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Any Winchester Model 70 Collectors?

FleshEater

FleshEater

Ordinary Average Guy
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Anyone here collect Model 70’s?

I found one local used. It’s a 1989 varmint sporter in 22-250 with a bull barrel. Glass on it is clear, but something old and not great, but not Tasco terrible. Very clean rifle, as in I found one imperfection in the stock.

I haven’t looked down the barrel to see if it’s decent or shot out. Just handled and then left the shop to do research. Seems most like all Model 70’s and this caliber in the varmint also has a good accuracy reputation.

They want $1,099 for it. Seems a bit steep, but I might be off base and it’s par for the course now.

Any insight if that’s way over paying? I’ve always wanted a Model 70 and a 22-250. Just never broke down and bought one.

Thanks!
 
Seems steep to me. On any varmint type rifle, you'll want to thoroughly check the bore. A lot of barrels get worn out prematurely by hot loads pushing velocity.
Do you want it for actual varmint hunting (Prarie dogs, coyotes, ect) or do you just want it because you always wanted one? Either is a perfectly acceptable reason to buy one.
I have a Remington 700 classic in 220 swift because I always wanted one. Haven't shot it in years. But I like it.
If you want a good gun for varmint hunting there are going to be better options out there.
 
aron82 said:
Seems steep to me. On any varmint type rifle, you'll want to thoroughly check the bore. A lot of barrels get worn out prematurely by hot loads pushing velocity.
Do you want it for actual varmint hunting (Prarie dogs, coyotes, ect) or do you just want it because you always wanted one? Either is a perfectly acceptable reason to buy one.
I have a Remington 700 classic in 220 swift because I always wanted one. Haven't shot it in years. But I like it.
If you want a good gun for varmint hunting there are going to be better options out there.
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This would be used for ground hogs and coyotes when killing things beyond paper.

I just hopped on Gun Broker (I hate Gun Broker, but I don’t know where else to search), and found a few very nice Sako Finnbears from the 70’s for $1,500. I would much prefer a Finnish made rifle over anything American from the 80’s-90’s.

With that said, I might keep an eye out for a pre-64 or older Winchester Model 70 or a Sako I can snag locally for less (avoiding taxes, shipping, dealer markup, etc.).
 
You should build a 6.5CM AR and toss a thermal on top if it’s legal there , game changer .
 
Leadfoot21 said:
You should build a 6.5CM AR and toss a thermal on top if it’s legal there , game changer .
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It is, but no. I’m a wood stock bolt action guy. My AR serves a purpose. Not hunting.

I also don’t predator hunt enough to drop $5,000+ on an okay thermal. Red lights are fine with excellent scopes. We call in red and grey fox more often than coyotes here. They’ll run into your lap, so no need for night vision or thermal.
 
FleshEater said:
It is, but no. I’m a wood stock bolt action guy. My AR serves a purpose. Not hunting.

I also don’t predator hunt enough to drop $5,000+ on an okay thermal. Red lights are fine with excellent scopes. We call in red and grey fox more often than coyotes here. They’ll run into your lap, so no need for night vision or thermal.
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I always was too until I acquired a 6.5 grendel AR setup … absolute game changer ! I don’t have one yet either cause im just living vicariously through you . My friends all have them and they’re neat.

Interesting ! That would be much different than here . If going bolt gun I’ve been wanting to try one of the new Bergara setups also .
 
Leadfoot21 said:
I always was too until I acquired a 6.5 grendel AR setup … absolute game changer ! I don’t have one yet either cause im just living vicariously through you . My friends all have them and they’re neat.

Interesting ! That would be much different than here . If going bolt gun I’ve been wanting to try one of the new Bergara setups also .
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I’ve talked to guys in the midwest about coyotes who just annihilate them out there. One guy told me his uncle shot 110 of them off his ranch over the course of a year in Iowa. Some of our best coyote hunters here will drop 20 a year. Maybe 30 if they hunt all summer.

I personally enjoy hunting fox more. Their pelts are far nicer and they are more willing to come in to a call. Coyotes always hang up in the woods on me at night. When they do come out the .17 Hornet always loses them at the 100-125 distances at night. However anything bigger and you’re blowing foxes in half.

total newb said:
22-250 has been a hot topic on the varmit hunting fb pages so there maybe a bit of a bubble on them.
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It’s always been a hot topic in the predator world. I’d say since the late 80’s.

Thatg9659 said:
Tikka tx3 lite is available in a 1-8” twist $749

$1100 seems steep
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I have a Tikka T3 Forest in .243 that I don’t really love. It’s a nice, quality gun, but I just don’t like it very much. It’s dressed out with my 2-18 Leupold VX5-HD if I’m not mistaken.

