Scope for Pre-64
I just bought a '56 Model 70 Featherweight .308 here, and would like to scope it with something good but vintage for the period. Any ideas?
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i got a pre 64 model 70 30-06 ( 1953) and it came with a J unertl hawk ( 4x) scope and it looks like its from that era, the bluing loss from wear adds to that special vintage look, plus it has the old leather scope covers, i will try to post some pics, i found a few unertl 4x scopes floating around for sale on the internet for around 135-185, hope that helps, Marc 
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LYMAN Alaskan or vintage Weaver steel tube made in the 1950's maybe even one with duel horizontal cross hairs sort of an early range finder. K4 or K6 model 0 -
Several of my pre 64 model 70s have K-4 Weavers on them, One has a Lyman two have 4X Luopolds. All were on the guns when I got them.
W.D0 -
I have a Buehler base and low rings, if you are interested.
Nice gun; my pre '64 .270 takes at least 1 deer every year.0 -
I bought a 1953 .30/06 last year that had been owned by the local barber when I was a kid--paid the asking price of 600 for it. It came with a Weaver KV/post reticle in a Redfield mount with the old wide 4-screw front ring & the narrow 2-screw rear. That post looks awful fat @ 5 power but it shows up great in poor light. I thought I would have trouble getting good groups with that coarse post but 4 5-shot groups averaged 1.13" (one shot opened up one group to 2.09"; otherwise the average would have been .74"). My load was 180 Sierra BT, 57 gr. of IMR4831, Fed. case, and Mag Tech 9 1/2 primer. Velocity was 2710 fps according to my Oehler 35P. Those old Winchesters will shoot!!
The 1950 .270 that I bought in 1963 (I paid 105 for that one!) came with a pre-permacenter Lyman All American 4X on it also with a post in Weaver mounts. Post recicles were apparently popular in the early 50's.
Another scope that we all wanted but couldn't afford in those days was the Bausch & Lomb Balvar 2 1/2-8X. It used the B&L adjustable mount or a similiar one made by Kuharsky Bros. I have several of them, now, on old Winchesters and Remingtons. (I even have an old Balfor set up on a Marlin MR-7.)0 -
FWIW, Here are some scopes listed in the 1956 Gun Digest and their prices.
Weaver K4 $48.50.
Bushnell Scopechief 4X $49.50
Bausch & Lomb Balvar 4 1/2 -4X $80.00 (Balvar 2 1/2-8 not yet made)
Kollmorgen Stith Bear Cub 4X $59.50
Lyman All American 4X $59.50
Lyman Alaskan 2 1/2 X $64.50
Lyman Challenger 4X $85.00
Unertl Hawk 4X $52.00
Weatherby Imperial 4X $85.00
There were others but this should give you some ideas as to what to look for. One caveat, in 1956 1" scope tubes had not become quite as universally used as they are now. The Bear Cub was 1.023" in diameter. Lyman Challenger was 1.024". Lyman Alaskan .866".
The Weaver 4X was the Chevy sedan of the scope world. Much better scopes were available but few could, or would, spend more for a better scope.0 -
Thank you all for your help. Interesting what you paid for your rifles, I paid $1025. Guess I really wanted it. 0 -
The selling price of Pre-64 70's varies quite a bit. Mostly it depends on "when" you buy, the best time was of course before 1964. It also helps to buy from a family member, friend, or someone who thinks pre-64 means just an old gun. Condition is the next biggest factor. I think you did fine. There aren't many "cheap" Pre-64's to be had any more. My suggestion for an excellent scope is a vintage Pecar Berlin model. Made in Germany, they are 1st quality. Check the auction sites for used ones. The company recently went out of business so parts will be hard to find, but they are exceptional scopes worthy of an old Model 70. 0 -
Edd,
Pre 64 308s are hard to find. 308 is a relatively new caliber, in referance to pre 64 rifles, and has started a cottage industry in building fakes. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I don't think Winchester came out with the 308 cal until 60 or 61. I'll bet money they didn't build the 308 in 1956.
For what it's worth.
W.D.0 -
quote:I don't think Winchester came out with the 308 cal until 60 or 61. I'll bet money they didn't build the 308 in 1956.According to Roger Rule's "The Rifleman's Rifle" the 308 was developed in 1952 and the Featherweight rifle was developed for it. 0 -
Bill is right, after I posted, I got my books out and looked, I hate it when I'm wrong. I have two feather weights, a 270 & 3006, my dad bought the 06 in 1956 in Portland, Or. for $113.00, I still have the sales slip. If your 308 is the real deal, you didn't pay too much, as I said befor, thay are hard to find.
W.D0
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