What with all the new fandangled rifles and cartridges out there today, we as hunters can often be blamed for getting caught up in the "latest and greatest" rut of thinking. To offset this, my hunting partners and myself have decided to engage in a "Model 94 ONLY" deer hunt this fall. We'll hunt the late season as per normal, with each hunter's own choice of rifle.
I've proposed that the only rifles allowed in the early season camp will be Wichester Model 94's. Any traditional Model 94 calibre qualifies. (.30WCF, 25-20, etc.)My deer hunting buddies Trevor and Jimmy, have yet to even shoot their first deer, yet they are still into this. My long time hunting partner, Derek, is a little harder to convince. I think the truth is he's afraid I'll pull even FURTHER ahead of him in the number of notches on my rifle....hehehe. However, Derek has just bought himself an old Model 94, so the ground work has been laid. We all know that the .30WCF / .30-30 is more than capable of taking deer, as more deer have been shot with this cartridge than all other's combined. Therefore, the limiting factors will be things like range, and open sights. To boil it down further, it will all come down to the hunter's "SKILL" and a good dose of the ever present "LADY LUCK".
So, I challenge you Derek, to accept my proposal for the early season Deer hunt; and I challenge the rest of you to organize a similar type of hunt in your hunt camp! The best way to completely remove the chance of a buck getting shot "accidently" with a .270, .30-06, etc,etc, would be to leave them at home... I would have to watch myself like a hawk for this violation!
How many of you fellas think something like this would be fun, and a good show of respect to the hunting men of times gone by?
CDW

I like it! Take care though, you may find that the old gun is addictive.

Hey there Johnny!
I reckon she likely will be addictive! As a side note, my family has a deer camp north east of Bobcaygeon a little ways. Nice Whitetail country. Envy you're living there, Sure do miss that.
CDW

Woodrow,
That sounds like a great deal of fun to me. I hunted with the 30-30 exclusivly for a couple of years and enjoyed it. However don't limit the hunt to just the Mod. 94. I would limit it to lever actions and open sights. That way the Winchester mod 64 and 300 Savage etc. could be included too. (just exclude the 45-70 , just kidding) The Winchester mod. 64 is my favorite of these. It's no more accurate IMHO than the 94 carbine but I like the way it handles.
Regards,
Terry

My cottage is NE of Bobcaygeon, (Harcourt)I probably drive by your camp, I'm guessing it's on Hwy507. I hunt North East of Bancroft Myself. The coutry is very similar, (ROCK)

I hunt all over the world and have a cabinet full of rifles but every year I hunt mule deer behind my house with an old vintage Win. 94 in 25-35 caliber that I grew up with and an old 30-30 that belonged to my grandad...Brings back good memories and a piece of my lost youth, not a bad deal at all....

I have watched a few very big old bucks go over a distant saddle that I could have punctured with a scoped 270, but I have shot my share of big muleys and I don't mind leaveing the big ones for some kid who is looking for his first trophy or anyone, for that matter, who has not been as fortunate as I have in the hunting fields......

This may not be quite in the spirit, but I plan to hunt mulies myself this fall with a Model 94. Mine is a Winchester Black Shadow. No, I am not wild about a synthetic stock, but it does have a pistol grip, a half magazine and a 24-inch barrel, which I AM wild about. Here's where it gets even more non-traditional: I am puttiong an old steel Redfield peep on the rear and a Lyman 17A globe front with inserts on the front. I do this because my eyes or old enough that I can use some help with iron sights. It won't look like granddad's 94, but by golly, it's a branch off that fine old trunk and I am hoping it will shoot much better than it looks.

Hey there pilgrim are you sure you want to put your money where your mouth is? Sounds like a plan for the early season and I will step up to the plate and take what is offered. You never know what might turn up on the other side of the hill. You better pratice I have a good feeling about this year's mulie hunt.

Derek

Hey there RedHawk:
About time you stepped up to the plate! Seems to me, the last time you stepped up to the plate,(Earlton) you got the pitch in the gums!!! Can't see that changing..you better haul in on those reins ol' pal, cause you will be too busy haulin out my buck, to worry about even skinnin' that old .30WCF of yours.

Woodrow

RedHawk:

PS: Jimmy may have to cheat and carry my Model 88.
Don't matter anyhow, he won't be shooting. He'll be on the other side of that 32" rack with you, draggin' out my buck!

You know I got the horseshoe!!!!!

CDW

Woodrow

I think you lost that horseshoe in my toilet the other weekend.

Peter

Peter: HA-HA!!!! Score one for Ol' Red!
Afraid to say that you might be right.. But, I got more where that came from.
CDW

Woodrow: I can tell you theres another group in B.C. planning the same thing this year. We've limited it to rifles made prior to 1900 (bows and sharp sticks also permitted). Now to choose-my Savage 1899, 30WCF or my 1886, 45-70 or???? We'll also be out in the 4 point only season in November. Where do you fly out of? best.

Hey there Stocker:
Good luck on your ol' time hunt. We hunt Mulies up near Williams Lake. To your question, "where do you fly out of?" you'll have to clarify for me. Not sure what you're asking?
CDW

[ 07-17-2002, 09:01: Message edited by: Woodrow ]

Woodrow: Well we may bump into each other as that's where I live and where the hunt is taking place. Your bio. says commercial helipilot. Whats your home base? best.

