375 Winchester, Model 94

[DrMike]

My hunting partner phoned me from the local gun shop to tell me they had just taken in a Model 94 chambered in 375 Win. It is in good shape with only one small souvenir on the barrel. I had them set it aside. Guess it'll join my two 356s. I did inform him that I'll likely require some marriage counseling after this. Maybe I can make it up by really treating her dental practise to a great time at their annual range day in June.

Over the next several months I'll work on a load. I think this would be a fun rifle to carry for moose this Fall. I had planned on carrying my old Ross .303, but I may just tote this one. I think the challenge of shooting over iron, which either of these rifles use, will be a good challenge for me this year. It'll mean that I have to hunt.

 

[JDMAG]

Something tells me you'll do fine, and that will be a nostalgic hunt. Tell your wife it is all part of the wonderful cuisine you prepare for her on a regular basis. Different types of rifles impart their own flair to the taste of wild game. :grin:

 

[DrMike]

You sly thing. You sure do have a way with words!

 

[JDMAG]

 

[DrMike]

During the past several years I have passed up three other Model 94s chambered in this calibre. Moreover, we had a shipment of 16 commemorative 94s in 375 this past fall, each of which sold for $1,000. I passed on them as I really didn't want a commemorative and I didn't want to spend that much. I guess it was a weak moment today; I didn't even ask the price. I don't even have a credit at the store any more until I begin some more load development and wringing out the new crop of custom rifles this spring. Oh, well, it is something to look forward to.

My partner tried to get me into crossbow hunting this past fall, but I told him that I'd stick with rifles. Hunting with a lever action does feel like hunting. However, that old Ross is certainly a piece of Canadiana that has yet to be shot by me.

 

[bullet]

I owned a Big Bore 94 in 375Win and it loved RL-7

 

[DrMike]

I certainly have RL7. I'm certain I'll be playing with it. It would be a fine hog gun, if we had many hogs in this area. So, it'll have to be a moose and bear gun. I reckon that'll work for me.

 

[bullet]

I certainly have RL7. I'm certain I'll be playing with it. It would be a fine hog gun, if we had many hogs in this area. So, it'll have to be a moose and bear gun. I reckon that'll work for me.

I think it is sad that the 375Win is not in production much less the big bore 94. It is a fine cartridge. I also had one in 444 Marlin and loved it. I really did like my 375Win which was an accurate rifle to boot.

 

[DrMike]

I have had three big bores (all in 356), and each has shot MOA or better with either 220 grain or 250 grain bullets. Since I don't consider the 275 as a long range proposition, and especially if I use open sights, I'll confine my shots to 125 yards or so. In any case, I think it will be fun.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Sounds like fun just waiting to happen :grin:

 

[DrMike]

Greg,

I'm positively worthless for writing this afternoon. I suppose I should close up shop and go on up to fondle this fine piece of Yankee craftsmanship. The link is worn on one of my 356s, and I'm waiting for a new link to arrive so I can get it back into production. The weather is turning warn (it is 5 degrees this afternoon) and I am suffering an acute bout of vernal pyrexia. Anticipation is a major contributor to the ecstasy of the shooter.

 

[JDMAG]

sheesh! you said I had a way with words :shock:

 

[Desert Fox]

You can't go wrong with '94. Mine is 30-30 and I still have it. I learned how to shoot and reload with it. Fun gun and very accurate. Believe it or not I skeet shoot with it using an empty beer bottle as target. My friend will tossed the bottle in the air and I shoot it. I got pretty good at it. Stupid thing to do when you're young and inexperienced.

 

[DrMike]

Well, I did carefully observe the fine rifle. It is in excellent shape. It has had few rounds fired through it, obviously. I will complete the legal work for the final transfer tomorrow or on early next week. I need to get some dies, brass and bullets and work up several loads for testing.

Coming in with the rifle were several older Model 94s (circa 1916 manufacturing date) and Model 86s. They were in good condition. I have all I can handle with the 375, but someone had already phoned in and asked that four of the old lever guns be reserved. They are getting a good deal, I believe. These lever guns are some fine.

 

[DrMike]

DF,

I have had several Model 94s, and each shot better than they should have. As I said, I'm thinking I'll carry this one afield for moose this Fall. The season opens on August 15, and I do enjoy getting an early season moose. This should be just the ticket. I may carry my old .303 Ross out for bear this spring. I'm growing nostalgic in my dotage, and these unscoped rifles permit me to recall a day when I was younger and visual acuity was sharper.

 

[Greg Nolan]

DrMike
It sounds like you have it bad. Isn't it great!! :grin: You may need to prescribe yourself some theraputic time to relieve some bottle necked up pressure :roll: :wink:
Have fun!!!

 

[bullet]

DrMike
It sounds like you have it bad. Isn't it great!! :grin: You may need to prescribe yourself some theraputic time to relieve some bottle necked up pressure :roll: :wink:
Have fun!!!

I will as a licensed clinical counselor, take DrMike through therapy free of charge if he will take me on a moose hunt while providing room and board along with good fellowship. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Yeah, Greg, I got the disease bad; I doubt there is a cure other than a transient address of the malady, which will undoubtedly require another fix in the near future.

Bear is open (though there are no bruins moving yet as there is still quite a bit of snow higher up). What with it being Easter weekend, I'm swamped with responsibilities that preclude time at the range or just cruising up into the mountains. Ah, but next week...

Bullet, I would love nothing better than having opportunity to introduce some of the good people I've met via this forum to the variety of wildlife seem throughout our great country. It is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise. Unfortunately, the laws of the province preclude me acting as a guide for friends, or even for family. Consequently, all non-resident hunters are required to hire a licensed guide. Prices are not cheap, but success is high for most of the reputable guides. My hunting partner's dad has guided for 40 years, guiding some well-known individuals in the gun/hunting writers' fraternity (that is another story), and my partner has also guided hunters with great success.

I am seeing a lot of mule deer and moose this spring, which is a good sign for the fall. I dreamed about seeing my first black bear last evening, so that must be a good sign. Now, to put a stalk on a good black bear feeding on the first green shoots in a mountain meadow, dispatching the noble beast with a 220 grain Hornady FP out of the Model 94 375. I have some work to do, for certain.

 

[FOTIS]

Sounds like a great gun !

 

[DrMike]

POP,

Lever guns are just fun, and this one should be no different in that regard. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get out and shoot it.