Decision between two M70 300 H&H's

[Bullthrower338]

Good afternoon all,
My quest for a M70 in 300 H&H has come down to two that are side by side.
One is a 1954 model that is extreamly clean, no rust, metal is near 98ish% showing bluing wear only at the muzzle. Wood is unremarkablely plain but in excellent shape.
The second is a post 64 M70 Classic CRF, metal is near perfect with minor imperfections due to normal use. Serial number puts mfg in 74-75 time frame.
I am going to use this rifle in Africa next year so she will not be a safe queen, so take investment value out of the equation.
So I ask all M70 aficionados for pros and cons of each.
Thanks,
Cody

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If you have the opportunity to shoot both of them, pick the one that is most accurate. I'd like to think it will be the pre-64, but who knows.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Unfortunately I will not be able to shoot them first. I've just about talked myself into buying both of them. I already ordered enough brass to keep them both from going hungry!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

LOL, yeah. I've now got two pre-64s downstairs. One with a custom stock, one with the original. Both needing me to develop loads for.......so what the hell am I doing on AH on Saturday when I should be in the garage......gotta go!

P.S. Both are .300H&H, need to share notes on loads with each other!

 

[sierraone]

I am curious where the 74-75 model with controlled feed came from. Custom shop? I submitted the question to the WinchesterOwners.com site. Should have an answer shortly. Also would like to see pics if you have them.

 

[Clayton]

...I've just about talked myself into buying both of them...

Congratulations. LOL, and here I was ready with my $0.02. I've been agonizing over 1954 .300 H&H that's been on Collectors Firearms site there in Houston now for a while. A friend keeps telling me to come over and we'll go look at it. He's not any help.

 

[sierraone]

If you have the opportunity to shoot both of them, pick the one that is most accurate. I'd like to think it will be the pre-64, but who knows.

I guess all of my adult life, I have been told that the pre 64 M70 is better than the post 64 models, accuracy included. That may have been true during certain years. But I can assure you from experience that my Model 70 super grade in .264 win mag with Nosler 130 gr ammo will shoot much less than 1 inch at 100 yards. It is from the new owner manufacturers some 3 or 4 years ago. I paid $1150 new for the rifle in 2013 and put a $300 Leupold 3x9 on it. The rifle I am taking to S.A. in July is a 1992 Win .375 H&H with a Weaver 1.5x5 DG scope. It is a push feed. With standard Hornady ammo it shoots about 1.5 inches with me. I have an RSM in .375 but have been shooting the M70 consistently for nearly 4 years now. My 42 year old M 70 30-06 push feed the same with cheap Remington core lok. My point is unless you are a collector or bargaining for a rare caliber or custom shop rifle, don't pay a big price difference because it is a pre 64. There are more guns and hunts to put that money toward!

 

[Clayton]

Right now I have a 1952 vintage M70 in .30-06 and a 7 yr old Super Grade in the same caliber. That fore-end screw on the old gun will play havoc with accuracy. Actually love the wood on the Super Grade and it will do 0.834" with 150 gr Sierra Pro Hunters. Not so good with 150 gr Nosler Partitions. So, yep it is a more accurate rifle, prettier and so has been flawless operation. As much as I love the old guns, and all else being equal, I'd be hard pressed to choose only one between them.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Sierraone,
The post 64 is in transit to Houston right now, should be here in a couple days and I will post pictures. I was also questioning the CRF also, that is why I am assuming a "classic model". The guy I spoke with knew very little about the rifle. That is why I had it shipped for inspection, I am relying on his dating as I haven't got the SN yet.
Update ya soon as I get more info,
Cody

 

[Bullthrower338]

Right now I have a 1952 vintage M70 in .30-06 and a 7 yr old Super Grade in the same caliber. That fore-end screw on the old gun will play havoc with accuracy. Actually love the wood on the Super Grade and it will do 0.834" with 150 gr Sierra Pro Hunters. Not so good with 150 gr Nosler Partitions. So, yep it is a more accurate rifle, prettier and so has been flawless operation. As much as I love the old guns, and all else being equal, I'd be hard pressed to choose only one between them.

