Reasons for Winchester Model 94 superior accuracy?

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DavidB2

New member
I am amazed at how accurate my Model 94 .30-.30 made in 1966 is compared to my Marlin 336 (made in 1976). Both rifles are from a time when rifle production had superior quality over today's mass production. "Remlins" are an example of this lack of quality. However, I thought that by getting a Marlin 336 made in the mid seventies; that I would get a superior shooter to my Model 94. The 94 will outshoot the 336 all day long; whether I am shooting on a bench rest or shooting off handed standing up. The Model 94 consistently patterns better; and has more reliable accuracy. My son got his first deer with the model 94 from 70 yards away; right through the lungs. He had never fired the rifle before that December morning.

Are there any opinions on the reason for the superior accuracy of my Win. Model 94 over my Marlin 336? By the way, I am shooting both with iron sights.
 
Every rifle has a preference of ammo for best accuracy, maybe you just haven't found the right ammo for the 336.

"My son got his first deer with the model 94 from 70 yards away; right through the lungs. He had never fired the rifle before that December morning."
That statement borders on unethical hunting IMHO. I know lots of people do this but shooting at a game animal w/o first checking the rifle's zero is unacceptable (to me anyway).
 
You got me but I have a 94 from 40-42, 67, and 70 something and I like them all equally for their accuracy.

But I can guarantee you that a Marlin owner is going to comment that their Marlin is better than a Winchester. I think they're both equal but every once in a while one stands out more than the other.
 
Other rifle had a broken scope

My point was that the rifle was so accurate that he just lined it up and hit bulls eye on that deer.I knew that the Model 94 was zeroed in as I had pre-sighted it. The reason he used my Winchester is that his .308's scope's reticle had broken the night before the hunt. The only rifle we had on hand was my Model 94; so it was either use it or not hunt at all. I don't feel that I was being "unethical". I would have never loaned my son a rifle that was not pre-sighted.
 
I'm very surprised to hear about how accurate your Winchester model 94 is. I would have assumed that your Marlin would have out shot it by a large margin . I always thought the Marlins would be the better of the two. I have never owned or shot a Marlin but I have owned three Winchester model 94's that were just crap. I tried to develop loads for the 94's. I changed primers. I tried three different powders. I tried three different bullet weights. The only load that ever showed any promise was a old 160gr, round nose lead Lyman gas check bullet.

As a non-hunter I cannot really speak to the ethics of shooting any four-legged, or two Legged with feathers, animal with any shot. Except of course prairie dogs, I don't care how you shoot or kill them.
 
Rifles will vary, even same model vs same model.

You lucked out on the 94 (although I will say quality on a '66 was NOT better than today's production), you didn't on the Marlin. :)
Denis
 
Maybe Marlins Micro Grove rifling makes a difference verses Winchesters standard rifling. I've owned both 30-30s and always thought they were pretty much equal in accuracy. (nothing outstanding. Just got their bullets where they needed to be is all.)
 
I was a Marlin lever action collector years ago before selling them all to put my now "ex" wife through nursing school. I have a 94AE now and I am impressed with the accuracy of the Winnie but I think they are very comparable.
 
30/30s

I own, and have owned many Win 94 and Mar 336. Not including Remlins, the
Marlins out shot the 94s on the whole. Like someone said individual rifles have
to be judged separately. The period your Win is from is not known for quality
so your super accurate 94 is a fluke. The only way to judge the guns fairly is
to bench them and experiment with several loads. 70 yd shot into deers lungs
is not precision accuracy, it's normal level of accuracy for 30/30.
I am a Winchester collector, although I have a few Marlins.
 
You certainly prove there are exceptions to the rule. Over the years I've never found a 94 as accurate as a 336. One thing I have noted is that Marlin has generally been very consistent in quality. At least until a few years ago. Winchester, all over the place. You get some really good ones and some really bad ones. The better 94's have been the equal of any of the 336's, just never ran across one that was exceptional.
 
trigger

The last M94 I had, possesed one of the best triggers of any rifle I have ever handled. Accordingly, I shot the carbine very well. It was a 70's era rifle, no safety, iron sights.

