Winchester 94 .356 Big Bore

S

smeiman

Inactive
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?
 
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.
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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