Trouble Dating a Model 70

Oregonminer · 01-09-2008, 01:33 AM

I just recently picked up my first Winchester Rifle a Model 70 Classic Sporter in 25-06, I actualy was searching around for a deal on a lite weight deer/varmit rifle in a short action but I ran into a friend that really wants a new scooter this spring and was culling out his safe. He had only had it for a couple years and did not know when it was made. I called a couple of friends who know a little about Winchesters and looked thru a couple of his books and checked the internet but never came up with a clear date. My Winchester Friend says the serial number G108XXX doesnt have enough digits according to the books he has and the internet site I looked up wont let me put the prefix G before the serial # and when i put in just the serial number is says it made in 49'. My friend I got it from thought it was made in the 90's. I called the local pawn shop and he said between 72' and 94'. Can any one help me narrow it down?? It is in beautiful like new condition and next to another of my friends brand new Model 70 in 270WSM you can hardly tell them apart. Thanks in advance for any response. Great Forum

GlockMeister · 01-09-2008, 01:47 AM

Try this website/link Oregon.
Winchester Manufacture Dates

Good luck.

G_Meister

ArkansasHunter · 01-09-2008, 02:09 AM

Hi feller ! In the 90's Winchester reintroduced there pre 1964 boltaction rifles that were built on CNC machines.
This boltaction was similer to the Mauser boltaction being it had a Claw extractor running down the side of the bolt and it had other desirable feathers as well.

They also continued to produce what is called a push feed boltaction like you find on Remington 700's and other brands.

They again came out with yet another bolt action that had a small claw extractor at the end of the bolt face so that left you with 3 choice's to buy.

I don't know which rifle you have but I can say your friend was unwise in selling it to you because it's a 25-06 caliber this is a great cartridge and I'd almost bet since Winchester has stopped produceing boltaction rifles it want ever depreciate in dollars.
You've got a keeper know matter which boltaction it has in it. But I would like to know.

I read the other day that Winchester was going to reintroduce there pre 64 CNC machined boltaction rifles and they'll be available in June.

Hang on to that rifle and take good care of it, it's a dandy and being 25-06 makes it even more so.

I'm sorry I can't help you on the date...A.H

Mooseman684 · 01-09-2008, 11:18 AM

Those rifles were made from 1994-1998 as far as my research can tell. No serial number list available for the newer "Classic" Rifles...
Rich

Johnnycat · 01-09-2008, 11:32 AM

If the rifle says "Classic" it is the "Controlled Round Feed" and dated 1994-1997 or 98 as Mooseman said.

The CRF (Controlled round feed) is the classic pre-64 Mauser "Claw-type". Then they made the PRF (push-round feed), like the post-64 Model 70, Rem 700, etc. Then they got the bright idea to market a hybrid with features of both, the "Controlled-Round-Push-Feed" or CRPF.

Whew! That's confusing! They should've just kep the claw to begin with!

ArkansasHunter · 01-09-2008, 12:13 PM

Mooseman and Johnnycat what do yall think about the 25-06 ?

Oregonminer · 01-09-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Try this website/link Oregon.
Winchester Manufacture Dates

Good luck.

G_Meister

Thank You for the Response but in this case the website is inacurate, my rifle has a G prefix and that search engine won't allow letters befor the serial number. When i put the serial # in it states the rifle was made in 49'. I dont believe 25-06 was a commercial cartridge untill the 70's and the rifle looks brand new.
Thanks Again

Johnnycat · 01-09-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

Mooseman and Johnnycat what do yall think about the 25-06 ?

I love a .25-06. It has a big enough bullet to get the job done, is flat shooting, and has mild recoil for such impressive performance. In my opinion it's extremely underrated and could be the best deer cartidge out there. Most people are in love with the venerable .30-06 (for good reason, I admit). But to be honest it's probably too much gun for smallish, thin-skinned deer like we have here in the South. The .25-06 makes more sense to me.

I'm in the process of building a Mauser 98 .25-06 - I can't wait to see how she turns out!

Mooseman684 · 01-09-2008, 10:10 PM

My Uncle in Mississippi hunts deer with the 25/06 and it works good for him...He used it as well in the California Sierras for long range shots on deer before he moved to Miss...
Rich

billy · 01-09-2008, 10:25 PM

i wouldnt mind dating a 1970 model.......

lefty o · 01-09-2008, 10:52 PM

the G prefix guns were made from about '94 to 2006.

Oregonminer · 01-11-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnycat

If the rifle says "Classic" it is the "Controlled Round Feed" and dated 1994-1997 or 98 as Mooseman said.

The CRF (Controlled round feed) is the classic pre-64 Mauser "Claw-type". Then they made the PRF (push-round feed), like the post-64 Model 70, Rem 700, etc. Then they got the bright idea to market a hybrid with features of both, the "Controlled-Round-Push-Feed" or CRPF.

Whew! That's confusing! They should've just kep the claw to begin with!

