This .300 Win Mag "Westerner - Alaskan" Rifle was produced in 1963. The rifle is in NRA excellent condition.
The original bluing on the rifle is in very good condition, rating at 90%. There is some minor edge wear around the muzzle, a small area of bluing loss above the barrel roll stamp, as well as some light scratches and a small spot of pitting on the floorplate. All parts on this rifle are correct and appear to be original to the rifle. The bolt is correct and serial number matched to the receiver. The bore of the 24" barrel contains some light pitting, and rates a 7 out of 10. Boroscope verified.
The stock of this rifle is professionally restored and in excellent condition. It shows a few light nicks and handling marks, but no cracks, stains, gouges, chips or other noteworthy blemishes.
About the "Westerner-Alaskan"
The history of the .300 Winchester Magnum "Westerner-Alaskan" model 70 is as unique as the chambering itself. Winchester introduced the .300 Win Mag chambering for the model 70 in 1963, which resulted in just one year of production for this pre-64 chambering and only 4,916 pre-64 rifles of this caliber produced.
Using the #1 barrel profile (24" sporter), the .300 Win Mag became the first and only pre-64 magnum chambering to be offered in a 24" barrel length. The .300 Win Mag would join the .338 Win Mag and .375 H&H as the only model 70 magnum rifles which did not have a 26" barrel length - the only apparent distinguishing feature for the rifles Winchester called the "Alaskan" rifles. Unlike the other Alaskans, the .300 Win Mag did not receive the solid red recoil pad, but the vented red pad of the .2654 Win Mag "Westerner" rifle. And with that, the .300 Win Mag became the one and only rifle Winchester ever marketed as the "Westerner-Alaskan".
While what makes a rifle a "Westerner" is straightforward (the vented red pad), students of the model 70 have debated for years exactly what the "Alaskan" designation means - whether it was tied to the unique barrel lengths (magnums at 24"-25"), or for something else. One thing is certain, Winchester was looking to make money: rifles with the Alaskan designation came with a $10 price increase for the .375 in 1960 and $10 higher pricing for the .338 WM and .300 WM, even though there was no real distinguishing features to these rifles beyond the barrel length and chambering. Whatever Winchester's thinking at the time, it has created a uniquely sought after group of rifles which carry the special moniker "The Alaskans". Roger Rule covers this topic in some additional detail on page 231 of his superb book.
NOTE: This rifle must be shipped to an FFL or C&R holder who can complete the transfer. If needed, we are happy to assist you in locating an FFL holder near you who can receive and transfer the rifle to you.
