Winchester 30/30

I am both a Marlin and Winchester guy. If a scope is required go Marlin. If you like a larger fitting rifle go Marlin, if you like sweet handling go Winchester. My Win 94 is a 32 Special from the 50s with a Lyman 66 receiver sight. I love it. My Marlin is a 444 with a Williams FP receiver sight. I consider it the perfect moose rifle ever made, I'm a bit biased. Either one are great rifles but a pre-64 Win is not really a scopeable gun. There are some 94s that are Angle Ejects and decent rifles easily scoped without the pre-64 bragging rights. Research is required as there are better versions, google will educate you quickly.

There is nothing wrong with a 32 Special. A large amount were made and ammo is available were I shop. The 30-30 is just about the most available cartridge and a handloader has an enormous amount of options for bullets, 32 Special don't. If you don't care buy the 30-30. If you plan cast shooting consider the slow twist 32.
 
I think the OP wants a Pre 64 Win-94. In his original post he asked "what to look for" I take that to mean he wishes to know what things to specifically be aware of and look for when he is looking at and examining a 94. How can he tell a good one from a bad one and a so so one and what would be a fair price to pay for each. Alot of you fellas are lever action experts many in the area Winchester levers. I think he wants more specifics. Educate the OP so he can buy something with confidence.
 
I never see .32 special in Alberta, didn't see it much on the islands or in Northern BC either. Same with .35 remington, especially at Canadian tires. Can't even get .44 at the local Canadian Tire.

Saw some in a store in Red Deer today that had an insane ammo selection. Also had a wall full of lever guns, nothing in the fun rounds though.

Better yet, get a Mossberg 464.
Click to expand...

Shouldered one for the first time today at the aforementioned store. The wood on this one was a lot nicer looking than yours, but it still had that "ikea furniture" look to it. I cycled the action on it and a chiappa in .44 mag, take from it what you will but the mossberg was smoother. It also has a good length of pull for me, which is something I've been struggling to find in lever action rifles.

Do you guys think a recoil pad would help me to get a better sight picture on rifles that are too short for me to shoulder correctly?

I like the safety too, but that may be a preference as a mossberg 500 owner...
 
Last edited:
Winchester 30 30 is almost up there with the Enfield 303 as Canada's go to hunting rifle. 30 30 is second to 3006 in
America as their go to hunting round. Marlin makes a great gun, I have 444 and 4570. Winchester 30 30 rifles are
usually found in great condition here. Bought a few myself because of condition and price. Compare used winchester
94 or model 70 prices to new, and you will buy the good condition used ones.
Best score, 1968 308 winchester stripper clip cut heavy barrel target rifle in excellent condition.
 
conor_90 said:
I never see .32 special in Alberta, didn't see it much on the islands or in Northern BC either. Same with .35 remington, especially at Canadian tires. Can't even get .44 at the local Canadian Tire.

Saw some in a store in Red Deer today that had an insane ammo selection. Also had a wall full of lever guns, nothing in the fun rounds though.



Shouldered one for the first time today at the aforementioned store. The wood on this one was a lot nicer looking than yours, but it still had that "ikea furniture" look to it. I cycled the action on it and a chiappa in .44 mag, take from it what you will but the mossberg was smoother. It also has a good length of pull for me, which is something I've been struggling to find in lever action rifles.

Do you guys think a recoil pad would help me to get a better sight picture on rifles that are too short for me to shoulder correctly?

I like the safety too, but that may be a preference as a mossberg 500 owner...
Click to expand...

Yer right about the Chiappa comparison. I don't like their quality, but they do have better looking wood. The safety button on the 464 is same one from the Mossy pump guns, and I'll be darkening the finish on mine to make it less Ikea like. Long armed folks can swap out the recoil pad with a thicker one easy enough.
 
You owe it to the community to buy one of the SS cabelas models to show us poor guys :D

I haven't fired a chiappa, but I don't think I will ever be interested in paying over 1k for a rifle that has been polished to look like it has a patina...
 
conor_90 said:
You owe it to the community to buy one of the SS cabelas models to show us poor guys :D

I haven't fired a chiappa, but I don't think I will ever be interested in paying over 1k for a rifle that has been polished to look like it has a patina...
Click to expand...

You mean this one?
View attachment 18064
Looks decent enough for a rifle that goes fer only 500.oo & it should shoot great to boot. There...I just saved
5 hun by grabbing a pic. On the other hand I just spent 1150.oo on a Steyr Big Bore.:)
 
Those pictures can be deceptive, lets just say even the model I saw today didn't have a stock that looks like the one on mossbergs site. I guess I will have to be the one that bites the bullet on this, not nearly as worried about online ordering now that I have shouldered one.
 
I didn't think looking for a 30/30 would be this much work.... lol

hoping I find one by X-mas...

I had a look at a .32 special, but seller wouldn't budge on price... So im still on the hunt....

Thanks for all the help guys ....
 
Well, at least with a decent .30-30 you have a great selection of bullets to play with, especially if you handload and single load them in the rifle. I'm liking the Mossy 464 more and more now that I'm tinkerin' with 'er. These buggers are the same in general looks, feel & handling as a '94 Winny, but with features and accuracy that are better for hard use in the bush. Sure can't gripe about the value fer the bucks....Fair dinkum.
 
You can also safely dry fire the 464, as with the tang safety on the hammer falls short of the pin.
Also be aware of the second clinch safety on the lever itself. Some traditionalists dislike it. I have no problem with mine.
 
The clinch on the mossbergs seems to be a lot tighter than those on the rossis, at least in the ones that I've seen. It didn't bother me.
 
Reliable has a Rossi lever, octagon barrel on their used rack. Nice, clean looking rifle, but I don't know much about them.

My 1894:

http://3.bp.########.com/-Ut_xs3W0z4s/Ug79TaYysWI/AAAAAAAASNM/PhWqyopMsxM/s1600/P8130022.JPG

Canadian Centennial, beat to hell, but fun to shoot. Previous owner hunted with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom