Pre '64 dilema

[hookr88]

I have a 1947 era, SN#75,XXX, 30-06 Mod 70 Winchester. It has 70%- bluing left, the stock is not damaged, just well worn finish. Missing the original butt plate and the rear sight. Still shoots like a tack driver. I have owned it about 35 years or so. My father bought it, no real history, and gave it to me. It's my go to deer rifle. My dilema, do I cerakote it, and replace the stock and get it bedded and pillared, or leave it as is, a well worn but accurate and original Pre '64 Winchester Mod. 70?

[screedler]

I've got a similar dilemma with a rem 740 30-06 I was given by my dad before he died... want to get it cerakoted! Unsure though .   

[Biggerhammer]

You said it shoots well. Why fix it, if it’s not broke? 🙃

That being said. Do whatever the heck you want to do with it. I’ve taken a new unfired Rem700 Classic in 6.5x55 and had it rechamber to 6.5-284. I was good with it but the collector types sniveled a bunch on the forums. Then again there are a bunch of snivelers out there. ❄️❄️❄️

[Crunchy]

Im guessing that because of the current condition of the gun it may not be worth too much.  Maybe take the action off and slap a new barrel and stock, but keep the old parts so you can put it back in original condition??  I have a pre 64 in 338 win everything original and in awesome shape.  Mainly sits in the safe because I do not want to scratch it up.  Shot it a few times, but wont take it hunting.

[bobcat]

Personally I would do whatever is necessary to make it into the hunting rifle you want. If keeping it original isn't important to you, then don't worry about it.

[j_h_nimrod]

Kind of like taking grandpas good condition ‘78 high boy; ditching the original wheels and putting on chrome spinners, screwing a light bar to the cab, throwing on a flowmaster, and repainting it flat black. Why ruin a $1000 (maybe, just guessing condition etc. and the pre-64 market was pretty flat last I knew) classic to turn it into a $500 pawn shop special?

You said it shoots well. Why fix it, if it’s not broke? 🙃

That being said. Do whatever the heck you want to do with it. I’ve taken a new unfired Rem700 Classic in 6.5x55 and had it rechamber to 6.5-284. I was good with it but the collector types sniveled a bunch on the forums. Then again there are a bunch of snivelers out there. ❄️❄️❄️

There are a lot worse things you could do with a Rem 700, people even collect Beanie Babies, so why not a Remington 700

[BKMFR]

I was left a 1961 Pre '64 .270 Featherweight in excellent condition when my father passed away. I knew I would never sell it, so put a Borden Rimrock stock on it, did a steel inside trigger guard - floor release bottom metal, had the bolt release slightly enlarged and checkered, trigger job, then applied NP3 to all metal. Gun is matte Silver and Black and wears a 4.5x14 Leupold. Gun is a working rifle I'm sure my Dad would have been proud of, it's been a real slayer and I have never had any regrets. Original stock still sits in safe as well as other parts. Then purchased a Pre '64 .375 H & H and did same thing, no sentimental value on .375, and makes nice pair of working rifles.

[Skyvalhunter]

So do you hunt with your dads rifle?

[boneaddict]

I like original, what do you like? That’s the question....

[Goshawk]

If you want to paint it, then go right on.
If it were in my safe, I'd have the wood refinished and the gun blued like it used to be. I'm just not a fan of cerakote for a long lasting finish.  I have not found it as durable as blueing.

Bottom line? It's your gun, so choose whatever you think you'll be proudest of in 10 years.

[thinkingman]

There will be a time where you wished you'd left it alone.
All of what you described doesn't seem to diminish the function.
Leave the memories, patina, intact.

[Angry Perch]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for me, there is nothing more beautiful than walnut and blued steel. Funny thing, I also own a 1947 Model 70 in 30-06 that I got from my Dad!

[JimmyHoffa]

You'd think collectors would want it messed with so the value of the others would increase.  Unless they think they are going to get their skinners on it for cheap.

[Jpmiller]

I don't like to mess with stuff too much, especially old stuff, if it's functioning as it should. 

If you're not a collector and looking to flip it and make a buck though who cares what a collector thinks?

[Angry Perch]

You'd think collectors would want it messed with so the value of the others would increase.  Unless they think they are going to get their skinners on it for cheap.

Some guys just can't stand to see something they're passionate about get defiled. Like the numbers matching Classic car guys.