This is my first post, so first off, hello everyone.

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting my pre-64 (1958), M70 .308 Featherweight into semi-retirement. This is my only CF firearm. My uncle gave it to me as a high school graduation gift in 1980 and then promptly invited me on a Washington state elk hunt that fall. Over the last 25 years that I’ve had it, approximately 100 whitetail, a few pigs and ‘yotes, as well as 3 elk have been taken using the gun. No telling how much game my uncle took with it. It’s just a standard grade and after nearly 50 years of use has a few beauty marks but overall it’s in excellent shape. I know that nearly all pre-64’s have some collectible value and I have no intention of ever getting rid of it.

My thinking is that if I put it up, except for an occasional elk hunt, I could get by with a .25-26 caliber firearm, maybe a .25-06, .260, or a 6.5mm Swede.

So.. should I put the M70 into semi-retirement and pick up a new rifle for my deer hunting or just continue to use the old girl. I’m torn…

Jim

looks like you 308 has a lot of memories. i think if it was my gun i would give it a good cleaning and put it away and only bring it out when it is needed or to bring back some old memories. have you thought of getting a new 308 like the one you have?

Got a pre-war (1939) M70 in ".30 Gov't" stashed in the gun vault. Haven't taken it to the field in a half dozen years or so. Last game taken with it was a nice bull elk. No telling how much is has accounted for.

Although it doesn't go afield much anymore, it still gets taken out, lovingly cleaned and thrown to the shoulder on occassion. Just can't beat the feel and balance of the old standard.

Wlecome to the board, can't be all bad owning a pre '64! :D

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting my pre-64 (1958), M70 .308 Featherweight into semi-retirement.

Unless you're saving it for resale or estate...why?

But just in case you do, have a serious look at the new CZ Model 3. You may find it to be (heresy) even better than the pre '64 70. Same external characteristics, safety, extractor claw, easy ajustable trigger, long barrel but more ergonomic and even prettier stock....with checkering layout and execution to die for. Even takes the same scope bases. And the gas redirect mechanism is definitely better. Made is the USA to boot.
All things can be improved on...it just takes an open mind to accept it.

A good rifle needs to get out and stretch it's legs once in a while! Don't let it get lonely there at home, poke a hole in a deer with it once in a while :)

You guys are going to make me feel bad with all this talk of retiring perfectly fine rifles. I picked up a 1952 M70 last year in 300 H&H that is destined to become my "new" sheep, goat, cariou, moose rifle up here. Even taking it to Africa this fall. Shoots as good as any of my newer rifles and the action is slick as glass.

Sounds just like the one I lost in the bottom of a Canadian lake back in the early '60's, Alyeska -

Doesn't have a Lyman scope with a 6x Lichert objective on it, does it?????? :D

No, but did come with Buehler mounts. :D

Scary thing about it, I came within a whisker of buying a 318 Westley Richards built on a Mauser 98 action by WR in 1910. It would have been a hunting rifle for me. Even scarier is that if I had the opportunity to buy it right now, I would, because I've regretted letting it slip through my fingers ever since.

I would have to side with Alyeska on this subject. I hunt with 2 pre-64's that are as they came from the factory in 1952 ( 30-06 and 300 h&h ) or 2 customs ( 6.5-06 and 35 Whelen ). These fine rifles are tools and as such they should be used! That being said there is nothing wrong with keeping a less valueable rifle around for when you do things that you know you will be hard on the rifle.
Just my opinion, DRM

I have a good friend that is the original owner of a pre 64 M70 in .308, he purchased new the first year it was available, He takes it out every deer season and quite a bit throughout the year to the bench

I'd keep using that Mod 70....familiar to the hands. I have a pre '64 featherweight in 30-06 and I put a Burris Signature 2.5-8x on it, and that rifle is the best feeling pointer in the arsenal. I also (hope not too many "collectors" winch here) sanded and refinished the stock, then had it recheckered. It's one of my favorites. I've eyed a few featherweight 308's throughout the years, but never pulled the trigger on the wallet. I wish I had.

Good hunting.

This is my first post, so first off, hello everyone.

I’ve been toying with the idea of putting my pre-64 (1958), M70 .308 Featherweight into semi-retirement.

My thinking is that if I put it up, except for an occasional elk hunt, I could get by with a .25-26 caliber firearm, maybe a .25-06, .260, or a 6.5mm Swede.

So.. should I put the M70 into semi-retirement and pick up a new rifle for my deer hunting or just continue to use the old girl. I’m torn…

I find that there is no good reason NOT to get another hunting rifle (or any firearm for that matter). As far as putting up your favorite, I can find no good reason to do this unless you find another favorite.

I have been hunting with the 1st high-powered rifle that I purchased for years and would never consider putting it away for any reason. I have become so fond and used to it that I could not see myself in the woods without it. I posted a pic of it on the last day of hunting season a few months ago after she dropped a nice Virginia white tail in the last hour of the season.

I have found several other firearms that I enjoy as much but not more. One of which I have owned almost as long (bought them within a few months of each other and from the same person). It has a proof date of 1900 and was made in Austria.

I will stick a couple of pics of it here and let you be the judge.

Would you leave her at home?

Moospucky, there is no way you can not tell us what she is and not post a full length pic of her after posting those tantalising tidbits.
Time to cough up with the details.......

Moospucky, there is no way you can not tell us what she is and not post a full length pic of her after posting those tantalising tidbits.
Time to cough up with the details.......

It was made by a gentleman named Peter Hambrusch in Styer Austria and the proof date is 1900. Barrels are Krupps and in 16 gauge and 8x57 JR (8 mm rimmed Mauser). 27" barrels and 43" overall length.

You can see from the other photos the lockup is a modified Greener type with full double under lugs, center cross bolt, with side clips so even though it is over 100 years old and has been used a lot, it still locks up like a bank vault. The checkering is worn almost completely smooth on the stock and fore end from being carried and used.

It has full coverage engraving with 8 game animals and birds. If you look at the image of the top you will notice that the tang has an interregnal flip up tang sight that folds down into the tang itself.

When I first saw this rifle I knew that I had to own it. I would never consider NOT taking it out into the field unless it were raining or snowing, then I would take the Merkel O/U 16/8x57jr ;)

Mooseplucky, I'm currently a bright shade of green. I must say it's good to see a fine gun used as it should be.