Winchester 94 NRA Centennial 1871-1971 Project

Full.lead.taco

Active Member
I came across one of these "unfired" Winchester 94 30-30's with the longer barrel and stock (musket edition) and ended up picking it up. I did not buy it as a collector (I know they aren't worth anything collector wise), but rather for the long barrel, long stock, and the ladder sight. I got to thinking that it would make a fun little lead lobber with that rear ladder sight. I'm wondering if you guys know what the twist rate on that barrel is, and also how well that barrel would stabilize subsonic ammo. Been thinking of threading the barrel and getting a thread protector machined and blued to match the contour and color of the rifle barrel. That way, when shooting it unsuppressed, it can keep its classic look. And when I want to suppress it, I have that nice ladder sight to use for lead lobbing at longer distances. I'm wondering how well that long barrel can stabilize the subsonic loads and what bullet would be optimal for longer range subsonic shooting. Any ideas are appreciated, thanks.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Sounds like a fantastic "100-yard sniper rifle" lobbing in slow subs, especially with a little wind going on. You get nearly the challenge of 1000-yard drop and wind correction at much shorter range. The Winchester barrels I've messed with all had 1:12 twist IIRC, probably ok with 150 grainers, but like most of this stuff you just have to try it and see because there are so many variables that often the "rules" and formulae are meaningless.
 

Full.lead.taco

Active Member
So with a 1-12 twist, I should be able to stabilize some of the mid range bullets, but not the heavies at subsonic speeds which is what I was thinking... But yeah, I will need to test. I will probably want to lob these out to about 300-500ish yards if I can. I've been surprised at how accurate subsonic ammo can be at longer ranges (without breaking the sound barrier when slowing back down, the bullets can drop in nicely and predictably). You are right, however, about wind. The effects of wind are amplified with subsonic ammo because of the slow speed and longer time in the air before hitting the targets. Basically though, it is like 45-70ish trajectories. Speaking of which...


Oh and a clamp on suppressor mount? I've not played with these before. Do you have a link?
 

Ian

Notorious member
Do you have a link?

No, I have a lathe. You might have one made, just a thought.

I just remembered that my Savage 219s have 12 twist rifling shot the NOE 247 with conventional lube and about seven grains of Unique quite well. By "quite well" that I mean cover the cowpie 105 yards away on the berm with that huge brass bead and watch it poof.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
My Savage 99 in 30/30 with 1/12 shoots Lyman# 31141 173's just fine at 950 f/s at 100 yards.