Thanks for the info, I wish I could date the rifle closer. I was told by my friend that it cost alot of money to build the pre-64' and thats why they switched production methods. I haven't even chambered a round in the rifle yet. I have dry fired it a couple times just to fill the trigger. Not bad. Heavy but very crisp. I am used to a Weatherby MK V trigger. I can work with it. I have only shot one other Model 70 and it was a very good friends 58' in 300 H&H which I could shoot sub -MOA from a sandbag everytime I got behind it. my history with that paticular rifle is the biggest reason why I jumped on this rifle. The second reason is the caliber 25-06. The ballistics are very intriguing to me particularly with the 100 Grain and up variety. It's very similar to my 300 magnum. My new rifle came with the same era Leuopold Vari-X II scope which is very clear edge to edge. If it didnt have a leuopold on it, it would have gotten one put on it because i prefer them. The only non -leuopold scope I have is a BSA on my 10-22. I am getting itchy to start working up some loads but I havent got dies yet. But payday is right around the corner.
Thanks for the input.
Shawn

jashoffa · 01-11-2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

i wouldnt mind dating a 1970 model.......

billy you beat me to it. I was going to suggest some sort of courting ritual to help with the dating prossess! Perhaps if he focused on the 1970 model instead of himself all the time the 1970 model would be more open to dating!

ArkansasHunter · 01-11-2008, 10:01 AM

feller let us know how your 25-06 shoots and all, I have interest in this caliber now.
Thanks A.H

SwedeSteve · 01-11-2008, 02:04 PM

My brother hunts with a 25-06 and swears by it!

ALR · 01-27-2008, 09:33 PM

I don't think we should date outside our speceis

billy · 01-27-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR

I don't think we should date outside our speceis

spoilsport!

01-09-2008, 01:33 AM	#1
Oregonminer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	Trouble Dating a Model 70 I just recently picked up my first Winchester Rifle a Model 70 Classic Sporter in 25-06, I actualy was searching around for a deal on a lite weight deer/varmit rifle in a short action but I ran into a friend that really wants a new scooter this spring and was culling out his safe. He had only had it for a couple years and did not know when it was made. I called a couple of friends who know a little about Winchesters and looked thru a couple of his books and checked the internet but never came up with a clear date. My Winchester Friend says the serial number G108XXX doesnt have enough digits according to the books he has and the internet site I looked up wont let me put the prefix G before the serial # and when i put in just the serial number is says it made in 49'. My friend I got it from thought it was made in the 90's. I called the local pawn shop and he said between 72' and 94'. Can any one help me narrow it down?? It is in beautiful like new condition and next to another of my friends brand new Model 70 in 270WSM you can hardly tell them apart. Thanks in advance for any response. Great Forum

01-09-2008, 01:47 AM	#2
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 6,784	Try this website/link Oregon. Winchester Manufacture Dates Good luck. G_Meister __________________ Things like this just get people fired up. And it really does bring out the worst in people.

01-09-2008, 11:18 AM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness...Currently in Holiday, Fla. Posts: 11,002 Images: 2	Those rifles were made from 1994-1998 as far as my research can tell. No serial number list available for the newer "Classic" Rifles... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-09-2008, 11:32 AM	#5
Johnnycat Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 289	If the rifle says "Classic" it is the "Controlled Round Feed" and dated 1994-1997 or 98 as Mooseman said. The CRF (Controlled round feed) is the classic pre-64 Mauser "Claw-type". Then they made the PRF (push-round feed), like the post-64 Model 70, Rem 700, etc. Then they got the bright idea to market a hybrid with features of both, the "Controlled-Round-Push-Feed" or CRPF. Whew! That's confusing! They should've just kep the claw to begin with! __________________ Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

01-09-2008, 10:10 PM	#9
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness...Currently in Holiday, Fla. Posts: 11,002 Images: 2	My Uncle in Mississippi hunts deer with the 25/06 and it works good for him...He used it as well in the California Sierras for long range shots on deer before he moved to Miss... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-09-2008, 02:09 AM	#3
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,267	Hi feller ! In the 90's Winchester reintroduced there pre 1964 boltaction rifles that were built on CNC machines. This boltaction was similer to the Mauser boltaction being it had a Claw extractor running down the side of the bolt and it had other desirable feathers as well. They also continued to produce what is called a push feed boltaction like you find on Remington 700's and other brands. They again came out with yet another bolt action that had a small claw extractor at the end of the bolt face so that left you with 3 choice's to buy. I don't know which rifle you have but I can say your friend was unwise in selling it to you because it's a 25-06 caliber this is a great cartridge and I'd almost bet since Winchester has stopped produceing boltaction rifles it want ever depreciate in dollars. You've got a keeper know matter which boltaction it has in it. But I would like to know. I read the other day that Winchester was going to reintroduce there pre 64 CNC machined boltaction rifles and they'll be available in June. Hang on to that rifle and take good care of it, it's a dandy and being 25-06 makes it even more so. I'm sorry I can't help you on the date...A.H

01-09-2008, 12:13 PM	#6
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,267	Mooseman and Johnnycat what do yall think about the 25-06 ?

01-09-2008, 10:25 PM	#10
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 15,746 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 158	i wouldnt mind dating a 1970 model....... __________________ ignint mcnugget... the slug o love sez... remember kids two warning shots to the head for safety!

01-09-2008, 10:52 PM	#11
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,358	the G prefix guns were made from about '94 to 2006.

01-11-2008, 10:01 AM	#14
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,267	feller let us know how your 25-06 shoots and all, I have interest in this caliber now. Thanks A.H

01-11-2008, 02:04 PM	#15
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 14,121 Images: 1	My brother hunts with a 25-06 and swears by it! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

01-27-2008, 09:33 PM	#16
ALR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Eastern MO Posts: 188	I don't think we should date outside our speceis __________________ Auto Loaders Rule