Well, I've run into something that I just don't have a lot of experience with. I've inherited a Win '94 that came to me with a side mount 4x scope. I've burned thru more than a box of ammo trying to zero to no avail. Shooting way left, and adjusting the right-left turret seems to change poi down. Wasn't until I did a little scrounging around here that I realized the scope was mounted 90 degrees off. So here's the question, 30-30 is a little hard to come by right now, the scope is way off now, and it was a pretty cheap scope 30 years ago when it was put on. So do I keep trying to zero this thing, or, is there a better scope set up for this rifle? Its 1980 vintage, so it is top eject. Is there a way to mount a better scope forward of the receiver on a '94? Or the other option is take the side mount off and just run with the iron sights. Those are dead on at 50 yards...probably at 100 yards too...but my eyes aren't all that good out to 100yds.
Noob Needs Help with Winchester 94 Scope
- Thread starter bersaguy
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CoalCrackerAl
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I have a 94AE. It would not shoot well with a scope. Even with off set mounts. It would only be good for what ever yards it was sighted in. I ended up putting a red dot on the rear scope mount. Problem solved.
Hugger-4641
Member
I have a 94ae with see thru mounts and it shoots fine out to 200yds or more. But honestly, with that top eject 94 I'd just use the irons. If your eyes aren't good enough now to use irons, then go ahead and get a decent scope. I'd look at something like a Vortex Crossfire or Diamonback.
Bazoo
Member
It should be drilled for a receiver sight. Two screws on the left side top rear of receiver. Might be an option for it.
If you bagged it solid, You might could witness the irons on a target and adjust the scope to that poa. I've never done that but I think it'll work.
If you bagged it solid, You might could witness the irons on a target and adjust the scope to that poa. I've never done that but I think it'll work.
Bazoo
Member
If you were local id offer to have you come over and shoot a mess of my handloads. Cost isn't too bad when you're running a cast 31141.
I understand the need to use optics at a certain point in life. I'm there too. But the 94 isn't a good platform for mounting a scope. I'd use it with irons and keep it as an heirloom. If you really need to hunt with optics buy another rifle better suited for them.
Well, I think I'm going to just take the scope off. Around here a 100+ yard shot isn't unthinkable, but the vast majority of opportunities are going to present at more like 30 to 75 yards. I can make that with irons. May need to hit the front sight with a little white nail polish, but that's about it. If I need to reach out farther than that, I have a scoped 7600 in 270. Plus, I think that will make it better pulling double duty as both a deer rifle and hog gun. Thanks for all the replies!
Bazoo
Member
On my 94, made in 1970, I've done some tinkering to be able to use the irons better. First, i replaced the rear sight with a marbles semi buckhorn. The original had too wide a notch for the bead. Then I realized I was having eye strain trying to comprehend the white diamond, so I reversed the insert so it's all black. Problem solved. I make good groups now.
For target shooting I found that the target makes a lot of difference too. A bright 4" square on a plain cardboard backer works best for me. Right now I have neon green for squares but I think pink or yellow would so well too.
Experimenting with target size and color made a big difference in my target seeing ability. I went from 4" groups to 2" groups at 75 yards with these changes.
For target shooting I found that the target makes a lot of difference too. A bright 4" square on a plain cardboard backer works best for me. Right now I have neon green for squares but I think pink or yellow would so well too.
Experimenting with target size and color made a big difference in my target seeing ability. I went from 4" groups to 2" groups at 75 yards with these changes.
You can't guarantee it, but if you can arrange to shoot irons in bright light, your pupil contracts and your vision improves some because it's like looking through an aperture. So, hunt on sunny days.
Ok, so....what had happened was.....
I took the scope off...and this is what happens when a noob does stuff. I failed to realize the screw holding the front of the scope mount was also the stop screw for the lever link pin. Bad news is I lost the link pin in the woods. Good news is I never had a shot that day anyway. Good learning lesson. New pin and screw arrived today, she's back up and running. Also, realized I have neglected to post any photos yet...so here ya go
I took the scope off...and this is what happens when a noob does stuff. I failed to realize the screw holding the front of the scope mount was also the stop screw for the lever link pin. Bad news is I lost the link pin in the woods. Good news is I never had a shot that day anyway. Good learning lesson. New pin and screw arrived today, she's back up and running. Also, realized I have neglected to post any photos yet...so here ya go
Bazoo
Member
Nice old gun. Mines got more finish wear on the receiver but otherwise is identicle. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you were able to replace the screw. A link pin would be easily made if need be, but glad you got that too.
Glad you were able to replace the screw. A link pin would be easily made if need be, but glad you got that too.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
When the scope is mount is on the left side of the receiver, the elevation and windage adjustments will do the opposite job. Windage knob becomes the elevation and Elevation knob becomes the windage. A bigger problem is cheek weld. I could never figure which was better, using the see thru iron sites or the scope. After a few years, I decided a pump 30.06 with conventional scope was a much better gun for my needs.
Jeff62
Member
Winchester set the 94 up for optional receiver sights. I really like this one.
Hugger-4641
Member
This is not correct, unless you rotated the scope 90 %. There should be no need to rotate the scope unless your turret stuck out so far it interfered with ejecting spent case.
I had a Winchester Model 94 in 30/30 It is a top ejecting gun. Mounting a scope at that time (1974?) was the only way to put a scope on the gun and every ejection would interfere with the scope. I also had a Weaver 4X on the gun.
AJC1
Member
That's the sighting setup I use on my lever guns, I also run a globe up front. It hits what its pointed at, the trigger jerk needs some work...
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Hugger-4641
Member
I've had the old 94 30-30 with side mounts and a Bushnell, didn't have to rotate the scope on it. I still have my 94 Angle Eject 30-30. It has a top mounted Busnell on high mounts and it has no ejection issues.
Mine is a top eject, so I'm pretty sure the spent cases would whack the turret if the scope was mounted as per usual. However, just received and installed a Williams Fool Proof apature sight, hopefully will get out tomorrow after work and try it out
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