Cleaning And Caring For An Older Rifle; Pre 64 M70 Winchester
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- čas přidán 25. 01. 2021
- I showed everyone my new to me rifle last week, but before I can start setting this rifle up I need to clean it. So I thought this was the perfect time to do a good cleaning video for a really special older rifle, a Winchester pre '64 model 70 Featherweight chambered in .270 Win.
- Jak na to + styl
I just inherited my grandfather's Winchester M70 Featherweight .270, identical to this gun. It has an original Leupold M7 4X with the box, warranty, receipts, everything dated Christmas day 1959. He never used it, but I will.
Tom a old tooth brush works good for cleaning up the checkering and for years I have waxed all the metal on my firearms. It helps to keep moisture off bare metal and drastically reduces rust. Love them model 70s. I have a 1948 model.
I’m so glad I watched this.
I just recently obtained a 1952 Model 70 that is all original and I just wanted to do a simple cleaning and rust prevention. I had no idea that they used a spray on lacquer instead of an oil based finish on the stock. I was thinking of using some linseed oil. I’m so glad I watched this first.
Thank you for your content. I really enjoy your knowledge and demeanor.
Got 3, all 1955. A 300 H&H, 30-06, and a .308 Feather weight
That is one fine looking Winchester. Made back when Winchester was at their best!
Thanks Kent. And yes Winchester was on a role then. Funny how things can change in just a year or two.
I automatically upvoted before I even started the video. Thanks for taking the time to make this. It is a good feeling when you purchase something that is well worth the money. I know the feeling. I recently bought a "pre-war" model 70 in '06 at a more than fair price.
Nice! I don't think you can do any better than a pre war M70.
Nice job, Tom!
Thanks Donald!
Love the 270, I have a Ruger Mk 1 purchased new in 1980, it's on its 2nd barrel now. Thanks for your down to earth videos.
This man's voice is classic
Good video, I like your style!
I appreciate that!
A good twist on the video would be a 270 showdown. Pre 64 vs Westerner vs Ruger M77 all weather vs Ruger #1. Just take them all out to the range, and see which one shoots the best groups. I doubt there will be enough of a difference to matter in a hunting situation though.
Most all my rifles group adequately, so Sometimes, I just grab the one that feels best to me for what game i am hunting, where i am hunting, and the one I have the most confidence with. That means a lot right there. Great cleaning Video, and good advice on not over cleaning a barrel on an older rifle.
Thanks, I like that carrying them all. And I agree that they're all going to be more than good enough for hunting. But just from a pure accuracy standpoint it will be interesting to see how the Westerner compares to the No.1? Both are heavy rifles and that No.1 on a good day (good day for me) is well under 1/2 MOA. I suspect that Westerner is going to be right there with it with the right load?
Very happy you got that rifle, it obviously has a good home. Also like the barrel down function of the stand you made...good thinking.
Thanks Lee. I saw that barrel function thing somewhere else. I would give them credit but I can't remember where I saw it? But I always thought it was a good idea and I wanted to be sure my stand could do that.
It's amazing how well Dawn dish soap cleans greasy/oily surfaces. That's my go to degreaser for everything in the house, and also works well for a lot of grease in the garage.
It is good stuff.
Tom, another great video ! You know your stuff. I can't find fault in what you do and you have a great taste in firearms.
In some rifles new or used I do go further than just cleaning. Check bedding , firing pin protrusion and trigger pull, polish feed rails and ramps if necessary. Touch up bare steel wit cold blue afterwards. As far as barrel cleaning. A bore scope has taught me what not to do. I learned to not use anything but Hopes and brass brush , JB bore paste or Rem Clean. Always a bore guide even if have to clean from the muzzle. There are cone shaped guides you slide on your cleaning rod to protect the crown. On gas operated autos, be aware of where the gas port hole is in the barrel. Clean the barrel with the rifle upside down if the gas port is on the bottom of the barrel , like Rem. 742 , BAR , M1 rifles and carbines .... ect. Most everything I learned about firearms was the hard way. I do read and study more now before going into uncharted waters. My father always said it cost him a fourtune to educate me and that was before I graduated public school system.
Great video, thanks for sharing how you maintain the sprayed lacquer finished stocks.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great video!
Every time I bring a new rifle through the door whether brand new or used... I always tear them down clean them then reassemble. During the assembly process... I loctite the scope bases.
