jefnvk
Member
One thing to think about with the SKS, it has a 10 round mag. On a centerfire semi-auto, that is illegal to hunt with in many states. And replacement mags work less than stellar.
Winchester 94 30/30 vs Yugo SKS...
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mustanger98
Member
Here's another vote for the '94 from another levergunner. Now, while I'm not disagreeing with the Oneraggedhole system, I'll tell you what I did with mine. I knocked the rear sight off the barrel and replaced it with a blank to fill the dovetail. I had a gunsmith drill and tap the tang and mounted a Lyman #2 tang sight on there. That tang sight being an aperture, it really enhanced the way my old '94 shoots for me out to 100yds. I haven't stretched it on out to 200yds because 100yds is all the range I have available right now. Another option I know works is a Williams Foolproof with target knobs or 5D, either of which bolts right on to the side of the reciever. But, like I said, I'm not disagreeing with the Oneraggedhole system either. Just that I took their money in a 100yd bucket match with a '94 and that tang sight.
I found my old '94 used and it's a candidate for some refinishing around the reciever. Stock's got dings. No big deal. Got it for under $180 counting tax. Added $60 for the aperture sight. Take a look at the bore; if it's in good shape, you ain't hurt spending $200 on it, plus upgrading the sights.
ReadyontheRight
Member
Another vote for the 30-30. If purely for deer hunting, a 30-30 lever rifle is a joy to carry through the brush. It points well and is fun to shoot.
And I know I'm leaning toward being politically correct here, but a rifle with a bayonet and grenade launcher WILL get some funny looks and comments from fellow deer hunters. More power to ya if you are up to it, but a lever rifle probably makes more people comfortable around you - especially if you are new to deer hunting.
As mentioned above, "old" can mean "good" for rifles. Be sure to check out the crown of the muzzle on the rifle. If it's not perfectly even all around, the gun will not be accurate. Aggressive cleaning with aluminum cleaning rods (which have to go in through the muzzle on a lever or autoloading rifle) often scratch the crown of the muzzle. With either rifle, buy a Bore Snake. You might want to check out new rifles - especially this time of year. You can get a good Savage or Stevens bolt rifle for $300 or so.
If you are looking for an even more inexpensive hunting/shooting rig with cheap ammo, you might want to check out the current deals on Russian Mosin Nagants. www.aimsurplus.com and many other places have them available. If buying online, you just need to have it sent to a FFL dealer in your state and you pay the FFL dealer to do the transfer. Usually $15-$40.
The cheap milsurp 7.62x54R ammo is corrosive, but that just makes you clean it right away. It's a more powerful cartridge than either 30-30 or 7.62x39 and softpoint hunting ammo is readily available from the major manufacturers (don't shoot military ammo at deer).
Downside is the funky safety - which I negate by keeping the chamber empty when I want a rifle safe. The sights could use some help, but there are ghost ring sights or scopes available you can add later.
MTMilitiaman
Member
I just bought a Yugo SKS listed in excellent condition. I put some TechSights on it but have yet to sight it in. IMO you'd be hard pressed to find a better working rifle or truck gun. If my sister decided to take up hunting I'd let her use the Yugo. If I was out during hunting season without my 7mm Rem Mag and an opprotunity presented itself, I would use the Yugo. The Yugo is adequate, for sure. So basically the SKS is a good rifle for a lot of things, but if I was buying a rifle specifically for deer hunting, I don't think that would be it. I would be much more into the Winchester for all the reasons noted--esp hunting ammunition availability.
I don't pay a lot of attention to political correctness so that is a non-issue for me--some don't consider it PC to carry a loaded Glock on your hip while you're hunting and many don't consider it PC to hunt at all. A lot of those Elmer Fudds are the ones who turned a blind eye to the AWB cause they didn't think Brady would come after their precious hunting rifles--they are exactly the people you need to piss off. If I could get a reaction for those sort of people, I'd put a flash surpressor and grenade launcher on my M700 and get all up in their grills--upset their delicate sensibilities.
