Took the Wincehster 94 in 30-30 Win out to the farm to sight in the irons and do some shooting at 100 yards. ****** All shooting done at a private range. Do not attempt this at home.
Couple tips for sighting in. #1; After getting it back from the gun shop. Put a loop on one end of a piece of thread, and place that over the front sight post, drawing it back to center of your Buckhorns. That frontal pointer on the rear sight should line up with the thread to the front post. #2; 100 yard target? Put a large piece of cardboard behind it a bit, so you can gauge where your misses went. Simple solutions that have worked for me for several decades. 👍👍& 5🌟
Thanks for a magnificent video about the Winchester model 94 in 30-30. It reigns as my favorite all-time woods rifle. I love the Buffalo Bore 190 grains, Winchester 170, and the Remington 170 grains. The 30-30 works splendidly well within its range (175-200 yards) on elk, moose, bear, and whitetail deer!
I’ve used Remington 170s in the Marlin, but haven’t grouped them with the 94 yet. So far I know it loves 150s in Remington, Winchester, and Federal Power Shok.
Hey brother you got the 94 looking good she looks like a brand new one! I would not put A-scope on it or no signs leave it like it is hunt with it and enjoy it ! You are deer ready .Like I said to me the 30-30 is the best deer rifle ever make ! the 6.5 450 350 legend all this new stuff I'm not in too. I'm old school I like a 30-06, 30-30 ,308 ,243, 270 If it's not broke don't fix it ! These caliber's been around for years a 100 years and they're still working today . Your videos are great keep it up you're doing a wonderful job.👍
I agree with sticking to iron sites . I see these rifles as being like brush guns. Easy to just carry and move through the woods without a sling . You can even run easy with one. Then ready to come up and sight in fast at 50-100 yards . If I think I need go beyond that I'm going a different route with a bolt action/scope set up. Plus the are just a lot of fun to shoot with . I have a Marlin 336 in 30-30 but I'm eyeing adding one in .357 for more of a plinker or budget friendly target shooter
Appreciate you covering a great rifle, one of my favorites! You my friend did some great shooting with the iron sights and a shorter sight radius! What really brought the fun in deer hunting back for me is using cast bullets, 170gr. @ about 2100 FPS mv.
@@stinger4583 I do at these velocities with the 30 cal. However using top end loads with proper size bullets to bore, my lube, I find no advantage to use gas checks on gas-check type .44 magnum bullets from either revolver or rifle. Even with slight leading, a spiral-wound tuft of bronze wool on a worn bore brush easily removes lead with just a few easy wipes!
With the price of a new Winchester 94 more than $1000, you're lucky to have an "old timer" you don't need to worry about scuffing so much. I started deer hunting in MI with a scoped aught six. WAAAY to much gun for that job in every way. A friend loaned me an old Marlin 30-30 with iron sights, and I felt set free. So much easier to handle and get pointed, important when you can't see the deer until they pop out at 40 yards.
The glossy black coat turned out beautifully!!! I definitely agree with you about the front post covering the plate at 100! So you're doing great! I also have a Winchester 94 1972.. and it will get cerakoted some time in the near future! I went with a Williams peep fire sight. The accuracy was immediate! If you go that route for $70.. you get the peep and fiberoptic front sight together. Put your front sight in place then the peep before you remove the buckhorn sight. It will save you issues.. and you can dial the peep for windage and elevation 😊 Great job with the video.. very realistic and informative
Very nice. I have a couple of Model 94s. The first one is a 1942(ish) I inherited from my grandfather. The second one is a more modern Antlered Game version inherited from my father in law, who was a gunsmith, and firearms historian with Browning. Super classic rifles.
