Winchester 1894 re-barrel question

sjstrey

sjstrey

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I have a couple 30-30s. One of them is a pre-64 in really great shape, and I'm wondering where I could have it re-barrelled or re-bored for either 38-55 or 375win ... maybe 356win. Or, where I can buy a barrel. The only barrel guy I've ever dealt with was JC, and he was great, but before I reach out to him I thought I'd ask if anyone on here can recommend anyone.

My preference would be to have it re-bored and chambered. It's a very nice rifle, and I don't want to bubba it up.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
 
356 will be too high pressure for an original 94. 375 is similar. There's a reason those rounds only came in the Big Bore models. 38-55 would work, and finding a barrel not all that difficult. There will be feeding issues that need addressing too, of I remember correctly. 30-30 to 32 Special works pretty good. - dan
 
I have pre and post 94 Winchesters plus the big bore model 94’s. There is a big difference in the amount of metal in the big bore 94’s. They added metal to the receiver allowing higher pressure rounds to be used. The older 94’s will not handle the increased pressure of rounds such as 307 Winchester, 356 Winchester or 375 Winchester. Simpler to just go and buy a 94 in the caliber you want. If you changed barrels on the older 94’s 38-55 would be an easier change over. Same head size as 30-30
 
And the 38-55 is the parent case ..........don't know about 94's linkage but my Marlin formerly in 30-30 required no alterations to cycle 38-55 after a re-bore. Had Ron do a 1-16 twist at .376" to permit use of both .375 and .377 bullets.
 
Rebarreling a 94 starting with a blank would be an expensive operation. Lots of billable hours.

Installing a take-off is likely going to be more cost effective, assuming that a suitable barrel can be found.

From the number of posts about reboring, I suspect that a shop set up to do the work would find it to be a worthwhile business.
 
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