Care and Feeding a Winchester 94 .30-30

[Skinny 1950]

I just bought a used Winchester Model 94 .30-30in very good condition and it is my first centre-fire cartridge rifle, I have two black powder smokepoles which I am familiar with in terms of maintenance. Is there anything I should know about this new rifle which could save me some grief??
Also wondering what would be a good brand of ammo to use with this rifle with re-loading the cases in mind.
Any input appreciated.

 

[iceman2]

Wipe it down and go shoot it. I have had good results with Remington 170 gr both factory and reloading their brass. Buy a few different brands your rifle will tell you what it likes.

 

[Phantom Power]

Don't try and put a round through the loading port with the action open. Clean the magazine tube every now and then. Other than that, keep it oiled and shoot the heck out of it.

My model 94 likes Federal PowerShok 170 gr the best as far as factory ammo goes. I haven't noticed the brass being any better or worse than winchester brass for reloading.

 

[H4831]

The model 94 Winchester is not a black powder design.
It was the first cartridge designed to for the new smokeless powder.

 

[Skinny 1950]

I have seen the light and now have a few smokeless guns one in .45 Colt which I reload smokeless...more shooting and less cleaning.

 

[c-fbmi]

Wipe 'er down and run a lightly oiled patch through the bore and go shooting.
I have so many 94s and variations in 30-30 I've lost track of what shoots what. Bottom line is it is not a bench rifle and almost any factory will shoot as good as the sights will allow. Buy what ever is cheap or on sale and go have fun.

 

[NorthCoastBigBore]

Don't be getting too far off the BP cartridges....still more fun.

x2 the .30-30 doesn't like the Holy Black much

Also x2 on the Remington brass. I have a lot of older Winnie brass that is fine, for new I'd be inclined to avoid Win brass.

 

[Boomer]

If you strip the receiver take care not to loose or damage any of the small parts, as these parts are only interchangeable from 94s made in the same era. Sounds like a great opportunity to start handloading. The .30/30 is a natural for cast bullets and can lead to quite inexpensive and pleasurable shooting.