I don't pay a lot of attention to political correctness so that is a non-issue for me--some don't consider it PC to carry a loaded Glock on your hip while you're hunting and many don't consider it PC to hunt at all. A lot of those Elmer Fudds are the ones who turned a blind eye to the AWB cause they didn't think Brady would come after their precious hunting rifles--they are exactly the people you need to piss off. If I could get a reaction for those sort of people, I'd put a flash surpressor and grenade launcher on my M700 and get all up in their grills--upset their delicate sensibilities.
MCgunner
Member
See my last post at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=169771 about my Chinese SKS experience. I'd go for the Winchester in .30-30. It's a better deer rifle. If you want RUGGED for a truck gun or something, a beat around gun, throw in the bottom of the boat and don't worry about it, the SKS might be a better choice. But, for deer hunting, Winchester lever gun, the classic. I'm not too keen on the 7.62x39 as a hunting cartridge due to my one experience with it, but that is just one experience. It's all in the above post.
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Kaylee
Member
I had an SKS.
I had a Marlin 336.
Now I have a Winchester 94, and prefer it enourmously to the other two.
Lighter, handier, sleeker, prettier
) ) and I can shoot it more accurately than either of the others.
But it is a matter of taste I reckon.
I had a Marlin 336.
Now I have a Winchester 94, and prefer it enourmously to the other two.
Lighter, handier, sleeker, prettier
) ) and I can shoot it more accurately than either of the others. But it is a matter of taste I reckon.
cracked butt
Member
There's a reason why the winchester 94 has been one of the most popular deer rifles for 100 years- its a great rifle! Its lightweight, perfectly balanced, and shoulders quickly. Its easier to carry than just about any other rifle ever made as well- you just grip it around its balance point, the receiver, which is narrow enough for an average person to grip.
SKS's are greta rifles, but the Yugos are too darn heavy for me to take hunting. A yugo weighs more than a modern scoped hunting rifle and has no advantages over the newer rifles either.
Best of all (maybe most obvious of all because of its perfection) its a JMB design.
SKS's are greta rifles, but the Yugos are too darn heavy for me to take hunting. A yugo weighs more than a modern scoped hunting rifle and has no advantages over the newer rifles either.
Best of all (maybe most obvious of all because of its perfection) its a JMB design.
Lonestar.45
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I have both.
For a deer rifle, definitely go with the Winchester. What more can be said with a track record like that. Some will call it blasphemous, but you can mount a scope on the '94 much easier than a Yugo, if you ever want to do that. You can find more quality deer loads in the 30-30 by far.
That said, the Yugo is fine too, but would not be my first choice for a "deer" gun. It's solid, well built, ammo is cheap, mine is plenty accurate and I love just plain shooting it much more than the 30-30 or any of my bolt guns for that matter. But you won't find as many good deer loads for it, there's problems with legality for deer hunting in some states, and it's not as powerful.
For a deer rifle, definitely go with the Winchester. What more can be said with a track record like that. Some will call it blasphemous, but you can mount a scope on the '94 much easier than a Yugo, if you ever want to do that. You can find more quality deer loads in the 30-30 by far.
That said, the Yugo is fine too, but would not be my first choice for a "deer" gun. It's solid, well built, ammo is cheap, mine is plenty accurate and I love just plain shooting it much more than the 30-30 or any of my bolt guns for that matter. But you won't find as many good deer loads for it, there's problems with legality for deer hunting in some states, and it's not as powerful.
Poodleshooter
Member
If you can get an SKS without one of those ridiculous grenade launchers and bayonets, can conveniently buy cheap Russian 7.62x39 at shows or online,and don't already own another semi-auto fun gun, then I'd say get the SKS. Inside 100yds per your criterion, you don't really need a scope.
I own a newer Winchester 94 (made in the late 90's). Mine is less accurate or on par with most of the AKs and Chinese SKSs that I've shot. Ammo is quite a bit more expensive,though I reload so that's moot for me. The trigger is atrocious on my Winny: long takeup, moderate pull weight, indefinite trigger break, lots of creep,and even some overtravel at the end! I far prefer the double stage on my cheap Romanian AK,and the SKS triggers I've pulled (mostly Norincos). The bead/buckhorn sights on my newer Winny are cheap and don't give me a very consistent site picture. I prefer the basic square rear notch found on the commie rifles. That said,if you enjoy lever actions and the whole history inherent in the 94, then I'm sure you'd enjoy one.
