Winchester 94 .356 Big Bore

smeiman · June 18, 2018, 06:43 PM

I dusted off my Lever Action Winchester 94 I bought from a family member 15 years ago. I really don’t know why I bought it but for some reason it was finally calling me. I went to Bass Pro to get a box of Ammo and no luck, got on line and no luck. I found a few old left over box’s but they were $50 a box. Does anyone shoot this round? And do you have a source for Ammo? What is going on?

oldscot3 · June 18, 2018, 07:26 PM

I had a Big Bore years ago in 307 Win. As I recall they were available in three calibers, none winning much popularity although I think the 375 has gained some following with some of the the single shot crowd.

Just hold your nose and pay the $50.00, it's not a plinker but a hunting rifle that shouldn't need to fire very many rounds a season.

jmr40 · June 18, 2018, 07:38 PM

The 356 was the least popular of the 3 rounds. I haven't heard anyone even mention one in years. It sounds like a reloaders only option now

Jack O'Conner · June 19, 2018, 06:39 AM

The .356 is a potent cartridge and will take down just about anything that walks. But the rifle never became popular and was dropped from production over 10 years ago. That has been the fate of nearly all middle bores - they're ignored by majority of hunters.

Ammo is scarce, indeed. Buy what you can and hoard it.

Jack

Chainsaw. · June 19, 2018, 07:28 AM

Better start reloading it. Heres some brass.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776168413

Rifletom · June 19, 2018, 08:29 AM

Man, I had to go back to my Speer #11 manual to find any handload info for it. If you plan to handload for it, I'd start looking for brass[as shown above] and bullets. Looks like a good round for timber and moose. Good luck.
Add: Looking at the current Speer bullet line-up, you can use their .358 bullets for loading. This according to their manual's. So, there's a start. That rifle would be a hoot to have and load for.

smeiman · June 19, 2018, 08:32 AM

Thank you for your reply’s

T. O'Heir · June 19, 2018, 12:39 PM

.356 Winchester is listed by Midway as being one of the many Winchester cartridges that is in "Limited Production". Basically not loaded by anybody.
Brass isn't any better, but Graf's shows they were getting it from Jameson, but not any longer. Discontinued by Jameson's.
So reloading is the only way you're going to shoot that rifle. Chainsaw's Gunbroker link is your best bet. Best you buy as much brass as you can afford too.

moosemike · June 19, 2018, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmr40

The 356 was the least popular of the 3 rounds. I haven't heard anyone even mention one in years. It sounds like a reloaders only option now

I've seen less .307's than .356's.

smeiman · June 19, 2018, 08:47 PM

I really thought I was going to have to sell the rifle but this is what I came up with Incase someone else finds themself in the same position. 1) I bought 200 new unprimed Jamison brass from Buffalo Arms in Calf for $1.05 each delivered. 2) Ammo seek has a few companies on there selling Jamison Ammo for $40 a box plus $16 flat rate shipping so I bought 5 boxes. Between the Ammo and the extra brass I should be ok. 3) I pulled my rifle off gunbroker and decided to keep it. I want to thank everyone who chimed in on my thread! Cheers

DaleA · June 20, 2018, 02:31 AM

Pictures of the gun and a target would be nice. (Says the guy who can't remember from one time to the next HOW to post pictures in this forum.)

The picture posting prescription can be found here:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=292842

eastbank · June 20, 2018, 03:13 AM

my big bore is a win 94 timber carbine in .444 marlin and I too have stocked up on cases buying them at gun shows and any where else I find them.

smeiman · June 20, 2018, 07:40 AM

I can’t seem to upload but you might be able to get them this way https://photos.app.goo.gl/FR4ThK7ngK7bD7qh9

DaleA · June 20, 2018, 12:30 PM

A handsome rifle indeed! Thanks for the link.

oldscot3 · June 20, 2018, 06:25 PM

It looks like a later, lighter version than the Big Bore I had. Mine had a pretty beefy barrel and a high comb on the butt stock. I think I remember correctly that it was an early version, later Winchester trimmed them down.

It looks very clean in the picture, good for you for dragging it out of the closet and putting it back in use.

smeiman · June 21, 2018, 09:41 AM

Yes it’s not much different then my 30-30. I am excited to put it to use

joe45c · June 22, 2018, 08:52 AM

I have the .307 version of the 3 big bores. And although my LGS can get me ammo for it, i reload it myself.

smeiman · June 22, 2018, 09:32 AM

I am in the process of getting my reloading stuff together so I can. I just bought 200 new brass the dies and 300 rounds loaded so I have a little time to sort it out.

DukeConnor · June 22, 2018, 08:14 PM

Best deer killer i eve owned was a 94 big bore xtr in 375. They dropped like rocks. Unfortunaty I gifted it to my nephew who "lost it" in the woods behind his house.

I loved that rifle and regret ever giving it up. Deer would just drop in their track when hit with it.

zeke · June 22, 2018, 08:53 PM

Have/reload 307/375 win. Can't understand why they weren't more popular in their day. Lot more umph than 30-30, but essentially same size.

oldscot3 · June 23, 2018, 01:19 PM

My 307 was significantly heavier than a 30-30 `94 so it lost in the light and handy department.

It would push 170 grain bullets to just about 2400 fps; much better than a 30-30 with both using flat point soft points. When compared, however, to a 308 using 165 grain spitzers it's significantly shorter on power and range.

To my way of thinking, that meant it lost some in the versatility department also.

I replaced my Big Bore with a Savage 99 in 308 and haven't looked back.

