Winchester Model 94 & 92 vs Savage 99?

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TheCarpenter

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Hey folks, Just sold my henry and I'm at a bit of a toss up between (mainly) the model 94 winchester in 3030, the model 94 in 44 mag, and the savage 99 in 300 Savage.

My parameters for decision making are these:

Hunting, plinking, reloading.

Hunting:

-Rarely shoot over 50 yards here in Nova scotia, but it happens.
-Mostly white tail, odd black bear
-mainly dense brushy forest, sometimes long open clear spots, corn fields etc.

Plinking:
-I love shooting, I want it to be as affordable as possible. bullet selection, powder is going crazy all the time and I was reloading 308 but looking at these I think they all run about 10 grains less a round, ish.
-Because i want to shoot so much and have one gun that I can really master, do any of these calibers have cheap plinking rounds like FMJ for bullet selection, or bulk ammo I can buy?

Reloading:

-Bullet selection, powder availability & price, brass availability and price, etc.


And does anyone have a large amount of experience with any of these three rifles? pros/cons? are the pre 64 model 94 winchesters REALLY worth tha much more for shooting & hunting? I'm a buy once cry once kind of guy and want one rifle to really call my own, and prefer classic guns without getting way back into things like rolling block rifles. Any of these rifles have any regular problems I should buy parts for and so forth?


Also, as i'm thinking out loud, the model 88 winchester lever guns that come in 308, any good? garbage?

Thanks gun nuts!

The Carpenter
 
If you reload, the 300 Savage all day! I use one in the 99 and it’s easy to shoot and very accurate. If you’re not reloading, ammunition can be expensive and hard to find. I’ve used the 94 in 30-30 and 44 mag, and the 92 in 44 mag. With my old vision they are 50 yard guns at best for me and have that mystique behind them. I’m sure with younger eyes or a rear peep the range could easily be extended.
 
You've asked a tough question! Each one has its place.

From my perspective, a classic 30-30 lever will always be welcome in deer camp. It is 100% appropriate for whitetail. But .... it might be on the light side for even a small bear. The most successful hunter in my father's old hunting camp (ie his cousins, uncles, and some outlaws) used a Ruger .44 semi auto. He dropped big and little bucks, and the only bear taken by those guys. With legal bullets, the .44 will always deliver. I have no experience with a .300 Savage, but put it in the 30-30 camp only a little more versatile on bullet choices.
 
Never been a fan of the 88 but the carbines are okay. Something about that lever throw.

This week, I was handling a basic 99E ( for Economy) in 308. 19 inch barrel.... really nice little rifle, perfect for what you like to do. Lots of bulk ammo around, brass, gun show ammo, and good projectile choice. Rotary vs tube magazine so you can use the pointy bullets. Of course easy to run a standard scope too if that's of interest. The 99s are known to be pretty accurate for a lever gun.
 
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Owned and shot all of them my opinion a pre 64 Win 94 in any caliber slick best handling lever . Owned a 300 and 308 Savage interesting but never loved them sold them. I still have a Win 88 308 carbine with peep sights neat gun but not as slick as a pre 64 94 win. I owned a post 64 Win 94 carbine in 44 mag it was a mute like most all post 64 Win but I do like the 44 Mag. As stated Marlin is a good lever and came in 44 Mag I owned 2 of them when they sold new for a $150 bucks but Todays prices for them is just plain stupid. The 44 mag Marlin would be a good one at the right price. 44mag great for plinking , hunting and reloading. But for me a pre 64 Win 94 was and is the BOMB ! in any caliber.
 
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OP, did you like the way your Henry felt when you raised it to your shoulder, worked the action, and acquired the sights?

The model 94 will be very similar.

The early Model 99 Savage rifles had very good triggers, but the later models, not so good, but could be fixed by someone who knows what they're doing. Care needs to be taken, or you will be looking for discontinued parts.

Other than that, Savage 99s in all models are accurate, strong, with smooth actions and consistent triggers. They aren't as "front heavy" as model 94s, Marlin 94s, or your Henry.