You wouldn't believe just how many came through the door with loose screws. Action screws scope base screws the ring screws... I'm pretty sure some folks don't check until they've tried sighting their rifle in.
Maybe a good video for you :)
Thanks for sharing this brother
In the video coming out in a few minutes I talked about the poor mounting job on the Westerner I have. It had a really nice high end scope with really nice rings that were one piece with the bases. And they had everything loctite on everything. There was just one problem, one of the screws on the rear base wasn't even in the receiver. I'll always wonder if they got rid of this rifle because they were having some accuracy issues and couldn't figure out why? And yes that would be a good video in the future. I've seen it quite a few times myself.
I always stain/seal the bottom of the butt stock when I take off the butt pad for the first time. I've seen a many otherwise well taken care of vintage firearms receive some damage from moisture getting behind the butt pad and soaking into the wood.
I have a field grade 1957 Model 70 in 30-06. A few field dings, but in great shape, better than me at least. I'm also a 57 model. Thanks for this video.
You're welcome, and it is funny how these rifles hold up better than we do!
I love your you Mr. Tom and your channel, please continue these wonderful, "simple" videos. I only wish that you would organize your channel a little more, when you get a chance. Keep doin what you're doin👍
Thanks, and thanks for your comments about the channel needing to be a little more organized. And I know it needs to be more organized but would you mind commenting more to let me know exactly what you mean? I have a pretty good idea but you're looking at the channel as a neutral observer where I'm not exactly neutral. And it's really helpful for me to get an unbiased opinion of things.
really looking forward to see the old vs new wincheste competition!! Hope you test negative on Covid.
Covid test was negative but Mrs. River has it now? And I'll will be talking about all of that in the video that's coming out in a few minutes.
That is a beautiful Winchester Tom. I follow the exact same process cleaning my rifles so thank you for the confirmation. My workshop is out in a garage as my wife hates the smell of Hoppe’s. I wish Hoppe’s made an aftershave as I would wear it. Of course my sweet wife might leave me if I did so probably a good thing that they don’t. Butchers paste wax does do a great job protecting stocks and woodworking hand tools. I think a “field-grade” firearm is more valuable as it has honest wear and loved on by previous owners. Looking forward to more videos. Stay well.
Thanks Stephen, and I prefer the field grade firearms because I can enjoy using them without having to constantly worry about getting a mark on them. My Dad always said if a man buys a new 4 wheel drive truck the first thing he should do is put a big scratch in the side of it because then he can enjoy using it. It's sort of the same with a rifle.
And I was thinking something similar to what you said about the aftershave when I was making this video. I had a new shooting shirt on in it. I was thinking that's the perfect shirt for this video because you really can't call a shooting shirt or jacket a shooting shirt or shooting jacket if it doesn't smell like Hoppe's! And Mrs. River doesn't seem to share my appreciation for the smell of Hoppe's either.
A company called chiseled face has a rugged aftershave called midnight stag
It smells like your cleaning a gun with some leather
My better half enjoys it too
@@jomommajokes5836 I can't wait to tell Mrs. River about that!
I've been looking for one of those for a long time,I got the money rite here!
I've been looking for awhile myself. Apparently all of the pre64 model 70's were a lot more popular out west which explains why we don't run across to many in these parts.
Best way to find a pre-64 is to befriend older people who have guns they no longer want. That's how I got mine - a friend gave me a 1949 30-06 because he had no one else to GIVE it to. That's right, free...
Martin in South Ga. With that collection on enfields!!
And that would be a mighty fine collection!
Hey Tom , i have a solution for you concerning the 2 winchester model 70’s who may now call you dad😂 ........ the younger of the 2 is already fitted with a scope i take it? Well my suggestion is this . Why dont you keep them both but keep the scoped one as is and use this amazing feather weight for exactly what the name implies , scoping that rifle will be sacrilege in my opinion due to the added weight a scope will introduce to the gun. So leave it as is , i dont know the condition of the iron sights ? Maybe fit the peep sights from the fn to it the do a load development for this .270 with heavier bullets cause youll shoot shorter distances with it due to the iron sights. That way it remains clasic and it will be a brease to walk great distances with ++ mises River will be happy you dont blow more bucks on a new telescope. There that is my 2 cents. Awesome fire arm buddy.