I own a newer Winchester 94 (made in the late 90's). Mine is less accurate or on par with most of the AKs and Chinese SKSs that I've shot. Ammo is quite a bit more expensive,though I reload so that's moot for me. The trigger is atrocious on my Winny: long takeup, moderate pull weight, indefinite trigger break, lots of creep,and even some overtravel at the end! I far prefer the double stage on my cheap Romanian AK,and the SKS triggers I've pulled (mostly Norincos). The bead/buckhorn sights on my newer Winny are cheap and don't give me a very consistent site picture. I prefer the basic square rear notch found on the commie rifles. That said,if you enjoy lever actions and the whole history inherent in the 94, then I'm sure you'd enjoy one.
jefnvk
Member
GarrettJ said:
It is not one of those things I am willing to risk. The hunting guide (for MI at least) specifically states that the magazine cannot hold more than 5 rounds. No mention about plugging. The waterfowl guide specifically mentions that plugging the magazine is OK, as long as the gun must be disassembled to do so.
Now, if I follow the waterfowl guide for deer hunting (as this provision is not made in the deer huting regulations), the gun has to be disassembled to put in or take out the plug. I don't know that simply dropping the floorplate would classify as disassembly.
And honestly, I worry more about the DNR getting me for firearms violations than the police or ATF.
Poodleshooter
Member
Whoa now, I don't prefer even the U notch to good apertures,though the trusty U is far superior to Winchester's bad semi-buckhorns! I'll take an AR/M1 style peep sight, or a good tang mounted peep any day. However, basic Winchester 94's have the crappy Marble elevator style rear semi-buckhorns that obscure half of the target,and provide no real positive alignment for setting the bead in the vaguely 'V' like notch nestled at the bottom of the useless semi buckhorns. Those suck for sight alignment..45Guy said:GASP! And I thought I was the only one who found them preferable to apertures!
I can even appreciate real buckhorns,as found on my Lyman flintlock,but semi buckhorns do nothing for me.
mustanger98
Member
Those bad semi-buckhorn's are what I was trying to use before I mounted that Lyman #2 on the tang. Accuracy, once sighted in, was automatically drastically improved.
I suppose I am the one and only misguided individual.http://kimjongillonely.ytmnd.com/
I love SKS's, but...........the 30-30 wins this contest, for the reasons everyone else has stated.
checking the internet auction sites, you can find many good 30-30 rilfes for $200 or even less sometimes. Add a good peep/aperture/ghost ring sight, and you're set.
Been looking at an old Winchester 94 myself.
-David
checking the internet auction sites, you can find many good 30-30 rilfes for $200 or even less sometimes. Add a good peep/aperture/ghost ring sight, and you're set.
Been looking at an old Winchester 94 myself.
-David
http://www.oneraggedhole.com/Marlin_One_Hole_Sight.htm
I hadn't seen this sight replacement yet. I have an old Rossi Model 92 SRC in .357 mag. The sights are crap and I can't adjust it anymore to compensate. I have kept it for home defense as it is short enough to handle in narrow hallways. This sight might help me shoot accurate with it.
Looking at all the replies, It looks like most prefer the 94. My go-to self defense gun has been that short lever gun in .357 mag. It holds 9 in the tube and it handy enough to use as a club it that don't work. I guess it depends on what you have at hand and what you feel most comfortable with.
I hadn't seen this sight replacement yet. I have an old Rossi Model 92 SRC in .357 mag. The sights are crap and I can't adjust it anymore to compensate. I have kept it for home defense as it is short enough to handle in narrow hallways. This sight might help me shoot accurate with it.
Looking at all the replies, It looks like most prefer the 94. My go-to self defense gun has been that short lever gun in .357 mag. It holds 9 in the tube and it handy enough to use as a club it that don't work. I guess it depends on what you have at hand and what you feel most comfortable with.
MCgunner
Member
MechAg94 said:http://www.oneraggedhole.com/Marlin_One_Hole_Sight.htm
I hadn't seen this sight replacement yet. I have an old Rossi Model 92 SRC in .357 mag. The sights are crap and I can't adjust it anymore to compensate. I have kept it for home defense as it is short enough to handle in narrow hallways. This sight might help me shoot accurate with it.
