Gifted a rifle

[TedH]

I was visiting an old friend and he gave me a project rifle. It's a 1975 Winchester Mod 70, 30-06. It's missing the stock, bolt, and magazine follower. The barrel has some surface rust spots, but the bore looks great after a thorough scrubbing
Looking online I was disappointed to see bolts available for $350-$400, add on the cost of a stock and it may not make much sense to try and resurrect this rifle.

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[LeverGunner]

Neat to get a gift like that.

I'd say you have about 2 options, scour some local gunsmiths for a bolt and takeoff stock or find a rifle for a donor that was somehow damaged, such as with a plugged bore. Some hole in the wall gunsmiths might have a bolt and stock on a shelf somewhere and be more interested in getting an old gun going again than selling for a profit.

[JRD]

Ted,
That’s kind of your friend, but as you are realizing, it may not make financial sense to put it back together.
Chamber depth was cut with bolt in place to establish the headspace. Even if you find another bolt, there’s no guarantee headspace would match perfectly.
Be sure to check headspace if you find a new bolt.
Maybe it’s best to treat it as a long term plan and hope you luck into parts reasonably versus hunting them up and having to pay a premium.

[GunnyMack]

The headspace isn't a problem, just need to either chase the chamber and/or set it back and then case the chamber to get it right. As for a stock look for a Houge over mould, fairly inexpensive.
I know it was a gift but there is always putting it up for sale on G.I. or G.A. Try to make enough to off set buying something you want.

[TedH]

I'm hoping he finds the bolt. He's in the middle of downsizing and moving right now. He thought it was around there still, so I'm going to give it a couple of weeks and see if it turns up.

[Pat C]

Keep a check at everygunpart .com . Not sure if Pacific Tool makes Winchester bolts or not.

[765x53]

Keep a check at everygunpart .com . Not sure if Pacific Tool makes Winchester bolts or not.

Also keep an eye on the Gun Busters page on Gun Brokers.https://www.gunbroker.com/all/search?in ... ageindex=2

[Pat C]

Ted, This is the type rifle to make it worth tge money think of having a custom fancy checkered stock and accuracy work.
Make it a treasure then you want mind the cost.

[2ndovc]

You'll think of something cool to do with it. Keep checking gunbroker for parts. I've bagged some pretty rare pieces on there for project over the years.

Have fun with it, can't hurt it now

jb

[EdinCT]

Years ago a friend cleaned out a widows basement and had a bucket of gun parts. In it was a Remington Model 11 receiver and magazine tube and I told him what it was anyhow several of the men I hunted with had the when I was a boy. He said take it, a barrel 240.00. A spring kit from ART's 120.00 and a forearm from Numrich for 60.00 and I have a 420.00 Model 11 worth 300.00, It kept me off the streets and is fun to shoot trap with but its full choke isn't the most useful but all the other barrels were pitted mess's
so I recommend be very patient in your search if you don't want to be upside down.
I don't smoke or drink more than a few a year so I guess it's my vice money.

[GunnyMack]

Check out gun parts Corp, they show stripped bolts and stocks in stock. I didn't look for firing pin, spring, extractor, ejector or bolt shroud but they have stock!

[Streetstar]

I gave a 1991 S-15 GMC to my buddy for his 14-15 year old kid (legal to drive with a farm stamp) --- 3 years ago pr so , so not compl;etely ancient history

Was non functional at the time for any number of reasons

He approached me not vice versa but i cautioned him that a "Free Truck" is often a very expensive truck

[44shooter]

A new M70 costs at least $1200. Clean it really well and put it away. Be patient, the bolt and maybe other parts may show up. If not, you can take your time shopping around and getting what you need. That Winchester isn’t eating anything

[TedH]

A new M70 costs at least $1200. Clean it really well and put it away. Be patient, the bolt and maybe other parts may show up. If not, you can take your time shopping around and getting what you need. That Winchester isn’t eating anything

Patience has never been my strong suit.
Scouring the interwebs for the correct parts for this rifle has turned up everything I need to make it complete and as original for about 4 Benjamins. Ebay, Numrich, and Gunbroker all came into play, and it's all on the way.

[GunnyMack]

There you go, easy enough. Only thing you'll possibly need are headspace gauges and a finish reamer, brass, bullets dies, primers and powder !

[TedH]

There you go, easy enough. Only thing you'll possibly need are headspace gauges and a finish reamer, brass, bullets dies, primers and powder !

I already load for a M1, so ammo is good. If the head space is excessive it may get reamed to 300 Sherman

[GunnyMack]

That's one way to skin that cat- go bigger!

[Bridger]

A new M70 costs at least $1200. Clean it really well and put it away. Be patient, the bolt and maybe other parts may show up. If not, you can take your time shopping around and getting what you need. That Winchester isn’t eating anything

Of course it is worth pointing out that a new model 70 is the much more sought after CRF whereas a 1975 model is a push feed. Regardless it’s still a worthwhile project in my opinion.

[marlinman93]

I see Model 70 bolts on Ebay all the time at around $249. Occasionally less if you look often, and long enough.

[44shooter]

A new M70 costs at least $1200. Clean it really well and put it away. Be patient, the bolt and maybe other parts may show up. If not, you can take your time shopping around and getting what you need. That Winchester isn’t eating anything

Of course it is worth pointing out that a new model 70 is the much more sought after CRF whereas a 1975 model is a push feed. Regardless it’s still a worthwhile project in my opinion.

This is true. New ones are CRF and very well made. That pusher is still a sound action worth saving

[JB]

A new M70 costs at least $1200. Clean it really well and put it away. Be patient, the bolt and maybe other parts may show up. If not, you can take your time shopping around and getting what you need. That Winchester isn’t eating anything

Of course it is worth pointing out that a new model 70 is the much more sought after CRF whereas a 1975 model is a push feed. Regardless it’s still a worthwhile project in my opinion.

Also worth pointing out that you can buy a used synthetic stock Model 70 for $400 or less, at least in my area.

[AJMD429]

I'm hoping he finds the bolt. He's in the middle of downsizing and moving right now. He thought it was around there still, so I'm going to give it a couple of weeks and see if it turns up.

A sure way to make it turn up is to order one - as soon as payment clears, the old one will turn up.

Happens to me with stuff all the time (especially hand tools).

[TedH]

I'm hoping he finds the bolt. He's in the middle of downsizing and moving right now. He thought it was around there still, so I'm going to give it a couple of weeks and see if it turns up.

A sure way to make it turn up is to order one - as soon as payment clears, the old one will turn up.

Happens to me with stuff all the time (especially hand tools).

Well, you were right! Today I get a text from him. I FOUND THE BOLT!
At least the rifle will have the matching bolt now. And I'll have a bolt for sale on Ebay.

[Pat C]

I wonder if it headspaces better ?

[TedH]

I wonder if it headspaces better ?

I will let you know. I'm going to try to get back over to his place this weekend and pick it up.

[TedH]

I wonder if it headspaces better ?

I picked up the original bolt today. It does indeed headspace better. It won't even begin to close on the no-go gauge. Should be a good shooter. I completed refinishing the stock and it turned out really nice.
Waiting on some Oxphoblue from Brownells to get the metal touched up and that should be it.

[Pat C]

Sweet