Winchester Model 70 Target 26″ Matte Blue .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle 1971 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1200
LSB#: 220112WG017
Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Target
Serial Number: G1001780
Year of Manufacture: 1971
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-WINCHESTER MODEL 70 – 30-06 SPRG- / 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 “G1001780”, hand-scribed on the bottom of the bolt body is “1001780”.
Barrel Length: 26″, Counter-Bored Muzzle, Approximately 0.87″ 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 under the butt 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 handling marks. The left side shows thin vertical scrapes below the receiver. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad shows minor wear and the spacer shows light discoloration. 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 an ME of about 1.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The top of the receiver shows a few small scrapes & scratches as well as dried oil residue. The barrel shows a few scuffs & light scrapes. The action has minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. 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.
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. The receiver was made in 1971 but the rifle was made with all the 1972 improvements. It may be one of the initial Model 70 rifles made to 1972 specifications. The 1972 improvements came, after Winchester’s reorganization and revision to the Model 70 design which included a push-feed bolt instead of the original control-feed. 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 Very Good Plus to Fine condition. This rifle comes with an article from The Winchester Collector by Bill Grant which discusses the Post-1963 Target and Varmint rifles. 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!