The same exact gun made 1951 model 7270 caliber.You can't beat that gun It out. Shoots the 6.5 creed.It really?Does these guys here to tell you the same thing?Especially when it's in a model seventy three sixty four Pre war guns are all great guns
I have a Winchester Model 54 chambered in 270. It belonged to my grandfather. He and a few other gentleman would travel to Utah from Kansas deer hunting every year. They would pack up into the mountains and hunt for 2 weeks. Apparently, everyone in Utah back in the’30s was issued a deer permit and this group would get a number of tags and fill them for folks that couldn’t. This was in the depression and that deer meat was highly valued. My dad said his father harvested a little over 200 deer with that rifle over the years. This was in a time when deer were basically extinct in Kansas. Back in the 90’s I mounted a scope on it and worked up some hand loads for it. It’s a solid 1.5” to 2” shooter. He had the trigger worked on and it will fire if it’s knocked on fairly hard. I took it out and harvested a nice buck on the family farm that he and his father started in the late 1800’s. Such a great feeling to be able to do that, old world craftsmanship and modern wildlife conservation coming together across generations.
Good Morning Mr. Spomer, very nice rifle there, Serial #: 37865, I checked a few places and it appears to be a 1941. By the way, great videos and great content. Have a good day and Merry Christmas!!
Winchester has a site detailing the serial numbers of those original M 70s and the dates they were made. My M 70, a .270 caliber, which I acquired from my grandfather, has the # 25822 and was manufactured in 1939; I have photos of the elk my grandfather and uncle took with similar weapons! I've learned to shoot, hunted, guided, and have given up hunting to just admire that timeless gun and relish the memories associated with it!
Beautiful!! I have 2 Winchester model 70's both in 30-06. You cannot do enough videos on model 70's for me, keep'em coming. And yes, ALWAYS tap the turrets.
My Grandpa passed 6 years ago to the day. Before he passed he left me with his .243 model Win 70 made in 1947. It's my most prized possession and have killed many deer with it since
have the serial no lookup right in front of me-the rifle was made in 1940-start with 31675 and end with 41753-all rifle in between were made in 1940-37865 puts it right in the middle of the year
My father and i are fortunate enough to each have a model 70 in 375h&h (1953 & 1954 ). My father was gifted his by a friend of my grandfather's when my father was still in high school. He then purchased the second rifle, that now belongs to me when he was at university in 1988, a year before i was born. It became my rifle on my 21st birthday. Both rifles have taken multiple cape buffalo and even elephant. They never fail. I have other modern rifles that are fun to shoot and very accurate, but my m70 is always my first choice for either hunting myself or accompanying hunters on our property. When you have a m70 in pre-64 it is not just another rifle, it is a passion and a love affair. It is not just a tool in your arsenal, it becomes s part of who you are as a hunter. It is a little piece of history from a time when it wasn't about shooting sub moa groups or trying to ring steel at over 500 yards. It is about knowing and understanding your rifle. Knowing and understanding your prey. Its serves to me as a reminder to be a hunter and not a shooter.
I have a Winchester Model 1907 351 WSL made in 1908 that was given to by my great grand father when I was 12 years old in '56 It still shoots pretty good. I have been reloading for it but it is very hard to get cases and bullets for it these days. I haven't shot it for a couple of years now. The last time my great grand father, my grand father, my father and I all shot together was in 1958 about 3 months before my great grand father died at age 92.
I have a couple pre-64 model 70s I have a standard weight pre-war 30-06, standard 257 Roberts, featherweight 308 and a featherweight 30-06 with a peep sight, they are absolutely beautiful guns!
I'm almost certain the first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Model 70 in 257 Roberts. It was definitely a 257 Roberts and about 95% sure it was a Model 70. This would have been circa 1979 and the rifle would have been pre-WWII. 1939 to 1940 would be my guess.
I have a M70 in .30-06 from 1952. She's seen some miles but still shoots ~1-1.25 MOA. I shoot it about once a month. Have many other .30-06 rifles - from R700 to a Sako 85. This vintage M70 is my favorite.
I have a win m54 also. Serial 3547.made in 1926. They are beautiful and awsome rifles. Smooth as butter.and the stocks are beautiful.i love mine. It's still all original.not drilled for a scope and never be.😊
Ron what about doing a Vintage rifle week? Dust off some of the old classics and see how they shoot, model 70s, savage 99, Rem 700s ect… I’d watch it!!
I have been fortunate to own 20-30 of these in my 60+ years of collecting rifles! Great guns but I like my husqvarna rifles and Sako’s as much and anything Mauser too! Hundreds of guns and almost all of them shot good if they were halfway taken care of! Nothing like a gun that has seen many family memories down through the years!
Absolutely gorgeous rifle !! Your buddy's groups will get a lot tighter when he stops coming off the trigger so fast. If he watches this video and concentrates on his trigger control, he can tighten his group up by Staying on that trigger well after the shot has been fired. Great video and he's a lucky man to have such a priceless rifle. Thank you guys.
I have a 1955 Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30-06. I bought it in 1999 from A friend of an elderly neighbor. I have many rifles- but this is my rifle ! It has collected 12 elk & 13 deer since 1999! I will buy & sell other rifles - but this rifle will be handed down to one of my sons! They can fight over it after I’m gone!!! :-))
My father back in the 50's use to buy military surplus 06's and refurbish them. Turn them into match rifles. He'd buy an 03/A3 for about $35 and restock, put Redfield sites on them, we couldn't afford scopes. He also did a couple 8mm Mausers. We use to go to the Pine Tree Gun club in Northumberland county Penna. He would show off the stupidity off his then 8 year old son. I'd sit at the picnic table (only bench there). I'd sit on my knee's and squeeze off a round, the recoil would knock me off the bench, He'd say want to try it again, I'd readily agree. His shooting buddies said "that's the toughest 8 year old we know" I appreciate your show.
I purchased a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 in 1996 that had an old post and beam scope on it , at a gun shop in Desert Hot Springs, Kalifornia. It was brought in by a snowbird family that lived in Alaska 5 months out of the year. They told the gun shop it had been in their family for many years in Alaska. I checked the serial number right after I bought it. One of the earliest models made in 1937. If it could talk I’d love to hear the stories it could tell. Since it wouldn’t talk to me I took it out and shot a coyote . Ol Wiley was skinned before he hit the ground !!
