Winchester Model 70 turned sniper rifles ?

[RobSmith]

I'm talking about the ones that were in use early in the Vietnam war. Does anyone have some specs on them ?

Were they straight out of the box and into the field and if not, what was done to them ?

Did they ever have a formal military designation ?

Information

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[jmoore]

Many were pre-WWII or WWII production that got rebarreled (with Winchester medium heavy barrels) in the 1950s. Some were purchased new during the same time period (mid fifties) via Evaluators, Ltd., outside of Quantico. Retired USMC General Van Orden ran that outfit, and was especially interested in accuracy platforms. Same old Unertl 8x scopes as were previously on the M1903s. Plus Lymans, and some were outfitted the '60s vintage optics and mounts (including Pachmeyer Lo-Swing mounts). No formal military designation. But well liked, and utilized!

BTW, if someone claims they have a "Van Orden Sniper" Model 70, there are some few folk who can check the S/N and see if it actually went through Evaluators, and possibly determine what Winchester version of the 70 it was originally. Just don't be asking me, I don't want to wear out my welcome with the guru!

[RobSmith]

Thanks, no such claims have been made to me at this time. I simply may have an opportunity to purchase a Model 70 of what I believe to be 1960's vintage in the near future (an old friend's hunting rifle that has fallen into disuse) and was wondering what I'd be looking at in terms of parts and modifications in order to turn it into an estaetically correct replica (or as close as the budget allows) of Gunny Hathcock's rifle.

Many were pre-WWII or WWII production that got rebarreled (with Winchester medium heavy barrels) in the 1950s. Some were purchased new during the same time period (mid fifties) via Evaluators, Ltd., outside of Quantico. Retired USMC General Van Orden ran that outfit, and was especially interested in accuracy platforms. Same old Unertl 8x scopes as were previously on the M1903s. Plus Lymans, and some were outfitted the '60s vintage optics and mounts (including Pachmeyer Lo-Swing mounts). No formal military designation. But well liked, and utilized!

BTW, if someone claims they have a "Van Orden Sniper" Model 70, there are some few folk who can check the S/N and see if it actually went through Evaluators, and possibly determine what Winchester version of the 70 it was originally. Just don't be asking me, I don't want to wear out my welcome with the guru!

[RCS]

This M70 in the photos was sold at auction by the USN at Great Lakes in 1966. One dealer purchased all 12 M70 rifles, some had standard barrels and one had a broken stock. Bores were excellent. This rifle was purchased from the dealer. I believe these were team rifles. This rifle is in the 70xxx number range as were alot of the other rifles in this group.

[jmoore]

I simply may have an opportunity to purchase a Model 70 of what I believe to be 1960's vintage in the near future (an old friend's hunting rifle that has fallen into disuse) and was wondering what I'd be looking at in terms of parts and modifications in order to turn it into an estaetically correct replica (or as close as the budget allows) of Gunny Hathcock's rifle.

Don't buy it to make a Hathcock clone. Wrong vintage! I don't know for sure, but I seem to recall it was a 1950's rifle rather than a rebuilt WWII version. But that info should be easy to ferret out. There WERE new Winchesters used in Vietnam, but the post '64 rifles aren't typical nor nearly as desirable. Rather the opposite. (Unless there's evidence a particular rifle did actually spend time over there.)

Also, Even if the rifle is pre '64, you'd have to find a Winchester 30-06 heavy barrel and stock. Better to find a factory target rifle.

[RobSmith]

Turns out her asking price is 800 Canadian dollars .... WAY too rich for my blood in terms of a "tinkering with on my free time" project. Awaiting serial number confirmation so the exact year of manufacture can be established.

[jmoore]

"G" prefix is post '64.

For an original condition pre-'64, CAN$800 might be a good deal! But not if it's got extra holes or a non-Winchester installed recoil pad. (Which may or may not be Winchester marked, BTW.)

[RobSmith]

The thing is, I'm not quite sure if the barrel is original without taking a real good at it without a measuring tape. Last time I fired the thing (I probably put more rounds thru it than all other previous owners combined) the barrel looked a bit short to me, I asked about it and she replied that she was told it was a "short barreled" version .... approx 20 inches. I recall the recoil to be teeth shattering on the thing but the last time I fired it, it shot clover leaves at 100 yards using the cheapest ammo I could find. This is a good one, just not sure it's an 800 CAD kind of good. I know the thing is mechanically sound for I have personally taken it appart and cleaned, lubed, and zeroed it the last time I saw it (and several times before). She took her last deer with it 3 days later.

"G" prefix is post '64.

For an original condition pre-'64, CAN$800 might be a good deal! But not if it's got extra holes or a non-Winchester installed recoil pad. (Which may or may not be Winchester marked, BTW.)

[jmoore]

A pre'64 featherweight carbine is a premium priced rifle. IIRC it would have an aluminum floor plate, and a skinny barrel.

It DOES have a Mauser type claw extractor, yes? That's the easy way to tell if it's worth looking further or not.

[RobSmith]

Turns out it's post '64 .... serial number is G1320XXX