Win M70 or Win 94
- Thread starter blackops
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I don't have experience in the "woods" I guess so I'm not sure about this, but a featherweight 70 with iron sights wouldn't get it done? I don't have the luxery of taking 100yd shots or less. I just know the 94 just isn't going to get it done in the canyons where I hunt. As a matter of fact I've never seen any lever rifle ever. I see it as the m70 can do everything a 94 can + a lot more.
The model 70 can reach out to further ranges than the 94, but does that really make it a "better" rifle? If so, is a 30-378 a better deer cartridge than a .270? All I know is I would rather carry a 94 around all day if my max range is <300 yds. Past 300 yds, I will use a 700 in .300 WM, but that 26" barrel really slows things down when I need to make a quick 50 yd shot.
chas08
Member
If I were limited to one, and only one. I'd take the bolt action. If I were limited to only one caliber, I'd choose a .270 and simply not hunt anything it wasn't capable of taking.
No it doesn't, but the fact that it is a bolt action makes it more reliable and accurate. The fact that both rifles are 6-8lbs give or take makes it just as convenient. The fact that it reaches out farther widens your kill zone. Those three elements to me make it a better rifle period! BTW I'd love to see that 300yd range with a 94 and consistency. Not saying some can't, but for 99 percent of people that isn’t the case. It’s not as reliable or accurate. Both are easy to carry (especially the featherweight) and the 94 doesn’t have half the range. So is there anything about the 94 that makes it a better rifle? Please elaborate.
it is really an impossible question as you have not provided enough info in your question. they are each great weapons in their own right but serve completely different niches.... apples to oranges my friend.
I went model 70 as it has greater range but could still be used with shorter range shots.. the same cannot be said of the 94... for all intents and purposes.
I went model 70 as it has greater range but could still be used with shorter range shots.. the same cannot be said of the 94... for all intents and purposes.
Ergonomics. When I shoot my 94 at the range for fun, I have found that under 60 yards if I pull the trigger as soon as the buttstock hits my shoulder not using the sights, I can easily hit a soda can sized target. They are natural pointers. As far as accuracy my 94 shoots 2" groups at 100 yds shooting over a backpack, that is plenty accurate to reach out to 300 yds, and at 300, I have no problem hitting a 8" gong every time, something most shooters would have a little difficulty doing with a M70 and a scope. I not sure why you think that the 94 is less reliable than the 70, do you have some evidence to back this up? If so, I would be glad to see it. I have never seen either rifle jam or FTF with handloads (I did have a bad box of Rem 270 core-loks before I started reloading that were all sorts of goofy).
If you haven't read this article, it is a good read.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/practical_accuracy.htm
So is the more accurate statement truly make the M70 a better hunting rifle, or does it just make you feel better?
If you haven't read this article, it is a good read.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/practical_accuracy.htm
So is the more accurate statement truly make the M70 a better hunting rifle, or does it just make you feel better?
I would say it comes down to fewer moving parts.. there is just more opportunity for something to go wrong in the action of a 94. Is it unreliable? most definitely not, but I would say that a QUALITY bolt action is less likely to malfunction than a QUALITY lever.
Obviously you have an affinity to the 94. Nothing wrong with that. I dont think it is a matter of which is the better rifle, but which is the more versatile rifle.
that said however, it is difficult to measure even the versatility with nothing more than the question of which would you choose... for thick woods and rolling hills, 94 all the way... for open fields and flat ground... no doubt the model 70.
For a question of which with the environment left to guess... take the 70 and clear a shooting lane....
Clark
Member
qajaq59
Member
I have no choice. If I didn't take my old 94 it would get rusty from sitting in the safe and crying.......
Shadow Man
Member
You seem to already have a very strong, unshakeable opinion about this. So I feel obliged to ask, just like Mike J: Why ask?
As for me, my M1894 in .30-30 does the job just fine. Especially with these new "Leverevolution" or whatever they are. All I know is that it is a light, reliable, accurate little carbine, and if it doesn't have the legs to reach out and touch a target, I have legs, and will get it close enough to do the deed. But Blackops, an opinion forum is hardly the place to ask rhetorical questions and then get upset when others ask you to clarify...there is no "perfect" gun, no "perfect" round...open ended questions such as these are futile. Give me a specific scenario, or group of scenarios, and I will give you the benefit of what wisdom I have.
sleepyone
Member
Although I chose the M70, I have three Featherweights, the lever actions are by far more fun to shoot. I shot a friend's old Marlin lever .22 the other day. I had not had so much fun shooting in years. I had not fired a lever action since I was a kid, and I felt like one again for that brief time. That will be my next rifle; either a Marlin or Winchester lever.
Because one individual tried to explain to me that the 94 is the best winchester ever made and I just have a really tough time believing that. Obviously I favor the M70, but I'm trying to separate the guys who really believe that and the guys who had the rifle passed down from their father and use that for their reasoning. It's hard for me to take the question as a matter of opinion. For an all around rifle I believe the answer to be only one…m70. I don’t mean to come off rude and if I do I apologize.
Shadow Man
Member
Well hell, I thought it was just generally accepted that the best Winchester ever made was the Pre-64 Model 70! Personally, I prefer the M1895 in carbine form; there's just something about that box-mag lever action that I can't resist. However, finding one these days is pretty tough...hence why I stick with my old M94, passed down from my Korea/Vietnam War era grandfather straight to me. So yes, the gun does have special signifigance to me, but I am not totally biased.
Blackops: apology accepted.
Maverick223
Member
Personally I prefer the M-70 Classic, or new model M-70s due to the better way that they handle gas, but I wouldn't turn down any CRF M-70 (not that the PF is a horrible rifle, I just like the CRF action better, especially in a Winny).
Shadow Man
Member
That's the wonderful thing about guns, Maverick: there are enough flavors to satisfy everyone.
I would agree with the M70 and M336. From what I have seen the M94 is very difficult to clean. With a Marlin, one screw and the lever and bolt comes out, and it is relatively easy to clean.
I have a pre 64 featherweight 270 M70. Instead of a scope I installed a Lyman M48 JWS rear.
This rifle, in this configuration is exceptionally light and portable. A M70 action is slick, and with no scope to bump your knuckles, you can operate that bolt extremely fast.
I would rather use it with irons than a lever action with irons.
Let me recommend that you bolt gunners try this. Take off your scope and see if the handling of your bolt rifle radically improves.
Just don't expect to take any 300 yards shots.
I have a pre 64 featherweight 270 M70. Instead of a scope I installed a Lyman M48 JWS rear.
This rifle, in this configuration is exceptionally light and portable. A M70 action is slick, and with no scope to bump your knuckles, you can operate that bolt extremely fast.
I would rather use it with irons than a lever action with irons.
Let me recommend that you bolt gunners try this. Take off your scope and see if the handling of your bolt rifle radically improves.
Just don't expect to take any 300 yards shots.
Zeke/PA
Member
Because I am an "old school" hunter/rifleman I am a die hard Model 70 fan.
I am the proud possessor of 6 Pre-64 jobs in various calibers including a .22 Hornet and a .257 Roberts.
I own Pre-War version in .30-'06 with which I have taken 30+ PA Whitetail Bucks over the years.
I looked at the newly manufactured stuff and while they are nice rifles they definetely AIN'T Model 70's.
I am the proud possessor of 6 Pre-64 jobs in various calibers including a .22 Hornet and a .257 Roberts.
I own Pre-War version in .30-'06 with which I have taken 30+ PA Whitetail Bucks over the years.
I looked at the newly manufactured stuff and while they are nice rifles they definetely AIN'T Model 70's.
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