Pre '64 dilema

[cardinalguns]

I like j-h_nimord's answer.

Why take a classic hunting rifle and ruin the value? If you want to customize a rifle, you can buy any number of used rifles (not pre-64 M70's) for $350 and spend some money making it uniquely yours.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Skillet]

As an M70 fan, I say - do whatever you want with it unless you are counting on getting the most out of it if/when you plan on selling it.  Even at this point, a pre-64 M70 standard grade in the condition you describe isn't worth the big dollars they were bringing in years past.  So I'd say have some guilt-free fun with it. 

[Bofire]

I have 5 pre 64 Win 70's. all mint and stock. .220 swift, 2-30/06s, 300 H&H and .270,  I am going to keep them stock. BUT the reason is I just like hunting and field use with modern light rifles.
My Tikka is lighter, very accurate and damage proof(cuz I do not care about it)
Carl

[fly-by]

Still shoots like a tack driver.

Vintage look AND still shoots?  Enjoy it as is.

[pianoman9701]

When you look at it, you probably see your dad's rifle and the memories that go along with that. If you change it, it'll be different when you look at it. If it works the way you need it to work, just keep it dad's rifle. Spend some money on another, new custom rifle if your money is burning a hole.

[woodswalker]

Don't mess with it...its Dad's rifle as it is...and it still shoots.  if you want to mess with a rifle, find another one.

My granddad's rifle is just as he had it, with a peep and no scope, its shooting fine and i can still hit the 300 yard gong with it.  it brings back time with him in Eastern WA and ID

[magnanimous_j]

It's your gun, but if it were me, I'd restore it back to as close to original condition as possible. If you want a rifle to mess around with, I'd just get an off-the-rack Savage.

[Remnar]

 Do as you like,  your gun . I just couldn't do it . Nor would I have it refinished (kinda like seeing a 70 year old with a full head of coal black hair !)  Just not right  I have a pre -64 model 70 with aaprox 10% of original finish left . Wouldnt mess with it for the world....still puts them up

[yorketransport]

I would have already had that barrel hit with a 30 Gibbs reamer and a can of Krylon. 

It’s just a tool. The love is pre-64 Winchester’s is more about nostalgia than quality anyways. There are better designs, techniques and materials available today to build better tools.

[JimmyHoffa]

I would have already had that barrel hit with a 30 Gibbs reamer and a can of Krylon. 

It’s just a tool. The love is pre-64 Winchester’s is more about nostalgia than quality anyways. There are better designs, techniques and materials available today to build better tools.

Sort of depends on the models.  A pre-64 1894, for example, has a forged receiver unlike the cast ones that followed.  The quality--function, feel, fit/finish are better than after Olin's accountants took over.  The metal blues better too.   I've found that the depression era guns seem to be of the best fit, cleanest machining.  I don't disagree that the technology exists to make a better performing tool, but seems most gunmakers are making cheaper not better.  You can notice differences in Remingtons, Rugers and Savages over time, too.  There is a saying in manufacturing "Cheaper, Faster, Better....You can pick two."

[MadMooner]

I have a pre war M70 that I did what you are talking about with..

Rock Creek barrel, McMillan stock, trigger job. I love it. It’s my go to rifle. The rifle is about 6.5#’s,  with scope and mounts is maybe 7.5#’s. Greatly improved ergo’s. 

To be fair, mine had little collector value as it was DT’d for a side mount. Picked it up for cheap at a pawn shop.

[Alchase]

This is just my opinion, worth about as much as a fart, 

If it was my dad's rifle, I would leave it as is and mount it on the wall, knowing all those nicks and scratches were made while my Dad was doing something he loved.
I have my Dad's 1952 Montgomery Ward, Browning 12 gauge, screws buggered up, blueing gone, slight rusty pitted patina, butt plate hard as a rock (it hung on 2 nails in the my dad's garage for 40 years) I used it as is for grouse a few times years ago. Honestly it is worth only sentimental value.
I have other shotguns that shoot much better. Now it is a reminder how much my dad loved to duck and goose hunt, and the times we spent together.

As other have said, it is your gun, go with what you want to do with it.
You can't be wrong either way.

 

[Tracker0721]

If it’s already a tack driver, leave it as is. Maybe refinish, but the cerakote and synthetic stock won’t change anything except looks. I love cerakote as a product but it’s like saying you’re gonna cerakote a few thousand dollar over under. It just doesn’t look right. You’re choice but if we were friends and you mentioned that idea I would tease the shat out of you and find you some cheap armslist deals to upgrade.

[bornhunter]

 

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.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Keep it as is.