Looking at all the replies, It looks like most prefer the 94. My go-to self defense gun has been that short lever gun in .357 mag. It holds 9 in the tube and it handy enough to use as a club it that don't work. I guess it depends on what you have at hand and what you feel most comfortable with.
I've got a Rossi 92 in .357 and I couldn't regulate the sight low enough on it, either. So, I had this dove tailed aperture sight off an old Winchester "boy scout" single shot 22, with numbered elevation wheel. This thing is neat now. I can set it for .38s or one of two .357 loads. I shot a couple of deer with it under 100 yards and it did fine! It groups about 4" at 100 yards, but that's pretty much its limit anyway. Pretty neat rifle to shoot at the range, but I don't hunt with it anymore.
If I were you, I'd find a smith to drill and tap that Rossi for a receiver peep, like a Williams or Lyman. Got a friend with one on a '94 that's awesome. That old pre 64 will group under 2" at 100 yards using the peep if you do your part. I was amazed. .30-30 is hard to beat at normal woods ranges, why it's been around forever. But, then, I ain't the first to say that.
marshall3
Member
Got a 30/30 today...
Thanks for all your advice. Today I happened on a good deal on a Glenfield 30A (same as Marlin 336) in like new condition for $175. This rifle would have been made between 1973 and 1981. The stock and forend are of some honey colored tight grained wood, maybe beech. Hardly a scratch on it. The interior is nice and clean, and unworn. Came with a scope. Blueing is perfect. Trigger is nice. It has an added sideways hammer extension too, for easier use under and around the scope. There is checkering on the pistol grip wrist and forend with carvings of stags and oakleaves. I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet, but I really like it a lot, much better than the sks rifles I saw at a gun show today.
Thanks for all your advice. Today I happened on a good deal on a Glenfield 30A (same as Marlin 336) in like new condition for $175. This rifle would have been made between 1973 and 1981. The stock and forend are of some honey colored tight grained wood, maybe beech. Hardly a scratch on it. The interior is nice and clean, and unworn. Came with a scope. Blueing is perfect. Trigger is nice. It has an added sideways hammer extension too, for easier use under and around the scope. There is checkering on the pistol grip wrist and forend with carvings of stags and oakleaves. I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet, but I really like it a lot, much better than the sks rifles I saw at a gun show today.
mustanger98
Member
Good deal. AFAIK, the Glenfield is the same rifle as Marlin, but they put a less expensive wood on it than they put on 336's. I bet it shoots just as well. How about a range report when you get the chance?
Take a little time, do a little research, ask a few questions, spend a little money, and start reloading for it. Whenever I get a different gun I immediately order a set of reloading dies for it. Its not hard to do, I find it enjoyable, and with centerfire rifle cartridges it will pay for itself quickly.
rk
rk
mustanger98
Member
A good place to start with reloading for .30-30, IMO, is Hornady's 5th Edition manual. I don't know... they may have the 6th or 7th Edition out by now... Anyway, a good load to start with, IMO, is Hornady's 150gr SP (IIRC, #3035, but I'll have to check my manual and verify that) over enough IMR4064 to run it 2000-2200fps. This load should be good to at least 200yds, but I wouldn't push it past 250yds not knowing the PointBlankZero (shooting the pipe as described in Jim Carmicheal's article, but also very dependant on the individual shooter's ability).
MCgunner
Member
GTSteve03 said:Winchester all the way. It's lighter, more accurate, ammo may not be cheaper but its infinitely easier to find 30-30 hunting ammo than 7.62 softpoints. Scoping either one will be tricky but you shouldn't really need a scope for deer hunting under 100yds.
Plus it's not one of those godless Commie rifles.
I agree with this and I have two SKSs, Chicom ones. Plus, Winchester going down is another good reason to pick up a M94.
It is totally amazing how much accuracy these rifles have. Now, you can get that new Hornady (isn't it?) ammo for extended range, "Leverlution" or whatever it is. Put a good ghost ring aperture on it. FANTASTIC hunting rifles even as old as they are. This is one they got right in the first place. It's much lighter and handier in the field, too, than any SKS.
I don't own a 94 or any .30-30 lever gun and I'm not really sure why. I have shot 'em, have a friend with a BEAUTIFUL pre '64. They are truly great hunting rifles.
palerider1
member
get the winchester, remember the yugo automobile? lol
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