Winchester M-94 in .44 Rem. Magnum

[Reb]

Advocate,

I had a Winchester 94 Wrangler AE in the 44 Mag (with the large lever loop).  It was the first year of the then new hammer block safety that looked like a crater in the receiver.  I was VERY unhappy with this gun.  It was incapable of grouping better than 3" to 3.5" at 25 yards!  I tried many different factory loads from 185 gr. Silver Tip HPs to 300 gr. Hornady JHPs. as well as a variety of lead loads and 44 Specials.  Scope or Irons made little difference.  It was a brand new DOG.  I traded it on a Savage 110 in 30-06; best thing I ever did with that 94!

I do LOVE the Winchester 94 and have several but I think that they did not have the correct rifling twist on any of their 44 Mags.  The 16" barrel is a sweet handling package but IMHO stay away from the 44.  If I get another 16" 94 it will be the 30/30 made prior to the safety or after they get rid of that crater in the side of the receiver.  I WILL NOT BUY ANY WINCHESTER 94 WITH THAT GODAWFULL SAFETY IN THE RECEIVER!!!

Sorry, but my .02

Reb

[myronman3]

stainless.  i have yet to shoot a deer with it but i still have a couple of evenings left before season closes.   i did have one shot at a doe in REALLY thick brush.  i pulled the trigger and saw white where i was aiming.  instead of hair;  it was sawdust flying.  the bullet had too much to get though before it could reach the deer.   but i sure killed a lot of brush with that one shot!!   in my opinion,  for shots under a 100 yards on deer,  the 44 rifle is just the ticket ( that is why i bought one ).   i can knock over bowling pins at a hundred every time with iron sights;  so i should be able to kill a deer with it (if i can get a CLEAN shot at one).  dont forget another great thing about the 44 rifle; you get 50 in a box verses 20 if chambered for a rifle caliber.   as far as tackdriving accuracy goes,  i dont care.  i just care how it works on game.  as long as the gun gives realistic accuracy,  it is good enough for me.    if i want to drive tacks,  i would use my 270 winchester.   just some things to think about.  good luck with your choice.

[myronman3]

kicks quite a bit.  used my pals chornograph and 240 grain hp were clocking 1830 fps out of my 1894.  we loaded up the noslers 240 sp with 20 grains of h110 ,  1610 fps and sweet shooting.   makes a pumpkin go splat!  too!

[wildman]

Okay, I'm taking it that you are looking at the 'Ranger' model and not the 'Trapper' model going on the price range you have given, as I have not seen new Trappers priced anywhere near the $279 range.  The main difference is that the Ranger has a shorter length of pull, a thin rubber pad on the stock, and is equipped with a lower grade wood stock.  Now, the 44mag Trapper that I have kicks like a mule!  I really think it is something in the stock design.  I have fired my Trapper many times from the hip, and recoil is not a problem.  But, when fired from the shoulder, it seems to plow every bit of recoil back into your shoulder.  I have no problems shooting my 44mag SuperRedHawk, but the Trapper does kick.  I installed a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad on mine, and it seemed to help quite a bit.  You could shoot 44 specials at the range for reduced recoil.  The short carbine is very handy in thick woods/brush for deer, black bear, and wild hogs.  It could also be used as a home defense gun with the right ammo.  180-300+ grain bullets give you a very generous selection for many hunting/shooting situations.  With practice, this gun can be stretched out to about 125 yards or so.  The 'rainbow' trajectory of the 44mag doesn't lend itself to long range precise shooting applications, but this is a good close range gun on the above game.  Also, 44mag ammunition is widely available at most all stores selling guns & ammo.  Plus, like you said, it is the largest caliber that most indoor ranges will allow you to shoot. :gulp: