Pre 64 Model 70 Refinishing Suggestions

[Tree Farmer]

I have a Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Feathetweight chambered in 308. I received this rifle from my grandmother, will never sell it, and hunt everything with it. The bluing is worn off in several places and the stock has a minor crack/split in it. This being said it still shoots and hunts great.

I want to have the stock repaired and refinished. A new recoil pad installed. I also want to have it reblued or covered with one of the more durable finishes. I know this will dramatically effect the dollar value of the rifle. That does not concern me. I don't care about the dollar value.  I want it to function, look good, and be protected from the elements.

My questions are:
1. What type of coatings do you recommend?
2. What would be a typical cost for this work?
3. Is there anyone in SW Washington you recommend to do this work?

Thanks guys!

[nwwanderer]

You can do it, take your time, buy a few simple checkering tools for touchup, update the pad (which brand everybody), steel wool for metal cleanup and one of many reblue products.  Just a oil finish which is easily redone.  You will save $ and love the results

[Bill W]

for starters the recoil pad on the rifle is not factory installed.   If you refinish the rifle you won't affect the value much.  It's used.  What it will do is make a "heirloom" rifle looks lots spiffier for you.  That's the main thing.

[CP]

Looks great just the way it is.  I wouldn't do anything other than clean and oil it.

[Bill W]

Like CP says it may just need a new coat of Linseed oil or something similar.

[Angry Perch]

I have a 1947 30-06 that was in similar shape. I stripped the stock using some sort of citrus stripper, carefully sanded and finished with true oil. The stock looks decent. Personally, I wouldn't mess with home bluing. I sent mine to Precision Bluing, and they did a very nice job.
Note, If you Cerakote that thing you're buying a one way ticket to Hell!

[JLS]

I refinished mine last year.  You could try to find the original buttplate and have that installed.  Otherwise, I'd look at a nice Pachymar pad.

I used the John Kay Pre 64 oil recipe and process.  You can do all of the work yourself, it only takes time and patience.  Don't try to rush any of it.

Strip (I used Citristrip, two applications.  Rinse it off well and DONT sand off the finish).
Recut checkering (basically cleaning it up, you can buy a single point checkering tool from Brownells for about $15.00).
Install pad and sand to fit.
Oil (takes several weeks).
Shoot and enjoy.

Where the wood really begins to pop is in the wet sand process.  Don't shortcut this.  It will take about 6 or 7 applications for the grain to really come out as the wood pores are filled. 

I didn't reblue mine.  If you Cerakote that gun you should be drawn and quartered. 

You have one of the finest hunting rifles ever made.  Mine shoots about .7 MOA without anything done to the factory bedding.

[fisheral87]

I am also curios about how folks are maintaining the blueing and additional protection for my Pre-64. Took a nice buck this year with it and after one day in the elements it had accumulated quite a bit of rust.

Some Pre-64 BT candy for y'all.

Al

[JLS]

Fisher,

Either a good coat of oil, or clean it good and apply wax to the metal.

Edit:  Great buck.

[fisheral87]

What variety of wax?

[JLS]

I have used Carnuba with good results.

[aaronwyle]

I have a pre-64 in 270 that was a gift from my uncle, same sort of deal.  I took it to a gunsmith in Clearview called Classic Precision and he did a complete restore on it - took the stock back to factory look, re did the blueing, etc.  The gun looks new now.  This was 15 years ago, so I don't know if Classic Precision is still around, but if he is I highly recommend him.  I will get a pic of the gun when I get home.

[Bill W]

I have a pre-64 in 270 that was a gift from my uncle, same sort of deal.  I took it to a gunsmith in Clearview called Classic Precision and he did a complete restore on it - took the stock back to factory look, re did the blueing, etc.  The gun looks new now.  This was 15 years ago, so I don't know if Classic Precision is still around, but if he is I highly recommend him.  I will get a pic of the gun when I get home.

It's probably a guy named Larry Conley. I think that's his name.

[bobcat]

Try NW Custom Firearms. They're in Vancouver:

http://www.nwcustomfirearms.com

[aaronwyle]

I have a pre-64 in 270 that was a gift from my uncle, same sort of deal.  I took it to a gunsmith in Clearview called Classic Precision and he did a complete restore on it - took the stock back to factory look, re did the blueing, etc.  The gun looks new now.  This was 15 years ago, so I don't know if Classic Precision is still around, but if he is I highly recommend him.  I will get a pic of the gun when I get home.

It's probably a guy named Larry Conley. I think that's his name.

That sounds right, It was a long time ago.  I just know that I was very impressed by the quality of work and he didn't charge me much.

[Bofire]

Leave the factory stock alone, bed the gun into a good stock, H & S precision, Blue it if you must. that way if you want you can always go back stock.
Carl

[aaronwyle]

Here are the pics of mine.  Classic Precision was able to steam most of the dents out, what he couldn't steam out he filled and re-cut the checkering.  He then glass bedded the barrel.  I know it "ruined" the value of the rifle, but like you I am not collecting this rifle, it will be used, I have already promised it to my son.