Winchester Model 70

[Garg]

So, I recently acquired a Win Model 70, as far as I can tell, with the long action. Unfortunately It is not marked with the caliber.
I looks like a 30-06, but could also be .270 Win, , 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag. I really have no idea. I hope it's a .30-06, but I really have no way of telling. Any ideas on how I can tell? Thanks in advance.
Greg

Read More

 

[MTpockets]

One option would be to cast the chamber and then measure the casting.
https://www.brownells.com/aspx/learn/learndetail.aspx?lid=10387

Pt.3) 7.62x39 Cast Bullet: Chamber Cast/Throat Measurement

We'll use a low temp alloy to make a cast of the rifles chamber. This will allow us to identify various measurements, including the throat diameter. If you choose to do this, please exercise extreme c

rumble.com

(For Reference) This gentlemen makes a casting around the seven minute mark.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Hmmm....
Is this a production Winchester...if so it should be marked as to caliber.
Just what are the markings on the rifle...?
A picture here would be helpful.

With that said...the Winchester Model 70 action has been the basis of many a custom rifle...so markings may or may not be helpful if this is the case here.
Andy

 

[therealhitman]

How To ID an Unknown Chambering

Cerrosafe

Calipers

 

[Garg]

Hmmm....
Is this a production Winchester...if so it should be marked as to caliber.
Just what are the markings on the rifle...?
A picture here would be helpful.

With that said...the Winchester Model 70 action has been the basis of many a custom rifle...so markings may or may not be helpful if this is the case here.
Andy

I believe it has been costomized. The previous owner (RIP) was a custom nut. He was a reloader/smith/etc.. The only markings is the winchester logo, and the serial number.

 

[TTSX]

If you have the ammo you think it is, you could try chambering them, though it's really no guarantee of correctness. I have a gut feeling it's a wildcat if the previous owner was as much of a custom freak as you say. Could be as simple as a 30-06 AI or as wild as .22 eargesplitten loudenboomer. Chamber casting is more than likely the safest way to go here

 

[Garg]

Well, I think casting the chamber is above my pay grade, in fact I know it is. If anyone can help me out I would be grateful.
Willing to pay.

 

[Garg]

If you have the ammo you think it is, you could try chambering them, though it's really no guarantee of correctness. I have a gut feeling it's a wildcat if the previous owner was as much of a custom freak as you say. Could be as simple as a 30-06 AI or as wild as .22 eargesplitten loudenboomer. Chamber casting is more than likely the safest way to go here

out of the 4 rifles of this estate that I have inspected, one is a model 98 (k98) sporterized, and chambered in 25-06. The other was a Swedish mouser type action, in 280. The last one was an unmarked mouser type action, in 7MM. I think probably 7MM mouser. Then the win model 70 with no cal markings.
incidently, I measured the bore at the muzzle, and it show .30

 

[po18guy]

They've made a lot of Model 70s in 85 years. All Winchester barrels are roll marked with the chambering on the left side, ahead of the chamber. If not, then a chamber cast is the only way of knowing. And, since that is a replacement barrel, it could be for a wildcat cartridge, or an "improved" version of a standard cartridge. Cerrosafe is the solution. If it is a pre-'64 version, it has/had substantial value.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Measure the bolt face. You'll then have a bunch of measurements to distract you from your plight for probably ten minutes. Then sell it.

 

[bcp]

Remove the stock to see the bottom of the barrel. Sometimes chambering is stamped there, so as not to mar the visible part of the barrel with crude stamps.

Bruce

 

[bcp]

Also, if possible, look at what dies the owner had. That should narrow the choices considerably.

Bruce

 

[Garg]

Remove the stock to see the bottom of the barrel. Sometimes chambering is stamped there, so as not to mar the visible part of the barrel with crude stamps.

Bruce

Yeah, no markings hidden under the stock

 

[Garg]

Also, if possible, look at what dies the owner had. That should narrow the choices considerably.

Bruce

All the dies and reloading gear is apparently all long gone.

 

[Garg]

Measure the bolt face. You'll then have a bunch of measurements to distract you from your plight for probably ten minutes. Then sell it.

Jeez dude, that was brutal LMAO

 

[Garg]

They've made a lot of Model 70s in 85 years. All Winchester barrels are roll marked with the chambering on the left side, ahead of the chamber. If not, then a chamber cast is the only way of knowing. And, since that is a replacement barrel, it could be for a wildcat cartridge, or an "improved" version of a standard cartridge. Cerrosafe is the solution. If it is a pre-'64 version, it has/had substantial value.

it is a G205 serial number range, so it should date it to post 92.

 

[po18guy]

Is the PO still alive to ask about chambering?

 

[Garg]

Is the PO still alive to ask about chambering?

No he passed away years ago. I got this from his son, who knows less than I do, by a long shot, and when it comes to this stuff, i'm as dumb as a bag of hammers LOL

 

[po18guy]

Call around to find a gunsmith who will do a chamber cast. Will cost a bit but save much hassle.

 

[bcp]

Find a magnum and standard size empty cases. See which fits the bolt face.

Then find as many empty, different size cases as possible of that head size and try chambering them. This won't tell you what it is, but will tell you what it isn't. The possibles will chamber, the impossibles won't.

Now you are getting closer.



Bruce