Make: Winchester

Model: 70 Carbine, Catalog No. G7022C

Serial Number: 51132

Year of Manufacture: 1946

Caliber: .250-3000 Savage

Action Type: Internal Magazine-Fed Bolt Action Rifle

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a hooded, textured, ramped base integral to the barrel. There is a dovetailed boss at the rear of the barrel, currently filled with a blank. The chamber ring is drilled, tapped and filled for an optic mount (none present), the bridge is not drilled. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 48 WJS receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The assembly numbers on the Lyman mount and sight-arm are non-matching.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, checkered steel buttplate and sling swivels front and rear. The stock has been relieved for the receiver sight. The stock has a few light nicks and small scratches. The wood is slightly shy to the buttplate at the toe on the left. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the plate. The plate has scattered wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has some light wear on each side at the muzzle-end. The floorplate has scattered spots of minor oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the rifle is in Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70 is an iconic American sporting rifle that has been a staple of hunters for more than 80 years; reliable, robust, and accurate, it is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. It has more than earned its nickname of “The Riflemans Rifle“, a true icon. This is a pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 Carbine that is chambered in .250 Savage. This is a fairly scarce variant, the Carbines made up about 1.25% of Pre-64 Model 70 production and there were only about 2,750 of any configuration chambered for the .250-3000 Savage. This early smokeless cartridge was developed in 1915 by Charles Newton for the Savage Model 99 and was the first American cartridge to achieve a velocity of 3,000 FPS. It is a double-duty round suitable for both varmints and deer and while not as common as other rounds, loadings are still available.

As a scarce variant, it is no surprise that the barrel's '41 date code pre-dates its 1946 receiver. There's no telling how long it was between orders for .250-3000 Carbines. The bottom of the barrel is also marked "25-3 S" indicating its chambering. The stock has been relieved for the installed Lyman receiver sight, but otherwise shows little wear. In Fine condition, this pre-64 Model 70 Carbine will take a prized place in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!