Brought Dad's pre64 Win mod 70 30-06 home

[lar4570]

Dad passed a couple of years ago and I flew into Idaho for the funeral.
I had a few things to bring home, so my Sister offered to ferry most of it to her place in South Dakota, then I would pick it up from her, or my Brother in law comes to Arkansas to hunt Hogs frequently and could bring it with him.
Well life happened and it stayed at their place for awhile. Last Sunday, we both headed to Omaha for a visit and to bring my things home.

I think he bought this new in the mid 50s? He had a friend that was trying to talk him into reaming it to 300 Mashburn Express. Dad said it was a hot 30 caliber, but he could buy 06' ammo at any gas station in any small town.
It shows abit of wear. I think I'll just clean it up and give the stock a light coat of oil.
It has an old Weaver scope in Redfield rings and one piece base.
I'm thinking of putting a Vortex 3-9 on it and taking it Deer hunting this fall.


Looks like the Redfield rings are way too low for a 3-9x40 scope, so I'll have to see if any local shops carry Leupold rings. I'm thinking mediums?



And now for the most valuable thing to come home is Dad's small Channel Locks. He was a Plumber and carried these everywhere. Who knows how old they are, but they still have lots of life in them.

[45MAN]

PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING THE MOUNTS AND SCOPE AS IS AND KEEPING THIS TREASURE ALL AMERICAN AND PERIOD CORRECT.

[bigbrowndog]

I agree with 45man, leave it as it is. I used a pre-64 M70 this year for my antelope because my guns were locked up in my truck vault and the key was misplaced sometime during the trip. The rifle was purchased by a good friend who works for Vortex, from an old friend of ours who collects M70’s. He left it as is, wearing a Redfield 3-9x in Redfield rings and mounts. The rifle provides excellent accuracy and I was honored to take the first game with it since my friend purchased it. Keeping it vintage allowed the rifle to maintain its “feel” and “integrity” . The rifle was a 1950’s vintage M70 and was a complete pleasure to shoot, so I say leave it as it is and hunt it.

Trapr

[squawberryman]

Other than a disassembly and a bunch of Q-tips and Hoppe's #9 I'd leave it be if the scope is clear and holds. Don't use the Channel-hammers to take it apart.

[x101airborne]

The drop of the stock may make a higher scope uncomfortable. It was meant for either scope of low mount or open sights. Keep it as is with a good cleaning. There are still people who repair old scopes, polish lenses and re-seal them with nitrogen. Pacecars here may be able to lead you in the right direction. Others may as well. Keep that treasure as is. Love it for what it means. Lord rest your father and give your soul peace.

[squawberryman]

Vintage scopes out of Texas. Don't anyone look at their website!

[kevshell]

The rifleman's rifle. Anytime I think of a bolt action, the first thing I think of is a pre-64 model 70. The first bolt action I hunted with was a pre-64 70 270. That's my grandfather's. The quintessential hunting rifle in my book. It's not mine but I too would leave it as is. Patina, warts and history.

[LeverGunner]

I'd leave it alone, at least until the scope failed. Now, if I was going to change it, I'd go period correct mounts and Weaver short range scope again.

I'd also not freshen up the stock other than a good cleaning and wipedown.

Those small channel locks are dandy little pliers. I have 2 pair of small vise grips that see a bit of service.

[wilecoyote]

"Dad said... he could buy 06' ammo at any gas station in any small town..."  these are the words of a Wise Man, and his Rifle says it all_ please, enjoy it as it is, and congrats !

[squawberryman]

Anybody seen ammo in a place that sells fuel in the last twenty years? Not down here.

[leftysixgun]

Beautiful rifle! My grandfather left his pre64 M70 30-06 before he passed away. He bought it Japan when he was stationed there during the Korean War. I had to replaced the recoil pad, removed the scope and rings and put a Redfield aperture rear sight and Redfield Sourdough front sight on it. Great rifle!

[wilecoyote]

...Squawberryman,

if we continue like this, they'll end up not even selling fuel.

[kevshell]

Nov 20, 2024 6:04:58 GMT -5 squawberryman said:

Anybody seen ammo in a place that sells fuel in the last twenty years? Not down here.

Yessir
I was in a station in South Dakota recently. I noticed they had the new Hornady catalogs then saw their ammo case. Exactly what you would expect. They had everything from 22, to shotgun shells to common rifle & pistol rounds. But as you pointed out - it's not frequent like it used to be.

[bigbrowndog]

Yep, same thing in Kaycee Wyoming. As I drive through little towns and go in country stores I’m always looking to see what calibers are easily found.
Trapr

[lar4570]

Nov 20, 2024 6:04:58 GMT -5 squawberryman said:

Anybody seen ammo in a place that sells fuel in the last twenty years? Not down here.

It's been a few years since I've been back to Idaho to hunt Elk, but there's a gas station heading north out of Soda Springs that had a pretty good selection of ammo. Dick probably knows the place.