Great gun . I have my dad's 30-06 , JC HIGGINS HE BOIGHT AT SEARS IN 1955 AND A BB GUN FOR ME AT THE SAME TIME. I STILL USE IT FOR ELK AND I HAVEN'T HAD TO ADJUST THE SCOPE FOR AT LEAST 20YRS. Believe it's a Belgium made Browning , stamped Jc Higgens for sears ?
Yes, pretty close for sure. I bet you have a J C Higgins Model 50 or Model 51 sold by Sears. Only made for 2 years, 1950 and 1951, hence the Model numbers. Available in 2 calibers, 30-06 and .270 with the 06 being by far the most popular. Fantastic post WWII sporting rifle. Action was made by FN Mauser in Belgium with very good materials and workmanship. Barrels were usually supplied by High Standard and were chrome lined. Very accurate rifles. I was able to download quite a bit of info as well as the original owners manual. I have a Model 50 in 06. Timney makes a very nice replacement adjustable trigger that really helps.
Friend of mine gave me a JC Higgins version of this rifle and pretty rough condition a few years ago at first I'd like to mention he has since passed on to receive his glory and what a nice man he was my son recently out of the army move back to his home area of Houston Texas and when it's a hunt with my Marlin 336 C in 3030 having heard this he insisted on giving me that JC Higgins in 270 swearing at a 30-30 was insufficient for a hunting rifle in Texas . Most of the work the gun needed was cosmetic which I'm pretty proficient at and I gave it to my son for a birthday present with a modern scope on it three to nine. There were a few character marks on the gun character marks on referring to that came with the story I left those in place along with the story when I refinish the stock. He successfully uses the 336 Marlin more than the 270 but at least he has the option at this point and unfortunately for me my time is limited but he will very soon have a very nice collection to choose from as my days are numbered due to illness . You know after 65 years all the guns I'm leaving to him are irreplaceable nothing expensive or particularly collectible but all with the little bit of character. Such as a model 49 saddle gun Ithaca a 96 Mauser nicely sporterized before it was sacrilegious to do so a 1957 Winchester model 94 and so on . Sorry I'm just rambling cuz I got nothing better to do God loves you guys and Merry Christmas to all
Ron, one of the few videos of yours that I can relate to. I have a Browning A-5 from 1950 and an M1 Garand from 1944 that belonged to each of my Grandfathers. I also have a model 70 in 270 short mag my wife gave me for my 40th birthday in 2002. Great guns, great videos, and greater memories! Thanks, Thomas, Mississippi!!
I have a 1951 Belgian made A-5 that was my grandfathers I believe it had only been shot 50 times before it came to me. Also have my dad's Marlin 30.30 that's a 1952 and I still hunt with it.
I'm in charge of my family's Winchester rifles. I have 2 1894 a 3240,30wcf. My great grandpaps and my grandpaps. I still use them. Conservatively for hunting. I don't take them out in wet weather. I got a doe with the 30 wcf. It was made in 1909. I would not ever sell.😊
From my first rifle shooting experiences over 50 years ago I was amazed at the precision of these implements. Who could ever imagine that they were able to make target holes 100 yards away which would land within an inch or two of each other! It truly seemed like magic to me, and it still does. By the way, my '06 Model 70 is the last rifle I would ever part with. Bob
I agree. Winchester rifles are the best. I still hunt with my grandpaps 1894 made in 1909. I inherited it after he passed. It has a 26" octagon barrel. . It stamped Nicole steel barrel proofed for smokeless powder. 30 wcf. It was my first deer rifle. I still use it. I killed my first Pennsylvania buck in 1978. And a lot of deer since. And a doe this year. No money can buy.😊
Ive got my dad's old Springfield Sporter that age. I love it. Me and my brother screwed with the scope so much he missed deer lol. So he broke it on purpose. Now we're stuck shooting like dad.
I still have my "plain Jane" Remington Model 721 bolt action 30'06. My Uncle gave it to me for my 14th birthday in 1962. It still shoots very accurately today--especially with Federal 180gr "accupoint" rounds.(1.5" groups at 100yds.)
My 16 year old son has a Marlin 336 from the 1950s, in .35 Remington. Last Saturday, I witnessed my boy putting three factory loads (Hornady Lever Revolution) into a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards from an informal rest on his backpack. He does have a scope on it, but it's an old fixed low power Weaver. That rifle shoots! He bought the rifle off of a family friend for $600.00. His hunting buddies kinda chide him over his antique rifle, but it does its job just fine. I hunt with an older (1957, I believe) Remington 760 pump, and it is also a great shooter. Nothing wrong with an older rifle, if cared for.
Ron, I love how excited you and Doug are about the performance of this Model 70. These are the guns that we grew up with and still hunt with. Not what they're producing today.
I hunt with a winchester model 88 in .243win and my dad has a BSA in .270win. I just bought my first rifle, a modern weatherby vanguard in 30-06. Lots of memories with my old rifle though I’ll pass it down to my son one day.
I have a 1970 manufactured model 70 custom in 270. It is a beautiful rifle and a fabulous shooter. It is the fifth m70 I've owned. Thieves got three. I hope to pass my custom on to my son or grandson. I love my model 70's!
I have a friend. Who when he was younger.worked for a coal company..they had what was called a company store.he bought every model 70 they made.one each payday..he still has all those guns .never been shot still in the boxes.
Great video Ron.i love watching your videos and listening to your podcast. I am 56 years old and have learned more from your videos than I can say. They are very educational on shooting and I thank you for that.
I belive the sling stud stuck to the shooting rest, that would explain the flyers. You really need to remove the sling or atleast consider it when shooting from a bench rest. Nice rifle, have a M70 post 64 in 308, after freeing the barrel channel it grouped 0.75" or better with milsurp and handloads. Recoil is a killer though with that crooked stock.
What an amazing story and rifle.. I have my Great grandpas Winchester model 1917 which has all the WW 1 markings on it. It was made in 1918 from the serial number. I shoot it once every couple months and still shoots crazy good. Love the old rifles.. Ones especially that have awesome stories behind them. Great video
Hi Ron. Winchester rifles are the best. Period.i have several . I even have a m54. Serial #3527. Made in 1925 first year they made them. Barrel stamped 30 gov 06. Still all original never drill for scope mounts.also m70,s. All pre 64. I love my Winchester all still original. No need to do anything to them. The hunt just fine.😊 God bless Ron.
My go-to Deer-rifle is a 1908 Carl-Gustaf 6.5x55 , custom stock, bolt and trigger . The barrel and action is original Military , it will put 3-rounds into an-inch @100-meters every-time and sometimes better . Dave nz
So neat! I have a similar story with a Remington 725 in 30-06 that my grandfather and father harvested moose, elk, bear, antelope, and deer with in Alberta. I have since added caribou and muskox to the list of the game that the rifle has taken.