@@YonderOak I bought mine new in 1994 for $325. It has (1894-1994) engraved on the side plate. In 92 they started making good guns again, from milled billet steel instead of the sintered and stamped crap. But then ruined the looks with the cross-bolt safety...yuck!!! Mine shoots lights out for a 30-30 lever gun. When I had a scope on it, I was shooting 1.25 MOA groups at 100yds! Last time I shot it, I was hitting an 8" steel plate at 200yds with open sites, off-hand from a standing position...in order to replicate hunting conditions. It vastly outperforms my buddy's father's pre-64 in accuracy...but certainly not in a beauty contest! I just wish I'd had the sense back in those days to fill my closet with cheap pre-64 94s...when you could get really nice early examples for about $500 bucks!
From an old target shooter/hunter , 6 O'clock hold is fine for shooting targets with iron sights , you can keep adjusting sights , but when you go hunting at unknown ranges you're probably going to be better served holding point of aim . But that's just my experience.
When drifting the rear sight on a lever gun such as an M94 remember that even if it is shooting alot to the left or right that it will only take a hair of movement to bring it back to center. I found that out . Nice old rifle and fun vid . Cheers
Mom got me one when I was 13 and I still have and it will never leave me. Have to say I really have never been able to get it sighted in right. I finally got a deer some 20 years back but I had to "unload" at it per it was running🙄. Got my son a marlin when he was 7 and that is dead nuts on but does have a 4 power scope. Love the 30-30's. Just won't put a side mounted scope on model 94 nice video thankyou!
Great looking finish on that 94 and great shooting! I agree that it's a great all around 100 yard brush gun, and probably the best part about the post 64 is the price! On mine I did end up re-bluing it, and I love the finish on it. But it's hard to beat that ultra black gloss looking gun-kote Keep up the good work!
That refinish looks great. My uncle has an old 94 that is beautiful, and I believe it was manufactured sometime around 1917. I have a Marlin 336 that was manufactured in 1979, and I’ve had it since 1983 when I was fifteen. My fifty-four year old eyes just can’t do well with irons anymore unfortunately. I can mount a scope however. Back in the 80s when I still hunted with my 336 I caught a lot of flack from schoolmates that thought anything less than a .30-06 was worthless on deer. Those guys were flat-out wrong.
Never listen to nay sayers.. that's my two cents! Deer cartridges are designed for mid sized game! Anything from 50 pounds up to 400 pounds will not know what cartridge.. bullet that hit it! The key is to hit what you're aiming at.. what you choose works for you 😊
Most sensible sights upgrade: Williams used to sell a kit for these carbines, including Foolproof rear peep sight and forward Firesite to replace the larger factory bead sight. One extra recommended purchase is a blanking plate to fill in rear sight factory slot. Makes for good protection of finish and looks a bit classy too. Like your carbine! I have one just like it. Be well
I had to drift them just a bit when I started hunting with this rifle a couple years ago. Since then, this was the first time I've needed to touch them.
Wow looks beautiful,,, my grandpa had the 94 too, the stock was dry, the blueing was faded, rust pits on the receiver,,, i wish i could have got it refinished
A few more rounds at 50 yards would be what I would do to dial it in so that you know exactly where to hold at 50 yards. Once you know your sight picture to hit the bullseye at 50 yards, then hold the same at 100 yards and you should be pretty close. I have a Winchester Model 94 30-30 made in 1992 with the cross-bolt safety. I'm 73 years old so it has a 2 x 7 power scope on it that I feel comfortable shooting out to 150 yards at a standing deer. At this stage of life the deer are safe if they're running because I choose not to try to hit a running deer and possibly wound one. I like the new finish on your model 94; does that finish have a name?
Good points. I bought mine in 94...it has "1894-1994" engraved on the side plate. I hate the look of the cross-bolt safety...but mine's a helluva shooter. Back when I had a scope on it, I was benchrest shooting 1.25 MOA groups at a hundred yards! I took the scope off about 25 years ago...where I live (western Montana) a scope defeats the whole purpose of the gun. But the last time I took it out I was hitting an 8" steel plate, off-hand standing with open sights, at 200 yards with ease. Over the years I've considered trading it for a pre-64...but I can pretty much guarantee that whatever I trade it for wouldn't be nearly as accurate...function over form ya know! I believe the finish he has is called "Gun Kote".
