Win 94 owners...need a opinion on ammo

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das028

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Whats up fellas. Its been a while since I've visited. Since then, I have aquired, bought, traded a few firearms.

Two of them happen to be Winchester 94's. One is a pre-64 model in 32 special (made in 1959)that I am not touching. I actually really dont want to shoot it all that much. The other is a post-64 (1979) in 30-30 that isnt as nice, but still a cool little rifle. my plan is to turn this one into a beater, workhorse type rifle. I like the scout rifle concept so im going with the XS sight systems scout mount, with a Burris 2.75 power scout scope. I plan on using this setup for deer season, so I need to zero this thing.

My question is, for those of you that have this rifle in 30-30, what ammo does it like as far as accuracy goes?

I'm finding it impossible to find the leverlution stuff! Besides that, what are you guys using to take deer with? I need a good starting point to zero this thing. Unfortunitly, after droping all the money on this set up, I'm not going to have much money to buy a bunch of ammo brands to find out which shoots best. Not that I'll be able to find them anyway.

ps. If you fellas have seen any leverlution in stock, please do tell!!! Even backorder would be fine


thanks in advance guys
 
Mine always shot well with plain old Winchester Silvertips. Didn't matter if it was 150,170 or 180 gr POA and POI always was within 2 inches or less out to 150 yards or so. I never had much luck with Remington core lokts though, they just didn't group well for me.
 
I've got a Model 94 from 1952 and it seems to shoot factory 150 grain Winchester just fine, better than I can shoot (gets on target out to 100 yards with iron sights).

I'm playing with some reloads using 150 grain Sierra RN and 160 grain Hornady FTX bullets and H-varget 'cause I can't find ammo either.

Just buy what you can find and see what works.
 
Mine shoots 150 grain Winchester Power Points better than 150 grain Core-Lokts. In fact, it is a lot more accurate than you'd expect with the Winchester ammo and a peep sight.
 
Factory ammo, the 150's seem to be the best. Don't know if Hornady is still loading their 150 in factory loads or not but that load shot well in 3 94's I have.
Mostly I reload for them nowdays, and when I use a jacketed bullet the Speer 150 seems to give the best in velocity and accuracy.
 
Hey fellas, I was checking out the Williams peep sights for the top eject 94's, they seem to be popular. What's the difference between the FP series vs 5D series?

Will they work with they stock front sight?

Thanks in advance
 
For general purpose, I would just stick to 150 grain for marginally less drop at longer distances.

If I was specifically going for black bear or large hogs, I would use 170 grain.


You'll have to just try and see. Each gun has different preferences. In most cases and at shorter ranges - probably won't matter very much.
 
I always loved Federal HyShok 125 gr hollow points in my Marlin 336. It is a lighter bullet but packs the heat and very accurate.

I do in fact love the Levorlution ammo, it can be a little hard to find but keep your eyes open for it. If you reload or know someone who does, you can buy the components to make the Leverlution.
 
Same for me and my two post 1964 Win 1894's..both like to shoot a bit smaller groups with the 150 gr bullets than the 170s. I don't know if it's the twist rate, trajectory, or maybe a touch more recoil, who knows. I've tried Win, Rem, PMC, Federal, Speer (yup, I still have one of the yellow plastic boxes left) and the LeverEvolution (160 gr) factory loads through them. All of the loads tried worked perfectly (as expected).

Have fun with your new rifle!
 
I have two 94's, and both prefer corelok 170's. both keep 7 rounds in a softball sized group at 100 paces. I also have a 1974 manufacture marlin 336, and it shoots slightly under 1moa with the same load. It actually out-shoots my .308 savage accuwhatever with the Remmy 170's. Good luck finding any, though.
 
If you don't reload then I would definitely go with Remington 170 grain Core-Lokt.

If you reload...170 grain Speer Hot-Core FN over 32 grains of W-748

I have [sense I was 18] a 1949 Winchester Mod 94 .30 WCF (.30-30). I still shoot and hunt with it. You should do the same with that .32 Special.
 
my 1962 vintage model 94 with 20" barrel has only a slight preference, with the Williams rear peep, and silver front bead and hood it's not a tack driver but it's accurate with all.
I've tested most of the common stuff over the last year, this is how it shook out.

Federal P/S 150gr f/p 1.5-2 at 100yds at fifty it's pretty well laced together.
Hornady L/E 160gr 1.75-2 at 100 at 50 about 1"
Rem C/L 150/170 2.25"-2.5 100 at 50 about 1 the 170's about 2' lower
Winchesters 150-170 almost the same as rem
Winchester silvertips 150 gr 2" but can never seem to find them.

all of which I think is pretty fine for no bags and just an elbow on the table. Best two groups I ever shot were a pair of three shot back to backs with the silver tips, the bigger of the two was 3/4" at a hundred yards, but never been able to duplicate that with anything again

It's more accurate than I am, and in a sense that's all that matters.
 
The classic weights are 150 and 170 gr. Both are fine on deer.

Get a box of each. Try them. Stick with the one that you shoot best out of that gun.
 
I have a 1974 Win 94 (top eject) that shoots Remington 150grn Core-Lokts ok,
I have not tried the Winchester or Federal ammo yet; but then I usually roll my own,
so far 33 grns of BL-C(2) or H-335 works well with Sierra Pro Hunter 150's @ 2320 fps.
I did just put a peep sight on it, but haven't had the opportunity to try it yet.
I'm confident my groups will shrink once it's dialed in.
 
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I had the Williams peep installed on my post 64 around 1970, when I returned from SEA, very effective, it was the AW, in it's day, on blacktail deer

ps: I removed the screw in aperture
 
I have a pre 64 94 from 1950 that would shoot Win silver tips 170gr better than anything else I tried.
 
For the best bottom line results you need to try all if not most bands of ammo.

Lever-E ammo, if your 94 likes it.... is great stuff.
 
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