Picked up the 94 Win today

[Will]

I couldn’t lay off this one at the local pawn shop when he threw out a good price. It’s a Win 94 Ranger in 30-30 that supposed to be unfired. And appears to me to be unfired.
This ones it D&T’d for scope mounts but I believe it would kill the good ha doing characteristics so I’m gonna try a peep sight for the first time.

https://imgur.com/niRgxz3

https://imgur.com/2H8UhaA

https://imgur.com/li8a4Ql

I’m not crazy about the light colored stock that was common on the cheaper Ranger models but I think I can live with it.

 

[Rex]

I could live with that myself! Nice find.

 

[Ian]

I only worked with one Winchester '94, got some loads together for my Mom's boyfriend for pig strafing with his 1966 model, that thing was scary accurate.

 

[waco]

I kinda like the way it looks. You don’t see that everyday.

 

[fiver]

you might need a taller front sight to go with that peep setup.
oh... RCBS 30-150 FNGC, or their 180, or the LEE equivalent.

 

[Spindrift]

Congrats! I like it. Good luck with your shooting!

 

[Bret4207]

RCBS 30-180FN, for sure! IMO, the '94 and a peep/revcr sight mounted as far back as possible go together like peanut butter and jelly. I prefer the older Redfield peeps myself, but a Williams if just fine too. She should be fine for cast and hunting. The blonde stock era is pretty much history these days, it might spark some conversations!

 

[Will]

I only gave $375 for it. This will be my first time working with a Winchester. The 1-12” twist barrel should make things a little easier.

 

[358156 hp]

I only gave $375 for it. This will be my first time working with a Winchester. The 1-12” twist barrel should make things a little easier.

Geeezzzzz.... That was a bargain!

 

[Will]

Made my first trip out with the 94 today and I’m definitely gonna have to do more shooting with the aperture sights.
This was my first time shooting peeps on a rifle. I tried to do some load development but I’m not sure how much I can rely on my shooting.
I was shooting the MP molds 150gr 308 Hunting bullet cast from WW air cooled. Groups were at 60 yards. I was going to shoot 100yds but my 1” dots are about 1/4 of my front sight blade and I couldn’t see the dots very well.

https://imgur.com/f6gfmne

https://imgur.com/w2eLYtR

https://imgur.com/Uo9JjZK

 

[Bret4207]

Get some bigger targets and remember to let your eye center the tip of the blade in the peep. I find it easier to aim at the bottom of a round target as you can judge side to side and up and down better, or at least I can. If the round dots don't work for you, try an inverted triangle of whatever sie you can see easily.

I'll tell you this much, your groups are way better than my first 4 or 5 series of loads for my '94. Barrel is pretty copper fouled I think, just never got around to really getting it clean.

 

[Ian]

Orange on brown is close to the most difficult target to see at distance, so those groups aren't too bad. I struggled through some groups a couple days ago with peeps and feel your pain. Full sun on the bench and targets in the shade made aiming especially difficult.

I can aim down to about 1.5 MOA at 100 yards with good peeps using nothing but a blank piece of typing paper. Just put the top of the post in the middle and center the rectangle in the back aperture, trying to see anything smaller than about 4" at 100 is pointless for me.

 

[Will]

I wonder if I may have to go to a narrower front sight. At 60 yards that front sight was covering a lot of target.
I tried to hold 6 o’clock on the circle but it was tough.
I think the mp 308 hunter bullet is going to end up working good nothing seemed to shoot erratic. Might try some reloader 7 or 748 win once I get more comfortable behind the peep sights.

 

[Ian]

I like both of those in the .30-30. 30-32 of 748 and 24-26 of RX-7.

 

[Bret4207]

Will, changing out the front sight shouldn't be a big deal. It seems to me Winchesters sights on the later '94's got a bit cruder than they had been. If it seems too wide or if you prefer a bead, not a hard thing to change at all.

Ian, 4"?!!! I;m lucky if i can see the backer at 100 anymore!!!

 

[Cherokee]

Bright red 1" dot target on white backer is hard for me to see using peep sights at 50 ft. To me, peep sights are easy to use, my eye just seems to center the front sight naturally, my problem is seeing the aim point consistently. That said, I use the factory sights on my 30-30 out to 100 yd.

 

[Rushcreek]

Standard size cheap white paper plates make excellent iron sight targets. Just aim at the center, your eye will do the rest.