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Bert H, I could use your help.

gahealey
I was told to come here and ask for you because you could help me with info on a gun my Father left me. I have what is apparently a 1956 Winchester Model 70 Target rifle with aftermarket Redfield Interntational Match sights.

I was really trying to figure out what to do with the gun. A part of me really wanted to have the gun drilled and tapped to put a scope on it so I could use my Dad's gun to hunt with but from what I am told, that would be NUTS and would destroy the guns value. I am kind of torn and not sure what to do now. I was hoping you could offer me some ideas about what the intended use of this gun was if not hunting. Was it a competition gun or something? What is the value of one of these guns today? Am I better off just sitting on the gun as a collectible or has it peaked in value?

I would attach a couple of photos but I am new here and have no idea how. DOH!!!

Any help or advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-

Gerry
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • MBK
    We are all going to want to know what caliber, and pictures!
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  • gahealey
    This one is a 30-06. I will be happy to post a few photos if someone could let me know how to do it on here. Not a super computer savvy guy and I am new here.

    Thanks-

    Gerry
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  • nononsense
    gahealey,

    Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

    There is a Sticky at the top of this forum titled 'Posting Photographs':

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

    Simply follow the directions and post your photographs.

    Best.
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  • Bert H.
    Hello Gerry,

    The Model 70 is not my best area of expertise, and there are several other fellows who frequent this forum that know considerably more about them than I do. That said, I can positively tell you that it would be a real costly mistake to modify that old rifle in any fashion! Leave it exactly as is!!

    The Redfield International Match sights are most likely not aftermarket, and are very likely to be original to the gun. Even if they are not original, no modifications were necessary to mount them, and they are worth several hundred $$$ all by themself.

    In the configuration you describe, it sounds like someone originally bought that rifle to use in High Power National Match competition.
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  • snickers
    Bert is correct. Do not alter the rifle in any way. It would not be very practical to hunt with that particular rifle as it is built for bench shooting and would be a little awkward to hunt with. That being said if you wanted to mount a scope a 1956 rifle it should already be drilled and tapped so no altering would be necessary. If it were mine I would take it to the range and enjoy it and use another to tromp through the woods. Keep it as a reminder of your father and hopefully you can do the same some day.
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  • fishmasty
    Here is his post on GON http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=317942

    A lot of great pictures. I sent him over here to see if Winchester Master Bert could help a brother out,.[:D]
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    FROM WHAT I CAN SEE IN THE PIXS, THE RIFLE IS ALREADY DRILLED AND TAPED FOR SCOPE MOUNTS, AS ALL WINCHESTER M-70'S SHOULD BE FROM THE 1950'S.
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  • He Dog
    I agree Mike, it looks like it was bored and tapped at the factory, just need to remove the filler screws.
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  • Madman
    gahealy;
    Welcome to the forums. As Bert and others have mentioned the '56 Model 70 should be drilled and tapped already. A target model is hard to come by. Without pics it sounds like you have an original which will command a high price. If it was your father's it should have a priceless price tag.
    Find a Unertl Target Scope, mount it, dial it in and shoot a ragged one hole all day and enjoy...

    Paul
    Mountain Magic Gunsmithing
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