Okay, despite KNOWING what will happen should the wife find out, I bought a nice (about 90%) Winchester 94 in .375 Win.
I paid $375 and got some ammo, and a nice Redfield peep sight, along with the swivel studs.

Anyhow...I searched the posts for the past year and came up with a few scraps of information. I would like some loading info that doesn't use AA powder (disappointed with a recent experience using AA5).

As an indicator of past experience, I have owned a Model 71 Deluxe in .348 WCF for the past 4 years. I also load for 13 other centerfire cartridges.

Thanks guys for your time!

I'll have to tune in hear to see what you get. I also recently bought a Win94 in 375. So far I've shot factory ammo, which shot great. I ordered some LEE dies and started to load some, but the sizeing die had rough machine marks in it so I sent it back. I did load some cast bullets in unsized cases. It was the LEE 250gn. I used TAC and took a few rounds out to plink with in the middle of the day while hunting. The cast bullets hit rather low, but seemed to shoot okay. When I get a chance, and a sizeing die, I'll have to see what it will do. I'm thinking of just makeing mine a cast shooter. That is if the gun will cooperate.

First off. Tell your wife you got a good deal on the rifle. I just sold one for $475.

I decided to keep a Marlin 336 as I now need a scope regularly.



I have been using 255 gr. Barnes originals- a flat nose softpoint. I have been using loads from Ken Waters' book but found 3031 to be the best powder for my rifle. My future son-in-law just took a bear with it last weekend. A very deadly combination.

Frank

Here is a link to a good thread at Beartooth.

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=7300&page=1&pp=15

.... I've gotten pretty good results with Rel 7, using my cast bullets (272gr, lubed and checked) I don't have the exact load with me (at work) but will try to post some of my actual loads soon.... I have also had surprisingly good results with Lil Gun of all things.... and AA1680, which you say you don't want to use.... I haven't had time to really work up "THE" load yet, but I'm hoping to get out to the range soon...

... I also think that one of my next investments will be in one of the pre-fit Decelerator pads..... this light rifle sorta thumps when shooting heavy cast bullets at close to 2000 fps....

Thanks Frank!

I bought the gun at one of those horrible gun shows we were bashing a few weeks ago in another forum- LOL. I don't know if I will sell it... I usually have a hard time parting with guns. I will try the loads you have all suggested, and thanks for the opinions!

I tried reloader # 7 but could get nowhere the accuracy of aa1680.I use a load of 38 grs of aa1680 with the 220 gr hornady bullet.I had awesome accuracy with the 235 gr speer bullet loaded as a two shooter or first and last round.I got 1 inch groups with this bullet and 2 inch groups with the 220 gr.Thats a max load but I loaded it with up to 40 grs no pressure.I have even shot 300 gr fmj bullets loaded with aa1680 no pressure.I want to try the 270 gr hornady bullets as a first shot load.You can only load the chamber with some of theses bullets because of length.They were more accurate than the hornady 220 gr and expanded better.

DGR-
Thanks, I need to finish butchering elk meat and go to the range some day soon. I am soaking all this info up for my next trip to Sportsmans Warehouse!

Sounds like you have a good gun for a good price. I have one set up the same way. I load (3) levels for it. Roughly duplicating the factory loads is a load of 36.0gr of RL-7 with a Hornady 220gr FNSP at 2,050fps. There is no compression of the powder at that amount. I have tried 38.0gr (max in several load books). It required a fair amount of compression (which I don't like with smokeless powder) and kicked more. 36.0gr was enough for me.

I also load a "plinking" load with 38.0gr of IMR4064 and the same bullet. The powder is really too slow for the case (it does burn clean, though), but I can fill the case and get a nice load. I forget the exact speed, but it is about 1,600fps. No more recoil (from feel) than a 30-30.

I also load a black powder load for my wife. About 40gr of FFFg, two 0.030" fiber discs with a 1/8" lube wad between them and a 255gr Lee plain base 38-55 bullet. With the extra lube, she can shoot between 10 and 20 rounds before cleaning the bore. Speed is about 1,250fps.

All three loads are accurate. All-in-all, a versatile gun.

I had the .375 at the range the other day, experimented with some 220gr Hornady FP, and 270gr. RN (converted to flat points). I saw some pretty disappointing velocities. I didn't reach maximum with any of them, but most were in the 1890 fps range. The Winchester factory loads only coughed up 1941 fps. BTW, after looking at the Hornady flat point, then at the Hornady Round Nose...not much difference as far as primer contact while in the mag tube. A little massaging with the hammer flattened the RN's nicely.

Try aa1680 it will zip those 220 grs up to 2400 fps.I got that much in my gun with two grains over max.The max load is 38 grs by the way.I worked them up from 35 grs.I also loaded 300 gr fmj bullets with this powder.It was the most accurate powder the 235 gr speer was the most accurate bullet.I shot 1 inch groups with it and 38 grs of aa1680 .I would start at 35 grs and work up to 38 though.I have had alot of fun with my pair of 375 win .

How about hunting experience with this rifle? I was planning on using it for black bears at close range. Any comments. I am just about to buy one.

Greg

I load the Hornady 220s on top of 37.5 grains of RL-7. Does the trick for me.

However, I am wanting to try AA1680, as it appears to be the powder to try for max. velocity.

GI Brass is currently selling 8 lbs. of WC680 (AA1680 bulk govt equivalent) for $56 + HazMat/Shipping: http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

That's a danged good deal.

RSY