June 18, 2018, 07:38 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	The 356 was the least popular of the 3 rounds. I haven't heard anyone even mention one in years. It sounds like a reloaders only option now __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

June 19, 2018, 06:39 AM	#4
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	The .356 is a potent cartridge and will take down just about anything that walks. But the rifle never became popular and was dropped from production over 10 years ago. That has been the fate of nearly all middle bores - they're ignored by majority of hunters. Ammo is scarce, indeed. Buy what you can and hoard it. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 19, 2018, 07:28 AM	#5
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	Better start reloading it. Heres some brass. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/776168413 __________________ Just shoot the damn thing.

June 19, 2018, 08:29 AM	#6
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 789	Man, I had to go back to my Speer #11 manual to find any handload info for it. If you plan to handload for it, I'd start looking for brass[as shown above] and bullets. Looks like a good round for timber and moose. Good luck. Add: Looking at the current Speer bullet line-up, you can use their .358 bullets for loading. This according to their manual's. So, there's a start. That rifle would be a hoot to have and load for. Last edited by Rifletom; June 19, 2018 at 08:41 AM.

June 19, 2018, 12:39 PM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	.356 Winchester is listed by Midway as being one of the many Winchester cartridges that is in "Limited Production". Basically not loaded by anybody. Brass isn't any better, but Graf's shows they were getting it from Jameson, but not any longer. Discontinued by Jameson's. So reloading is the only way you're going to shoot that rifle. Chainsaw's Gunbroker link is your best bet. Best you buy as much brass as you can afford too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

June 18, 2018, 06:43 PM	#1
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	Winchester 94 .356 Big Bore I dusted off my Lever Action Winchester 94 I bought from a family member 15 years ago. I really don’t know why I bought it but for some reason it was finally calling me. I went to Bass Pro to get a box of Ammo and no luck, got on line and no luck. I found a few old left over box’s but they were $50 a box. Does anyone shoot this round? And do you have a source for Ammo? What is going on?

June 18, 2018, 07:26 PM	#2
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	I had a Big Bore years ago in 307 Win. As I recall they were available in three calibers, none winning much popularity although I think the 375 has gained some following with some of the the single shot crowd. Just hold your nose and pay the $50.00, it's not a plinker but a hunting rifle that shouldn't need to fire very many rounds a season.

June 19, 2018, 08:32 AM	#7
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	Thank you for your reply’s

June 19, 2018, 08:47 PM	#10
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	I really thought I was going to have to sell the rifle but this is what I came up with Incase someone else finds themself in the same position. 1) I bought 200 new unprimed Jamison brass from Buffalo Arms in Calf for $1.05 each delivered. 2) Ammo seek has a few companies on there selling Jamison Ammo for $40 a box plus $16 flat rate shipping so I bought 5 boxes. Between the Ammo and the extra brass I should be ok. 3) I pulled my rifle off gunbroker and decided to keep it. I want to thank everyone who chimed in on my thread! Cheers

June 20, 2018, 02:31 AM	#11
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Pictures of the gun and a target would be nice. (Says the guy who can't remember from one time to the next HOW to post pictures in this forum.) The picture posting prescription can be found here: https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=292842

June 20, 2018, 03:13 AM	#12
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	my big bore is a win 94 timber carbine in .444 marlin and I too have stocked up on cases buying them at gun shows and any where else I find them.

June 20, 2018, 07:40 AM	#13
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	I can’t seem to upload but you might be able to get them this way https://photos.app.goo.gl/FR4ThK7ngK7bD7qh9

June 20, 2018, 12:30 PM	#14
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	A handsome rifle indeed! Thanks for the link.

June 20, 2018, 06:25 PM	#15
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	It looks like a later, lighter version than the Big Bore I had. Mine had a pretty beefy barrel and a high comb on the butt stock. I think I remember correctly that it was an early version, later Winchester trimmed them down. It looks very clean in the picture, good for you for dragging it out of the closet and putting it back in use.

June 21, 2018, 09:41 AM	#16
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	Yes it’s not much different then my 30-30. I am excited to put it to use

June 22, 2018, 08:52 AM	#17
joe45c Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2012 Location: peru ny Posts: 218	I have the .307 version of the 3 big bores. And although my LGS can get me ammo for it, i reload it myself.

June 22, 2018, 09:32 AM	#18
smeiman Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2018 Posts: 6	I am in the process of getting my reloading stuff together so I can. I just bought 200 new brass the dies and 300 rounds loaded so I have a little time to sort it out.

June 22, 2018, 08:14 PM	#19
DukeConnor Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2016 Posts: 224	Best deer killer i eve owned was a 94 big bore xtr in 375. They dropped like rocks. Unfortunaty I gifted it to my nephew who "lost it" in the woods behind his house. I loved that rifle and regret ever giving it up. Deer would just drop in their track when hit with it.

June 22, 2018, 08:53 PM	#20
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	Have/reload 307/375 win. Can't understand why they weren't more popular in their day. Lot more umph than 30-30, but essentially same size.

June 23, 2018, 01:19 PM	#21
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	My 307 was significantly heavier than a 30-30 `94 so it lost in the light and handy department. It would push 170 grain bullets to just about 2400 fps; much better than a 30-30 with both using flat point soft points. When compared, however, to a 308 using 165 grain spitzers it's significantly shorter on power and range. To my way of thinking, that meant it lost some in the versatility department also. I replaced my Big Bore with a Savage 99 in 308 and haven't looked back.