Hello Mr. Spomer Greetings from India. I have recently purchased a Winchester model 70 pre 64 chambered in.270 Winchester, which to my great satisfaction still shoots great and is one of the prettiest rifles I have seen. Unfortunately here in India the situation is very different than in the USA, here, we have very limited choices of ammunition . I solely depend on the wisdom of people like you. Hope you grace us with more videos and knowledge in the future. Once again thank you for this great video.
This video brings forth a great deal of sentiment value to me. Why? I’m proud to say that I have my granddad’s pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. He killed every species of non dangerous game in North America with that rifle using 165 Partitions. What year was it made? 1953…
For some reason I remember seeing one of the rifle that was marked 30 government. And it was actually designed for 220 grain 30 06 rounds. It actually has a tighter rifling for that purpose. I do remember it wasn't just a 30-06, it was either called a 30 American or a 30 government 06.
Love it! Nice 06, and the furniture has been well taken care of, It is impressive. I have a Springfield 30-06 1903-A3 that was manufactured in 1911. I do reload for it with 165gr projectile and IMR 3031. OH, I have a Kraig 1898 and load it with the same bullet and powder.
The 03-a3 manufacture started during ww2 in 1942-44. If your rifle was made in 1911 it is a 1903. Remington and Smith-Corona made @1,000,000 03-a3's between them. Year of manufacture should be stamped on the receiver.😎 The 03-a3 will have an aperture rear sight, while the 03 will have a ladder rear sight on the barrel.
I have a early 30's model Winchester mod.70 That was the first gun I ever rebuilt and the first stock I ever carved. It is probably my favorite Bolt action that I've ever touched.
Watched the entire video . Ron , you make long version videoes fun AND educational . This superb gun could benifit from a modern scope upgrade . The gun is excuizit in craftsmanship. You too look like good old friends that both apreciategood fireatms . Good show ! Ontario Canada .
I have my dad's old 81dl marlin 22 that is 60+ years old and it still shoots as good as the day he got it actually it probably shoots better since it's broken in lol
Nice gun. That’s a pre-war vs a pre-64. Turn those scope adjustments all the way in and then back them out while giving the scope a tap. Pull the bolt out and re-bore sight. The internals in old scopes can bind up a bit. This process frees the insides up again.
I have my father's pre-64 M70, made in '52. I sent it to Kleingunthers in the early 1980s to have their accurizing service performed... glass-bedded and muzzle recrowned. It shoots 3 rounds of Fed Premium 165gr BTs under 1" at 100 yards. They also removed the barrel hold-down screw and free floated the barrel after an inch or so of bedding at the chamber. The old M70s were a very smooth-cycling action from the factory, more so than the Classics of the 1990s, but my two .243 Classic Stainless rifles (one is a factory rifle with Hogue Overmolded stock, the other a Cloward-built high power over the course rifle) have had the action smoothed to where they cycle like oiled glass. The sporter shoots under 1" with Federal 75, 85, and 100 gr loads, the Cloward rifle with its 26" Lilja 1:9" barrel shoots handloaded 107gr Sierra match bullets under 1/2 MOA at 600 yards. People who don't think M70s can shoot have never shot one. I think your friend's M70 needs a new scope... and sighting that 165 gr load 3" high at 100 yards should let him hold center chest on a deer out to 350 yards or so and get a hit.
243 to 30-06 is a BIG jump in recoil, but the recoil of the 06 is not terrible. Since he is keeping it as an heirloom more than a tool, I would not change anything on it. I have a sporterized EDDYSTONE that my father-in-law gave me. It had a 4x fine crosshair scope on it. I had a Bushnell 4-12 with AO and duplex crosshairs lying around that I put on it. It shoots very well for being 106 years old. I hope to give it to his great geat grandson in a few years.
I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 30.06 Springfield made in 1953 that I got from my dad. It lived most of its life in Michigan and the humid climate caused some extensive pitting in the barrel... but it still shoots 3/4 minute groups with hand loads. It is also a rifle with some long ago memories and one that both my dad and I admired for its accuracy and its looks. It's a beautiful rifle and will be a memento that will remind me of him when he's gone... but he isn't gone yet, he just turned 84 years old today!
@@Nick-wn1xw That is true. Dad was not very good at maintaining his guns. But, with the humidity in the east, a gun that isn't well cared for will fall victim to the rust monster. I did 4 years in the Marine Corps so weapon cleaning is second nature for me, and I live in the dry climate of Wyoming now so my guns are in top form. Even when I lived in Michigan I took care of my guns and kept them well oiled, yet once in a while I'd find a little spot of rust trying to form from a drop of water that got missed on the wipe-down after hunting in the rain or snow. It's a constant battle and it's not necessarily neglect that can lead to rust pitting, sometimes it's just a bit of carelessness.
I have an Enfield model 1917 made in sept 1917. This is the predecessor of the model 70. They are quite similar other than the 1917 has a 2 position saftey similar to the rem700. I inherited this rifle from my grandfather who inherited it from his father. It had a new stock put on it in the mid 80s and had the trigger poloshed but other then that its only been cleaned. This rifle shoots sub moa all day. Ive found a nice cozy spot in my safe for it now but would not hesitate to make it my only rifle.
Mine is stock, and has a low 3 digit serial #. Very likely it never went overseas. The first few hundred of a production run was often used to verify specs, then used for training or guarding munitions plants, etc. the condition supports that belief. I like peep sights better, so i prefer this to a standard Springfield
Right before Ron said he'll tap on the scope, I was ready to make a comment. Then he said it, and I cannot remember who taught me that, but it's always been something that I do when zeroing with any adjustment. This man knows his stuff
my dad passed down my great grandfathers 30 06 jc higgins model 50 and my great grandfather went to saskatchwan alberta and he went on wolf hunt i think they where over populated in that area and i still have the recept when he bought it in 1962
Model 70 is a great rifle, reliable, easy loading, smooth feeding, a definite go to rifle. Mine is a featherweight that I have owned for 23yrs and I still catch myself picking it over my other rifles.
My go to hunting rifle is a 1903 Springfield that was made in 1906, my grandfather bought it surplus in 1964 and sold it to me a few years ago, it’s still an incredibly accurate rifle
I own a couple of rifles and shotguns that range from 45 yrs. to over 65 yrs. that still operate fine. I recently gave my Winchester Model 70 (30-06) and I bought it in the 70s. I also gave him a Savage Model 99 (.303 Savage caliber) that my father-in-law bought used back in the 60's and have no clue how old it is. It's just expensive to shoot because the ammo is not only hard to find, but quite expensive when you do.
