My first 375 H&H... What do I have?

[CoElkHunter]

@CoElkHunter

Hunter are you saying that “at the most” I’d be hurting the rifles value by D&T another hole?

No, I was asking how how many pesos you paid for the rifle?

 

[Waterbuck2008]

If you can find the one-piece base that matches the original three-hole d&t, it should be plenty sturdy with properly torqued and loc-tited screws. If you don't want to re-drill, that is. What a find!

 

[CZDiesel]

@CoElkHunter

I paid $3200 for it. They had it priced at $3500 but they gave me a military discount...
With the condition of the rifle being at 98% + I think I got it for a great deal?

 

[Joker12]

You did very well!

 

[CoElkHunter]

@CoElkHunter

I paid $3200 for it. They had it priced at $3500 but they gave me a military discount...
With the condition of the rifle being at 98% + I think I got it for a great deal?

Very nice! I think a great price for that condition. Congrats!

 

[ducmarc]

Sounds like a nice rifle there are plenty of b&l mounts and scopes out there I have several the balvar 8 was the best. They had light gathering that very few have today they made microscopes so the lenses were ground accordingly. Some have become foggy because the chairs were a sticker.but there is a fellow on the internet that rebuilds them.pm me and I could find them.i may have an extra set of mounts and scope.that way u don't have to drill it.

 

[ducmarc]

The transition rifles were usually made up to 48 does yours have a cloverleaf tang? If so a 50 would be odd.barrel date is on the bottom side of the barrel.looks like it already has recoil lugs installed. If u do drill the receiver after much thought I went with steel weaver style Leupold bases instead of the tally's on my magnums. I have three and burris signature z rings only because the tally's hang over the receiver so much I feel they may hinder reloading. the standard Leopolds fit the best but I don't really like the windage screws.

 

[CZDiesel]

@ducmarc

No it does not have the clover rear tang but is still a transition rifle due to the smooth rear bridge if I’m correct? This was taken from the Winchester collector site and it seems this is a type III transition receiver? Maybe I’m confused and have it all wrong?

“Hi mrcvs-

I’ll respond to your question based on what’s “usually correct” for period (understand that I would not quibble much over “exceptions” to this):

Type I Actions (clover leaf tang, roll marked bridge, clip slot): On both standard and H&H length actions, the factory D&T holes were two 6-48 on the top of the receiver ring, two on the left side rear to accommodate a receiver sight. No other holes… Bridge NOT drilled on top.

Type II Actions (clover leaf tang, smooth bridge, clip slot only on 30-06 target receivers): Here things get complicated… 1) Standard cartridge (except 30-06 target models). Receiver top D&T, left side D&T for receiver sight, bridge top D&T. 2) H&H Magnum length action. Receiver top D&T, left side D&T for receiver sight, bridge top NOT D&T. 3) Target model in 30-06 only (includes National Match, Target and Bull Gun, but ONLY in 30-06). Receiver top D&T, left side D&T for receiver sight, bridge top NOT D&T. The target receivers intended for 30-06 were the only type II-III M70 receivers that retained a clip loading slot after the pre-war period.

Type III Actions (oval tang, smooth bridge, clip slot only on 30-06 target receivers): A little less complicated, but not much… 1) Standard cartridge (except 30-06 target models). Receiver top D&T, left side D&T for receiver sight, bridge top D&T. 2) H&H Magnum length action. Receiver top D&T, left side D&T for receiver sight, bridge top D&T after about S/N 120,000 but NOT D&T before. 3) Target model in 30-06 (includes National Match, Target and Bull Gun, but only in 30-06). Bridge top D&T after about S/N 120,000 but NOT D&T before.

This last issue, i.e. when did the factory start to D&T the bridge of H&H and 30-06 target actions (the receivers that needed different hole spacing on the bridge) is best answered by saying there was A LOT of overlap. I’ve seen type III M70s in those two categories with S/Ns into the low 170,000 range that were NOT D&T, but many more in the 120,000 – 170,000 range that have factory (looking) D&T holes on the bridge.

Aren’t you sorry you asked????

Best,

Lou”

My rifle is in the 167,xxx range so it could have been D&T or not? Being in such a mint condition I wish I knew? But at this point I think I’m leaning to restocking it with a beautiful piece of wood and leaving it without a scope?

 

[ducmarc]

Aw man now I have to get Rogers book out and dig them all out of the safe. I think most things after the war there was a rush to put things out on the market.so some things didn't add up.it maybe back then when u went to uncle bob's gunshop he scratched down what he thought u wanted and sent it in. my 1952 3006 has a Lyman Alaskan with a stih mount.talk about no where to go the stock is inletted for the front mount sleeve.and my dad's 41 270 carbine has been drilled for a griffin and Howe mount.If it was me and I paid 3200$ I wouldn't drill it. Go call pre64.com I've bought a lot from them and they just put up some more stocks ithink Justin is his name they have a ton of parts a nice website and a wealth of real time knowledge.just wait till ur grandkids try to figure out that brass framed 22 Henry grandpa bought them back in 19 during the great pandemic lol.