M70 300 Win Mag

buttshot · Jan 17, 2012

I have my dads rifle and have killed my fair share of deer and elk with it. Will never part with it. Found this on KSL.com and am wondering if this is the only year they were made. If so, how can I find out what year my dads was made?
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=18555060&cat=624&lpid=5&search=

440sixpack · Jan 17, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-12 AT 12:03PM (MST)[p]I hunt with one myself. Winchester listed it as a a new gun in their 1963 catalog with a full page introduction ad. I can copy it and send it to you or someone to post if you want to see it. I don't know how to post a picture here. the wholesale book listed it as the Westerner-Alaskan , which makes sense because it's in between the Westerner ( 264 ) and the Alaskan (338 ).

If you post the first part of the serial number I can tell you within a month of when it was made. they say 63 only but I've seen a few from '62.

buttshot · Jan 17, 2012

PM sent thanks

440sixpack · Jan 17, 2012

Sorry I thought you were sure it was a pre-64, if it doesn't have the claw extractor it's post 64.

My book goes into the early 70's so I should still be able to give you a year if you pm me the front of your serial number.

buttshot · Jan 17, 2012

Pm sent again

440sixpack · Jan 17, 2012

Looks like 1968. They made 52,000 model 70's that year.

buttshot · Jan 17, 2012

Thank you . Now I know, always had wondered.My rother said dad bought that gun the year I was born, he got it a few years later. He did buy a .44 carbine the year my brother was born though. I have both and wish Ruger still made them, I would buy another one and put my dads away as I have done with the .300 win mag.

440sixpack · Jan 17, 2012

You need to hunt with the 300 once in a while just for nostagia, it isn't going to hurt it. I take my uncles 270 Super Grade he bought new in 1957 out every few years, I remember that gun and him carrying it in some of my first memories.

He's long gone but it takes me back every time I carry it.