I have used a Model '94 30-30 for over 60 years. It has take Mule Deer, Pronghorn and Elk out to 200 yards. Still my go to rifle! At 100 yards it is point of aim 2-3" group with 150 grain hard cast lead bullets, at 200 yard about 4 inches lower. If my 30-30 couldn't shoot any better than that I would have tanked it.
I LOVE my 1894. I shoot that the best out of all my firearms. Previous owner had it sighted in perfectly, I can pop steel plates and milk gallons at 100 yards off hand very consistently. As long as I do my part the rifle is dead on!
I’m still experimenting with mine. Trying to see what ammo it (and my wallet) prefers. Core-Lokt, Power Points and Power-Shoks have all performed really well so far. I’ve got the LeverEvolutions as well, but I’m not sure I’d get the full benefit of those rounds using only irons. With the scoped Marlin I sometimes hunt with, maybe.
Thank you for showing this technique for drifting the sight - especially with the paper and pointer. A few years ago I couldn’t figure out where to tap the sight on my Marlin and was lucky I didn’t whack the entire sight off the rifle. LOL.
I got mine 20years ago it had never been shot before that it still looks brand new. I want to get a large lever put on it soon like John Wayne always did.
My pre ‘64, sighted in 4” high at 100, will shoot 4” low at 250 Using leverevolution hornady. Lots of old wives tales about the short range of this caliber. Ammo manufacturers have purposely kept their loadings impotent. Lawyers rule, as well as old wives tales.
My model 94 was made in 1908 it is stamped 30WCF on the barrel ( Winchester Center Fire. I was told 30-30 was coined by the Marlin rifle company because they didn’t want to stamp 30 WCF on their barrels
I inherited my grandfather's nickel plated 94 model mfg in 1901. Still has the original saddle ring and is in pristine condition. I need to send the information to the Winchester museum and find out if the nickel plating was original, if so it will make the value really high.
Im a big fan of Hornady ftx 160 gr bullets. They are a all around good round..for any needs..lots of punch an zip..30/30 94/ae is one tool that every home should have..for defense an hunting. The perfect tool..
I Love those rounds compared to Federals or Remington rounds..for 2 yrs straight every payday picked up a box of them...I got myself a nice comfortable amount for when shit hits the fan..I think I still have like 3 boxes of the Winchester 170gr Silver tip...
My 1st deer rifle was a Winchester I’m not sure if it was a model 94 but I got it when I was 15 years old and I’m 46 now the bad thing is it was stolen from my house long with the 1st gun I ever got from my pop which was a New England firearms 20 gauge single shot but can’t replace those guns the one thing I loved about my 30/30 Win was it actually healed 8 not 7 it would hold 7 in the tube and 1 in the chamber most 30/30’s hold 7 only leveler’s that is lol 😂 still wished I had both those guns!!! But as you went on it wasn’t this model because mine you could put a scope on it!!
@@YonderOak could have been like I said was my 1st high powered rifle for deer and got it around 15 which was 30 years ago almost 31 now!! Wished it hadn’t been stolen!! It got stolen from me when I was 25 years old and my 1st gun which lead to my pop giving me my grandpop’s 35 marlin and I steal posses it to this day!!!
Awesome video! I have a pre 64 model 94 Winchester that desperately needs to be cleaned up and re-blued. Who did the work on the rifle? Looks gorgeous.
This was done by Lanier Custom Rifles. Since yours is a pre-64, however, I would look into doing a true re-blue instead of a gun-kote or cerakote. The 70s models’ alloy receivers do not take a traditional blueing well. Depending on your rifle’s year of manufacturing you may not want to have anything done to it. Mine just did not have much in the way of a collectors’ value.
I had a '74 Model 94 30-30 in 1977. I killed 2 running deer with it, with multiple shots. I could hit a long neck budweiser bottle at a 100 yards free hand. I fell down a bank and into a creek and bent the barrel.😢 😢 I sold it. But I got lucky and acquired another '74 last year. How lucky can you get!!
