Winchester model 70 US made?
 

I just inherited a 1964 Winchester model 70 .270 win. It looks in great shape and I am excited.

The guy I got it from believes that 1964 was the last year they were made in the US. ????? Anybody know about this or know where to find info on this? I thoughtall Win'swere still US made today.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

They are still made in the states. 1964 is the year that they changed production and design of their firearms in order to keep up with the changing times. They did away with things like hand cut checkering, hand rubbed oil finishes, expensive and time cousuming machining methods, hand fitted parts, etc... etc... This didn't happen over night but over the next couple of years the old way of doing things faded away to the more stream lined and more cost effective way of producing firearms.

Your gun may or may not be of the "pre 64" design and methods. The biggest thing to look for is the large claw extractor that sits on the side of the bolt body.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Thanks fer the answer. I'll check my bolt. Either way, i'm purty thrilled.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

So, bigbulls, I'm assuming you know a thing or two about this. Can you tell anything from this picture? I believe that is the claw extractor you are talking about.

I was on a website that said all serials lower than 700,000 are pre-64. Does that sound right to you?

Thanks for the help!

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Yes that is the "claw!"

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

The Winchester Model 70 has never been made anywhere EXCEPT in the USA!!

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Yes it is a pre-1964 Winchester model 70.

If I am reading that serial number correctly 327XXX that gun was made in 1955.

Never, ever, ever sell that gun. Unless it's to me.;)

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

You read my mind;that was my next question. It is 327182. 1955, huh? Older than I thought. That would dovetail with the info I got about Win's serial 700000 being the last pre-'64. I have been having difficulty finding free valuationand serial number onfo on the www.

Now you're making me scared to hunt with it. However, that was my father in law's stipulation - we only get it if his grandsons (my sons) get meat with it.

Thanks Again, and we don't plan on selling it.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Don't be scared to hunt with it at all. That's what it was made for and that's what it has been doing for a long time before now.

You got one heck of a hunting rifle there that you can pass down for many more years to come.

Only thing worse than selling it would be to let it just sit there.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Or someonelook in your closet and swipe it!:)

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

If you go to any gun show in your area and see how much the pre-64 model 70's are worth you will be smiling all the way back to your truck....


Do not sell that rifle.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Now ya got me droolin!!! They didnt call that rifle "The Rifleman's Rifle" for no reason. I am glad they started making the pre-64 actions again.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

You got a real dandy there. My own pre-64 model 70 .30-06 is probably my favorite rifle.

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Appreciate all the helpful and nice comments, guys. Gee, you almost make me feel like I've done something. All I did was sit here and inherit the thing.

However, I promise we will be worthy of the honor of being pre-'64 Winchester owners through our gun care, marksmanship,game killing, and safety.

Is there anything in particular I should know about operating this bolt action? We have been shooting post-'01 Ruger 77 and Remington 700 .270's as well as a 2004 Win 300 WSM.

Also, it has a heavy trigger. We're used to about 2.5 lbs. I assume Winchester's is adjustable?

Thanks again

RE: Winchester model 70 US made?
 

Yes, the trigger is adjustable, but only to a certain point with all the stock parts left intact. Backing off the spring tension nut as far as it would go, I could still only get mine down to 4 lbs. When our local hunting season is over after this coming weekend I'm going to take mine to a local gunsmith and let him work on it for me. I'd like it to be set at 3 lbs. max. with no creep and minimum overtravel.