Two New ( To Me) To Try Out For The Deer Battery.

[Gatorjet]

Picked up a NEF Handi Rifle in 500 S&W a few weeks ago. Then made a trade for a Winchester 94 (post 64, so don't get too excited).

The Handi Rifle is like new, except for the plastic rear sight having been tightened to much. I replaced It, but probably not necessary. I topped the beast with a Bushnell Trophy XLT 1.75-4X32 scope with the circleX reticle. Mounted with Leupold Rifleman See-Thru rings so those great fiber optic sights can still be used.

Dug deep in my pocket, and came up with a couple boxes of HSM 300gr XTP 500 S&W, and one box of Hornady 300gr. FTX to dial It in with.

While I'M have read some reports of a really unpleasant revoil from this rifle, I shot a friends last year, and It wasn't all that bad. Think 12 ga. 3" magnum pump gun.

The Winchester 94 was to scratch an itch I have had for a while for a "Cowboy" gun. Or maybe just a classic deer gun from decades past. Either way, it's not the exact thing, but close enough for me. Post 64 enough I thin (mid 80's) that It has a much better finish than the early post 64 rifles. Being the low end Ranger model It has the "hardwood' stock, not walnut. But It looks really good. As does the bright blue finish of the metal.

I don't think It was a bad trade on either side. Where I had around a hundred bucks and change in the Yugo M48A Mauser I traded, it's current day value is close to the Winchester. I also included a bandolier of 140 rounds of surplus Turk 8MM ammo I paid about a dime per round for a few years back, and got a box of Winchester Super-X 30-30 ammo with the 94.

Now, to get time to get to the range to try them out!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I started out with a 94. They are nice and light, but now I don't think they have the accuracy to be versatile.

[Ham]

I've got a Marlin 336C that I need to kill a few deer with this year IF I can ever leave the water.

[Gatorjet]

I have lots of options where I hunt in Northern Missouri. Around Thomas Hill lake. One stand offers a maximum 100 yard woods shot, but most are within 50. The 94 Winchester is plenty adiquate for that. As is the 500S&W single shot Handi Rifle, and my G2 T/C Contender with a Super 14 35 Remington barrel that I have been using for the past couple years.

If I want to use another stand, or field blind the shots could be well over 200 yards.That's when my Remington 700 in 7MM Remington Magnum comes in. McMillan stock, custom muzzle break, excellent trigger job, and Leupold VXII in 3-9 power. 6 3/4 pounds of proven tack driver out to 400 yards, and beyond.

Not that I have done It, but I saw the smith that did the custom work do It on a windy day on a ram steel target @ 400 yds. My best that day was knocking over steel pigs @ 300 yds.

[Gatorjet]

Got to do a little checking out of the two new residents of my gun safe. The 500 only took about six rounds to get a tight group centered, but about three inches high @50 yards. Need to tweek It a little for a 100 hard zerp. The recoil I would call "interesting". Not painful, or punishing, but a loooong, strong, and delibrate push.

The Winchester gave a rewarding result. Really just a function test. Only six rounds, and just at 50 yards, but all six standing, off hand, no rest were solidly in a 6 inch circle. I figure "minute of deer" accuracy for the first six rounds with no tweeking, testing, or a solid rest is pretty acceptable.

Still have a few weeks for fine tuning before deer season. By then I'll have to put a few names in a hat, and draw one out for what I will use.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I wouldn't think recoil would bother you much if you pack a 6 3/4lb 7 mag? Well unless it has a brake. I've fooled around with several 94's over the years, 30/30's and 32's and if there is one thing that is consistent, or so it seems, it's that you can't help an inaccurate one. Some rifles will respond to ammo changes or some tuning, but I never saw a 94 that would.

[ruthead]

Not to steal the post but I got a question about the 94 and sounds like you guys have knowledge of them. I have an old one my grandfather gave me 94-32. Have played around with it over the years and killed a few deer with it. 2 of my boys killed their first deer with it. Whats the difference in the pre and post 64 referred to in the initial post? I'm pretty sure this one would be pre 64.

[Gatorjet]

In 1964 Winchester made changes in some manufacturing methods, and materials to save money. On the 94 one of the worst changes was metalurgy of the receiver causing flaking of the finish, and making them near impossible to refinish. The cartridge lifter was changed to a cheap stamped steel rather than a milled part as well. The walnut stocks were replaced with "hard wood" of some kind. The general fit and finish of the pre-64 guns were much better. As time went on, and customer complaints flooded Winchester they improved on their cost saving mistakes. But they also add features that are undesirable to many. A rebounding hammer safety mechanism, angle eject, and a very obnoxious cross bolt safety.

The 94 I got in a trade for a Yugo M48a Mauser is a pre safety angle eject that was built later enough to have a very nice finish. Even though It is the Ranger economy model.

the Winchester 94 was not the only model to suffer from the bean counting geniuses. Pre-64 model 70 bolt actions are highly sought after, and comand an equally high price.

Wayne, my Remington 700 7MM Mag does have a brake, and Pachmayr Decelerator. Those two addition brought the recoil down into the 243 range. While recoil doesn't bother me I will say with the Remington the way I bought It, with the McMillan stock that is made of a foam filled fiberglass shell, and a common recoil pad the recoil was a bit painful.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I love the breaks. I had an Answer on my 300 Winny and I always compered it to my 257 Roberts. I'm not a fan of multi power scope on big game rifles though, I went 4 for western hunts.