Winchester 94 30-30 (1975 VTG)

[Big D]

Hey yall. My mother purchased the above rifle for my father as a Christmas gift in 1976. She says it was purchased at "Gibson's Discount Store" for the whopping sum of $163 (on layaway)....including tax and a box of ammo. Ads from the time list the price at $119.35 (1975) to $130.95 (1977). Sales tax at that time in Georgia must have been relatively high or the store charged a royalty for layaway sales. I would imagine a box of 30-30 would have been around $5-$8 a box back then.





Growing up, this the was the first "high-powered" rifle I had ever shot, and still cherish those memories. Shooting it today, it stills seems pretty damn high powered in my eyes!

Anyways, I recently got the ole girl out and decided to properly zero it on paper. I initially thought to zero it at 50 yards....where it shot approximately 1.5-2" group....but about 7 inches right and 3 inches high from the point of aim. That day, I did not have a hammer/punch available to shift the rear sight.

My second range session, I decided to switch to a 25 yard zero. Given that I primarily shoot 150gr soft points, I available ballistic data shows a 25yd zero will keep round no more than 2" high all the way to about 160-175 yards.....with a drop of only 3.5" at 200 yards.

In spite of the buckhorn sights, this ole girl still shoots tight groups for a barrel banded rifle. I finally got it zeroed, but was shocked at how far I had to drift the rear sight. The sight still has approximately 3/4 engagement in the dovetail. The rear sight is noticeably off center now, in spite of shooting dead center and about 1.5 inches high at 25 yards.

Does anyone else find it odd I would have to drift the rear sight so far from center to get it zeroed?

Any discussion/input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nevmavrick]

you can drift the front sight over, then adjust the rear again.
I have a receiver-sight on mine, so it's easier to adjust.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I was in one of our Walmart stores about 15 years ago. They had a 94 Ranger on clearance for $125. I bought it and sold it to our neighbor who's son needed a deer rifle.
If I were you I would mount a receiver sight (Williams) and be done with it. You may have to install a taller front sight though.

 

[Big D]

I had forgotten all about being able to drift the front sight. What is odd is that my dad NEVER zeroed the rifle. As far as I could tell, both the front and rear sights were dead centered before I began drifting the rear sight. I would also imagine the front sight movement would be limited somewhat, that is if you wanted to keep the hood on it.

I was looking into getting a Lyman 66A receiver peep. It appears to mount low enough that I wouldn't need to modify the front sight.

 

[SwampWolf]

What year was The Shooter's Bible Winchester descriptions copied from? Could be wrong but I'm guessing it was way older than 1975. Maybe even pre-64? Just curious.

 

[jmr40]

Somewhere around $125 is about right for a lever action 30-30 in the 1970's. Figure about $5 for a box of cartridges and 6% tax and it should have been a little less than $140. IIRC at the time state tax was 5%, but every county generally added 1% for the county. Some 2%, but I don't think you would find any place charging over 7% tax.

Perhaps they charged a service fee for layaway or maybe she purchased something else at the same time to get it to $163.

I remember having a Gibson's locally. They were sort of like a Super Walmart today. Prices were generally better than average, and I can't imagine them selling for more than around $125 at that time.

 

[Big D]

The bottom picture was listed as 1975 and the top 1977. Still a really cool history this Winchester has both for me and my parents. My mother always said she loved shooting that "30-30". What is sad is I remember how every gun store or any store that sold ammo (hardware, etc.) had at least .22LR, 12 gauge, and 30-30 on their shelves. Now all I see is 6.5 Creedmore, .308, .270, and 30-06. I was lucky enough to catch a few boxes at the local Wal-Mart a few weeks ago. The last time I saw it anywhere on the shelves was in the early part of 2020 pre-Covid. Although the popularity of it has waned over the years, I have always loved the cartridge.

