Tom B--
I have often had my older .30-30 on the range at same time as other, later M-94s. We have never done any machine rest comparisons of accuracy, or anything similar.
It has always been my impression that the difference in actual accuracy had to do more with personal preferences of the shooters than with intrinsic accuracy. For instance--My old eyes simply do not have flexibility of focus that younger eyes usually do. Therefore, I do not, cannot, shoot "conventional open sights" anywhere near as well as I can a good set of peep sights. Also, I really prefer (need??) a plain, flat top post on front, and have a hard time shooting tight groups with a bead front--Though this arrangement is deadly quick, and just how tight a group is needed for this type shooting, anyway? No whitetail I know is going to require that your rifle shoot a inch-and-a-half group, as opposed to a three inch group.
The main difference you may see between the old gun and the new is smoothness of the action, and this can always be worked out.
Tom, if I had a chance to get a 1954 M-94, in pretty good shape, for not-too-great a premium--say, 25 pct??--I would probably do so, just for pride of ownership. Also smoothness.
What I would NOT do, and think it would be wrong to do, would be to pay BIG bucks for a pristine, minty example of the breed, and then set about badly compromising the collectors' value. There are only so many 45 year old M-94s left with 95 pct original finish. This rifle might well be worth $600 to a collector today and over $1,000 in three years. What I know for certain is that the smallest alteration from factory standard, the tiniest blotch on the finish, and that "mint" gun is worth half of what it was last week. It would not work one bit better than same year gun with only 50 pct finish, for perhaps $275, or a 1980s gun for 185.
Hal--As I said in my original post, I do believe the pistol caliber lever guns are really fun plinkers and fun guns. Agreed that the .44 can be cycled faster than the .30--Just look at the overall length. I believe, however, that this is
almost always more a function of practice than physical capability.
I would make a modest wager that I can run MY .30-30 faster than you can YOUR .44, so long as we include some real life constraints. Say--Six rounds from slung ready, 50 yards, TXDPS Q target OR some convenient deer sihlouette target, score divided by time (Comstock Count.) Noise making means nothing--hits count. Full power ammo ONLY.
We can each regulate the contest to suit our own strengths, of course. I can insist on 150 yards, and you can insist 15 yards. You can require eight or ten rounds, to where I'd have to reload, and you would not.
Hey--this could be fun. Let me know next time you head southwest and we can go to the range.
But, Hal--You say, "Snap shots with the pistol caliber are sooo much easier." I must disagree. Follow up shots may or may not be easier. The ONE snap shot, from any given position other than shouldered, is a function of practice, stock fit, practice, shooter comfort, practice, eyesight, practice, coordination, and perhaps a bit more practice.
Best regards to all. This is a fun topic.
RR
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