Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Varmint G7012CN .243 Bolt Action Rifle, 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4025
LSB#: 210224DF03
Make: Winchester
Model: 70, Varmint Rifle
Serial Number: 464110
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U. S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-”, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”, and “MODEL-70 – 243 WIN.-”. The left side of the barrel at the receiver and the left side of the receiver at the barrel are marked with a circled “WP” proof. The left side of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-”. The right side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked “464110”. The serial number is also hand-scribed on the bottom of the bolt body.
Barrel Length: 26″ Medium Heavy
Sights / Optics: The barrel is drilled, tapped, and filled at the front, the chamber ring is drilled, tapped and filled, and the left-rear of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled. The rear of the barrel and the bridge are drilled and tapped with scope bases installed and adjustable rings holding a Unertl 12x scope with crosshair reticle, serial 35999. The scope has scattered surface oxidation and some light wear on the exterior with surprisingly clear glass, kept in very good condition by the included threaded lens caps. The reticle has a small fray in the vertical bar below the cross. Overall, the scope is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with an oiled finish, a pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb, a checkered steel buttplate and sling swivels mounted front and rear. The stock has a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined, with light handling wear. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear around the edges with well defined checkering. The stock rates in about Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows operational wear and there is light handling wear on the bolt knob. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a safety mounted on the right side of the receiver. 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 the installed scope as described and a brown leather military-style sling. The sling has scattered wear with verdigris at the metal hooks, in about Good-Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a vintage pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Varmint rifle made in 1959 and chambered in .243 Winchester. The rifle has a medium-heavy barrel which leads to quite a bit of weight for such a small bore. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The rifle comes with a Unertl 12x scope which has some wear and oxidation on the exterior, but retains clear glass and should still be a great target optic. There is also provision for a variety of other sight types, though no other sights are included. The pre-64 Winchester Model 70 actions are prized by shooters and collectors alike for their smoothness and reliability, and this one is no exception. The .243 Winchester is based on the .308 case and takes advantage of the excellent ballistics found in projectiles from 6mm to 6.5mm (.243 being approximately 6.2mm). It is a very flat shooting cartridge compared to the larger .308 Winchester and is suitable for varmint with lighter projectiles and deer and even wild hogs with heavier bullets. It is also a good cartridge for long-distance precision due to its high velocity and excellent ballistics. With the heavier barrel of the model 70 Varmint, this rifle is probably more suited to taking out varmints from long range or precision shooting than hunting which will involve much in the way of tracking or stalking. In its condition it would also make a great addition to a Model 70 collection missing the 26″ Medium Heavy Varmint rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!