Winchester 94ae 44Mag

If you hunt in thick timber or brush you'll love your little 44 carbine. I bought one new back in 1987. Paid $285 for it. It's been a good little friend for years, and I do mean friend. I've carried it miles and miles in all kinds of weather and terraine and it never failed me. The blueing is worn off around the reciever and trigger. I used to be able to hit eggs off fence postes at 75 yrds and hit rabbits on the run and never miss, that's how accurate mine is. I found that a 240 gr hard cast SWC bullet with 9.8 gr of Unique powder was not only accurate but would pennetrate 19 inches in wet phone books at 25 yrds. Not a hot load, but did the job. I've killed deer, coyote, coon ect. It will shoot the heavier loads, but recoil can be substantialy cheek bruseing. I have a powerful load that uses a 300 gr Hornady XTP bullet and a case stuffed with Win 296 powder. It's fairly accurate too. And should stop anything on this continent at close range but boy - does it kick ! I love how easy it is to carry. It seems when you bring it up to your shoulder the sights naturally alighn with my line of sight. It's a good fast snap shot rifle for close range. I'd like to take it hog hunting some day. I never felt I needed to carry a pistol when I had it with me. I made a 35 round cartridge belt to carry my ammo with. The only thing I would caution you about it is the front sight is silver soldered on at the factory and it's easy to break off because it's so tall. I droped mine down a frozen creek bank about 10 years ago and it snaped off. I sent in to Winchester and they put a new thicker barrel on it cut with a 3/8 dovetail for a front sight for free. One of the old guys at the custom shop wrote a note with it saying it's been years since he had seen a good old 94 well used but taken care of. And I did'nt try to abuse it, but it did get well used. I hunt more open country today and it's not made for those long shots, but I'll never sell my little trapper 44 carbine.
 
Nice write up Sid. Thick woods is exactly what I bought it for.

2mg. I haven't ever loaded for handgun cartridges before so I'm gonna be shooting factory for awhile.
 
Lol you're probably right. I just need to get a healthy amount of brass built up and try to recoup from my 2 gun purchases this week before I start stocking up on reloading supplies.
 
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I got around to shooting it today. The iron sights aren't the easiest to use but offhand at 50 yards it was easy to keep 5 shots in a 2.5" circle.

It recoiled a little harder than I thought it would. But not bad. Bout like a 308, maybe a bit more
Overall I like it
 
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+1 on the 270 gold dot. When I'm not shooting cast bullets I shoot the 270 gold dot, they will go through a big Ohio whitetail from any angle although so will a 300gr LBT style hardcast.

Gary when you do get set up to load for that drop me a pm I have thousands of LBT style bullets cast and hundreds of good 44cal jacketed bullets 270 GD, 250 Nosler Partition and plenty of XTP's I'll send you some to try.

a 300gr LBT LFN from a 14" TC Contender dropped this guy in his tracks he weighed 240 dressed

P1000205.jpg
 
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That's a good looking deer!

Appreciate the offer on the bullets Rich, when I get setup.. I shoot you a pm.

I was just shooting 240g soft points today lol
 
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Glad you got to shoot the new lever! Im sure that when you get used to it a little more, it will be a good Huntin rig for what you are using it for Gary. Good Luck.
 
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