The Accurate Reloading Forums
Model94 “Big Bore” .375
07 March 2025, 10:02
gunslinger55Model94 “Big Bore” .375
I picked up a new with tag .375 win a while back. Does not look like it’s been fired. I kept it thinking i might sell it or whatever (i got a good deal on it). Now i’m thinking i might just use it and enjoy it. Dont know much about the .375 win except it’s kinda hard to come by but who has used it hunting? On paper it doesn’t look that exciting but i know it must work with the heavier bullets. Plus it looks cool. Lack of optic mounting an issue on the 94’s but it has a super nice bluing job. I think it was made in 79 or 80? I like lever guns and as i get older i think they are iconic pieces of American shooting history
Who has used it to hunt and what did you hunt?
White Mountains Arizona
07 March 2025, 19:35
HipshootAS far as optics it depends if the rifle is Angle Eject or not.
It will do 2400 fps with a 200gr. bullet. Check some of the Hornady reloading books.
Hip
07 March 2025, 20:40
buckeyeshooterI have a Winchester 94 legacy 38-55 with 26 inch barrel. It will knock the socks off a deer at 150 yards, which is the maximum range you can see to shoot where I hunt. As the 375 is a bit higher velocity in factory loading, it will work as well or better.
08 March 2025, 03:48
sambarman338I've got a 375 Winchester 94 about the same age as yours, and it is a nice little rifle with Lyman 66 peep. It kills pigs convincingly but seems a bit light for the big deer we have here in Victoria. I think it would be the bee's knees for whitetail.
Though mounting a scope would be a problem, I think that early iteration is probably stronger than the angle-eject model with more steel milled out of the action.
08 March 2025, 22:04
AtkinsonBallistic twin to the old 38-55..I have a friend who has been killing deer and elk with one for the last 50 years without any problems..good up to 200 yards he sez!
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
I’ve used one for hunting and used sensibly it can take any medium game. I’ve shot deer and pigs with mine and it has more punch than a 30/30. I also use a hot loaded 35 Rem and they are on a par performance-wise.
If you search for ‘Atomic 29’ on Facebook, they make copper pills and there are pics of game taken with the 375.
The biggest problem is the availability of jacketed bullets. Hornady discontinued their 220gr FN pill, which was an ideal bullet for the 375 Win. In the US you have some specialist suppliers that make suitable pills but you have to search for them. For larger game Barnes still make their 255gr Originals.
If you cast your own the 375 Win is a great candidate. With the right powders the modest case capacity allows you to duplicate jacketed bullet speeds.
The best powders we can access locally are H4198 and R-7. In the US you have several other options.
Winchester still makes brass and ammo, though this is only produced seasonally. Starline also makes good brass.
09 March 2025, 01:37
gunslinger55Ok thanks for the replies good stuff…..
White Mountains Arizona
31 March 2025, 02:14
theback40Did you buy the .375 Gunslinger?
I have a Marlin 375, the 94 was beefed up and is suppose to be even stronger than the marlin.
The chambers have a long throat to keep pressure down. I shot a couple bears with mine, it hits very convincingly!
31 March 2025, 08:33
shootermetalThe Win 94 375 Winchester is much more powerful then the 38-55 or Winchesher
wouldn't have made a special beefed up receiver for it. To say it's light for a big deer is ridiculous. It's plenty good enough for larger deer.
31 March 2025, 22:37
Brian CanadaI have never owned one but I know that it will be awesome especially with some of the new premium bullets.
IHMSA BC Provincial Champion and Perfect 40 Score, Unlimited Category, AAA Class.
09 April 2025, 10:37
Lamarthe big bore 94 will rattle your teeth with the heavier bullets when pushed to the upper end.
the Marlin handles the recoil better.
I use cast bullets in both at 260grs, and 200yd. dead deer is not a problem, but you can forget finding a bullet to ogle.
I've seen the factory Hornady ammo kill deer with no drama too, but it's been a while since that.
11 April 2025, 06:01
medvedwe had a member of our hunter association in france that used it with success on red deer and big wild boar but i do not know what happened to his winchester when he left for the forever hunting lands.
24 July 2025, 04:08
dgr416The 375 win is one of my favorite lever guns to shoot and reload for .I really like aa1680 powder in it gets the most power from the 375 win .I shot from 200 gr to 300 grain bullets all fun .The 235 grain speer in the big bore 94 is super accurate 1 inch groups .I got 1800 fps with 300 grain bullets .I single shot pointed and round nosd bullets .I used it as my truck gun for grousd hunting incase of bears .I later bought a 94 in 444 marlin and its too much in that little gun no fun .
25 July 2025, 10:40
yumastepsideI bought the 375 Win in the marlin when they first came out, '78 I think, wish I'd never sold it.
Roger
25 July 2025, 23:16
Brian CanadaI am very tempted to get a .375 Win barrel for my TC Encore.
That cartridge is very under-rated, I think.
It would be a nice short range bush cartridge out to 150 yds and further for moose with the right bullet.
IHMSA BC Provincial Champion and Perfect 40 Score, Unlimited Category, AAA Class.