Model 94, 7-30 Waters advice.

islander2011

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Good day,

I recently purchased a Model 94 side eject chambered in 7-30 Waters on a whim from this site. I figured this might be a nice light recoiling medium game rifle for my wife and kids. I’m usually more of a Marlin guy, but while I was waiting for the rifle to arrive, I went down the 7-30 rabbit hole about as far as I could go. I purchased a bunch of ammo and reloading dies for the caliber. When the rifle arrived, I was surprised and amazed. The rifle came in the Original box with matching serial number and appears to me to be unfired. It still has the factory oil in the action. Now I’m wondering if I should even start firing this thing or is it more of a collection piece. The serial number puts it at around a 1988 date of manufacture.

What would you guys do? Anybody have an idea of a value?

Any opinions and advice would be welcomed.
 
Guns were meant to be used.

Time to hit the range with your NEW old stock gun!

Enjoy.

Cheers
Jay
P.S. I like that 7-30 Waters caliber, but I'm a Marlin man myself & chose 35Rem in a 336...
 
I vote shoot it. Just take extra care to keep it in good condition. The caliber never really took off in popularity so I wonder what collector value there is. I am sure there are guys that have a hole in their collection that this would fill, but I dont often hear much about these in regards to collector fever.
 
I imagine it wouldn't have much collector value; in those days Model 94's were being stamped out like crazy. However, it is a neat cartridge with low recoil. I say clean out the factory residue, hit it with a fast-flashing lube/protectant, oil/wax the stock, and send rounds downrange. Should be a fine hunting rifle.
 
Also have one and also dated 1980's. Bought it new and also still have the box etc. I use mine for whitetail deer here in Ontario. A rifle was made to be fired. Just my 2 cents
 
So, you are the guy that beat me to the "I'll take it Button" !!!
Congrats , had one before and regret sort of by selling it.
Ken Waters had lots to say about this cartridge .
Shoot it and enjoy it foe what it is...a fine quick handling gun in a unique chambering.
You can even load a pointy bullet to the chamber and follow up with factory rounds by Federal and bullets by sierra.
Good Hunting.
Rob
 
Ha, I was wondering if anyone would chime in about “the one that got away”. I already have enough regret about letting good rifles go, I don’t need to add another to that list. Rob, I guess I beat you to the punch this time, best of luck on all your future gun quests!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Looks like I’m the proud new owner of this unique oddball. I can’t wait to start working with this caliber.
 
Some one with the Blue Book of Gun Values will be able to see what the US market thinks of 7-30 Waters Model 94s. My feeling is unless it is a unique serial number in that unusual cartridge, the only guys looking for collectible ones already have their example and will be trading up for a better one.

Shooting a modern Win 94 is not a crime against nature. There are literally hundreds of thousands of them, and as someone mentioned already, WRA was chugging those guns out of the factory to a receptive market. If you can manage the reloading and load development, get on with it!
 
Winchester was flooding the market with commeratives but not so much with the big bores or the 7-30. I have the 7-30 carbine and the 24” rifle- try finding one of those.
 
Ha, I was wondering if anyone would chime in about “the one that got away”. I already have enough regret about letting good rifles go, I don’t need to add another to that list. Rob, I guess I beat you to the punch this time, best of luck on all your future gun quests!

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Looks like I’m the proud new owner of this unique oddball. I can’t wait to start working with this caliber.

You will be pleasantly surprised at how well it will shoot with very little fuss.
I ran factory ammo in mine, but a buddy played with his and anything he fed it , it shot straight.
He didnt hunt with it, but again it was the ease of everything about it that impressed.I think you scored well in the value department when you compare what you have to what a lot of model 94's have been priced at.
The angle eject with an optic (2-7 Leupold) will also make little fuss in the field too.
congrats and if time permits a pic or two.
Regards,
Rob
 
Rifles are only unfired once, so maybe just see if there is interest in it before you use it. You might be able to make some money and find a less expensive replacement. If nobody bites, then by all means shoot it.
 
Good day,

I recently purchased a Model 94 side eject chambered in 7-30 Waters on a whim from this site. I figured this might be a nice light recoiling medium game rifle for my wife and kids. I’m usually more of a Marlin guy, but while I was waiting for the rifle to arrive, I went down the 7-30 rabbit hole about as far as I could go. I purchased a bunch of ammo and reloading dies for the caliber. When the rifle arrived, I was surprised and amazed. The rifle came in the Original box with matching serial number and appears to me to be unfired. It still has the factory oil in the action. Now I’m wondering if I should even start firing this thing or is it more of a collection piece. The serial number puts it at around a 1988 date of manufacture.

What would you guys do? Anybody have an idea of a value?

Any opinions and advice would be welcomed.

Ye have a nice rifle plus the ammo & loading gear. Get out and work with the bugger. It should be a fine experience. ;)
 
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