Sears/Ted Williams 73 30-06

smee78 · June 25, 2016, 07:49 PM

So I was watching an interesting little rifle at a local pawnshop. I called to check on it after a few weeks and it was just reduced in price so I went ahead and put it on lay-a-way. The rifle in question is a Sears / Ted Williams 73 in 30-06, I know they are Winchesters, I believe model 670's with the blind mag, it is in OK shape and came with a Tapco 3X9 scope installed (I know not much value there) but I was able to get it for $214 total.

I know they are not highly priced due them not being marked Winchester but I wanted to get an opinion from TFL on this purchase? As long as it shoots good I am happy with the purchase. Anyone have one or shoot one? Thanks

jmr40 · June 25, 2016, 07:52 PM

The 670 was made in 2 configurations. One with the traditional 3 position safety just like on the 70. They also made a few with a 2 position safety very similar to the Remington design. Other than that the 670 is really just a push feed model 70. I'm not nearly as familiar with the Sears branded rifles. But it should be a nice rifle, especially for that price.

smee78 · June 25, 2016, 09:00 PM

This example has the traditional 3 position safety just like on the model 70 post 64 guns. It also has a jeweled bolt and the hi rise see through scope mounts, I am not a fan of these and will likely swap them out lol.

T. O'Heir · June 27, 2016, 03:01 PM

Most of 'em are plain old M70's. A 670 was an entry level version like the current Rem M700 SPS. Produced until 1979. Three flavours. 19-inch-barreled carbine, a 22-inch "Sporting Rifle" and a 24-inch magnum.
"...hi rise see through scope mounts..." Couldn't agree more. Regular M70 bases and rings will fit.
That Tapco or Tasco? Either way it's serviceable, but also low end. Had a fixed 4x Tasco on my Cooey M71(a poor man's M70A), years ago, that work just fine until it stopped working. Put a bore sighter on it and watched the reticle bounce left and right every time I opened and closed the action.
"...for $214..." Receiver's worth more than that. Know a guy who built a custom 17.5 pound .300 Win Mag 1,000 target rifle on a Win M70A action. Original walnut stock is on my Cooey now.

Remington74 · June 27, 2016, 03:34 PM

For $214 you stole it.

It should be a great gun, great caliber and solid as a rock.

I have a couple of sears/ted Williams rifles and in my opinion they are great values.

Enjoy it.

ballisti · June 28, 2016, 09:55 AM

The push-feed model 70 action is one of the best, if not the best American-made push-feed action ever.

I had a model 70 Sporter Magnum from the push-feed era in .338WM that was absolutely reliable, a great gun.

Pathfinder45 · June 28, 2016, 11:33 AM

I think they are better rifles than the Remington 700.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · June 28, 2016, 12:36 PM

Not all Ted Williams center fires bolts were Winchesters model 70s or 670s. Some Sears bolts were contracted/built by Husqvarna Winchester Marlin Savage & Mossberg. No I don't own one but I've seen a few over the years up close i.e. (Ted Williams bolts and levers) I know the Sears model 53 c/f was built by Savage. That's for sure and for certain.
Those well cared for. A price tag of 214.00.>in good shape. You did well.

RC20 · June 28, 2016, 01:22 PM

You did fine, let us know how it shoots.

I will disagree with you on the high rise scope rings.

Back when I was hunting I had that setup for maybe three reasons.

1. We hunted in and out of brush, a bear encounter you needed to shoot in is not the place to think you can use a scope.

2. If the scope went out or off, I still had iron sights and I could hit what I aimed at out to 250 yds at least.

3. In the brush if there was a quick good shot on game, you were not going to get it with a scope.

When I sold it the guy who bought it was delighted with the setup.

Something to think about.

damienph · June 28, 2016, 05:54 PM

For $214 I certainly would have bought it too. .30-06 is one of my favorite centerfire chamberings.
I never have liked the "see-through" rings either but my Dad used them on just about every rifle that he had and took more whitetail and mule deer in his 60+ years of hunting than I ever will.

Enjoy your new rifle!

smee78 · June 29, 2016, 10:06 AM

Thanks everyone, I am sure I will like the gun. I just cant wait to pick it up and get it printing on paper to see what grn load it likes. And yes that's Tasco not Tapco.

Salmoneye · June 29, 2016, 12:13 PM

Cross reference to this page:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Brand-C...ce.htm?page=12

smee78 · July 2, 2016, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the link, interesting.

Pathfinder45 · July 2, 2016, 04:51 PM

If you were me, you would replace the Tasco ASAP with a Leupold, most likely a 3-9×40. Even a 50-year-old Weaver K4 steel scope has my respect.

damienph · July 2, 2016, 09:08 PM

I do like Leupold and prefer them over most others. But to be fair, some of the older Japanese manufactured Tasco scopes were pretty decent quality. Not saying better than or as good as any Leupold but not bad scopes.