Once I bought it I knew I wanted to buy a Sako to have that higher end wood and more solid feel. I’ve never held a Sako but I have a feeling it’ll remind me of my CZ 527 with 26” varmint barrel. Love that rifle.
 
Idk, heres the first couple search results.
$1100 seems par for an older good conditon piece. But im not putting money out after one either so.....

Screenshot_20231104-053023_Chrome.jpg
Screenshot_20231104-053004_Chrome.jpg




Screenshot_20231104-053117_Chrome.jpg
 
22-250 is a hard sell, younger shooters I talk to would rather blast varmits with a .223 ar

Plastic stock Rem 788 in 22-250 been sitting a while.
 
Thatg9659 said:
22-250 is a hard sell, younger shooters I talk to would rather blast varmits with a .223 ar

Plastic stock Rem 788 in 22-250 been sitting a while.
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I probably would have felt the same when I was younger. I’ve carried my AR hunting ground hogs before. While fun, it wasn’t the same as making a bolt action work. Takes more refined shots to drop those fat bastards when you know there’s no quick follow ups.

I’ve also ran 58 grain VMax out of my .243 on ground hogs and it takes all the skill out. :laughing: Usually blows them, literally, in half.
 
$1k is on the highside but it isnt crazy. If it wasnt thrashed and I wanted it. I would just grab it and enjoy it. If you over paid by a couple hundred bucks, wont mean shit in a year or two.

I had one of those m70 XTR heavy barel rigs in a 243. That was an accurate sum bitch:smokin:
 
Steve300xcw said:
$1k is on the highside but it isnt crazy. If it wasnt thrashed and I wanted it. I would just grab it and enjoy it. If you over paid by a couple hundred bucks, wont mean shit in a year or two.

I had one of those m70 XTR heavy barel rigs in a 243. That was an accurate sum bitch:smokin:
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I figured they would be stupidly accurate. The nice French wood stocks on brand new Model 70’s are like $2,400. So $1k isn’t terrible.

There’s two things I’ve wanted for a long time now. A 22-250, and a Sako. So I’m thinking I’ll just find both at the same time. :laughing:

However, every time I handle an older Model 70 they just feel good in the hands. So I’m torn.

My dad also informed me that his cousin is planning on leaving his Winchester collection to me and my sister. So I might end up with a Model 70 collection some day anyways.
 
Big sako fan. The stocks definitely feel much better than the Tika stocks.
The older sako fin bears have a tapered divetailscope mount which isq a bit different and requires sako rings, or adapters.
 
FleshEater said:
I have a Tikka T3 Forest in .243 that I don’t really love. It’s a nice, quality gun, but I just don’t like it very much. It’s dressed out with my 2-18 Leupold VX5-HD if I’m not mistaken.

Once I bought it I knew I wanted to buy a Sako to have that higher end wood and more solid feel. I’ve never held a Sako but I have a feeling it’ll remind me of my CZ 527 with 26” varmint barrel. Love that rifle.
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If you don't like that tikka so much you'll part ways with it I'd be interested. Been looking for a model 70 in .243 but Finnish rifles are my favorite.
 
also, 80s winchesters arent really "collectable". id say they are higher quality than many made lately but they arent particularly rare or specifically desirable.
 
Texas97 said:
also, 80s winchesters arent really "collectable". id say they are higher quality than many made lately but they arent particularly rare or specifically desirable.
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This is what I’m finding. The Connecticut facility when under in 1989 and sold. I’m passing on this for sure. Just have a feeling about it.
 
I'd suggest anyone buying used rifles to invest in at least a bore scope and maybe even Fix It Sticks.

Anything with a premium asking price deserves an inspection.
 
J.S. said:
I'd suggest anyone buying used rifles to invest in at least a bore scope and maybe even Fix It Sticks.

Anything with a premium asking price deserves an inspection.
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I would suggest against bore scoping damn near anything. It's a solution looking for a problem. Don't do it. If it has accuracy problems, then maybe that's the last resort. Last resort.

Fix it sticks are just torque wrenches, which are great. But a great high quality set of Brownells or Sinclair flat tips are also crucial, especially anything made before the 80s
 
Texas97 said:
I would suggest against bore scoping damn near anything. It's a solution looking for a problem. Don't do it. If it has accuracy problems, then maybe that's the last resort. Last resort.

Fix it sticks are just torque wrenches, which are great. But a great high quality set of Brownells or Sinclair flat tips are also crucial, especially anything made before the 80s
Click to expand...
I'm looking for throat erosion. You're spot on about the right screwdrivers.
 
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