Winchester Model 70 Target 26″ Matte Blue .308 Win. Bolt Action Rifle, 1972
SOLD FOR: $1425
LSB#: 220112WG016
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Target
Serial Number: G1076754
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER MODEL 70 – 308 WIN.- / MADE IN NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL”. The top of the barrel at the receiver is marked with a circled “WP” proof, there is another proof marked on the chamber ring to the left of the sight block. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “G1076754”, hand-scribed on the bottom of the bolt body is “1076754”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Counter-Bored Muzzle, Approximately 0.80″ Muzzle Diameter
Sights / Optics: There are no sights installed or included. The front of the barrel has two drilled, tapped and filled holes for a front sight base. The rear of the barrel and the chamber ring are each drilled and tapped with sight blocks installed. The bridge is drilled, tapped and filled for an optic or receiver sight mount. The left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a Marksman-style one-piece smooth walnut with beavertail forend, 10″ accessory rail inlet to the forend, pistol grip, straight comb, serrated black rubber Winchester buttpad, a sling swivel in the belly and a sling swivel mounted to the accessory plate in the forend. A combination sling swivel and contoured alloy hand-stop is also installed on the accessory rail. The stock has a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is one small, but deeper nick on the right of the forend just below the stock line a couple inches in front of the receiver and another more notable nick at the toe. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad has minor wear with well defined serrations. Overall, the stock is in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Blued & Black Alloy Trigger Guard Assembly
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. Our gauge shows and ME of about 0.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few scattered minor scuffs, most notable on the top of the barrel in front of the forend. The floorplate has some spots of minor oxidation and there are some light marks on the trigger guard. The action has minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a three-position safety on the right-rear of the bolt. Pushed forwards, the safety is OFF. If pulled back all the way, it locks both the bolt and the trigger. If pulled back half-way, it blocks only the trigger. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a printout of the The Winchester Collector article “Winchester’s Model 70 Post-1963 Target and Varmint Rifles” by Bill Grant.
Our Assessment: This is a nice looking Winchester Model 70 Target made in 1972, after Winchester’s reorganization and revision to the Model 70 design which included a push-feed bolt instead of the original control-feed. The Target model had a few updates in 1972 when this rifle was produced. The 24″ flat-muzzle barrel was changed to a 26″ barrel with a recessed crown as well as being matte finished. This rifle has provision for a wide variety of sights or optics to be installed, so you can set it up with just about whatever you want. The Model 70 target had a heavy profile barrel, a receiver notched for clip-feeding and Marksman stock. On the post-1963 models, the barrel was free-floated and the bolt jeweled. The rifle is in Fine condition with wear consistent with infrequent use by a responsible shooter. This rifle comes with an article from The Winchester Collector by Bill Grant which discusses the Post-1963 Target and Varmint rifles, and this rifle is actually noted by serial number and photographed as one of the rifles examined by Grant for the article. The rifle retains a great bore and strong mechanics and should still make for a wonderful target rifle. It will also help round out a Winchester Model 70 collection missing this variant, especially with the included article by Bill Grant. Please see our photos and good luck!