Clayton,
Collectors has a beautiful selection of firearms, unfortunately a good deal is hard to strike in there. But I go lurk around the bolt and double gun section several times a year. But I agree with your friend, maybe you should take a ride down to Fondren Rd.lol
Cheers,
Cody

 

[sierraone]

Sierraone,
The post 64 is in transit to Houston right now, should be here in a couple days and I will post pictures. I was also questioning the CRF also, that is why I am assuming a "classic model". The guy I spoke with knew very little about the rifle. That is why I had it shipped for inspection, I am relying on his dating as I haven't got the SN yet.
Update ya soon as I get more info,
Cody

When you determine the year and serial for sure let me know on pm. I can resubmit the question to the WinchesterOwners.com and find out if it's a custom shop gun or for some reason they put claw extractors on certain guns the year it was made. I am confident we will receive an answer. If the guy you spoke with is not a real gun person, you could easily be receiving the wrong information.

 

[Bullthrower338]

When you determine the year and serial for sure let me know on pm. I can resubmit the question to the WinchesterOwners.com and find out if it's a custom shop gun or for some reason they put claw extractors on certain guns the year it was made. I am confident we will receive an answer. If the guy you spoke with is not a real gun person, you could easily be receiving the wrong information.

I find most people working in gunstores are not really gun people. Lol. I stopped a guy from selling 8x56 H to his customer that was wanting 8mm Mauser one day, I bought all that ammo for the steyr up though so he didn't make the mistake again. Lol.

 

[Clayton]

...But I agree with your friend, maybe you should take a ride down to Fondren Rd.lol
Cheers,
Cody

You ain't helping either.

I did own a mid 70s Super Grade '06 that shot well enough to kill Whitetail & Mule Deer. It too was a very nice M70.

 

[ActionBob]

Cody great problem to have I picked up a pre-64 300 H&H at the Tulsa show last year. Have not gotten it even cleaned yet must less shot.

Also have a Classic model 70 but in 300 RUM.. Bought it with the plan to convert to 404 Jeff. But actually kind of like the 300 RUM (yea I know, a bit crazy). However I can't get it to pattern very well. I wanted to take it to BC for bear last spring but at the last minute, took my very trusty new model 70 Safari Classic 375 H&H, hard to go wrong with that, taking it for Simon's Leopards

The RUM was looking promising with that new Hornady ammo but only had a box, not enough for sight in and a hunt.

Anyway, good luck with the 300 H&H! Looking forward to hearing a range report and seeing pictures. I might even know someone who could take it off your hands if you decide you must have a pre-64

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Cody great problem to have I picked up a pre-64 300 H&H at the Tulsa show last year. Have not gotten it even cleaned yet must less shot.

Also have a Classic model 70 but in 300 RUM.. Bought it with the plan to convert to 404 Jeff. But actually kind of like the 300 RUM (yea I know, a bit crazy). However I can't get it to pattern very well. I wanted to take it to BC for bear last spring but at the last minute, took my very trusty new model 70 Safari Classic 375 H&H, hard to go wrong with that, taking it for Simon's Leopards

The RUM was looking promising with that new Hornady ammo but only had a box, not enough for sight in and a hunt.

Anyway, good luck with the 300 H&H! Looking forward to hearing a range report and seeing pictures. I might even know someone who could take it off your hands if you decide you must have a pre-64

Sounds like that M70 in .300RUM is just a pain for you Bob, I'll help you relieve your misery and will buy it from you.

 

[ActionBob]

Sounds like that M70 in .300RUM is just a pain for you Bob, I'll help you relieve your misery and will buy it from you.

Too Laterribly Phil, I allready bought a third safe, so got room to keep it.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Too Laterribly Phil, I allready bought a third safe, so got room to keep it.

You don't wanna make a safe queen out of that, it'll be a bad influence on all the others!

 

[sierraone]

Too Laterribly Phil, I allready bought a third safe, so got room to keep it.

Yea, yea, yea! Leave it up to Action Bob to ruin someone else s Christmas present. What a guy!

 

[ActionBob]

It will be just fine

 

[Bullthrower338]

Hey Bob,
I love the 300 RUM, got two or three Senderos in it, great round and probably my favorite 30 cal. I'm assuming that would be a custom job or did Win actually chamber the RUM? Glad to hear you took Simon up on a leopard bunt, that should be awesome!