I have the 308 model 70 that my grandfather bought in 1953 to replace the 30-06 model 70 that was stolen from his 50' Mercury 3 days before leaving for a hunt in Idaho. Although he had a large collection it was his "go to" hunter. The stories that go with it are too numerous to mention here, but money cannot remove it from this family. Glad to see another guy with similar ties. I hope more folks like us chime in.
1937 model 70 in 270 cal. with 5 numbers in the serial! Hunted, guided, hunted and it STILL is better that MOST other rifles on the planet!! When I finally put a scope on it, the gunsmith that mounted the scope said the metal was the hardest he'd ever drilled into for setting scope screws!
You messed things up by cleaning it! Lol. Always wanted one in 300 H&H. Sure, brass costs more, but 100 cases might last the rest of my life. If that was my rifle, it would get a recoil pad, a new scope, and nothing else. Recoil pads become important. My Savage 99 308 came with a hard plastic buttplate. I had a conmon Pachmayr recoul pad installed. Nice upgrade. Much more comfortable. One of these days i am going to dig out my Trapper 44 Mag and give it the same treatment. Nice to see respect for vintage guns. Most of my guns are somewhat vintage , the oldest being a full length 98 Krag. I am getting to be vintage myself, so it works out well.
I have one my father in law gave me, killed a few deer with it. I did not like the ergos and cheekweld as the stock was designed for shooting with open sights. So I bought a new one a few years back, every bit as good of gun, actually better due to the proper stock cut for a scope.
I resontly lost my uncle and I found his old number 1 safari gun 505 Gibson it had some problem but I found parts to it now it's shoots brand new but the rounds are a pain in the neck to find but it's a good old rifle kicks with the force but nothing to my great grandad's 4-bore SxS stoping rifle that is a real man's gun right there
Ron. Your experience really shows when you can estimate, on the fly, the bullet drop and wind drift for a target 300 yards out. First shot, wait for it, ding! After the first three shots, the resulting groups afterwards did not surprise me at all. With any except the newer higher priced scopes, you have to encourage the scope to actually move the erector tube. The erector tube will take a few shots for it to settle in. Tapping the scope with a tool (enough to simulate the recoil of the gun) will help. When you adjust the point of aim to go up, (to better meet the point of impact) you are wanting the erector tube to go up. It is that old spring in the scope to do the moving, and that usually takes a few shots for that spring to finish moving the tube. The same thing happens when you are moving the point of aim to the right. If the opposite corrections were to be made, you would see the point of impact change almost immediately. It probably took 4 shots for the scope to settle in. Therefore, Ron, your first shot was probably off because the scope was still settling. If Doug has shot 4 shots, you would likely to have shot a very small 3 shot group. Otherwise, it's nice to see a nice old venerable gun shoot so well.
That pre-64, pre-war Model 70 Winchester is THE American hunting rifle. Beautiful! Nice to have such a family heirloom with some history! There are ways to clean up that bore and smooth out the pitting... any good smith should be able too shed some light on that. The NRA has some instruction material on how to do that at home too.
I was born in 1951. My wife bought me a 1949 Model 70 in .270 Win about 10 years ago that became my go to rifle.
She's worth renewing your vows, a foot massage, a Tiffany necklace and a good dinner out.
The same exact gun made 1951 model 7270 caliber.You can't beat that gun It out.
Shoots the 6.5 creed.It really?Does these guys here to tell you the same thing?Especially when it's in a model seventy three sixty four Pre war guns are all great guns
I have a Winchester Model 54 chambered in 270. It belonged to my grandfather. He and a few other gentleman would travel to Utah from Kansas deer hunting every year. They would pack up into the mountains and hunt for 2 weeks. Apparently, everyone in Utah back in the’30s was issued a deer permit and this group would get a number of tags and fill them for folks that couldn’t. This was in the depression and that deer meat was highly valued. My dad said his father harvested a little over 200 deer with that rifle over the years. This was in a time when deer were basically extinct in Kansas. Back in the 90’s I mounted a scope on it and worked up some hand loads for it. It’s a solid 1.5” to 2” shooter. He had the trigger worked on and it will fire if it’s knocked on fairly hard. I took it out and harvested a nice buck on the family farm that he and his father started in the late 1800’s. Such a great feeling to be able to do that, old world craftsmanship and modern wildlife conservation coming together across generations.
Good Morning Mr. Spomer, very nice rifle there, Serial #: 37865, I checked a few places and it appears to be a 1941. By the way, great videos and great content. Have a good day and Merry Christmas!!
1941 is correct
Winchester has a site detailing the serial numbers of those original M 70s and the dates they were made. My M 70, a .270 caliber, which I acquired from my grandfather, has the # 25822 and was manufactured in 1939; I have photos of the elk my grandfather and uncle took with similar weapons! I've learned to shoot, hunted, guided, and have given up hunting to just admire that timeless gun and relish the memories associated with it!
Beautiful!! I have 2 Winchester model 70's both in 30-06. You cannot do enough videos on model 70's for me, keep'em coming. And yes, ALWAYS tap the turrets.
Precisely!
Sell me one
Made 1941
Unlike a Rem. 700 they won't fire without a trigger pull 😂
@@johnhargis4566 I own and owed many 700 made in 70ds and 80ds and never had one do that plus other people I know never had it happen
My Grandpa passed 6 years ago to the day. Before he passed he left me with his .243 model Win 70 made in 1947. It's my most prized possession and have killed many deer with it since
I could watch a whole series of episodes just shooting model 70's and hearing their stories.
Great content!
Ron, you had me at Winchester Model 70 30-06!
There just aren’t many rifles that have more legend and mystique than an older M-70/30-06!
I have 4 Model 70 Winchesters, 1950, 1951, 1951, 1951. They still shoot as well as my custom built super-dupers.
Im restoring a 16 ga. Iver Johnson Champion presently and Im very confident in "OLDER" guns coming back from the grave.
My Iver doesn't even have serial numbers. How about yours?
have the serial no lookup right in front of me-the rifle was made in 1940-start with 31675 and end with 41753-all rifle in between were made in 1940-37865 puts it right in the middle of the year
Your a year off, 31675 was the last of 1940 and 41753 was the last of 41.
