gdawg . . Good pictures and serial number would help in assessing value. . With pre-64 Model 70's; correctness is very important in relationship to value. . If they've been messed with, the value goes to half and sometimes less than.
The main points to keep in mind are: 1. Condition 2. Rarity 3. Originality all factored into the state of the economy equals asking price.
The rarer the caliber the more it's worth. . The early 1960 models are worth less due to the poor stock wood and terrible checkering. . Steel and aluminum buttplate models are worth more than the later versions with cost cutting plastic buttplates. . On average, Supergrades have a 200% premium over Standard Grades and Featherweights have a 140% premiuim over Standard Grades.
Winchester built 581,471 pre-64 M70 rifles of which 200,000 were chambered in 30-06 and 100,000 chambered in 270 win. . The 300 H&H was offered from the beginning to end (1936 - 1963) with 37,000 total chambered in 300 H&H. . being a rare caliber and a very popular caliber, right to this day, has a considerable premium over one in 30-06. .
BUT . . To obtain the high value the rifle must be very good to excellent (NRA) original condition. . Any modifications such as : aftermarket recoil pad, wrong buttplate, side mount scope holes, wrong sights, wrong sling swivels, re-chambered, re-blued, refinished etc. . . automatically cuts the value to half and sometimes less than. .
For example: - The only Featherweight, pre-64 Model 70, offered with a recoil pad was chambered in 264 win mag. The 375 H&H came from the factory with patent dated solid red Winchester Pad. . The 300 H&H was offered with a pat dated pad if ordered as such. .
I bought this 300 H&H in the mid 1990's and has become one of my favorite pre-64 M70's
