.356win

[gadgetman]

Hi, I have found a older 94 in 356 win. it has a monte carlo stock, no crossbolt safety and no checkering. I can get it for about 250.00. Is this a good deal and is this a good round for Georgia deer and maybe a black bear hunt one day. I also would want to scope it with a low power scope- are the mounts available? Does the round have a lot of recoil? What other, more common load is this similar to? Is this a rare gun?

Any info on this rifle and caliber would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gadgetman

[Big Paulie]

Dear Gagetman,

The .356 Winchester was a failed marketing concept and cartridge, brought out by Winchester back in the late 70s or ealier 80s, to try to boost the lagging sales of its Model 94 carbine, by creating a round (somewhat similar to the .358 winchester) that would fire in the relatively light action of the Model 94.  At the same time, they brought out the .307  Winchester, to create a cartridge with the ballistics of a .308 that could fire in the Model 94.

Both cartridges were a dismal failures, and the rifles were only sold for a couple of years.  I believe that factory ammo is only available in one one load for each cartridge, and you may have a big problem finding those.

The rifles are relatively rare, because they were a big failure.  (I do not believe that this makes them collector items in any respect.)

The problem with both rounds was that they had to be made with flat nose bullets, to safely fire in the Model 94, and this of course ruined their ballistics and power out past 100 yards.

When you buy a rifle like this, considering the problems, it is hard to say that anything is a bargain.  If you are also getting 10 boxes of ammo with it, and don't shoot more than ten shots a year, $250 might be a bargain.

Hope this helps.

Big Paulie

[Robert]

The 356 Winchester will do anything that the 358 will do.  Yes..maybe it was bad marketing...but I feel you are misleading gadgetman.  It is an excellent, wonderful cartridge, very strong brass.  If you are a reloader there are wonderful things you can do with it, including loading 357 pistol bullets really hot for varmints.

[Big Paulie]

Dear Robert,

   Well golly, our different replies on this round are a very classic example of two different mindsets.  Virtually everone on this board answers questions about cartridges by automatically assuming that everyone handloads.  If someone handloads, then of course, any cartridge from the 6.5 Swede up through the .458 Winchester can be made to shoot harder, or flatter, or softer, or handle anything large or small in America.  No argument there.  

    But the fact of the matter is that not one in ten hunters handload.  They buy factory ammunition and use it to hunt. My answers are always based on the assumption that the person does not handload, unless he mentions it.

   I recognize that among pure rifle shooters (who do a lot of bench work) the percentage of people who handload is probably much higher than one in ten.  But this is not the case for the average hunter.  

    I totally agree with your answer if someone wants to handload.
But if they don't, then the .356 is an inconvenient round that was a commercial failure, and it may be doubtful how much longer factory ammo will be made for it.

     So, I guess we are both right, depending on where you start.

Best Regards,

Big Paulie

[Smokey]

The idea that the .356 is a "failed" cartridge, and especially that its ballistics are "ruined" beyond 100 yards is erroneous.  There have been lots of cartridges that 'failed' commercially, but that remain superb game getters.  The .358 is just one example of that. In fact, the .280 fell on its face commercially, under a couple different names, and it is a superbly balanced and effective cartridge.  The .356 Winchester, which Chuck Hawks claims to be the best of the .307, .356. .375 trio of medium bore cartridges introduced by Winchester in its 'Big Bore' line, is a powerful, accurate, and effective cartridge on game up to and including elk within 200 yards.  I own one and put down a mid-sized mulie at 135 yards...and that deer went down like he was struck by lightening.

Whether chambered in a Marlin or Winchester (though Marlins are FAR more rare), the .356 is a 'find' that ought to be grabbed immediately.  Anyone who actually owns and shoots one knows that. Within its range, in my view, the .356 is THE premier woods cartridge.  Since Winchester factory loaded ammo is as hard to find as hen's teeth, it goes without saying that this is virtually exclusively a hand loaders cartridge.  Handloading is a great way to experience the quality of some superb hunting rounds, and I put the .356 in that category.

[BIGBOREFAN]

Let me set the records straight. I had a Wincheste M94 307 and a Marlin 336 ER in 356 Win. They were both great shooters and would easily take deer at 200 yards. 100 yards my but.  They reason they never caught on was because Winchester was suffering from anal suffication. They were selling the shells for twice what you could buy 308, 30-06, and 270 for. Now why would the general public pay twice as much for the 307, 356, and 375 when they didn't have too. Winchester run the cartidges in the ground by overpricing them. Real shame too,  they could have marketed the 307, 356, and 375 for the same price as the 30-30 shells. Just my 2 cents.


BBF

[dawei]

Hi, I have found a older 94 in 356 win. it has a monte carlo stock, no crossbolt safety and no checkering. I can get it for about 250.00. Is this a good deal and is this a good round for Georgia deer and maybe a black bear hunt one day. I also would want to scope it with a low power scope- are the mounts available? Does the round have a lot of recoil? What other, more common load is this similar to? Is this a rare gun?

Any info on this rifle and caliber would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gadgetman

RUN.......... Don't walk to the ATM & get that gun! It's a steal at that price; a great round for deer, bear, & ELK!

[TNrifleman]

I would buy that rifle in a New York Minute! If you like lever guns, and their cartridges, the 356 is a good one. I wish Winchester or Marlin would make up some more rifles in 356. This time around, I'd buy one!