Make: Winchester
Model: 70 Standard Rifle, “Westerner-Alaskan”, Catalog No. G7036
Serial Number: 560008
Year of Manufacture: The serial number was applied in 1962. Being that this style was first shipped in February 1963, it can be deduced the receiver was made prior to the official introduction of the “Westerner-Alaskan”, and this rifle was assembled with initial production of the new style.
Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “U”-notch sight with a white triangle aiming reference dovetailed to a boss at the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top and left side of the receiver are drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece hand checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted “Monte Carlo” high comb, sling swivels at the front and rear, and a Winchester ventilated orange rubber recoil pad. The checkering is sharp. The wood shows a few light handling and storage marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. This stock rates in about Fine to Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. The bore shows some minor fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98-99% of its metal finish. The metal shows a few light scuffs and scratches. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety has three positions: forward is Fire, all the way to the rear locks both the bolt and trigger, in the middle the trigger is locked, but the bolt can be operated. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Winchester Model 70, known as the “Rifleman’s Rifle”, is one of the most iconic American sporting rifles ever made. It was introduced in 1936 as Winchester’s new and significantly improved bolt-action rifle chambered in big calibers, firing high velocity cartridges capable of taking big game, and for use in so-called big-bore target matches. The Model 70 has been prized by hunters and shooters alike for nearly 90 years, and is one of the benchmarks by which all bolt action rifles are measured. Pre-64 examples of the Winchester Model 70 are held in particularly high esteem.
The .300 Winchester Magnum round was commercially authorized in September 1962, and Model 70 Standard Rifles chambered in that caliber were first shipped in February 1963. These scarce Model 70s are known as “Westerner-Alaskan” rifles, and only 4,916 were made, comprising only about .85% of all pre-64 Model 70 production (there was only about a one year window based on their date of introduction). This example is in Excellent condition, showing little use. It retains 98-99% of its original blued finish, a bright bore with sharp rifling, and tip top mechanics. It’s also a fairly early example, with the serial number applied in late 1962. While this would still make for a great hunting rifle, with .300 Win. Mag. being a popular cartridge for larger game such as moose and elk, this high condition, rare caliber “Westerner-Alaskan” is truly a “collector grade” pre-64 Winchester Model 70.
RIFLE