 

[Switup]

The '94 is a classic, and an excellent deer rifle. I've got my Dad's from 1948, and I wouldn't part with it for 4x the price you're talking. It's a good gun, a reliable and accurate shooter, and if you're not overly concerned about looks, I suggest that you jump on it.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have a Winchester 94 AE carbine. I installed XS Sights on it. Front post with a white stripe and rear ghost ring. I really like that sight set up n

 

[Riomouse911]

Sweet! When I was a kid my Grandparents took me to Gibson’s in Kerrville, Texas all the time. If it wasn’t the gun counter it was the fishing section that kept my attention more than anything.

The Winchester 1894 is my favorite rifle, it was always the one that caught my eye in the gun cabinet and in the stores. I have 4, one a .44 Mag Trapper, one a hard used, awful looking Golden Spike commemorative that my Dad was given to pay a debt , and two standard post ‘64 models like yours… but without the very cool backstory .

One is a 1972 3,800,000 gun that is in great shape and one a 1982 5,100,000 gun that has nicer wood but a touch of wear on the bluing (especially the barrel bands) from riding around in a ranch truck for years.



Both shoot well for open-sighted lever guns, certainly not bullseye quality but good enough for a deer or bear at 100-150 long steps.

Stay safe.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I also have the Ranger 94 30-30 AE[1985 I believe]. Those 94's are just plain cool. Slim, light and handy as heck. Some years ago, I put a Weaver K4 on it, as my eyesight wasn't getting along with the irons. Enjoy that 94 OP.

 

[Big D]

I was finally able to get it zeroed to my liking. I purchased a One Hole Sight (https://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/one-hole-sights.html) aperture that fit perfectly onto the rear sight. I had it changed in less than five minutes. Also, a little tinkering with the front and rear allowed me to get the rear sight centered up. I love the one hole sight aperture, works perfectly. With open sights, I'd put it right about 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[Armybrat]

Love the Winchester 94 carbines.
My 1894 was made in 1914 and saw some use in the Mexican Revolution during that decade. My dad bought it 50+ years ago in Monterrey, Mexico from the old gent who claimed to have carried it then.
No finish left, sanded stocks, fair bore with strong rifling, solid action.

 

[Armored farmer]

One of my biggest gun regrets was passing on an old Winchester 94 saddle ring that had the blue worn off of 90%, cigarette burns decorated the wood, and the reciever was stamped NEW MEXICO STATE PENATENTIARY. I passed on it for $900. I probably could have had it for $800. Dang it! I had the money too.
Never reget....always regret that one.

 

[Eagle103]

My first deer hunt in 1981 was with my dad's 1950's Remington 740 semi auto 30-06 with a tip off Weaver scope. I was told it didn't work properly so I tipped it to the side and used the recess where the scope was as a rear sight along with the regular front sight. No sighting in practice shots so I really had no idea exactly where the bullet was headed but I was a clueless 12 year old and I guess my dad had other things to do. Out to the woods I went. I found a tree stand built by someone and saw nothing the first few days. Then one day after school I rushed out to the woods and took my spot. Within minutes a six point buck came crashing through the woods behind me and made his way to the trail directly under my stand. I waited quietly until he got in front of me and "took aim" down the barrel right at the shoulder like dad told me to. Lo and behold the buck went down! My first buck. The reason I mention this story is that my dad must have felt a little guilty or something for having almost nothing to do with my first hunt. A few months later in 1982 I got a brand new Winchester 30-30 for my birthday. Wow! He never did hunt with me but that was my primary deer gun for over 20 years. It served me very well, making shots with it I never could today. Lately as I've gotten older and my eyes aren't as good and our hunting style has required longer shots I've switched over to various scoped rifles but that 30-30 will always be my favorite hunting rifle.

 

[d2wing]

Must have been a lay-away charge. There was a Gibson's in my hometown. I bought mine from a friend decades ago. I do have a side mount for a scope.

 

[Oregontrail]

Love the Winchester 94 carbines.
My 1894 was made in 1914 and saw some use in the Mexican Revolution during that decade. My dad bought it 50+ years ago in Monterrey, Mexico from the old gent who claimed to have carried it then.
No finish left, sanded stocks, fair bore with strong rifling, solid action.

View attachment 1139736

Carbine style buttstock and long wood forearm, love it!