Hi Danie, that's the direction I'm already leaning in and In fact I'm thinking set up my 4 gun set as I planned and make the Featherweight part of my collection that I carry occasionally and for shorter ranges just as you suggested? Basically I just bought the Featherweight because of what it is and I didn't really have a use planned for it. Now I'm trying to fit a round peg in a square hole and that's not going to work. And truthfully I'm not going to want to hunt hard with it. It's going to be a rifle that' I'll want to carry to easy to get to places where I don't have to worry about beating it up. But I think I am going to want a scope on it! You had a great point about leaving it with the irons and using the Westerner for long range which is what the Westerner was made for. But that Featherweight really is a featherweight. It is currently 6lbs 4oz. I think I'm going to want a little extra weight on this one! .270 is a mild recoiling cartridge but it will be interesting to see how mild it is in a 6lb rifle? And the iron sights on it are excellent. Those sights were put on back when people actually used iron sights. And ironically the Westerner even though it's a 2013 has the exact same sights, Williams front bead and Marbles fold down adjustable rear sight dovetailed into the barrel.
Do you notice when working up a load for the model 70 that you have to go toward the ‘hotter’ end of things? I have a 1954 featherweight in 308 that doesn’t group well until one place below highest pressure.
Thank you the video. Excellent content with great presentation and fantastic production values!.
Now do I need another rifle? Your liking of the 270 has got me thinking. I have seen a 250kg+ (550lb) Sambar deer stag killed by a 270. Your video has now got me thinking do I need that heavy 338WM that I lug through mountains of South Eastern Australia for Sambar deer.. Perhaps a lightweight 270 will do.
Keep up the great wok.
@3550rebel I have provided a link to a channel "Hunt Simple" which I think you will find helpful. Subscribe to see all his videos relating to the 270 project. Enjoy. And no, you don't need a 338WM to kill a sambar deer.
czcams.com/video/zaondO-83b8/video.html
Thanks, And that was one big deer!
Hey Tom, great video. But, I have a problem with using WD40 on the metal of any firearm. It forms a buildup over time can cause problems especially on the trigger and safety. My personal preference is to clean with Croil and lubricate with a good quality oil. Great rifle!
Just my opinion but I think WD40 has gotten a bad wrap over the years, and I think that's from so many people using it incorrectly? For me WD40 has one purpose and that is as a penetrating oil which is what it was created for and it does a great job for that. In this case the front sling stud was rusted and seized up and I needed to break it loose and the other screws also had some grud and rust built up on them. That's what WD40 was made for and it did a great job of breaking that stuff loose for cleaning. But it's not a cleaner in of itself or a protector of metal or even a lubricant, and I never use it for those purposes. So for instance on the trigger I don't have to worry about build up because I would never use it on the trigger, safety, or any other parts unless they were just sized up with rust and all of that had to be broken loose and that debris removed. And even then I wouldn't do that but once. It's not anything I would ever do regularly. But I do understand your point.
Hey Tom, I recently purchased a pre 64 Winchester model 70 featherweight chambered in .308. It’s very similar to yours, obviously. I was hoping you could give me some insight in terms of purchasing scope mounts for it. Any suggestions? I really value your expertise in such matters. Thanks.
Excellent "how to" video Tom. I swear you and I are brothers when it comes to firearms. May I be so bold as to make a suggestion on cleaning checkering? I use a "soft" bristle toothbrush and the soapy water. I am anxiously awaiting the shoot off. I had a standard grade Pre64 in 270 from 2000 til 2009 that was MOA all day long. After I had the custom 6.5x55 Swede built in 2000, I sold the gun. Boy oh boy do I regret that !! I have bought and sold so many rifles over the last 25 years I could never remember all of them. My wife once told me that I loved my rifles more than her to which I replied, "well, I love you more than my pistols." She didn't see the humor in that.
Hey, glad to see some people that watched Hunt Simple are finding Tom River!
Great point on the tooth brush, and I really wish I had put that in there! And I'm mounting scopes, sizing brass, and getting everything ready for the range tomorrow morning! I can't wait to see how it turns out either?
And Mrs. River heard me chuckle when I read that part about you loving her more than your pistols. I dared not explain what I was chuckling about.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving "the fear of wife is the beginning of all wisdom" or something like that. Hey, I sent you an email. Hope you got it.
I got a bar 270 afew days ago and i shot it today and it runs flawless. I do want to take it apart and clean and degrease it all. The stock has a chip of wood almost falling off so ill glue it back. The stocks finish is looking like it needs to be redone and im thinking of using boiled linseed oil. I do need to remove surface rust also and clean the barrel out with some hoppes and run cloth thru until its dry and clean. Whats do you think i should use on the stock for finish. Ive done alot of stocks already so im confident enough i can make this bar look brand new again and 100 % working order. I love all guns.
