Opinions: Winchester 94 SRC in 45 Colt

[jakes10mm]

My local dealer came up with a "Like New" Winchester 94 Saddle Ring Carbine with the large loop and 20" barrel.  I've been considering a Puma 92 in 45 for a woods hunting rifle and wonder if this Winchester would stack up against the Puma.  Are these pistol cartridge Winchesters known for good accuracy?  Your opinions and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

[LONGTOM]

I have never had a carbine but I do have a 24" Oct barrel 45 and a 16" trapper along with a 30-30 trapper.
Haven't really tried the 30-30 except to say yes it works.
The two 45s shoot very well.
I'm am using .452 hard cast bullets over 12.5gr of Hodgdon HS6 powder, which is the loads I use in my Ruger Blackhawks and both guns love them.
I get about 3/4" to 1" with the long barrel and 1.25" to 1.5" with the trapper both on factory open sights at 50 yds.
I am sure with better sights or should I say better eyes that both could do better.
I have taken 2 deer, 1 with each at about 60 yds with these loads and broke both shoulders with complete pass through.
I also made a good shot (probably luck) on a running fox with the trapper at about 75 yds.
It didn't kill him but it did put him down.
A quick finishing shot from my Bisley Blackhawk with the same loads did the trick.
As with most Winchesters, the sights are nothing to brag about.
A nice peep or a set of adjustable Williams sights makes a world of difference.
Hope this helps.


LONGTOM

[243dave]

I have a saddle-ring trapper(16"barrel) and love it. Mine has a 1.5x4.5 power scope on top and that makes it a 150yd rifle(with stout reloads), without it more like a 100yd rifle. When zeroed at 200yds I can keep all my shots on a 6" gong at 200yds with 300gr xtp mags. I like the winchester better because of the ability to install a scope. But the puma can be loaded to 454 pressures. If you think you might want to add a scope get the winny, if not you can't go wrong with the puma either. 

[jakes10mm]

Thank you for the feedback.  I had a Navy Arms 1892 rifle in 44-40 a few years back and realyy liked it.  Bought it with the intent of Cowboy Shoots, but ended up spending those weekends at soccer games and swim meets instead.  A good trade.  Anyhow, with youngins entering the hunting age, the ugly safety and rebound hammer of the newer Winnies aren't as annoying as they once were.  The large loop may have to go, but then again, it could prove handy with winter gloves on...  This rifle looks brand new...finish is without blemish and the bore is blinding.

Please keep the information flowing.

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got a 94 Trapper in the 45 with a 1.5 power Weaver that is a joy to carry.  Also have a Puma in the 454 that is smoother to lever and lighter to carry.  Neither one will be sold by me.  Both have taken Mulies and Whitetails, so have earned their place in my house for keeps.  DP

[Tallwalker]

I've had several Marlin, and Winchester pistol caliber lever actions over the years. On average the Winchesters have shot better, and have been less finicky about feeding different loads. I have a Legacy .357, and a Trails End .44 Mag now, and they both are keepers! The 44 is the most accurate .44 lever I've had. I had one of the neat Pack Rifles, and I've been sorry that I let myself get talked out of that at the range one day. By the way, Millet makes a red ramp post front sight that fits in the barrel dovetail, and is absolutely great for hunting with a receiver rear. You can see that darn thing in the dark on the way home, and being a flat top post it is really fast to pick up. The height is perfect for the rear receiver sight.

[bilmac]

Several years ago when cowboy shooting was new and so the pistol caliber leverguns were new too, I asked a gunstore owner/friend about the 45 Win leverguns. He told me he was going to stop selling them because too many were coming back with stocks broken behind the tang. I would hope that Win has fixed the problem by now, but if you're looking at used guns it may be worth a hard look.

[jakes10mm]

Despite the positive feedback, I believe I am going to pass on the Winny for now.  I swung by another dealer that has a few Legacy and Marlin levers in stock.  Without a side-by-side comparison, I'd have to say that the Legacy levers are the smoothest.  I'd call it a tie between the Winchester and Marlin.  The Legacy models were comparable in price to the Winchester, so I will take my chances in the Winchester still being there if I go that direction.