I need some input

[SFT3540]

Do you use a levergun which was originally designed before 1895 to hunt with? Do you use a single shot such as a Rolling Block, High Wall or Trapdoor?

If so, I'd like to hear from you. Just give me the details; load used, distance, type and weight of game, and general location.

I am gathering information regarding the use of "Cowboy guns" for hunting, and I thought that maybe some folks here would share their expreiences with me.

Thanks for reading this.

William

 

[huntershooter]

I use an '86 Win. in .33 centerfire for deer (in brush) and hogs on occasion. Handload using a 200 gr. Hornady FP around 2200 fps.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

Browning high wall 1885 .45-70. 300 grain sierra pro-hunter hollow point coming out around 1800 fps. Use this for Deer out to around 150 yards (that's as far as I can see where I can hunt with this rifle.)

 

[TimboKhan]

Uh, thousands upon thousands of people use a levergun designed before 1895. It's the Winchester Model 94, and it's one of the most prevalent hunting rifles of all time, particularly when chambered in .30-30.

 

[MCgunner]

I took a doe with a Rossi M92 saddle ring carbine, a copy of the 92 winchester. It is chambered in .357 magnum, though, not something antique. Of course, with a 1935 born on date, you could argue that .357 is antique, but it's post smokeless powder.

Deer was 80 yards, one shot through the ribs behind the shoulder. The deer jumped up in the air when hit and went about 20 yards before collapsing. Big exit hole, easy to follow blood trail in the tall grass.

Load was a hand cast gas checked 158 SWC sized to .357 from a Lee mold and tumble lubed in front of 14.5 grains of 2400, my old standby. It's a good hunting round in the caliber.

I've got a Hawken, but it just seems so...well...so primitive....

 

[SFT3540]

Please post a pic of you and/or your rifle, along with some other info on the type of game you were hunting; size, distance shot, bullet performance, whatever you can add would be great. I'm gathering information for an article I'm writing about using old west or so called "cowboy" guns for hunting.

It doesn't matter how old your firearm is, as long as it is a reproduction of one made before 1895, chambered in a caliber also available at the time. Even though the .45 LC wasn't chambered in a rifle until much later, it would still be of interest to me. So, that makes the .44 mag in a levergun just as noteworthy to me as hunting with the 44-40.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[TimboKhan]

I feel somewhat bad that you haven't gotten more response on this topic, but I think the reason is that it is really pretty easy to find this information. I don't know what kind of article your writing, but Mike Venturino writes articles virtually every month about shooting with "old west" arms, and has done a couple three articles about hunting with them in the last year or so. Research "GUNS" magazine.

Anyway, good luck with your article.

 

[USMC - Retired]

I like to carry my Winchester Model 94 in 30-30 when hunting tight cover where I don't expect shots over 100 yards and may need to react quickly.

 

[JG2000]

I hunt with a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. Shot the 180gr ammo for deer and use 240gr for hogs. I try to keep the shots under 100 yards but with a good rest I can stretch that out to 150. The lack of responses is probably due to you posting during hunting season, everyones out hunting with there ancient weapons

 

[CoRoMo]

Used a Winchester '94 in 30-30 to hunt elk with. Awesome gun. Shot a good elk last year at about 90-110 yards through iron sights (don't like the look of a lever w/scope). Found the elk about 40 yards from where I shot it. It probably weight in the low 400's. I got around 125lbs. of meat out of it.

 

[SFT3540]

"Uh, thousands upon thousands of people use a levergun designed before 1895. It's the Winchester Model 94, and it's one of the most prevalent hunting rifles of all time, particularly when chambered in .30-30."

Yes, I am aware of this, as well as the information over at Leverguns.com. What I am interested in are the real life, recent experiences downing game with these guns. In particular I would like to hear from anyone using a levergun chambered in a pistol cartridge, single shot rifles like the Sharps (buffalo rifles) and even a good old double barrel shotgun.

The article isn't about which caliber/load/bullet goes the fastest or has the most downrange power, I can get all that info easily; I want to hear from the folks hunting with them between now and March.

Many thanks to those of you who have replied to this topic so far, please keep them coming.

 

[eliphalet]

I have shot a deer with a Winchester 94 chambered in 30WCF made in 1949 the year of my birth.
Also have a Marlin 39A made that year.

I kinda like guns made in birth years.
Ruger Super Single-Six last year 3 screw made the year my son was born.
Winchester 06 made the year my father was born.
Marlin 1894 made the year my Grandfather was born.
Have been watching for a Remington made the year and month I was born and one from the year of my Lady's birth.

Usually I don't hunt with the 94, it is to enjoy at the range or home. I did want to shoot at least one game animal with it for personal satisfaction or pleasure your choice.

 

[SFT3540]

That sounds great, and really makes the firearm more personal.

I've got my grandfather's Winchester 1906 model, slide action .22. He and my great uncle received it in 1932, as their father, my great grandfather, had shot out the barrel, which they had replaced and then carved the year 1932 in the stock to commemorate the occaision. The bore is still bright and shiney and shoots well. I have it mounted on a special piece of wood in my office.

 

[M'bogo]

I hunt with a 94 Winchester in 30/30 and a Marlin 1894 in .44Mag. The 94 is all stock and was made in 1952. It sees time in the woods every season. The 1894 wears a 2 3/4x Redfield and has taken game large and small for only 3 decades.

Both were the choice to throw in the truck or on the rack of the 4 wheeler to make my rounds on the farm and our deer leases. Now a much more modern rifle takes that job and takes the use/abuse that they once did.

M'bogo