pre 64 M70 what would you do?

[Pilsner]

That would make a very nice 375 H&H o 375 Ruger rifle. Pre-64 and CRF.

 

[SDHNTR]

Value is already thrashed. I’d put a new recoil pad on it, clean up the screw holes, scope it and shoot it. It could be a great traditional hunting rifle.

Or if a custom is more your thing, find a good, experienced M70 smith, and build on it. Just be prepared to spend $3-5k.

 

[BishBeCool]

There couldnt be too many 300 Win Mag rifles made before that one, 300 WM was only introduced in '63.

Ill let you know what I would do.

First, see if its a shooter. Try some different ammo. If it is, I would have the holes fixed and rock a great vintage gun and I would get a vintage scope to put on it......like maybe a Redfield Widefield(not quite period correct but pretty close). First, I would confirm, by asking around, that your local smith is truly capable of fixing it properly. If there is any doubt at all, I would find another.

If its not a shooter, maybe it could be fixed fairly easily......it may just need a really thorough cleaning, recrowning, maybe re-cutting the chamber forward a bit, lapping bolt/lugs(pretty easy to do yourself)

If its not a shooter then IMO that opens you up to lots of options. No reason to keep a nice rifle that doesnt shoot and has no sentimental value. All the way up to a complete build.

I could be 100% incorrect but I believe there was only 50,000 pre 64 M70 chambered in 300 win mag. I believe I heard that and basing it off of memory lol. if its true, its a bummer that it had been damaged a bit.

 

[BishBeCool]

That would make a very nice 375 H&H o 375 Ruger rifle. Pre-64 and CRF.

indeed