UPDATED Refinished Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 270

Mac_63

Mac_63

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Nova Scotia
I recently picked up a Winchester Model 70 made in 1955 its a 270, the metal is like new both inside and out, mirror bore. The wood is excellent except an area around the wrist has the finished coming off. I have heard alot and read some that the older version is very collectable, just looking for some input as to the quaility of my find. I have always liked the model 94 this is the first older Model 70 I owned. It came with an older brother a 94 made in 1949 which was the gun I went to buy in the first place the model 70 came up in conversation is it a keeper??

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I took the plunge ,,,,sorry in adavance to all the collectors out there, but I like the gun so much its made its way into the hunting section of the safe. Added a Nikon scope, I am looking for a vintage weaver, I passed on one and now I have to find another

I put 6 coats of tung oil on it, removed the front site installed a proper blank added the scope and this is the finished product. The finish is very close to the orginal not to glossy and not to dull,,,,no sanding involved straight chemical stripping




My wife will kill me if she knew I took her decorations of the fireplace mantel....hahah
 
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would it be wise to not do anything with the finish? I thought about tung oil, no sanding just chemical strip and hours of rubbing in tung oil.
 
Mac_63 said:
would it be wise to not do anything with the finish? I thought about tung oil, no sanding just chemical strip and hours of rubbing in tung oil.
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I think I would do a refinish but I would be keeping it for a very long time. If you plan on selling it might not be wise to redo the finish
 
The damage to the stock makes it worthless, I would get rid of it as soon as possible, PM me for my mailing address if you would like me to help you dispose of it.
 
Keep it and don't do anything to it except shoot and clean. (If it turns out that it doesn't group really well then it might turn out that it needs rebedding.) These should be very accurate rifles. Mine is!!
 
Is it just me or does the stock finish look wrong? Both of my pre64s looks have a matte oil finish. That looks like it was refinished at some point which would explain why part of it might have flaked off.

It's a nice looking rifle. Take it hunting and enjoy. I'd strip the stock and hand-rub an oil finish. Lee Valley Tool makes a product called "Tried and True Traditional Finish" that yields an identical finish to what came on the original Pre64. It's one of my favourite oils for stock work. There are three varieties, one with beeswak as an additive (Traditional) one with no additive (danish Oil) and one with a natural resin (Varnish Oil).
 
BigUglyMan said:
Is it just me or does the stock finish look wrong? Both of my pre64s looks have a matte oil finish. That looks like it was refinished at some point which would explain why part of it might have flaked off.
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I'm starting to wonder about you BUM :slap: :p

Looks correct to me, but the pictures are not the greatest. Had a few with the same sort of issue and they were all original. Winchester applied the finish on top of the already stain penetrated the wood. See below for better explanation.

From Collecting Winchester Pre-64 Model 70 Rifles - By Wayne R. Miller
Over the years, many attempts have been made to duplicate the stock finish on Winchester Model 70’s but usually can be detected more readily than a professional reblue. If a model 70 stock showing considerable use is observed, flaking off of the finish can be noted. Winchester applied the finish on the wood not in the wood. You can observe only the stain penetrated the wood. Experience allows your fingers to feel a difference in the texture of the finish.
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Interesting how over the years the factory finish technic changes. Now Winchester appears to spray on a finish that has the stain already mixed in, as evidenced if you look in the slot for the bolt handle you will see where the finish has pooled a little then dried in a little dark brown glob. It is consistant on all three of my newer SC M-70's.
 
I've had pre-64 model 70s in .270, .300 H&H, and .30-06 over the years and all shot really well. Mine were later rifles with the raised comb and therefore were comfortable with a low mounted scope. I would suggest scoping your rifle and trying it out as it will likely be a great hunting rifle. In my experience they had fantastic barrels and a great, simple trigger. I eventually traded off my .270 to buy a super grade classic when they first came out and the .30-06 went in favorite of a commercial Mauser. The .300 H&H is still here and I expect that it always will be. Enjoy your rifle and it will be utterly dependable.
 
I am thinking I will put a scope on it and put a few rds through it. It has a realy nice feel and balance . I know the pre-64 are hard to come by,
 
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