Winchester 94 Big Bore .307?

[nralover]

In my quest to acquire a quick handling carbine that can cover the cornfield stand if need be, I have noticed the 94 in .307 Winchester. Can anyone comment on these rifles? Are they generally accurate? Will they accept a scope? What do they weigh approximately? Any help would be appreciated, Jay

[Tycer]

Not really. Yes! Yes. 6.5# .

[BenT]

I just started using the LVR powder in mine and it is MOA with this powder. Other powder faired OK. They have a heavier hammer forged barrel than the standard 30-30 . The fit and finish are also better than the standard 30-30. I'm going to try the new 140gr monoflex bullets this summer. Should get good velocity with those.

There is two types of 307's out there. The non crossbolt safety version and the crossbolt safety version with rebounding hammer. They made more of the crossbolt safety versions, so they would be easier to find.

[rafter-7]

Arjunky and i just got one about 3 weeks ago but we are still in the hunt for brass i will tell him about this thread maybe he can shed some light.....its the dirty 30 calibur for me so i am at a loss for words

^
7

[arjunky]

William Iorg's thread covers alot of the .307 questions.
http://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-rif ... hread.html

Like Rafter-7 said we just got one, but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.
Ours is also the pre-safety.
I still think Reloder 15 is the best powder, but haven't had a chance to prove it.
IMR 4064 should be a good one also.
Also like BenT I've got some 140 monoflex bullet to try once I get some cases for it.
They are all AE actions, so they can be scoped.
I think they are closer to 7.5 lbs without a scope though.

Good luck

[flatnose]

Good rifles. Although heavier than the 30-30, there still is noticably more recoil.
Very accurate.... better than 1'' grouping @ 100yds.
The best load I found with very little experimenting is 0.5 grain ( just being safe), below the maximun of w748 powder according to winchester data. This is using remington 150gr RNFP bullets and a winchester large rifle primer, and for a velocity of just over 2500fps.
The hornady 150gr bullets group similar. Using 170gr bullets my groups open up an additional half inch or so.
There is plenty of brass ou there, most places still stock it.
As for scopes....I use them. I use the one piece base. Check the pattern of the front receiver mounting holes, as there are two types. There are other articles on this board on the subject.
I use the redfield one piece mounts JR 94 AE, for the inline receiver holes. The mounts have been dicontinued for a while, but can still be found.

[1894c]

bought one when they first came out--mine was accurate--the rifle was awesome, fit and finish was very good--used a scope first (Weaver K-2.5), but went to receiver sight instead--I had it for two years, but decided that a 30/30 was a better choice, because I could see that the .307 was not going to be popular and I feared that ammo and brass was going to be a issue...wish I kept it--oh well stupid is as stupid does... :)

[Ravenman]

I have a Winchester 94 BB 307 Winchester. As any BB Winchester in my collection they are great leverguns. I would not like missing a single one. The 307 Winchester is very accurate. I did no reloading so far and used only factory Winchester 180grs. ammo.











Factory ammo at 100 meters.

[Ji in Hawaii]

If you have difficulty locating a 307 Winchester you might consider the Marlin 308 Express.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/ ... efault.asp

[Marlin32]

Worst shooting rifle I ever owned. I had a very early model. Trigger was terrible, absolutely terrible, never grouped the way I thought it should, maybe good enough I don't know, was not well enough that I traded it later. (after I bought a BLR in 308) I blame the trigger for the poor groups. ?

I was really young then, wish I had kept it, maybe someone could have fixed or improved the trigger.

I had a Weaver scope on mine. Not much for recoil I didn't think.

I was always waiting for Marlin to produce one and they never did. Or I would have one right now. Still think about converting a Marlin into a 307.

[Canuck Bob]

In Paco's writing he mentions the strength of the Big Bore Winchester often. He loads them hot!!! It ain't no 94 in regards action strength. I really like my 94 and can't figure why it wouldn't be a dandy hunting rifle unless you bought an inaccurate one. We take that chance everytime we buy a new rifle anyways. I'm always suspect of the "new bolt action with a box of ammo only" ads. Its probably shoots like a smoothbore! They aren't target rifles but are much better hunting field rifles than bolts anyday. I have three traditional levers, exposed hammer and tube mag, and am very happy.

Mine deliver excellent and dependable hunting accuracy to 150 paces, my limit not neccessarily the guns, with peep sights. When my 444 was scoped it was a tack driver to 200 paces. I pulled the scope because I missed how perfectly an iron sighted lever hand carries while wandering around.

[Streetstar]

I



Factory ammo at 100 meters.

What is overhead in this pic Ravenman? Is that a target carrier on an outdoor range ?

Well --- if it is or isn't , i admire your shooting setup there --- that looks like a fine place to have a good time !

[buckeyeshooter]

Mine shoots 1 to 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards depending on the day and me. The scope mounts easy enough, old weaver 2.5 on mine. Remember the big bore takes a different mount than the 94 angle eject. I have a big bore williams foolproof too but I have never mounted it--- yet.

[daisygordoninc]

I own and shoot a Winchester 94 AE 307. It is very accurate and I have a scope on it the Nikon Buckmaster.
It is extremely accurate out to 200 yards, have not had any place to shoot longer distances. I reload the
Hornady LeveRevolution 160 gr FTX #30395 bullet. I have now started loading with LeveRevolution powder
which is now available and the same Hornady uses in their factory loads. What a shame Winchester quit
making these guns. I have about 15 94s and the 307 is my favorite for hunting.

Love those 94s

[86er]

I don't know squat about the 307 BB but I will relay a story I experienced to attest to the durability, reliability and accuracy potential of them. A guy in coastal GA told me to come shoot with him one Saturday when I was down there for fishing season. The rifle ended up being a 307 BB. Being a levergun appreciator I examined the gun closely. When I shot it I noticed the brass ejected weakly, more or less falling away from the action at my feet. Upon examination of the brass it was marked 308 Win! I quickly pointed this out and the owner of the rifle told me, "don't worry, I can't find enough 307 brass so I loaded these to a 307 equivalent with flat point bullets". Frankly, I was still a little worried, but they worked and accuracy was in the under 3" range at 100 yds with peep sights off the bench. I'm not saying you could, should or might use 308 Win brass - I am saying I know one guy who did and it worked okay. Obviously the rifle is reasonably efficient from a mechanical standpoint to be able to cycle, fire and eject cartridges like that.

[Ravenman]

Streetstar: Yes, it is the target carrier brake system that you see in the picture. The range has returning targets at 100 meters and 150 meters.

[handirifle]

I like these reports of accuracy, especially on something like the 94's. Why, cause you guys give REAL accounts, not those of "well, the first three shots were tight, but shots 8-10 were scattered, opening the group to 3-4", typical levergun accuracy" which I so often read from writers.

These are HUNTING rifles! If it isn't down by shot three, there is something else wrong besides the rifle, and shots 4-10 will NOT fix it. I know varminters have different standards, but I do not really count that in the "hunting" class, not prarrie dog style any way.