Non-Milsurp: Winchester M70 Identification Help WHAT IT BE!

Hi All, I know this is not a milsurp but I value the knowledge everyone has on this group and honestly this is one of the few forums I have a membership and that's because of the people.

I picked up a Winchester M70 with a heavy barrel, not sure what to make of this rifle. I've been looking around the net and it looks like a varmint gun but feels like a target rifle. The stock doesn't look like something it would have came with and looks modified. Looks like leupold mounts and rings as well but they are not marked.

Anyone have any idea what kind of model 70 I have or seen anything like this?

Thanks in advance Bill.

Mounting holes front and mid-barrel

The Blue Book of Gun Values shows that it started out as "Model 70 Standard" made in 1965. They were available in several calibers including .243 Win. Looks like they were all 5 shot, had a (22 or 24 inch) heavy barrel, open sights, and a Monte Carlo stock with sling swivels. Mfg. 1964-1980. The "plugged" holes in the barrel would have been for the open sights. Hope that helps a little. - Bob

The blue book description is incorrect. This is a Winchester post 64 model 70 varmint in aftermarket stock, not a standard model. Barrel d/t for unertl scope blocks and all I've seen were 24". They never came with open sights, to my knowledge. I have one made in ' 74 still in original trim. One of my best shooters. Some LE agencies used them as sniper rifles. I dont think they're scarce but they dont turn up too often.

The holes at the muzzle would be for a front sight, not a scope block.

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Originally Posted by tiriaq

The holes at the muzzle would be for a front sight, not a scope block.

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My mistake, wrong terminology.
But since you want to nitpick the holes are actually for a sight block,namely the AK, BK,K OR KK blocks used with the Winchester/Lyman 77R target front sight, among others, not a standard ramp type sporter front sight that screws straight to the barrel.

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Originally Posted by USGI

(22 or 24 inch) heavy barrel

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Bob, Thanks I didn't even think about measuring the barrel. I'll do it when I get home today. My mind thinks its longer than 24" though.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

The blue book description is incorrect. This is a Winchester post 64 models 70 varmint in aftermarket stock, not a standard model. Barrel d/t for unertl scope blocks and all I've seen were 24".

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Thank you for the help and information, I saw the M70 Varmint on a shooters bible but wasn't sure it looked a bit different maybe it's just the stock throwing me off. I have to verify the barrel length. I wonder if there would be any markings under the scope mounts.

Yeah I agree, the thumbhoe stock does change the appearance. Factory stocks were checkered walnut monte carlo with black plastic buttplate, grip cap and forend tip and I believe they have white spacers as well. They have rather square fore ends and really slim grips. I added a palm swell to mine.
No markings under scope based on mine, that I recall anyway.
Mine obviously rode many miles muzzle down in a pickup, the crown is worn off at an angle. Musta been shot a lot too as it shows a fair bit of throat erosion and light frosting in the grooves. Still a very good shooter though. It likes handloads with Sierra 100gr Gamekings over IMR 3031 with a mv of 2825 fps. I've had it out to 600yds on occasion, on a calm day it would shoot m.o.a. groups. Interested in hearing how yours shoots. Keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by vintage hunter

Interested in hearing how yours shoots

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I'm looking at scopes for it, The rings are 1" and most of my scopes are 30mm. I think these are Leupold rings so if I don't get her as scope i'll grab some 30mm Leupold DD's for it. Thanks again.

Everybody and his brother did something to M70's at one time or another. A heavy barreled .308 isn't exactly unusual.
That one looks like a Heavy Varmint Rifle. Like this one.
Winchester Model 70 SA Heavy Varmint .308 Win.