I like the old El Paso steel tube Weavers too (and have a 4x and a 2.5x) but I've found that many don't seem to gather much light and don't work very well except in very bright sunlight. They are tough though, while my 4x is mounted on a .223 Savage 340, which has a very mild recoil, the 2.5x is on my .45-70 Guide Gun and has held up very well.

smee78 · July 3, 2016, 12:30 PM

Yep a Leopold 3x9x40 will likely be what goes on it. I have the same scope on a few rifles and it is a pleasure to shoot. I first got to pick her up from lay-a-way, then I will put a few round through her to check for function and see how she shoots as she sits.

smee78 · August 21, 2016, 01:25 PM

Well I finally picked up my "new to me" rifle, after a little lube (she was dry and dirty) she is smooth as snot. I plan on getting her out to shoot once this weather cools a little and shooting her as she sits. The only complaint I have right now is the barrel is almost free floated all the was except at the front/tip I don't want to do anything until I shooter her to see how she is. I will likely remove a little material to get it completely free floated. I will post a few pic's when I get a chance.

Pathfinder45 · August 21, 2016, 02:37 PM

You can always free-float it later. Leave off that, for now, and see how it shoots without floating. Definitely clean the bore thoroughly with a good copper removing solvent.

Dranrab · August 21, 2016, 05:18 PM

Leupold VX1 scopes have a $50 rebate right now.

marines6433 · August 21, 2016, 06:00 PM

Looking forward to a report and some pictures!

GunXpatriot · August 21, 2016, 06:15 PM

Really cool find, as others have said. I actually wasn't aware they still branded guns with Ted Williams. I have a JC Higgins 42 DLM .22 magnum, which is a re-branded Marlin 980DL. Pretty nice old workhorse, and and heirloom gun from grandpappy.

But like I said, I thought Sears stopped selling guns after the JC Higgins branding.

I did a video on my gun here, if anyone's interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFEWDIZHAo0

.

smee78 · August 22, 2016, 04:12 PM

They are not still making them, this is a used gun.

Ya I was not going to do anything to the gun until I shot it but a Leupold VX1 sounds right up my alley.

natman · August 22, 2016, 06:15 PM

Quote:

I actually wasn't aware they still branded guns with Ted Williams.....
But like I said, I thought Sears stopped selling guns after the JC Higgins branding.

Sears sold guns under the J.C. Higgins brand until about 1962. They then switched to the Ted Williams name, which they used until they stopped selling guns in the late 80's.

Auto5 · August 22, 2016, 08:30 PM

Don't overlook the "store brands". My brother picked up near perfect old Ted Williams (Winchester 94) for $200.00 last year.

doofus47 · August 23, 2016, 10:06 AM

Good catch! Get that girl to the range!

June 25, 2016, 07:49 PM	#1
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Sears/Ted Williams 73 30-06 So I was watching an interesting little rifle at a local pawnshop. I called to check on it after a few weeks and it was just reduced in price so I went ahead and put it on lay-a-way. The rifle in question is a Sears / Ted Williams 73 in 30-06, I know they are Winchesters, I believe model 670's with the blind mag, it is in OK shape and came with a Tapco 3X9 scope installed (I know not much value there) but I was able to get it for $214 total. I know they are not highly priced due them not being marked Winchester but I wanted to get an opinion from TFL on this purchase? As long as it shoots good I am happy with the purchase. Anyone have one or shoot one? Thanks __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

June 25, 2016, 09:00 PM	#3
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	This example has the traditional 3 position safety just like on the model 70 post 64 guns. It also has a jeweled bolt and the hi rise see through scope mounts, I am not a fan of these and will likely swap them out lol. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

June 27, 2016, 03:01 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Most of 'em are plain old M70's. A 670 was an entry level version like the current Rem M700 SPS. Produced until 1979. Three flavours. 19-inch-barreled carbine, a 22-inch "Sporting Rifle" and a 24-inch magnum. "...hi rise see through scope mounts..." Couldn't agree more. Regular M70 bases and rings will fit. That Tapco or Tasco? Either way it's serviceable, but also low end. Had a fixed 4x Tasco on my Cooey M71(a poor man's M70A), years ago, that work just fine until it stopped working. Put a bore sighter on it and watched the reticle bounce left and right every time I opened and closed the action. "...for $214..." Receiver's worth more than that. Know a guy who built a custom 17.5 pound .300 Win Mag 1,000 target rifle on a Win M70A action. Original walnut stock is on my Cooey now. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 29, 2016, 10:06 AM	#11
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Thanks everyone, I am sure I will like the gun. I just cant wait to pick it up and get it printing on paper to see what grn load it likes. And yes that's Tasco not Tapco. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are Last edited by smee78; June 29, 2016 at 05:58 PM.

July 2, 2016, 03:03 PM	#13
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Thanks for the link, interesting. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

June 25, 2016, 07:52 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	The 670 was made in 2 configurations. One with the traditional 3 position safety just like on the 70. They also made a few with a 2 position safety very similar to the Remington design. Other than that the 670 is really just a push feed model 70. I'm not nearly as familiar with the Sears branded rifles. But it should be a nice rifle, especially for that price.

