UPDATE 8/31 - Range Report - Win. M94 30-30

[cnjarvis]

I had the opportunity to take my Win M94, 30-30 to the range this weekend for a little trigger time and load testing. As much fun as it was to get out and shoot paper, I’m only somewhat pleased with the results. I did something a little different this time from the way I normally shoot this rifle. This time, I took a folded towel and placed it between the forend and the front rest to give it a bit more cushion. As a result, the vertical stringing I usually see with this rifle was mostly eliminated. That’s good news. I do wish it had shot better though – I’d be happy with 1” at 50 yds.

Without further fuss, here are the results (@ 50yds):
Speer 150gr. FP – 34.5 gr. W748 – 2.190”
Speer 150gr. FP – 31.5 gr. H335 – 1.593” ****
Speer 150gr. FP – 32.5 gr. H4895 – 2.361”
Winchester 150gr. FP – 31.5 gr. H335 – 2.310”
Winchester 150gr. FP – 32.5 gr. H4895 – 2.434”

**** = Best group so far from this rifle

More testing is needed of course.

[meanc]

Were you using a scope this outing and have you tried shooting groups with factory ammo?

[cnjarvis]

Were you using a scope this outing and have you tried shooting groups with factory ammo?

No scope - This one wears factory irons.

Factory ammo!?!?!?! BLASPHEMY! Seriously, it has been 4-5 years since I've fed this thing factory ammo but I do recall (barely) that factory was under 4" at 100yds. Truth be told, I don't shoot this rifle much.

[Dave]

That is not that bad group wise. Maybe try some 170's some guns like them better than 150's.

[Griff]

I've found that RE-7 and BL(C-2) give me best accuracy in my .30-30s.

[Malamute]

You may want to work your loads around some also. The H-335 loads may have some room to move upwards a few grains.

A good reciever sight and blade front sight will likely help also.

[cnjarvis]

I plan on tinkering with both W748 and H335. Both have given pretty good results in this rifle. I've also tried some 170gr. Speer FP's but haven't tested more than 3-4 loads with it. Accuracy wasn't any better than the 150's.

I don't plan on adding a receiver or tang sight to this one. My father gave it to me as-is and I want to keep it that way.

[Griff]

Accurizing the Lever Action Rifle. There's a hint or two in there about wringing the most outta yer levergun.

[444Hal]

I've found that 35grs of W748 with Rem or Win 150's work well in my 336, but I'm testing the H335 right now. 31.5 to 32 is looking real promising.

Will let you know how I make out

[J Miller]

cnjarvis,

Just for giggles and grins, being about 15 years since I put a Win 94 30-30 on paper from the bench ..... , when last I did so I averaged around 2" groups with both the factory iron sights and a receiver sight with a post front.

This using my favorite load of 34.5grs Win 748 and a 150gr grain bullet of the rifles choice. From my experience the use of a Winchester WLR ( 7-111 ) primer, 34.5grs of 748 and a Sierra, Speer, or Hornady bullet would always give me the 2" +/- groups at 100 yards. I never did try the Winchester or Remington bullets.

I never had to fiddle with the forearms, barrel bands, or anything else to get these groups. Just used a six o'clock hold with the bead centered in the bottom of the rear sight's notch and shot. I can't get any kind of group if I can't see the target, so using the "bead is the bullet" hold is out for me.

Recently I've come to the realization that I have too many rifles. I don't really have many, but I enough so that I can't really get familiar with and enjoy any particular one. I think that may be many of our problems today. We spread our attention around to many guns instead of concentrating on becoming proficient with one.

So the moral to my dissertation is, keep practicing with that 94 and one load, and I'll bet you get it down to the 2" +/- groups at a 100 yards.
You just gotta get serious about it.

Joe

[cnjarvis]

Griff, I've read Paco's article a half dozen times over the last 3 years and about all I could bring myself to do is re-crown the barrel which I'm not sure is necessary, or the forearm trick.

Joe, one of the two best loads in this rifle is the very load you suggest. In fact, you gave it to me a while back. I'm still trying to work something up... and of course practice, practice....

[cnjarvis]

New info: I took the rifle back out this weekend to shoot for groups at 100 yds just to see what it would do. The only load I took out was the 150gr. Speer FP over 34.5gr. W748 since I already had some of these loaded. I used a Caldwell "Rock Jr." front rest and padded it with a fleece sweater and used a Caldwell rear bag for support. I also very lightly restrained the forend by hand. I was rather pleasantly surprised with the groups.

The cluster of four on the left is about 1-7/16". The overall group size including the shot in the center of the bull is about 2-3/4". Not too shabby.

30-30 target.jpg

[kimwcook]

Looks like the carbine will do it's job. Where in your group did you pick up the flier?

[cnjarvis]

Looks like the carbine will do it's job. Where in your group did you pick up the flier?

I'm not 100% sure but I think it was the 4th shot.

[J Miller]

That combination, 34.5grs 748 and the 150gr SPEER bullet seems to be the best of the many combinations. I'm glad your rifle liked it.

Joe

[Griff]

That looks great! Wish my eyesight would allow me to keep shooting like that... Ain't bad, still minute of deer for me... but I'd rather be more like what you got there.

[pharmseller]

Factory ammo (Federal blue box 170 grain) prints exceptionally well with my model 94 at 50 yards.
The holes darn near cloverleaf.
Dead is dead, either from store bought or roll your own.

P