Model 94 .356 Win

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blueoval56

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Hello all,
I've perused this site for a long time, mostly just taking in as much information as I can get, but now I have a question I was hoping you all might be able to help me with.

This weekend my father decided to thin his collection and I came into a few new additions to the safe. One of them being a Winchester Model 94AE chambered in .356 Win. I already own a Model 94 in 30-30 but it's such an interesting rifle I couldn't pass it up.

My question is does anyone know anything about this rifle or what it's worth? And more specifically infomation about this caliber. I went looking for ammo this weekend and after 3 failed attempts I found 100 rounds at a local shop. The fellow behind the counter said they had been sitting there for years. So I bought them all. I'm just starting to get into reloading but I'm having a lot of trouble finding any information on the cartridge. The rifle itself is in absolutely MINT condition(I'll try and post some pics if I can get my camera working again). Am I going to end up with a paper weight after those 100 rounds are gone?
 
I have a 94AE in 356 win also.....checkered stocks, high polish blueing etc. The 356 Win cartridge originated in 1982 in the "big bore 94's" and was in production till the 90's. From what I've seen they go from $550 used to $800 ish new in the box. But it's worth whatever you sell it for :). It was noted as the best "big bore 94 cartridge" the others being the 307 and 375 win. Keep it and enjoy it! What was the ammo worth per box? Just curious.
 
Thanks sms0000, I appreciate the info. Sounds like we have the same rifle, mine also has checkered stock(looks like walnut) and highly polished blueing. There isn't a mark on it and looks like it's been shot very little if at all. My father bought it off a freind of his years ago and never shot it, hence why he doesn't know anything either. I have no intentions of selling it, I think it makes a nice addition to my lever rack. Plus it doesn't sound like there are too many floating around. That ammo I picked up was $48.00 per box of 20. Deffinately not cheap, but I found a few american sites selling brass so maybe I can convince a company up here to bring some up. I'll check out that magazine ad too.
 
Learn to reload and no problems again.

You can use 307Win brass too as the 356Win dies usually will bump up the neck to .358" no problems. Be a pack rat and be sure to save that brass you have after firing. It can be reloaded many times over if loads are kept within spec.

It's really a great big game thumper cartridge with 250FNs and with 220SpeerFNs. MT Chambers has a cast bullet around 250gr I believe that shoots accurately according to Ben.

My 356Win (in a Marlin lever) has killed two moose with factory 200gr loads (previous owner) and I've shot a few bears with 250gr handloads. For some years it was my bear "go to" rifle. The 250s are better if using it on moose and bear IMO. I think the local gun emporium has a box or two of out-of-print Winchester factory 250gr loads at probably around $40 but might be more. He probably has brass too. If interested I can PM the contact info.

You got a good rifle there.
 
356

Keep the the rifle, my friend! I have all the big bores, 307 356 375 and the little bores too, in Winchester 94's. I am a lever fan to say the least. Get into reloading and experiment with the good info, get all the reloading books. There is a lot of interesting reading & info in all of them. You'll love the 356, as I do! The dude that I bought the 356 from has contacted me a few times and wants to buy her back, but no chance, she's mine now, all mine. Your gun as decribed is worth about $600. Will take the right buyer at the right time to get it. Good luck & happy shoot'n.
>two-dogs
 
You have a good rifle, as others have said. I owned one since 1994 when I bought it as a "centennial " project. Just sold it last year. I used it to kill a moose, an elk, and a couple of deer. Worked fine. My interests have since shifted to classic bolt rifles, but that little '94 handled very well and shot accurately. The .356 Win is the very best lever gun cartridge ever invented IMHO, pity that it hasn't survived the long range mania that is sweeping the hunting rifle world recently. Mine liked the Speer 220 FN bullet and IMR 4064 powder for about 2300 FPS. Both deer that I shot were less than 10 yards, the moose was at 250. All died very quickly.
 
model 94 356 AE

blueoval56 said:
Hello all,
I've perused this site for a long time, mostly just taking in as much information as I can get, but now I have a question I was hoping you all might be able to help me with.

This weekend my father decided to thin his collection and I came into a few new additions to the safe. One of them being a Winchester Model 94AE chambered in .356 Win. I already own a Model 94 in 30-30 but it's such an interesting rifle I couldn't pass it up.

My question is does anyone know anything about this rifle or what it's worth? And more specifically infomation about this caliber. I went looking for ammo this weekend and after 3 failed attempts I found 100 rounds at a local shop. The fellow behind the counter said they had been sitting there for years. So I bought them all. I'm just starting to get into reloading but I'm having a lot of trouble finding any information on the cartridge. The rifle itself is in absolutely MINT condition(I'll try and post some pics if I can get my camera working again). Am I going to end up with a paper weight after those 100 rounds are gone?
Click to expand...

honestly... it was discontinued..as were a number of the post 64 "epiphanies" that Winchester came up with.. It is a post 64 angle eject very uncollectable model 94.. They did a 375 that went the same way as the gooney bird.. Nice rifles... no demand... If it works for you... use it!!! If you collect winchesters... go pre 64..
 
thecoug said:
honestly... it was discontinued..as were a number of the post 64 "epiphanies" that Winchester came up with.. It is a post 64 angle eject very uncollectable model 94.. They did a 375 that went the same way as the gooney bird.. Nice rifles... no demand... If it works for you... use it!!! If you collect winchesters... go pre 64..
Click to expand...
I'm not a win 94 collector by any means, but I would totally disagree with this statement. Due to the fact that the rifle was a failure in the market, there where reasonably few ever made. This is exactly what winchester collectors start drooling for.
Mike
 
mike shickele said:
I'm not a win 94 collector by any means, but I would totally disagree with this statement. Due to the fact that the rifle was a failure in the market, there where reasonably few ever made. This is exactly what winchester collectors start drooling for.
Mike
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I cannot accept your comment as being based in anything other than supposition. Go to a gun show in a large city and you will retract your comment if you note what sells and what does not... or I should say at a collectible price.. AE and post 64 winchesters have little if any value to winchester collectors. That is based on experience of 40 plus years of collecting and selling.. If you call 550 dollar rifles collectible, that is truly dillusional!!!!
 
I see differing points of view here:

Those that collect winchesters for the sake of collecting. Therefore investing, based on cash value.(mostly older)

Those that use thier winchesters for big game hunting. Users that utilize these, as they were meant to be used by the manufacturer.
(maybe older or newer)
 
I think they go for about $50 for one in good shape. I will be a gentleman and offer you at least $75. Just kidding. Excellent rifle and a fantastic caliber. I want to try the new Hornady FTX bullet in a .356. Should really bring the cartridge to life. I have the same rifle in .307 and love it. If you find .307 brass, you can use it for reloading as I think someone else mentioned.
 
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