Is a pre 64 winchester model 70 really that great of a gun that people will pay $6500 for .375? Or is this strictly collector value? Personally i think they are nothing to brag about in the looks department, Can they really shoot that well....or the actions are that great? I love wood stocked blued rifles but i just don't see paying that kind of money for one...even $2000. Could it really out perform a Sako in all aspects? Or is this strictly a collector Value which i can appreciate if that is the case.
Winchester pre 64's
- Thread starter HOSSONE
- Start date
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. People who appreciate the pre-64 M70 rifles are certainly willing to pay some large prices, it seems. It remains to be seen how fast the ones you are referiing to sell or if they do sell at that price.
If you ever watch the Barrett Jackson car auctions you will see late 60's and early 70's vintage muscle cars that we all drove around in during our youth going for ridiculous prices. $100,000 to $150,000 dollars. Are they worth it.?? Not in my mind. But they don't have any problem auctioning them off.
Same with the M-70's. Some folks have to have old and original, and they will pay for it. Even though the new improved model is less expensive and actually built better in many respects.
I like M-70's, always have. And have owned a few. I prefer the new ones made in South Carolina, well made nice guns for the dollars.
Same with the M-70's. Some folks have to have old and original, and they will pay for it. Even though the new improved model is less expensive and actually built better in many respects.
I like M-70's, always have. And have owned a few. I prefer the new ones made in South Carolina, well made nice guns for the dollars.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
A big factor is that they were built by hand and lots of people appreciate that kind of thing. Another is the fact that you can't get the same rifle anymore. The trigger has been completely changed which a lot of people (who aren't paid to sell products like some gunwriters) dislike. As well, the Pre-64 was discontinued at the behest of beancounters and was replaced with a pale comparison that was the same in name only. And we hated it. Imagine Kiefer Sutherland in "24" being replaced in Season 3 by Rodney Dangerfield and you get the equivalent of the Pre and Post 64 Model 70.
That said, the modern M70 handles gas better than the Pre-64, but given that you will pull the trigger thousands of times and will likely never have a rutured case, this is less important to some people than others.
And if you've ever cycled the action of a Pre-64 Model 70 you know that there is no factory bolt rifle like it. I have 2 and the 300 H&H feeds rounds from the magazine with almost no more effort than it cycles empty. It is so slick, and so smooth, that I feel a little flushed just talking about it. No tikka or Sako comes close, and they are the slickest bolts that I have ever run prior to the Pre-64.
I would imagine at $6500 it's a super grade or something more rare than the standard 375 H&H.
That being said I would pay more for a used Pre-64 in original condition than I would for any new factory rifle. Better metal, better workmanship and they hold their value.
Northern Boater
CGN Regular
- Location
- Northern BC
I love wood stocked blued rifles but i just don't see paying that kind of money for one...even $2000. QUOTE]
If you have to ask ......... Some people just appreciate the quality of a bygone era. Check the values of older Sako's, FN's, Brno's and they all are relatively equal. I would pay 2K for a clean M70 in 300 H&H in a heart beat, to each their own. Compare some current offerings such as Kimber, Sako or even the price of a new Remington, they aren't the same.
If you have to ask ......... Some people just appreciate the quality of a bygone era. Check the values of older Sako's, FN's, Brno's and they all are relatively equal. I would pay 2K for a clean M70 in 300 H&H in a heart beat, to each their own. Compare some current offerings such as Kimber, Sako or even the price of a new Remington, they aren't the same.