@@jaydunbar7538 you are right-which would make it a 1941 model
My father and i are fortunate enough to each have a model 70 in 375h&h (1953 & 1954 ). My father was gifted his by a friend of my grandfather's when my father was still in high school. He then purchased the second rifle, that now belongs to me when he was at university in 1988, a year before i was born. It became my rifle on my 21st birthday. Both rifles have taken multiple cape buffalo and even elephant. They never fail. I have other modern rifles that are fun to shoot and very accurate, but my m70 is always my first choice for either hunting myself or accompanying hunters on our property.
When you have a m70 in pre-64 it is not just another rifle, it is a passion and a love affair. It is not just a tool in your arsenal, it becomes s part of who you are as a hunter. It is a little piece of history from a time when it wasn't about shooting sub moa groups or trying to ring steel at over 500 yards. It is about knowing and understanding your rifle. Knowing and understanding your prey. Its serves to me as a reminder to be a hunter and not a shooter.
Beautifully said!! 👍
I have a Winchester Model 1907 351 WSL made in 1908 that was given to by my great grand father when I was 12 years old in '56 It still shoots pretty good. I have been reloading for it but it is very hard to get cases and bullets for it these days.
I haven't shot it for a couple of years now.
The last time my great grand father, my grand father, my father and I all shot together was in 1958 about 3 months before my great grand father died at age 92.
Fun fact: the FBI used those in the 30's when they became armed. Pretty good hitting power and fairly easy to train with
I have a couple pre-64 model 70s
I have a standard weight pre-war 30-06, standard 257 Roberts, featherweight 308 and a featherweight 30-06 with a peep sight, they are absolutely beautiful guns!
I'm almost certain the first centerfire rifle I ever shot was a Model 70 in 257 Roberts. It was definitely a 257 Roberts and about 95% sure it was a Model 70. This would have been circa 1979 and the rifle would have been pre-WWII. 1939 to 1940 would be my guess.
@@czguy3045 27:59
@@czguy3045You want to sell that 257 ha? I inherited gramps 270 made in 1958 and love it, I dream of having one in 257 also.
I have a M70 in .30-06 from 1952. She's seen some miles but still shoots ~1-1.25 MOA. I shoot it about once a month. Have many other .30-06 rifles - from R700 to a Sako 85. This vintage M70 is my favorite.
My model 54 in 30-06 definitely still gets the job done. It was my great-grandfather’s, then my grandfather’s before it was passed down to me.
I think the 54 is a lot less common than the model 70 and was made before the model 70
@@trumpsagenius6914 Correct on both counts!
I have a win m54 also. Serial 3547.made in 1926. They are beautiful and awsome rifles. Smooth as butter.and the stocks are beautiful.i love mine. It's still all original.not drilled for a scope and never be.😊
Ron what about doing a Vintage rifle week? Dust off some of the old classics and see how they shoot, model 70s, savage 99, Rem 700s ect… I’d watch it!!
Don't forget the M1 Garand
I have a 1903 a3 manufacturered in 1942. Still works fine
I have been fortunate to own 20-30 of these in my 60+ years of collecting rifles! Great guns but I like my husqvarna rifles and Sako’s as much and anything Mauser too! Hundreds of guns and almost all of them shot good if they were halfway taken care of! Nothing like a gun that has seen many family memories down through the years!
According to the reference I found, that SN would correspond to May 1941 production.
I believe 1941 great rifle I have a 1950 in 270 I love it
Absolutely gorgeous rifle !!
Your buddy's groups will get a lot tighter when he stops coming off the trigger so fast. If he watches this video and concentrates on his trigger control, he can tighten his group up by Staying on that trigger well after the shot has been fired. Great video and he's a lucky man to have such a priceless rifle. Thank you guys.
I have a 1955 Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30-06. I bought it in 1999 from
A friend of an elderly neighbor. I have many rifles- but this is my rifle ! It has collected 12 elk & 13 deer since 1999! I will buy & sell other rifles - but this rifle will be handed down to one of my sons! They can fight over it after I’m gone!!! :-))
My father back in the 50's use to buy military surplus 06's and refurbish them. Turn them into match rifles. He'd buy an 03/A3 for about $35 and restock, put Redfield sites on them, we couldn't afford scopes. He also did a couple 8mm Mausers. We use to go to the Pine Tree Gun club in Northumberland county Penna. He would show off the stupidity off his then 8 year old son. I'd sit at the picnic table (only bench there). I'd sit on my knee's and squeeze off a round, the recoil would knock me off the bench, He'd say want to try it again, I'd readily agree. His shooting buddies said "that's the toughest 8 year old we know" I appreciate your show.
All with no hearing protection and no shooting glasses and certainly no recoil pad.
Huhwhat didyousay!
What a great story on the model 70 which BTW was manufactured in 1940.
I just went out a few days ago with a Remington Model 8 from 1923. There is an extra level of "wow factor" when it's old!
The rifleman's rifle Winchester was the 264 win mag baby never got enough credit both are some beautiful pieces.
I have several rifles well over 100 years ago and they shoot great, I still love hunting with them.
I purchased a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 in 1996 that had an old post and beam scope on it , at a gun shop in Desert Hot Springs, Kalifornia. It was brought in by a snowbird family that lived in Alaska 5 months out of the year. They told the gun shop it had been in their family for many years in Alaska. I checked the serial number right after I bought it. One of the earliest models made in 1937. If it could talk I’d love to hear the stories it could tell. Since it wouldn’t talk to me I took it out and shot a coyote . Ol Wiley was skinned before he hit the ground !!
I hope Ryan appreciates it as much as you do.
Best show ever! I have a fifty year old Model 70 that I really enjoy .30-06 is hard to beat
With all your years of experience, I love how you were still so excited to work with this rifle.
Great gun . I have my dad's 30-06 , JC HIGGINS HE BOIGHT AT SEARS IN 1955 AND A BB GUN FOR ME AT THE SAME TIME. I STILL USE IT FOR ELK AND I HAVEN'T HAD TO ADJUST THE SCOPE FOR AT LEAST 20YRS. Believe it's a Belgium made Browning , stamped Jc Higgens for sears ?
Yes, pretty close for sure. I bet you have a J C Higgins Model 50 or Model 51 sold by Sears. Only made for 2 years, 1950 and 1951, hence the Model numbers. Available in 2 calibers, 30-06 and .270 with the 06 being by far the most popular. Fantastic post WWII sporting rifle. Action was made by FN Mauser in Belgium with very good materials and workmanship. Barrels were usually supplied by High Standard and were chrome lined. Very accurate rifles. I was able to download quite a bit of info as well as the original owners manual. I have a Model 50 in 06. Timney makes a very nice replacement adjustable trigger that really helps.
