Old vs. New Model 70's?

G

Gary O

Guest
How do the newly manufactured Model 70's stack up against the Pre '64 version? What say you?
 
When the new "classic actions' first came out I think they were better than the latest ones produced in the last couple of years... I just had a friend who returned 2 new rifles that did not function right out of the box. Maybe that will change. I always felt an older pre 64 was over priced.
 
A couple of years ago, a good friend bought a newer Mod 70 for his Son, in 280 Remington.

He spent the better part of the weekend trying to get it to shoot, (2" plus was the norm). The extractor was really burring the cases up as well.

One thing I noticed was the firing pin strike was so far off center, I surprised it fired. Aside from that, it was a great looking Rifle, deep dark blue, nice finished wood. Great wall hanger.......jackie
 
I have two of the new M70s from the South Carolina plant, a sporter in 270 Win and a Safari Express in 375 H&H. As compared the the Classic M70s that came out of New Haven, they are much better. A gunsmith friend of mine went of my 270 with a fine tooth comb, taking various measurements and checking trueness of the action of and says they are far better than the New Haven rifles and in his estimation even better then the pre-64s. My new 270 shot close to 1 MOA at 100 yds right out of the box with the first load I tried, same is true of the Safari Express in 375 H&H (also from the South Carolina plant) In terms if appearance, the are finished better, both metal a wood and the wood to metal fit is much better that the New Haven models (I have several of them to compare). I don't personally have any pre-64s because of the inflated prices on them. I would not hesitate to buy another of the new M70s if I was in the market for another rifle.
 
I gotta agree with David S. I bought a 3006 in a sporter tried 150s,180s, 175 match. Likes imr 4831 all I can get in thecase without compressing too much about 60.5 grs. Shot a .3 3 shot group. Ive seen some old pre 64s shoot and if ya shot around an in. you did good with those rifles. I beg your pardon, the .3 group I shot was with 4064 it shoots the 4831 more consistint Jackie told me to try 4831, thanks Jackie.
 
Gary O said:
How do the newly manufactured Model 70's stack up against the Pre '64 version? What say you?
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I say I'd rather have a bolt handle integral with the bolt body, an integral front sight ramp. a milled follower, a steel buttplate, walnut of higher quality, and an extractor made the old way. That is why I'd buy a Pre-64 Model 70 and gladly pay the extra cost. For those of us who are old Model 70 fans, there really is no comparison between the old and the new.
 
Having owned both, I guess I don't see all that. Only a true pre '64 gearhead sees all that as an improvement. The new guns are outstanding, in my view. I guess that is why I own 2. My only complain is the magazine release design; I wish it was an inside the trigger bow style. Everything else works for me. Enjoy those older guns...
 
I have used only '64 it is good. But I have not used 70 new version so I have no idea about it. Hope it should also be master piece.
 
vicvanb said:
I say I'd rather have a bolt handle integral with the bolt body, an integral front sight ramp. a milled follower, a steel buttplate, walnut of higher quality, and an extractor made the old way. That is why I'd buy a Pre-64 Model 70 and gladly pay the extra cost. For those of us who are old Model 70 fans, there really is no comparison between the old and the new.
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Agreed. I have 2 model 722 Remington's, both good bread and butter rifles, reasonably accurate but neither hold a candle to the quality in my pre-64 M70 Featherweight...no comparison. I also have a 1973 M70 push feed 22-250 varmint rifle..outstanding fit and finish and accuracy. By that time they had the bugs worked out of the design and quality of those guns. IMHO, M70's of that vintage are a real bargain. I've heard too many stories of woe regarding current mfg guns of any make except Savage to have any desire to buy new. --greg
 
Pre-64's appreciate....post-64's depreciate. Buy em, shoot em, enjoy em, and sell em for more money than you spent.
 
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