If you use a smaller steel hammer to hit your punch with and just tap it, you'll be able to find tune there. A lot easier than you're using the rubber mount because a rubber band was give and it's heavier. Try using a small ball pin to hit the punch with and just tap it. You can get it in there right in the middle. I've got a marlin and I'll put that rifle up against any 30 out of six with a scope at 100 yd
Don’t be surprised if that receiver bluing starts fading. Metal they played with sometime around the 70’s 80’s did not hold bluing very well. Even with that fault my 94 would be one of the last rifles I would ever get rid of.
Right, that’s why I didn’t get it reblued. I would have rather done that, but once the iron plating is gone, so is the bluing. We’ll just have to see how the Gun Kote holds up.
JUST FROM VIEWING YOUR VIDEO, I WOULD ADJUST THE REAR SIGHT SLIGHTLY AND I THINK YOU WILL BE MUCH CLOSER. THE NOTCHES ON THE REAR SIGHT CAN GREATLY THROW OFF YOUR SHOTS IF THEY ARE TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW. YOUR RIFLE IS ACCURATE, YOU JUST NEED TO FIND THE SWEET SPOT ON THE SIGHT ADJUSTMENT, AND FIND THE SHELLS THAT IT LIKES THE BEST.
The no-drill sling system I went with was a Brass Stacker. If you want only the front clamp mount, Amazon has them for pretty cheap. Uncle Mike’s I believe.
Question for anyone: I picked up a 1951 Winchester 94. It’s in beautiful condition. Original iron sights. At 50 yards I am dead on center, perfect. But I’m about 6” high. I’ve adjusted my buckhorn as far as it will go and that’s it. The front sight is fixed and hooded. Barrel is almost perfect the guy who had it hardly used it. He passed and his kids sold it. I really don’t want to put a scope or change the original sights. No matter what I do I can’t get it to drop. Tried three different ammos, same. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
What kind of bead are you taking at 50 yrds ? Unless you already have done this try taking a fine bead in the bottom of the notch instead of a medium or full bead. Could maybe remove the ramp from the buckhorn rear sight completely and let it rest right on the barrel . Don't loose it. Generally to lower your point of impact you would have a slightly taller front sight installed . But that rifle today being a pre 64 is worth a lot of money and you really should keep it original .
@@ianmccutcheon6319 thanks. Ya, I really don’t want to alter it in anyway. I’ve tried it without the ramp and still high. Couple guys told me take the ramp out and use a hammer to flatten it out against the barrel. I’m like ahhhh no! SMH. Unfortunately there are zero gunsmiths around me, nearest one is 150 miles away. I really appreciate the comment. If you think of anything else let me know. Other than it being high, it is dead in center. I just don’t have experience with the old 30/30s and don’t want to do anything that would mess it up. Thanks again. PS: I’ve dropped my bead until I almost can’t see it and I’m still 5-6” high.
@@rburrows7786 What kind of ammunition are you shooting ? This could make a difference. Is it new ammo or old stuff ? Is it factory or reloaded ? What grain of bullet ? Also are you perhaps resting the barrel itself on something when you shoot . If the barrel itself is directly against something hard it can cause it to jump when fired. Cheers
@@ianmccutcheon6319 I’ve used both 150/170 grain. Winchester, Federal and Remington. All new. I have a rifle sled I use for sighting in all my rifles. Once it’s set and adjusted it doesn’t move. I’ve been shooting for 50 years so I know a few things etc. Just I e never had set iron sights off this much? Doesn’t matter which ammo I use, all high? My Marlin 30/30 same sights no problem, my 9422 same thing no problem. I finally get my hands on an old Winchester and I’m stumped? Appreciate the help and input. I’ve even bought a laser bore sight thinking maybe the barrel etc, but it’s right on the $$. I’m wondering if the sights were just always like this from the factory etc? I just don’t want to start screwing around with the front post and then find out I messed it up and so forth. Rifle is beautiful. Wish I could post pics on here might help
@@rburrows7786 You kind of have me stumped too . How does it print at a hundred yards ? Those Winchesters were set up to shoot dead on at 100 yards with the ramp at the third notch . That way you had the option to lower the elevation if required. I mean 2 to 4 inches high at 50 yards is one thing but it should not shoot 5 to 6 when on the lowest notch. What notch was the ramp set at when you first got it. ? If it was on the third notch and you lowered it all the way down to the first and even took it right out that should have made a huge change. The fact that it did nothing is strange especially when using new modern factory cartridges.