Friend of mine gave me a JC Higgins version of this rifle and pretty rough condition a few years ago at first I'd like to mention he has since passed on to receive his glory and what a nice man he was my son recently out of the army move back to his home area of Houston Texas and when it's a hunt with my Marlin 336 C in 3030 having heard this he insisted on giving me that JC Higgins in 270 swearing at a 30-30 was insufficient for a hunting rifle in Texas . Most of the work the gun needed was cosmetic which I'm pretty proficient at and I gave it to my son for a birthday present with a modern scope on it three to nine. There were a few character marks on the gun character marks on referring to that came with the story I left those in place along with the story when I refinish the stock. He successfully uses the 336 Marlin more than the 270 but at least he has the option at this point and unfortunately for me my time is limited but he will very soon have a very nice collection to choose from as my days are numbered due to illness . You know after 65 years all the guns I'm leaving to him are irreplaceable nothing expensive or particularly collectible but all with the little bit of character. Such as a model 49 saddle gun Ithaca a 96 Mauser nicely sporterized before it was sacrilegious to do so a 1957 Winchester model 94 and so on . Sorry I'm just rambling cuz I got nothing better to do God loves you guys and Merry Christmas to all
Ron, one of the few videos of yours that I can relate to. I have a Browning A-5 from 1950 and an M1 Garand from 1944 that belonged to each of my Grandfathers. I also have a model 70 in 270 short mag my wife gave me for my 40th birthday in 2002. Great guns, great videos, and greater memories! Thanks, Thomas, Mississippi!!
I have a 1951 Belgian made A-5 that was my grandfathers I believe it had only been shot 50 times before it came to me. Also have my dad's Marlin 30.30 that's a 1952 and I still hunt with it.
Love old guns, and I hope people will keep them forever in their families!!
I'm in charge of my family's Winchester rifles. I have 2 1894 a 3240,30wcf. My great grandpaps and my grandpaps. I still use them. Conservatively for hunting. I don't take them out in wet weather. I got a doe with the 30 wcf. It was made in 1909. I would not ever sell.😊
I also love old guns. But how am I going to buy them if you all keep them in your families lol
U must consider that the first shot was cold bore... This is how sight in... Shot one is of most important's.
I have a 700 bought in 1972,shoots as good now as 50 years a go!
From my first rifle shooting experiences over 50 years ago I was amazed at the precision of these implements. Who could ever imagine that they were able to make target holes 100 yards away which would land within an inch or two of each other! It truly seemed like magic to me, and it still does. By the way, my '06 Model 70 is the last rifle I would ever part with. Bob
I agree. Winchester rifles are the best. I still hunt with my grandpaps 1894 made in 1909. I inherited it after he passed. It has a 26" octagon barrel. . It stamped Nicole steel barrel proofed for smokeless powder. 30 wcf. It was my first deer rifle. I still use it. I killed my first Pennsylvania buck in 1978. And a lot of deer since. And a doe this year. No money can buy.😊
RON!!! your having way too much fun sir, your enthusiasm is contagious
Ive got my dad's old Springfield Sporter that age. I love it. Me and my brother screwed with the scope so much he missed deer lol. So he broke it on purpose. Now we're stuck shooting like dad.
I still have my "plain Jane" Remington Model 721 bolt action 30'06. My Uncle gave it to me for my 14th birthday in 1962. It still shoots very accurately today--especially with Federal 180gr "accupoint" rounds.(1.5" groups at 100yds.)
I have my dads 721 ackley improved still dropping them to this day
Nice, I also have my father's 721 30/06 with a Redfield 3x9. Shoots wonderfull.
A friend of mine had a model 70 in .375 H&H Magnum. That was some beautiful rifle.
When you shoot quick and don't let the barrel cool down. It will dance all over the paper just wherever.
Beautiful rifle! Nothing today comes close.
My 16 year old son has a Marlin 336 from the 1950s, in .35 Remington. Last Saturday, I witnessed my boy putting three factory loads (Hornady Lever Revolution) into a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards from an informal rest on his backpack. He does have a scope on it, but it's an old fixed low power Weaver. That rifle shoots! He bought the rifle off of a family friend for $600.00. His hunting buddies kinda chide him over his antique rifle, but it does its job just fine. I hunt with an older (1957, I believe) Remington 760 pump, and it is also a great shooter. Nothing wrong with an older rifle, if cared for.
Yes, older rifles are like older hunters in that regard!
The knowledge and wisdom of Ron is something to really get ahold of and learn from.
Ron, I love how excited you and Doug are about the performance of this Model 70. These are the guns that we grew up with and still hunt with. Not what they're producing today.
Today's model 70's produced by FN are even better.
I hunt with a winchester model 88 in .243win and my dad has a BSA in .270win. I just bought my first rifle, a modern weatherby vanguard in 30-06. Lots of memories with my old rifle though I’ll pass it down to my son one day.
I have a 1970 manufactured model 70 custom in 270. It is a beautiful rifle and a fabulous shooter. It is the fifth m70 I've owned. Thieves got three. I hope to pass my custom on to my son or grandson. I love my model 70's!
I have a friend. Who when he was younger.worked for a coal company..they had what was called a company store.he bought every model 70 they made.one each payday..he still has all those guns .never been shot still in the boxes.
He has a Gold mine. I'm jealous. 😊
Great video Ron.i love watching your videos and listening to your podcast. I am 56 years old and have learned more from your videos than I can say. They are very educational on shooting and I thank you for that.
I belive the sling stud stuck to the shooting rest, that would explain the flyers. You really need to remove the sling or atleast consider it when shooting from a bench rest.
Nice rifle, have a M70 post 64 in 308, after freeing the barrel channel it grouped 0.75" or better with milsurp and handloads. Recoil is a killer though with that crooked stock.
What an amazing story and rifle.. I have my Great grandpas Winchester model 1917 which has all the WW 1 markings on it. It was made in 1918 from the serial number. I shoot it once every couple months and still shoots crazy good. Love the old rifles.. Ones especially that have awesome stories behind them. Great video
Silly, u mean ww1, u must be a kid
Nope not a kid just made a mistake. ya know people do male those.Hope you have a great night .. @@paulcisco1026
Hi Ron. Winchester rifles are the best. Period.i have several . I even have a m54. Serial #3527. Made in 1925 first year they made them. Barrel stamped 30 gov 06. Still all original never drill for scope mounts.also m70,s. All pre 64. I love my Winchester all still original. No need to do anything to them. The hunt just fine.😊 God bless Ron.
