More winchester help....

[angryman]

I know I should do a search, but I'm at work right now and feeling lazy, so forgive me.....


I am going to buy my first lever action and am really trying to do my homework. I'd really like a Trapper model for the handy size, but am not opposed to the 20" if I find the right deal. I plan to use the rifle for hunting (mostly deer), plinking and defense. I lean towards a Winchester 94, but wouldn't mind a Marlin, providing I can get a straight stock. I'm trying to make my best choice as to:
1.caliber - .357, 44mag, 30-30
2.manufac.
3.length

I primarily shoot big bore handguns(.44/.45) and wouldn't mind having a rifle to match my pistol. But in SC, I will probably never encounter anything bigger than a deer. There are small black bear, but it would be rare for me to encounter one. I have read several people say that the .357 is extremely versitile and a good choice for the things I have mentioned. There is a part of me that wants a rifle not chambered in a "handgun caliber". I admit that is probably just ignorance on my part, but that's why I'm here. I like the idea of a carbine in .44mag, but imagine that it's more gun than I'll ever need here in the lowcountry.

4. Pre 64, post 64, new stuff with crossbolt safety and rebounding hammer......
I know people say the better stuff is pre-64, but I see some you guys talking about pot metal receivers that are lightly blued. I'd like an idea of what's better to look for. For example, I love OM Rugers and collect them, but they say the newer models today have better metal and heat treatment. I'd assume then, that the newer rifles would be better, but it seems like most people here don't care for them as much as the older ones.

I know i've thrown a lot out here, so please give any and all help you can. I'm sure I post more.

Thanks much,
Paul

[Griff]

B4 I give you my opinion, and that's all you'l get are a mess of opinions; what ranges are you likely to hunt. How are you with open sights?

Oh yea, Welcome to the Forum.

[Hillbilly]

for most folks the 94-92-336 formats are good natural pointers and swing well. Unless you really need a short barrel for a truck gun or other purpose... that 20" is not a bad choice and gives good ballistical performance with typical levergun loads.

I have a marlin .357 18" and a bunch of W94 in 20"... Those are the rifles and carbines that shoot best for me offhand.

Try em all...buy em all.

Jeff

[Malamute]

Unless you're planning on rebarreling or rechambering the gun to a very high pressure round, the difference in metal alloy or heat treatemnt doenst make any practical difference. All of them will last a lifetime or longer with standard rounds. I have a 1920's winchester 94 that's had a very long, very hard life, and still works fine. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in 30 or 40 years when I got it, and still functioned, tho felt sort of "muddy". I detail cleaned it and have been shooting and carrying it for 20 years or so (I have cleaned the barrel a couple times in that time tho)

In 1964 winchester changed the material that the 94 receivers were mde of, they arent "pot metal", but sintered iron, or something similar. They arent a strength issue at all, in fact the advertisments of the day proclaimed them to be stronger than the previous models. They simply have a different process to get them to blue properly (they tend to turn purplish when blued by standard methods), tho some gunsmiths are able to blue them OK by varying the heat of the blueing tanks during the process. They went back to "regular" receiver material sometime in the late 70's I think, but I don't know for sure. I have one, it's like new in most regards, but the receiver turned sort of brownish, except where oil seeped out of screw holes etc. I don't care, I just use it anyway.


As to your question about caliber, I tend to prefer the 30-30 cal. I had a .357 Marlin, and sold it because I rarely ever shot it, do have a .44 Browning 92 that I also rarely ever shoot, and a couple 94's in 30-30 that I shoot fairly regularly. I find I can do more with the 30-30 than either of the other rounds, and can still load down to cover small game and plinking loads. If you don't reload, you should consider it. The $20 Lee Loader is a good way to start.

I also prefer the 20" barrel, it's noticably quieter to shoot than the 16", ans still very handy to carry and shoot quickly. Winchester 94's are also noticably lighter than similar caliber marlins (336). I've sold off the Marlins I've had ove time and kept the Winchesters. YMMV

[angryman]

I can't imagine shooting much farther than 100yds max. I prefer iron sights to a scope, but haven't done much rifle shooting in quite awhile. I am interested in a truck gun, but haven't shot one and can't find one around here. I don't mind opinions, I'm just trying to learn and make a good informed decision.

[angryman]

I am really leaning to the 30-30, but have never owned one. I used to shoot a good bit of .308 and .223. I just want a good general purpose rifle round. I know I'm never going to get sub MOA groups with it, but i'd be nice to hit clay pigeons at 100yds. I'd like to get into CAS one day with the wife and kids, but know that I'd need another caliber for that.

[Kansas Ed]

If you want to plink and don't reload, then I would steer you towards the .357, and use premium ammo for deer and moderate you shots. If you handload, its the 30-30 hands down....load cast, or the Speer 110 gr HP. That 110 grainer loaded light is hell on feral sheep killing dogs

[meanc]

If you already have a 44mag/45colt handguns, then I'd suggest you get a matching caliber levergun. Other than just wanting variety, there's no reason to get anything else.

Plinking loads or just flat out hunting loads in these calibers, the 44mag/45colt can and will do anthing you'd need to do in South Carolina.

[Griff]

Balllistically and, more importantly, in performance on game, you ain't gonna go wrong in any of the calibers mentioned. However, unless you reload you won't realize maximizum performance in the .45Colt. But if you do, it's GREAT.

I agree w/Malamute in a preference for the Winchester over the Marlin for the same reason, plus for me, it just balances better in the hand. My choice for both a truck gun and for general hunting is the .30-30. Mainly for the confidence I feel when that greater than 150yd shot comes along. Although a great deal of that comes from sights installed, a couple of my favorites:

Tang peep & globe front;




and buckhorn & post;



YMMV.

[angryman]

I appreciate the input and will be glad for any more. I'll be keeping an eye out.

Best regards,
Paul