I recently bought a Win Mod 70 458 mag Super Grade. Its a good looking rifle that I'd rate at about 90%. To buy a new one would cost several K now days. The problem is, it was made in 1966 so its not a pre-64. Ive taken it to several hi end gun shops to get an idea of what its is worth. They tell me that if it were a pre 64 it would be worth $3000-$4000. But mine is only worth $500. What the He!! are they talking about? Can a pre 64 extractor (which I'll admit is stronger) be worth $3000?
If the post 64 action was so bad how did Winchester stay in business from 64 till the mid 90s when they went back to the old design? This really cheeses me off. There were several improvements in the 1964 model. Wincheter went to a forged barrel which improved accuracy for one.
BTW I only paid $700 for the rifle. I bought it from a friend so I didnt get ripped off.

Oh yes, first time poster here. Hello to all.

It's all a matter of supply and demand, what someone is willing to pay for the rifle. If it's a Super Grade in .458 at 90% I don't think you got ripped. The pre-64 M70's are sought after because of a perceived quality advantage over the newer models and relative scarcity.

It's not really that the post 64 actions where "bad". The main issue was that the rifle was changed to be produced more cost effectively, with much less handwork, so the overall appearance and finished quality of the rifles deteriorated. The pre-64's where a much nicer rifle than the ones produced immediatley afterwards. I haven't seen any post 64 super grades except for ones made in the last ten years, so I don't have a good point of reference. Incidentally, for dangerous game usage, the pre-64 claw extractor is a very signifigant feature because it adds contolled round feeding. The extractor controls the round the whole time, the bolt can be cycled with that rifle in any position (even upside down) and it will feed, you can't do that with a push feed bolt. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you are hunting grizzlies that want to tear your head off or cape buffalo that want to stomp you into the ground.

One way or the other, you could certainly get out of it what you put into it.

Hello, Macv - and Welcome to the board.

Yes, Winchester did in fact go from a lot of forging and hand fitting on the pre-64 rifles and cheapened the manufacturing process with the post 64's. A great many folks felt rather badly about that and started switching to Remingtons and Rugers as a result. Winchester had so many requests for bringing back the pre-64 models that they bit the bullet and retooled. Smart decision.

Any pre-64 draws a premium today, if unmodified and still all original. The 1950 - 1964 mfg'd rifles in particular.

You still got a nice rifle that is inherently strong and looks good.

I've got one that was made in 1939, but is not as desirable due to small improvements made by the 1950's models. It has been further devalued by having been drilled and tapped for a scope and the stock being refinished. All this means I have a shooter of the first magnitude that I treasure dearly.

KciH, Thanks for your very informed reply. I live in Missouri so Im not too concerned about being charged buy a cape buff while inverted. But I can understand your point about dangerous game and the post 64 action. Thanks again.

Yeah kdub....she's still a beauty. I dont regret buying it. Dont ask me why but I always wanted a safari rifle. Besides this Win 458 African will give my shoulder just as much pain as a pre 64.

Mac, you did fine, I suspect that that what you heard in the gunshops was because they were trying to low-ball you out of a good gun.

Now, the collector's market for pre-64 guns is another matter, sure it might be 'worth' $3,000 on paper but it also might take a year or two to sell at that price.

Look around on the auction web sites and see what else you can find that's comparable, if you want to get any real-world price information.

The post-64 guns get a lot of grief about looks but my .30-06 has never had so much as a hiccup, and is very accurate to boot.

Good luck - the .458 is more versatile than most people think. I have a Mark X mauser that I shot a pig with last weekend. Lotsa fun.