No. 2 side mount base - I think that needed four holes drilled and tapped into left side of receiver - then a "short" or "long" side mount ring assembly - the assembly held the scope and fastened to the side mount base with two thumb screws. I think was a similar side mount unit - perhaps "Holden" or "Williams" or something - it used existing holes in the receiver to accomplish about the same thing - a scope mounted and off set far enough to the left to allow shells to eject going straight up.

I do currently have a Win 94 made in 1955 - I installed a Williams aperture rear sight and a fibre optic front sight - my eyes are 66 years old - seems to work just fine for 30-30 Win capacity and range. I ditched the scope idea like 40 years ago - just not what a Win 94 was made to have - back then. Was very much "me" that missed all those shots - the rifle was good, I think!!
 
Last edited:
Prophet has them. Wow. Question is what height?

These would also require me to take off the bases that came with the rifle. Not the end of the world but we're getting somewhere.
 
Ha! My mistake - I have and have had several Win Model 70 - from 22-250 Rem to 375 H&H - should be no issue to buy bases and rings for it, about all brands I think. It is your scope that will set what height of ring - need clearance at front for objective to the barrel and then clearance at rear for bolt handle to go past the eye piece. And for sure the action length and the scope length have to go together - I am sure that all pre-64 Model 70 used same length receiver - basically pretty long - hole spacing got a bit different for some of the "boomers". Seemed to be a thing in Eastern USA and Canada to have access to iron sights - hence "roll over" mounts or "see through" mounts were desirable there - can not say that I saw that used much in Saskatchewan.

There are various "extension" bases available that allow a ring to be moved fore or aft a bit - also is "off set" rings that grab the scope up to 1/2" from the line of the recoil slot - I prefer not to use those, but sometimes is about no choice - older long action rifle and modern short action scope.

Since you have the scope, and a rifle with the bases on - should be able to "mock up" with modelling clay or wood shims to determine the height of ring that you will need - do not go by various maker's "Low" "Medium" or "High" - actual dimensions - one brand to another - vary, sometimes a LOT. I think Brownell's on-line listings give actual height dimensions - but again watch whether dimension is from top of base to underside of scope body, or top of base to centre of the ring - is both kind of measuring used by various makers.
 
Last edited:
An older scope of good quality will work if you would rather not swap bases or rings. The Japan made Bausch and Lomb Elite 3000 is a fine optic with longer tube and can be had for $300 -$350 used in excellent condition. Or the Texas made Weaver k's(heavy but tough) or the older Redfields. All three have good quality glass in fact superior to many of the medium price offerings made today and can be found in almost mint condition if you shop around. Plus an older rifle looks good with older glass but thats only my opinion.
 
Easy answer is to get hold of Talley or use the leupold website, plug in what you have and they will tell you your options. Talley lightweights or leupold dual dovetails are two common solutions.
 
The older M8 4x Leupold has a long tube and works very well on long actions with the added bonus of "looking right" on a vintage rifle. They are good scopes. I personally think that the new huge hubble x50mm scopes look weird on a vintage rifle.

I got this M8 4x from Nelson (Potashminer). It fits perfectly on this old 721 long action with room to spare.

D3wNgkPl.jpg
 
I presume it's a 1" tube. I have a Model 70 30-06. I mounted a Talley Picatinny base and Burris Signature Medium rings. Having a long Picatinny base gives you more options for mounting the scope with proper eye relief. I have the same base on all my bolt actions. I have used Vortex Pro series rings with that base as well. I really like them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom