Testing my "new" Winchester 94 and some reloads

[JBlaisdell]

I took advantage of a nice day to got out to the range for the first time since November. It was sunny and 60 (but with a 10-12 mph wind), and tomorrow is supposed to rain and be in the 40s. I've been itching all week because I just bought a 1925 vintage Winchester 94 saddle ring carbine and wanted to guve it a run. I also recently made up some reloads with 110gr bullets and Trail Boss powder and have been wanting to test them. Lastly was wanting to see how the new tang sight did on my '76 vintage 94.

First was the '76 with the tang sight. Five shots, 100 yds, Remington 170gr Corelokt factory ammo. One completely missed. I was satisfied with the other 4, given I'm so out of practice and it was quite blustery. Those are marked "1" below.

Then I took the '25 SRC up to the 50 yd line. With open sights and never having shot this gun before, I wanted to make sure I was hitting paper. Again, 5 shots factory ammo. One knowingly went wide as I jerked. The other 4 were decent, I'd say comparable to the 76. Those are marked "2" below. Not bad for a 93 year old gun and 50 year old eyes, I think.

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After that, I tried my reloads in the '76. It was a mild success. These were Speer 110gr jacketed hollow points over various loads of Trail Boss. I had made up 5 different loads using the Lee hand loader and scoops. (It's a slow process, but very economical to start out in reloading.) The 2 lightest loads seemed to hit a bit low at 50 yds. The heavier loads were much better, but everything was hitting to the left (which I think was largely due to the wind.)

I'll close with a picture of the two carbines. My '76 above, the '25 below. Can't wait to get back out there and shoot them some more!

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[JEBar]

with that rifle you most certainly have something to work with .... looking forward to following your progression in developing its most effective load

[PT7]

Both sets of POIs in target are very good, especially for a first-time-out with the Win 94 Carbine. And in spite of the age of the carbine, that wood stock looks to be in near-excellent condition! You have a couple of fine-looking rifles there. Good shooting and great pics! I'd be pleased to bring home that target from your range day, too.

[Mistered]

These were Speer 110gr jacketed hollow points over various loads of Trail Boss.

Good looking Winchester for the age. I have an 1899 Mod 94 'Klondike' Sporting Rifle in pretty decent shape also.
Those 110 JHP bullets have proved to be very accurate in my Winchesters with Unique. You can however save a little more by going to the 100 gr. half jacket 'Plinker' bullets by Speer. About half the cost and also very accurate.
Another thing that will help accuracy is a Factory Crimp Die (unless you already have one). 30-30 brass with it's long, and relatively thin neck is not a good candidate for roll crimping with the seating die. The factory crimp die is a collet style and crimps evenly without regard to case length.

[North Country Gal]

Always enjoy any range report on a Winchester '94 in the 30-30. Doesn't get any more classic than that. Thanks for sharing.

[RanchRoper]

Nice guns and you should be pleased with your target given the conditions. That wind is no friend of us shooters!