The 30-30 round is not unlike 762-39. While not as close as some other rounds, they have some similarities. Sometimes I wonder if the Russians used it as a possible model.
The 7.62X39 was developed during WW2 and later used with the AK-47 and SKS rifles. It was based on the Soviet exposure prior to WW2 to the German intermediate cartridges that lead ultimately to the development of the German StG-44 (Sturmgewehr)...which fired a similar 7.92X33 intermediate cartridge. The idea was, since most battles took place in urban areas, there wasn't much need for full length battle cartridges like the German 8mm Mauser and the Soviet 7.62X54 with their 6-7 hundred yard capabilities. And rapid fire, low recoil assault rifles were the future of warfare. Interestingly...the Russian military did purchase nearly 300,000 Winchester 1895 lever action rifles during WW1...but these were all chambered in 7.62X54.
Yes! I’m left-handed. I shoot shotguns and iron sights left handed, but pistols right-handed. I’ve also trained myself to shoot scoped rifles right-handed.
@@YonderOak Good day. Ok, good deal. Just wondering because I was a bit confused about some of your procedures. For instance, you were hitting left and tapped the rear sight to the right. I thought you move your sight in the direction you are hitting in order to get the opposite effect. Maybe I’m thinking about something else.
@@marcoaguiar1131 If you were adjusting the front sight it would be opposite like that. But the rear sight gets adjusted the direction you want the round to go.
Ive fired both the rifle and carbine of the model 94 and both will hit a deer at 100 yards but the rifle has a longer barrel then the carbine - thus the rifle is more accurate distances over 50 yards- ive personally killed a deer at 126.5 yards with the rifle- so this videos is just ur opinion only 🤪🤪
Oh no, I’m not saying you can’t kill a deer past 100 yards with one of these. But around here we wouldn’t get a shot that far and me personally, I don’t know if I’m good enough to try yet. Thanks for watching!
After shooting a Rossi R92 with those buckhorn sights, I’d agree that they are better than what’s on the 94s. But these are still good for any hunting I’d do in the woods here.
Not being mean but once the last time you really clean the gun I mean really let it soak and get some of the rifling cleaned up and the copper out of the barrel
I don’t think that’s a mean question. After deer season it’s gets a decent cleaning. In the ~39 years before I got it I’m not sure how regularly. Do you have a preferred method?
I simply cannot see the efficacy of going out with the intention of sighting in a rifle - and then not sighting it in when the 100 yard print is that close. The grouping is good. Another nudge and you would have it dead center. With the primitive iron sights on these guns, every effort should be made to eliminate error in drift, work on elevation later if you must. Better to do that work at the time, rather than introduce a variable of another loading. Jus sayin... Nice finish work BTW.
I checked your profile to see the videos of the sub-MOA groups you’re getting out of your open-sighted 30-30 and couldn’t find them. Did you see the part where I said I’d never shot this gun at 100 yards or did you skip to the end to check the group? Thanks for watching, Larry!
I know there’s a lot of comments here, and it may be hard to read them all, but if you did, you’d see that I’ve responded to this already. The day doesn’t end after I stop recording, dude. If you can hit an 8 inch gong at 100 yards, you can hit a deer’s vitals at the same distance. Thanks for watching!
Cool comment, bro. I didn’t say it did, but gravity does. Considering you have no videos uploaded, I’m guessing you never made it past the homework stage.