That's a tough call on the finish. The linseed oil or true oil would look good but it's not going to look original. And I'm not sure what you would go with if you wanted to make it look original? Either way I'm sure it's going to be one fine looking rifle!
And since you're interested in working on these older rifles I found a channel you might like. Do a search for Mark Novak, Anvil. That guy has some great content on restoring guns. I think you will really enjoy it. Especially the part about boiling rusted rifle parts in water and using a carding wheel instead of a wire brush on the surface.
Barrel solvent like number 9 needs to be cleaned back out of the barrel with denatured alcohol or it will continue to eat the barrel because all you’re gonna do is clean it with Hoppies 9 and run some up patches through it and then seal it back into the metal with oil
You must clean the solvent out of the barrel with denatured alcohol before you continue to any other steps otherwise the barrel will prematurely fail
I'll have to dig into that a little more. I've been using Hoppies for an awful long time with no problems, but that doesn't mean you aren't right. In this case I didn't follow up with oil so it won't be a problem but I would have followed up with a little oil for long term storage.
I had a 2018 winchester 70 extreme weather in .308 that would not shoot. I loved the rifle but after many different bullet weights, types, and brands best I could do was a 3" group. I traded it off but after these videos I am thinking of giving the model 70 another go. Looking forward to the accuracy testing. Also Mr. Tom what year is your winchester westerner?
It is a 2013. And i would really be interested to know what was going on with that extreme weather? That isn't normal and there was definitely something wrong with that one.
Question for you ????Have you ever taken a Rem model 788 bolt all the way apart down to even removing the firing pin spring ?? The taking part down is easy but I find my myself struggling to compress the spring " new Spring " trying to keep it in line as I try to get it down over the firing pin shaft and then to get the pin back in to secure it. Any tricks up your sleeve. Glad I found your channel its been very informative and enjoyable . Takin a chance Duey Thanks
Sorry but no tricks for that one, and if you find one please share. It's funny how just about all of these various parts come apart pretty easy but getting them back together can be like herding cats!
Brownells sell a tool for taking a remington bolt apart. it works on the 700 - should work on yours.Sinclair firing pin removal tool. #749-004-116 There is another tool for taking the spring and firing pin apart.
Have a Pre '64 Mod 70 FWT .308 that has accumulated a lot of oil in the stock near the grip and the receiver. I am inclined to take it down and clean the stock with #0000 steel wool and mineral spirits and go from there. I know not to strip it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I commented on another video I recently purchased a 1965 model 70 in .300 win mag, all but mint. What finish would it have and what do you suggest to use on its stock, thanks. P.s. I wish I found your channel along time ago, gun smart and humble, 👍
Hi Paul, the stock on that rifle has a polyurethane coating and the only thing you need to do is wipe it down with any mild degresser and a couple of drops of vinegar diluted in water would be perfect. If you ever do get any scratches or rough spots in the finish just go over it with Johnson Furniture and sadly if you use it it will eventually get a few handling marks so don't get upset when that day comes. I hope that helps?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I was pretty sure it was polyurethane but wanted to make sure. She's a beauty queen! Just shoot at range for the most part. I've always wanted a .300 win mag. Been looking for along long time. Patience paid off, too bad it's not a pre 64 but I was born in 1965 and so was gun so I'm happy 😁😁😁 Thanks again sir!
My pre-64 has a replacement laminate stock finished with Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. Tougher than the hubs of hell. Need a sharp knife and some effort to scratch it. Don't ask me how many hours it took to hand inlet that SOB!
I'm sure it took quite a few! I'm going to start refinishing that FN soon. I'm going to recut the checkering and I think I'm going to go all out and use boiled linseed oil? At first I thought about filming it as I go but with how long that project could go especially with drying in between coats I don't think that would work. I suspect this is going to be a look what I did over the past 2 months type video? LOL
Do these older featherweights say featherweight anywhere on the rifle? This looks like the 59 I just bought. But it doesn't say featherweight anywhere.
Yes sir it does say Featherweight. It's on the left side of the barrel and says Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. The Featherweights will also have a hole in the bottom of the round bolt handle.
an empty soda bottle taped over the muzzle catches the"spray" from the wire brush.
Great tip for rifles without iron sights!