Hey Stocker! Oh yes, the bio.... Forgot about filling out that info when I signed on as an "AR" member.
This internet stuff continues to freak me out on a regular basis. Watched too many sci-fi movies I reckon. Thought for a minute it should be spelled "Stalker", not "Stocker", as I'd never mentionned what I do for a living in any posts. hehehe
I fly for a company out of Chilliwack, with most of our work being up in Northern BC, Northern Alberta, and on Vancouver Island. We actually hunt west of town, and usually take a look at the "Doc English" area at least once a year too.
What keeps you busy in Willy's Puddle? I actually came through town only a few weeks ago, on my way down from a job in Tumbler Ridge.
CDW

[ 07-18-2002, 22:54: Message edited by: Woodrow ]

Woodrow: I retired from Fish & Wildlife (and no, I didn't suspect you were planning anything illegal with your chopper, just curious) about 4 years ago. Spent time on the Island, Prince Geo., Ft. St. John, and here. Spend my rec time fly fishing, hunting, golf. Build a few stocks each year and repair and refinish a bunch more, not set up or trained for metal machine work, tie flys, cast bullets, spend too much time at the range wearing out barrels testing loads. Generally lead the good life. Our group will probably camp at a lake not far from Doc English and scatter each day. It's a short term thing for a bunch of the guys to get together although I will probably do most of my hunting this year with the 1886 regardless. Maybe see you there. I think our trip is set up for near beginning of Nov. (not sure). besto

Stocker: You must be talking about the
"BC Forestry campsite" on the little lake, just off the highway, east of the LORAN C. I've camped there myself a few years back. Actually, had my buddy take a few pictures of a nice buck I shot near that campsite. Once I developed the film, I realized we should make sure the outhouse wasn't in next year's photos... We now camp about 5 miles from there, with no outhouses to ruin the pictures!!! We usually hunt Thanksgiving Weekend in October for a meat buck, and then again the last week of November, when the bigger bucks are hanging around. We have been successful on our moose hunt the last couple years, and have about 99% chance of doing so again this year, so I figure it's not as critical for us to get meat in the early deer season. That's why I figured that would be the best time to plan the "old lever rifle" hunt.
Wasn't worried about you suspecting me of anything with the helicopter, I was just wondering how the heck you knew I flew them, since I hadn't mentionned it in any posts. Forgot about it being in the biography/profile page. Coming from a guy who still doesn't like to use "Instant Tellers" for fear of someone, somehow, getting access to my account, through who knows what kind of CIA or KGB computer thieving device....

Woodrow,

That sounds like a great hunt. Last year towards the end of our hunt (Nevada) I used a 1961 Model 94 in a 44 mag. and took a small spike just before packing out. Its a lot different using open sights and having to sneak in closer for a shot. I liked it so much that I bought an older 30-30 (94) at a gun show for this next season. Keep us posted on what shows up (calibers). Enjoy.

I remember when the 30-30, 25-35, 250 Sav. M-99 and the big dog, the 300 Savage was all one saw in Elk camp around the folks I grew up around. Mostly ranchers, and they really scoffed at my uncle with that big 300 Savage...

I shot my first 6 or 7 elk with a 25-35 and a 30-30 before graduating to a 257 Robts. I never knew I was at a disadvantage, and all were one shot kills..I wounded and elk with the 257 because I thought it would kill an elk like the hammer of thor at any range. it took my dad and uncle a day and a half to track him down, but I shot him before they could, I remember that was the most important thing in the world to me was to kill that elk before they did.

I backed off and used the 257 properly after that and it worked fine..

The point is any rifle will work, if one just modifies his hunting style to fit the caliber.

This sounds like a fun hunt. Just happens that I have a Chief Crazy Horse M 94 in .38/55. All it needs is receiver sight and I'm ready to go. I use 30/30 brass and cast buletts. We could start something here. What say you? Post some pictures?

I just picked up another 30-30 mod. 94 at the gun show in Fort Worth. The rifle was $300. I just couldn't resist it for the money. It was made in 1949 and is in about 85% condition. It really is nice with extra nice wood that has not been damaged and just the normal wear around the receiver area etc. I also saw another one made in 1960 for $295. I can't believe these are still selling for this amount. I think I paid about $300 for another one (1953 model) in 1980. I do see some for around $375-$400 or so but I don't know if they are getting this or not.
Anyway, great rifles for the money I think. I may start collecting these. There may be a run on them soon. I think they are pretty rare. Only a little over 2 million made.
Regards,
Terry

"DAN in WA": Yeah, Pictures would be neat too. Have to wait until October though, for our deer season to open...

"Terry": This may be of interest to you. The following website is where you can go to, pick any model of Winchester Rifle, give it the serial number, and it will tell you the year of manufacture. It is as follows: www.oldguns.net/snpgm/winmodsj.htm

FYI: The 1,000,000th Model 94 was made in 1927, if I remember correctly. All Model 94's with a serial number less than about 2,300,000 were made pre-1964. God knows what number they are up to now, but post-64 isn't something I want in my collection anyhow.