Course I sold it, one of the few I have ever let get away, and have regretted it ever since. Who knew there would be no more 94's.
 
I suggest spending a little quality time with that Marlin to find the load it really likes.
Although I have never been a fan of the Micro groove rifling. But under certain conditions its actually an advantage.

I have two Marlins a 1958 336 in 30-30 with Ballard rifling.
And a Model 1936 in 32 win special. With Ballard Rifling.

They are both capable of some pretty impressive accuracy in its range window. 0-200 yards.

I hand load and after tweeking the loads and bullets. They are good shooters.
Have to work around weird barrel harmonics. Esp with Barrel bands and all kinds of extra stuff clamped onto them.

Never going to be a sniper rifle but sure can be made to shoot acceptable.

Here is a representative target from 80 yards with my 336.

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I suspect the Model 94 could do the same.
 
Customized model 94

I tried to upload a picture of this Winchester rifle. But couldn't get it to upload. However, this Winchester seems to be more customized. The receiver is case hardened and it has scrolled engraving on both sides of the receiver. Very beautiful. The loading Gate is silver. The stock is beautiful blondish colored walnut. It doesn't have a Saddle ring. I don't believe it's a centennial model as there's no medallion or any riding on the side showing commemoration. Perhaps some of you Winchester experts could tell me what's up with this rifle. I it doesn't have a saddle ring. The saddle ring doesn't appear to have been removed I bought it for $400 at a gun show a few years back.

I really want to use the marline 336 for hunting as it has sling mounts and is more of a rugged looking gun. I will try different ammo. I have been using Federal I really want to use the marline 336 for hunting as it has sling mounts and is more of a rugged looking gun. I will try different ammo. I have been using federal power shock 150 grain
 
Try some Hornady 30-30 loads.
I use their bullets and Leverevolution in some of my hand loads with very good results.

That powder gives better FPS while staying real consistent in its pressure range.
 
I guarantee my Remington .30-30 is far more accurate than any M94 or 336 that I've ever shot. It thinks its a varmint rifle wit most loads. However it's a different beast all together than any M94 or 336.

P1000177.jpg


P1000163.jpg


:D
 
If made in '66, your Winchester is not case-hardened.
It'll have all of the cost-saving quality shortcuts of the immediate Post-64 versions.

That includes a cast frame & a stamped lifter, among others.

The guns could still shoot well, when you got a good one.
Denis
 
I guarantee my Remington .30-30 is far more accurate than any M94 or 336 that I've ever shot. It thinks its a varmint rifle wit most loads. However it's a different beast all together than any M94 or 336
Click to expand...

Quick, talk to me, I've never seen a Remington bolt action 30-30. Are they still available new, or are they only on the used to market. I once saw a bolt action Savage in 30-30 and it came with a detachable box magazine. Does this Remington also have a detachable box magazine. Do they come with a different stocks, or is the Monte Carlo stock only way it comes? Is the receiver drills for a peep site?

As you may have guessed, I like it, and I want one now!
 
I once saw a bolt action Savage in 30-30 and it came with a detachable box magazine.
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Yes, they do have a detachable box magazine. It's a Savage model 340. Mine is the first version without scope mount. The later versions had factory drilled, tapped and blank screws installed for a side scope mount.
Mine is a decent shooter. They're just not the prettiest gun at the dance.
 
Bake said:
Quick, talk to me, I've never seen a Remington bolt action 30-30. Are they still available new, or are they only on the used to market. I once saw a bolt action Savage in 30-30 and it came with a detachable box magazine. Does this Remington also have a detachable box magazine. Do they come with a different stocks, or is the Monte Carlo stock only way it comes? Is the receiver drills for a peep site?
Click to expand...

It's a discontinued Remington M788, so it's a used market now for the rifle. It has a detachable magazine and is the biggest limiting factor to the whole rifle. No holes for Peep sights on this rifle either. As far as I know this was the standard stock on all the 788 rifles.
 
Every rifle has a preference of ammo for best accuracy, maybe you just haven't found the right ammo for the 336.
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Always a strong possibility. IMO, the 94 and the 336 are equal in accuracy. Finding the ammo that works best in one can turn it into a tack driver real quick.
 
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