Model 92 Winchesters, or one of the multitude of clones, are just fun and handy.

Be careful when acquiring one of the clones, and make sure to check the bores for chatter marks. It seems to be a real issue, and if you order online, you don't get to pick a good one.

I haven't had an issue with my Mod92 Chiappa, which has a pristine bore, that's nice and smooth, not over or under size, and it shoots well.

I've seen a couple that the same can't be said.

Go to a store and fondle them all, if possible. Choose which type feels best in your hands and off the shoulder.
 
For 50ish yards, the 30-30 94 is awesome. Put a peep sight on it and you'll be all set. The post 64 94's can also be plenty slick. IMHO, the pre64 angle is overhyped.
 
The 300 savage is an excellent cartridge to have if you reload for it. Factory ammunition can be had to find at times. Components are easily available. I have a 99 made in 64. I also cast my own bullets for it. Also have a 99 in 308. Had an accuracy problem when I first bout it. A leather washer around the forearm screw fix it.
I have a Marlin 44 lever and Ruger semi 44. The Ruger has proven itself out past 100m. I also cast my own bullets for them. From your list the 44 is the cheapest to reload for especially using cast bullets. Factory loads are over $1 a round which can add up at the range. The nice thing about the 44 if you reload you can tailor your loads to what you want. I’m still using powder that I paid $125 for a 10lbs keg so 44 don’t cost me much.
If you’re looking for cast bullets you know where I’m at.
 
struff55 said:
the best one to get is one you never mentioned marlin 336
the savage 99 would be the last one to consider the worst lever gun ever made very weak lock up
Click to expand...
Weak lockup? Far more advanced design than 92 or 94 Winchester. Far stronger action. Can handle 50k plus pressures that would turn a 94 into a bomb. Handles pointed bullets well unlike a tube magazine.
If you don't care for the 99, fine. But you cant make bogus claims concerning it.
 
The 94 and 92 are difficult to scope. Most Savage 99 are drilled and tapped for scopes. The 99E in .308 has a reputation as one of the most accurate 99 models ever produced. I think a 99E fitted with an aperture sight or low power scope in .300 Savage or .308 Winchester would be near perfect for your hunting conditions.
Darryl
 
I would pick the 30-30. Components for that and the 44 mag are cheaper and more available then the 300 savage. The 44 should be cheapest of the three but it will limit you on longer shots at some point.
 
I’m wondering what discouraged you about Henry rifle. It seems to be a better choice to buy a brand new rifle with warranty than to risk buying a used one at this point. 94s 336s and 99s in excellent condition will cost close to a new Henry in 30-30.
Im just wondering what made you decide to go this way, other than that I also have a love for old classics.
 
Aesthetically the Winchester is very different from the Savage and for me when I look at the two one speaks to me and one doesn’t…at all.
The Savage has some distinct advantages depending on the model but you have to like how it looks and feels.
At 50 yards any of them will work.
If a scope is in the mix I wouldn’t count out a Marlin 336 either, they’re very good guns.
If you are not using a scope then reloading costs would slightly favour the 44 and it’s a hoot to shoot.
I think the pre-64’s are excellent as is the 30/30 but if cost is a factor and you are reloading consider a pre-64 in the 32 Special as they sell for considerably less which might tip your scale.
 
Rman said:
Really? Tell us more about this?
Worst how?
Weak lock up? How is it weak?

R.
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I think it is just an opinion from personal experience.
Myself I would go with a Model 94 just due to own personal opinion bias having shot both the Winchester and the Marlin.
Winchester fits my had better (right handed) even if I tend to punch myself in the nose with every trigger pull.
First time buyer it may as well be a toss up between the 336 and the 94 or 92 for that matter.
As for the Savage I have been influenced by John Wayne and many other Cowboy/Indian movies of my youth so can not speak to their pros or cons.
One can never have just one lever gun in the gun locker would be my suggestion.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
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