June 27, 2016, 03:34 PM	#5
Remington74 Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2012 Location: Carthage, NY Posts: 231	For $214 you stole it. It should be a great gun, great caliber and solid as a rock. I have a couple of sears/ted Williams rifles and in my opinion they are great values. Enjoy it.

June 28, 2016, 09:55 AM	#6
ballisti Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2016 Posts: 144	The push-feed model 70 action is one of the best, if not the best American-made push-feed action ever. I had a model 70 Sporter Magnum from the push-feed era in .338WM that was absolutely reliable, a great gun.

June 28, 2016, 11:33 AM	#7
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I think they are better rifles than the Remington 700.

June 28, 2016, 12:36 PM	#8
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Not all Ted Williams center fires bolts were Winchesters model 70s or 670s. Some Sears bolts were contracted/built by Husqvarna Winchester Marlin Savage & Mossberg. No I don't own one but I've seen a few over the years up close i.e. (Ted Williams bolts and levers) I know the Sears model 53 c/f was built by Savage. That's for sure and for certain. Those well cared for. A price tag of 214.00.>in good shape. You did well.

June 28, 2016, 01:22 PM	#9
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	You did fine, let us know how it shoots. I will disagree with you on the high rise scope rings. Back when I was hunting I had that setup for maybe three reasons. 1. We hunted in and out of brush, a bear encounter you needed to shoot in is not the place to think you can use a scope. 2. If the scope went out or off, I still had iron sights and I could hit what I aimed at out to 250 yds at least. 3. In the brush if there was a quick good shot on game, you were not going to get it with a scope. When I sold it the guy who bought it was delighted with the setup. Something to think about.

June 28, 2016, 05:54 PM	#10
damienph Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 319	For $214 I certainly would have bought it too. .30-06 is one of my favorite centerfire chamberings. I never have liked the "see-through" rings either but my Dad used them on just about every rifle that he had and took more whitetail and mule deer in his 60+ years of hunting than I ever will. Enjoy your new rifle!

June 29, 2016, 12:13 PM	#12
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Cross reference to this page: https://www.gunpartscorp.com/Brand-C...ce.htm?page=12

July 2, 2016, 04:51 PM	#14
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	If you were me, you would replace the Tasco ASAP with a Leupold, most likely a 3-9×40. Even a 50-year-old Weaver K4 steel scope has my respect.

July 2, 2016, 09:08 PM	#15
damienph Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 319	I do like Leupold and prefer them over most others. But to be fair, some of the older Japanese manufactured Tasco scopes were pretty decent quality. Not saying better than or as good as any Leupold but not bad scopes. I like the old El Paso steel tube Weavers too (and have a 4x and a 2.5x) but I've found that many don't seem to gather much light and don't work very well except in very bright sunlight. They are tough though, while my 4x is mounted on a .223 Savage 340, which has a very mild recoil, the 2.5x is on my .45-70 Guide Gun and has held up very well.

July 3, 2016, 12:30 PM	#16
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Yep a Leopold 3x9x40 will likely be what goes on it. I have the same scope on a few rifles and it is a pleasure to shoot. I first got to pick her up from lay-a-way, then I will put a few round through her to check for function and see how she shoots as she sits. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

August 21, 2016, 01:25 PM	#17
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	Well I finally picked up my "new to me" rifle, after a little lube (she was dry and dirty) she is smooth as snot. I plan on getting her out to shoot once this weather cools a little and shooting her as she sits. The only complaint I have right now is the barrel is almost free floated all the was except at the front/tip I don't want to do anything until I shooter her to see how she is. I will likely remove a little material to get it completely free floated. I will post a few pic's when I get a chance. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

August 21, 2016, 02:37 PM	#18
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	You can always free-float it later. Leave off that, for now, and see how it shoots without floating. Definitely clean the bore thoroughly with a good copper removing solvent.

August 21, 2016, 05:18 PM	#19
Dranrab Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Location: NOLA Posts: 203	Leupold VX1 scopes have a $50 rebate right now.

August 21, 2016, 06:00 PM	#20
marines6433 Member Join Date: August 14, 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 57	Looking forward to a report and some pictures! __________________ Are we there yet?

August 21, 2016, 06:15 PM	#21
GunXpatriot Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2011 Location: New York Posts: 393	Really cool find, as others have said. I actually wasn't aware they still branded guns with Ted Williams. I have a JC Higgins 42 DLM .22 magnum, which is a re-branded Marlin 980DL. Pretty nice old workhorse, and and heirloom gun from grandpappy. But like I said, I thought Sears stopped selling guns after the JC Higgins branding. I did a video on my gun here, if anyone's interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFEWDIZHAo0 . __________________ Targets4Free, High-quality free printable shooting targets! http://targets4free.com

August 22, 2016, 04:12 PM	#22
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	They are not still making them, this is a used gun. Ya I was not going to do anything to the gun until I shot it but a Leupold VX1 sounds right up my alley. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

August 22, 2016, 08:30 PM	#24
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Don't overlook the "store brands". My brother picked up near perfect old Ted Williams (Winchester 94) for $200.00 last year. __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

August 23, 2016, 10:06 AM	#25
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	Good catch! Get that girl to the range! __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.