The 3 I've bought for myself and friends in the past year were made in 1907, 1917, and 1943. The two earlier models are "Saddle Carbines" with the saddle ring on the left side of the receiver to tie it to your saddle. The prices (in Canadian dollars) for those 3 guns were respectively: $ 375.00, $ 300.00, and $ 225.00 .......

I've heard they were about the same price or more in US dollars down there.

CDW

Aha It is the way I like it! 3030 and win 94 . I shoot a lot of rounds in my son's win 94 commemorative NRA edition with 24 inch barrel . i use normaly PMC cowboy action lead 170 grain @ 1500 fps and it shoots verey accurate with no leading att all. I wish they load them at higher velocity around 2000 fps. count me as a win 94 fans.
BR
Danny

Yesterday I saved a M94 from a pawn shop for 150$ with 4 boxes of factory ammo. It is in at least 75% condition and has a serial # of 1,550,000. Do you 94 people think I got a good deal? Also, what year do you think it was made in? thanks

Jeremy: I'd have to consult a the website listed in my posting above, or a manual, but I reckon your Model 94 was made in the early 1950's.
I'm just basing this on the fact that the 1,000,000th was made in 1927 and mine (811,000) was made in 1917. Apx. 20,000 a year in this era. Production likely slowed down during WW II a bit, but picked up more after the war, so I'd guess your's (1,550,000) as being made in the early 1950's.
Check the link to the website, and see how close I am. At any rate, $175.00 USD (apx. $275.00 Cnd) would be a fair price up here, if it's shootable, and in somewhat decent condition. Not sure, but it's likely a real good deal for down there, especially when you factor in all that ammo!!!!
CDW

[ 07-26-2002, 06:55: Message edited by: Woodrow ]

JEREMY: For some reason I am unable to get into the "www.oldguns" website, but have found another one to age Model 94's. It is at:
www.savage99.com
It says model 94 (1,550,000) was made in 1949. Go check it out and put in your exact serial number, but it'll be either that year, or one on either side of it.
CDW

My '94 was manufactured in 1949. It is in pretty good shape with some scratches and wear on the corners. It has quite a bit of side to side play in the lever, way more than the marlins or savage 99s I've shot. Is the play normal?
In any case I think it is neat that I was able to save a gun and add a legendary firearm to my collection for cheap.

I like the idea.I read an article in one of the mags a few years back about this very thing.Hunt took place on the Nail Ranch in Texas."Traditional" lever actions only,this eliminates the BLR's and the 88's.Rifles had to be blunt nose bullet,tube mag guns.The author was Gary Sitton.I've thought of the same thing for a spot and stock black bear hunt in the spring.A friend of mine has nailed quite a few blackies by the spot and stalk method with his 300 Win Mag but I keep bugging him to try sneaking up on them with a lever 30-30.Heck of an idea,kinda gets back to the roots of hunting in the early 1900's.

[ 07-27-2002, 06:25: Message edited by: rembo ]

Sounds like a blast. I was in college before I relized that there were centerfire calibers other than a win m/94 30-30. That was the same day I discovered that they made and sold NEW hacksaw blades. (I grew up poor and dumb)

Jeremy: The "side to side" play is fairly normal. The older and more used the rifle is, the more the play. However, try a new one in the gun shop. You'll still find some play in it.
Also, that just means it is breakin' in real nice! That's how I look at it. My 94 is broken in real well to the point where I can cock it from half cock, (safety) to full cock without an audible noise, just a feel! Silent, so no deer etc. can hear it.
CDW

PS: Great response to this string. This re- affirms to me that there are a lot of us hunters out there who are quite traditional, and this is the reason why we'll continue to have our hunting traditions for years to come...

Well ya'll; Heading out to work now for a month and a half. Then off hunting for a few solid weeks. I'll post upon my return...
CHEERS

CDW

Got me all jacked up.... the .38/55 is still a virgin but a friend has a .25/35. Man I love that little gun...plus it shoots real good. 38/55 with cast or the little 25/35 with Horandy's. Let you all know mid Oct. Don't know why I have that .25/06 @4/12 Leupold.

Cool idea. I have been playing with the idea of taking my 94 in .38-55 out this year.

My father in-law and I have entered in a managed hunt drawing and have decided if we get drawn it will be a open sights only hunt. I will carry a pre 64 m94 in 30-30 and he is going to take his unsporterized .308 Enfield.

Great idea! I think I will borrow the idea and propose it to the people I will be hunting with this year. Let us know how it goes.

I've got the same rifle as Bill/Oregon, the Black Shadow. Only difference is that I mounted a Weaver K3 on mine. It isn't pretty but it shoots 170 Silver Tips extremely well. My other 30-30 is a one hundred year aniversery model with pretty wood, half octagon barrel and a tang mounted peep. I shoot 170 Laser Cast bullets in it and will definitely take it hunting this fall. For deer here in Tennessee if I don't use a pistol I use a 30-30. I'm presently lookng for a nice pre 64 model. Nothing wrong with a Marlin really but they just don't have the feel of a 94.