Good call on cleaning that barrel.. More than a few times, I have seen a guy clean the accuracy out of an old barrel.
My go-to Deer-rifle is a 1908 Carl-Gustaf 6.5x55 , custom stock, bolt and trigger . The barrel and action is original Military , it will put 3-rounds into an-inch @100-meters every-time and sometimes better . Dave nz
Swedish Mauser is one fine rifle. 😊
I also have that year of sweed ..same additions with a laminate thumb hole stock. Great shooting😊rifle.
Looks like you two had a lot of fun.
Great video! A few years ago I picked up a 1961 M70 Standard in .270. Beautiful rifle
So neat! I have a similar story with a Remington 725 in 30-06 that my grandfather and father harvested moose, elk, bear, antelope, and deer with in Alberta. I have since added caribou and muskox to the list of the game that the rifle has taken.
Hello Mr. Spomer Greetings from India. I have recently purchased a Winchester model 70 pre 64 chambered in.270 Winchester, which to my great satisfaction still shoots great and is one of the prettiest rifles I have seen. Unfortunately here in India the situation is very different than in the USA, here, we have very limited choices of ammunition . I solely depend on the wisdom of people like you. Hope you grace us with more videos and knowledge in the future.
Once again thank you for this great video.
This video brings forth a great deal of sentiment value to me. Why? I’m proud to say that I have my granddad’s pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in 30-06. He killed every species of non dangerous game in North America with that rifle using 165 Partitions. What year was it made? 1953…
For some reason I remember seeing one of the rifle that was marked 30 government. And it was actually designed for 220 grain 30 06 rounds. It actually has a tighter rifling for that purpose. I do remember it wasn't just a 30-06, it was either called a 30 American or a 30 government 06.
Love it! Nice 06, and the furniture has been well taken care of, It is impressive.
I have a Springfield 30-06 1903-A3 that was manufactured in 1911.
I do reload for it with 165gr projectile and IMR 3031.
OH, I have a Kraig 1898 and load it with the same bullet and powder.
IMR 3031 is a bit too fast burning. IMR 4064 or IMR 4895, N- 140 are good powders for the 30-06.
The 03-a3 manufacture started during ww2 in 1942-44. If your rifle was made in 1911 it is a 1903. Remington and Smith-Corona made @1,000,000 03-a3's between them. Year of manufacture should be stamped on the receiver.😎 The 03-a3 will have an aperture rear sight, while the 03 will have a ladder rear sight on the barrel.
100 years old? It's still a youngster! What a treasure!
Gee, what a nice rifle. It has that charm only vintage rifles have. Quality ages well.
I have a early 30's model Winchester mod.70 That was the first gun I ever rebuilt and the first stock I ever carved. It is probably my favorite Bolt action that I've ever touched.
The Model 70 was introduced in 1936 so there are no "early 30's" Model 70's. BUT a Model 70 of ANY year in the 30's is a treasure. You are fortunate.
yes, that was a mistake. I meant early 40s, my apologies
Luv those pre 64's
Me to😊
Watched the entire video . Ron , you make long version videoes fun AND educational . This superb gun could benifit from a modern scope upgrade . The gun is excuizit in craftsmanship. You too look like good old friends that both apreciategood fireatms . Good show ! Ontario Canada .
Good times. Nice gun. As it stands right at this moment, the Winchester Model 70 needs to be my next gun.
I have my dad's old 81dl marlin 22 that is 60+ years old and it still shoots as good as the day he got it actually it probably shoots better since it's broken in lol
Enjoyed the video I have two model 70s one in 30-06 and a 375 H&H they are great firearms I think they are one of the best hunting rifles ever made
I have a winchester from 1902, shoots great. I have a revolver from 1862, shoots great
Fair bit of carry on over a rifle that shoots perfectly fine
Nice gun. That’s a pre-war vs a pre-64. Turn those scope adjustments all the way in and then back them out while giving the scope a tap. Pull the bolt out and re-bore sight. The internals in old scopes can bind up a bit. This process frees the insides up again.
I have my father's pre-64 M70, made in '52. I sent it to Kleingunthers in the early 1980s to have their accurizing service performed... glass-bedded and muzzle recrowned. It shoots 3 rounds of Fed Premium 165gr BTs under 1" at 100 yards. They also removed the barrel hold-down screw and free floated the barrel after an inch or so of bedding at the chamber. The old M70s were a very smooth-cycling action from the factory, more so than the Classics of the 1990s, but my two .243 Classic Stainless rifles (one is a factory rifle with Hogue Overmolded stock, the other a Cloward-built high power over the course rifle) have had the action smoothed to where they cycle like oiled glass. The sporter shoots under 1" with Federal 75, 85, and 100 gr loads, the Cloward rifle with its 26" Lilja 1:9" barrel shoots handloaded 107gr Sierra match bullets under 1/2 MOA at 600 yards. People who don't think M70s can shoot have never shot one. I think your friend's M70 needs a new scope... and sighting that 165 gr load 3" high at 100 yards should let him hold center chest on a deer out to 350 yards or so and get a hit.
Nice Rifle ! I've got an old Rem model 721 that will group under an inch with 150 or 180 grain but has terrible groups of 5 inches with 165 grain .
I still have my 721 I got when I was 14 in 1962. Mine really likes Federal premium 180gr. Accupoints
243 to 30-06 is a BIG jump in recoil, but the recoil of the 06 is not terrible. Since he is keeping it as an heirloom more than a tool, I would not change anything on it.
I have a sporterized EDDYSTONE that my father-in-law gave me. It had a 4x fine crosshair scope on it. I had a Bushnell 4-12 with AO and duplex crosshairs lying around that I put on it. It shoots very well for being 106 years old. I hope to give it to his great geat grandson in a few years.
I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer in 30.06 Springfield made in 1953 that I got from my dad. It lived most of its life in Michigan and the humid climate caused some extensive pitting in the barrel... but it still shoots 3/4 minute groups with hand loads. It is also a rifle with some long ago memories and one that both my dad and I admired for its accuracy and its looks. It's a beautiful rifle and will be a memento that will remind me of him when he's gone... but he isn't gone yet, he just turned 84 years old today!
Neglect caused the pitting. Plenty of blued guns in Michigan older than that with no pitting because they were taken care of.
