Winchester '94, How Accurate?
- Thread starter SeamusMac
- Start date
There are lots of standard '94 carbines sround. You should be able to get a decent pre-'64 for $275 - $400. Less for a post '64, $150 up. No reason to accept wear or pitting unless the carbine is cheap. Don't turn your nose up at the reviled ones made just after '64. These may not be as esthetically pleasing, but they work just fine. Now early ones in fine condition can command higher prices.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
The difference between the post and pre -64s depends on condition. What amount of color left, bore shape and woods, rifle or carbine, special additions and Confirmations ie: Saddle Ring Carbines.. the years can also be a factor. For a post 64 which are usually classed as "shooters" and pre 64s which are in decent shape can vary as much as $400 if in near same condition. Most M94 winchesters I have in my "gathering" are pre-1910 and I do not hesitate to take them out and shoot them. calibers vary also in 30-30, 38-55 and 32 Special. I shoot my 1892 25-20s also. It would have to be an awful piece of throw-together gun before I would not trust it enough to shoot it. if in doubt, ask a gunsmith about its saftey for being shot.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
I've owned a few Win 94's in .30-30 over the years. With regards to accuracy, utilizing the factory open sights and shooting factory Winchester 170gr Silvertips, I can usually keep five rounds in 4" circle @ 100 yards. I did have one well worn older 94 with a longer hex barrel that had a Lyman reciever sight. From the bench, that old .30-30 would group five shots in slightly over an inch at 100 yards. My current model 94 isn't the most accurate carbine, but it sure works well for my purpose (slaughtering steers)
A win 94 can be quite accurate. Out of the box you can expect a 2" or so groups at 100yds. I had one that shot pretty decently but was stringing the groups vertically. They groups were tight left to right but a 5 shot group was a bout 4" high.
So what I did was I took the 2 bbl bands off and the forearm. The bbl bands were then sanded on the inside to loosen their grip, be careful not to make them too loose that they won't hold. I also sanded out the bbl channel in the forearm a bit
.
And most importantly, I ground down the screw that holds the magazine cap in place. Try this, take a win 94, back out the mag cap screw a bit until it does not make contact with the bbl, then tighten it, you will see the the bbl actually rise!!!. Grind thsi screw so that it just stops at the bbl when tightend.
I then was able to consitantly get 1.5" groups and no stringing whatsoever!
WHY THE HELL DID I SELL IT???
It was a modern AE model.
So what I did was I took the 2 bbl bands off and the forearm. The bbl bands were then sanded on the inside to loosen their grip, be careful not to make them too loose that they won't hold. I also sanded out the bbl channel in the forearm a bit
.
And most importantly, I ground down the screw that holds the magazine cap in place. Try this, take a win 94, back out the mag cap screw a bit until it does not make contact with the bbl, then tighten it, you will see the the bbl actually rise!!!. Grind thsi screw so that it just stops at the bbl when tightend.
I then was able to consitantly get 1.5" groups and no stringing whatsoever!
WHY THE HELL DID I SELL IT???
It was a modern AE model.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Did I tell you to do that? (No, not sell it)
I've given that advice to a lot of '94 users over the years. It can make a hell of a difference to some rifles.
A test to see if it's worthwhile is simple.
Remove the magazine, and forend. If the rifle now shoots smaller groups (single loaded) You can benefit from proceeding with the steps above.
As to why you sold it
94's in good condition should be capable of 2" groups, if you are, and remember, a '94 has a short sight radius, generally not a great trigger pull, and is a light gun, it may take some practice.
Did I tell you to do that? (No, not sell it)
I've given that advice to a lot of '94 users over the years. It can make a hell of a difference to some rifles.
A test to see if it's worthwhile is simple.
Remove the magazine, and forend. If the rifle now shoots smaller groups (single loaded) You can benefit from proceeding with the steps above.
As to why you sold it
94's in good condition should be capable of 2" groups, if you are, and remember, a '94 has a short sight radius, generally not a great trigger pull, and is a light gun, it may take some practice.
Yes you did.
John Spartan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Just a little more to the right...
Tune one up properly and handload for it - one should be able to get less than 2 inch groups at 100 yards.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
I had a carbine a few years back that grouped just over 1 MOA scoped (3 shots) and about 2 MOA with a peep. I just picked up another recently (post-'64) and have so far only fired one box of ammo at 50 yards with a Williams peep. First group was 3/4 inch, the subsequent groups from the warm (not hot) barrel were about 1.25 inches for 3 shots. this with Fed 170 factory fodder.
I've mounted a 3 to 9X scope for range testing and made up a box of my pet handload, the Speer 150 FP and Reloder 15; I'm expecting to see 1.5 MOA or so. Then I'll pop the scope off and put the peep back on; I find the side-mount scope too awkward to put up with for my intended use for the rifle.
I've heard it said, and I agree wholeheartedly, that there is no problem with Model 94 accuracy; until the advent of the Angle Eject, they just were difficult to put a truly precise aiming system on(okay, a scope!) and most scoped ones I've seen are quite accurate, especially for their intended use of hunting medium to large game.
I've mounted a 3 to 9X scope for range testing and made up a box of my pet handload, the Speer 150 FP and Reloder 15; I'm expecting to see 1.5 MOA or so. Then I'll pop the scope off and put the peep back on; I find the side-mount scope too awkward to put up with for my intended use for the rifle.
I've heard it said, and I agree wholeheartedly, that there is no problem with Model 94 accuracy; until the advent of the Angle Eject, they just were difficult to put a truly precise aiming system on(okay, a scope!) and most scoped ones I've seen are quite accurate, especially for their intended use of hunting medium to large game.
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Bittermansbro
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I only have 94's earlier than 1920 and they have been my exclusive deer gun for years. Suprisingly tight and accurate even after such a long time. Like with any gun, there are variations, of manufacturing, use and care, but you can find gems all over. Short of worn receiver rails, or a cracked receiver, you can fix up and tune any Winchester to get it where you want.
They are the most wonderful little gun.
They are the most wonderful little gun.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
glad it worked out. Too bad you sold it though.
I'm long armed and that short carbine allways kicked like a mule,but I had broke the tip of a cleaning rod in a CVA Hawkins 50 cal!
So I took the curved brass butt plate off that 50 cal and crafted it to my 100.00 (1974) mod 94!
Tamed that old girl right quick like! If a 50 cal with 80 grains of Pyro don't smack you you can imagine how it tamed that 30/30!
Bo
D
So I took the curved brass butt plate off that 50 cal and crafted it to my 100.00 (1974) mod 94!
Tamed that old girl right quick like! If a 50 cal with 80 grains of Pyro don't smack you you can imagine how it tamed that 30/30!
Bo
D