@@Nick-wn1xw That is true. Dad was not very good at maintaining his guns. But, with the humidity in the east, a gun that isn't well cared for will fall victim to the rust monster. I did 4 years in the Marine Corps so weapon cleaning is second nature for me, and I live in the dry climate of Wyoming now so my guns are in top form. Even when I lived in Michigan I took care of my guns and kept them well oiled, yet once in a while I'd find a little spot of rust trying to form from a drop of water that got missed on the wipe-down after hunting in the rain or snow. It's a constant battle and it's not necessarily neglect that can lead to rust pitting, sometimes it's just a bit of carelessness.
I have an Enfield model 1917 made in sept 1917. This is the predecessor of the model 70. They are quite similar other than the 1917 has a 2 position saftey similar to the rem700. I inherited this rifle from my grandfather who inherited it from his father. It had a new stock put on it in the mid 80s and had the trigger poloshed but other then that its only been cleaned. This rifle shoots sub moa all day. Ive found a nice cozy spot in my safe for it now but would not hesitate to make it my only rifle.
Mine is stock, and has a low 3 digit serial #. Very likely it never went overseas. The first few hundred of a production run was often used to verify specs, then used for training or guarding munitions plants, etc. the condition supports that belief. I like peep sights better, so i prefer this to a standard Springfield
Right before Ron said he'll tap on the scope, I was ready to make a comment. Then he said it, and I cannot remember who taught me that, but it's always been something that I do when zeroing with any adjustment. This man knows his stuff
I got a M1903 Springfield sporterized 30-06... Its a nice.rifle I inherited...
I bought a featherweight version 3 years ago in 7mm-08
I have am 1880 st Etienne 12 gage
I use it to hunt on a weekly basis, it works perfectly.
Simply heartwarming! Some of the best of RUclips right here
The 165 grain is ideal for deer. Ron turn the scope past where you want it and then back it off to get the erector to settle down.
my dad passed down my great grandfathers 30 06 jc higgins model 50 and my great grandfather went to saskatchwan alberta and he went on wolf hunt i think they where over populated in that area and i still have the recept when he bought it in 1962
Model 70 is a great rifle, reliable, easy loading, smooth feeding, a definite go to rifle. Mine is a featherweight that I have owned for 23yrs and I still catch myself picking it over my other rifles.
My go to hunting rifle is a 1903 Springfield that was made in 1906, my grandfather bought it surplus in 1964 and sold it to me a few years ago, it’s still an incredibly accurate rifle
I had a guy come into the gun shop I was working at years ago with a rifle just like that. The band on the barrel had the same 30 cal GOVT markings.
Hey Ron, I still shoot my grandpas 32 rem made in 1913. It still shoots minute of deer at 150 yards. As always great video...keep em coming.
This is a wonderful segment. For those of us that will never get to shoot “Grandfather’s Rifle”, this is beautiful.
Two years ago, I took a trophy whitetail with Grandpa's Savage 99. I'm glad I was alone because it broke me down.
I own a couple of rifles and shotguns that range from 45 yrs. to over 65 yrs. that still operate fine. I recently gave my Winchester Model 70 (30-06) and I bought it in the 70s. I also gave him a Savage Model 99 (.303 Savage caliber) that my father-in-law bought used back in the 60's and have no clue how old it is. It's just expensive to shoot because the ammo is not only hard to find, but quite expensive when you do.
I have the 308 model 70 that my grandfather bought in 1953 to replace the 30-06 model 70 that was stolen from his 50' Mercury 3 days before leaving for a hunt in Idaho. Although he had a large collection it was his "go to" hunter. The stories that go with it are too numerous to mention here, but money cannot remove it from this family. Glad to see another guy with similar ties. I hope more folks like us chime in.
Love Ur Show,,,,,great topics,,,,,master educator,,,thank U...
1937 model 70 in 270 cal. with 5 numbers in the serial! Hunted, guided, hunted and it STILL is better that MOST other rifles on the planet!! When I finally put a scope on it, the gunsmith that mounted the scope said the metal was the hardest he'd ever drilled into for setting scope screws!
"I believe there's a hole in the paper.."Made my day.😂
You messed things up by cleaning it! Lol. Always wanted one in 300 H&H. Sure, brass costs more, but 100 cases might last the rest of my life. If that was my rifle, it would get a recoil pad, a new scope, and nothing else. Recoil pads become important. My Savage 99 308 came with a hard plastic buttplate. I had a conmon Pachmayr recoul pad installed. Nice upgrade. Much more comfortable. One of these days i am going to dig out my Trapper 44 Mag and give it the same treatment. Nice to see respect for vintage guns. Most of my guns are somewhat vintage , the oldest being a full length 98 Krag. I am getting to be vintage myself, so it works out well.
I have one my father in law gave me, killed a few deer with it. I did not like the ergos and cheekweld as the stock was designed for shooting with open sights. So I bought a new one a few years back, every bit as good of gun, actually better due to the proper stock cut for a scope.
The new ones are probably the best ever made and yes, those pre-64 stocks were painful to shoot.
I resontly lost my uncle and I found his old number 1 safari gun 505 Gibson it had some problem but I found parts to it now it's shoots brand new but the rounds are a pain in the neck to find but it's a good old rifle kicks with the force but nothing to my great grandad's 4-bore SxS stoping rifle that is a real man's gun right there
Ron. Your experience really shows when you can estimate, on the fly, the bullet drop and wind drift for a target 300 yards out. First shot, wait for it, ding!
After the first three shots, the resulting groups afterwards did not surprise me at all. With any except the newer higher priced scopes, you have to encourage the scope to actually move the erector tube. The erector tube will take a few shots for it to settle in. Tapping the scope with a tool (enough to simulate the recoil of the gun) will help.
When you adjust the point of aim to go up, (to better meet the point of impact) you are wanting the erector tube to go up. It is that old spring in the scope to do the moving, and that usually takes a few shots for that spring to finish moving the tube. The same thing happens when you are moving the point of aim to the right. If the opposite corrections were to be made, you would see the point of impact change almost immediately.
It probably took 4 shots for the scope to settle in. Therefore, Ron, your first shot was probably off because the scope was still settling. If Doug has shot 4 shots, you would likely to have shot a very small 3 shot group.
Otherwise, it's nice to see a nice old venerable gun shoot so well.
That pre-64, pre-war Model 70 Winchester is THE American hunting rifle. Beautiful! Nice to have such a family heirloom with some history!
There are ways to clean up that bore and smooth out the pitting... any good smith should be able too shed some light on that. The NRA has some instruction material on how to do that at home too.