Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Model 94 356 and 7-30 Waters

Put this on the Winchester forum here--220 some views later I have 0 input. I think I should have come here first...I purchased a pair of pre-safety 94's recently, both XTR model 94's with rebounding hammers, one in .356 Win. with boat paddle stock and the other in 7-30 Waters with a 24" barrel. I cleaned the barrels and both have been fired, but you wouldn't know it, they are remarkably nice. I'm not finding much current info on value, does anyone know much about these rifles or use one of them? They appeal to me just because they are different. Thanks, 21

Two of my favorite levergun calibers. They are selling for $750-1000+ depending on condition. I paid $800 for my Win 94BB, like new with the box a couple years ago.

Thanks for the reply....have you hunted with it?

I own a Win 94, 7-30 Waters, NIB. I'd be interested in knowing value as well as I am probably going to be selling it to raise some funds for another purchase.

I can tell you, I was of the opinion a few years ago that my NIB was/is worth about $1,200 as NIB.

I have shot couple Whitetails with the 356w. It falls squarely between the 35 Rem and 35 Whelen. Very similar to the 358 Winchester. I have also shot some deer with the 7x30W in my Contender carbine. It is also an effective deer round.
A NIB Win 94 7/30 Waters would sell for $1000-1250 on GB.

Just sold a 356 like new for $800

I have a .356 with a Monte Carlo Stock. It was one of the first to come off the line I believe. It kicks pretty good, but has proven accurate. With a scope I was able to shoot 1"-1.5" groups. I killed 2 whitetail does with it. The first was running ~ 100 yards away. When the 200g power point hit her in mid jump she just folded like a duck and plowed her shoulder into the turf, skidding several feet stone dead. The bullet came apart and didn't make it to the offside however.

Next I used the 250g Power point on a doe at ~30 yards. It went into the last near rib exiting the shoulder. She ran ~70 yards spaying blood out her off shoulder. This bullet definitely stayed together creating a quarter size exit hole.

I have loaded up 220g Speers, but haven't used them yet on deer.

That is about it, but I have killed some more with the .358 Win. only with spitzer bullets.

I've got a 94 xtr in 7-30 waters. Traded a browning shotgun I paid $300 for, for it. It's not NIB, but there's not many flaws on her either. I've got a couple hundred rounds of factory ammo for it, and about 600 120gr nosler solid base flat points to load for it. I've sighted it in and shot it at the range, but not taken it hunting yet. I hope to change that this year.

Don't have either of those winchesters yet, but have two other 356s....and they really are just rimmed 358s. I've shot a pickup full of deer with 356 and mostly 200gr silver tips. Haven't caught one yet, even with double shouldering 200+# bucks past 200 yards. I load Speer 180s and some other stuff, but no need for 250s on deer, IMO. Always wanted a 7-30, but have always had 35s of some sort.

Have shot several deer, a couple moose and one brown bear with 356W with the 250gr PP, did not expand unless shoulder shot on the larger animals. Use the 250gr Kodiak when feel the need for a larger bullet (brown bear country) and 200gr factory Power points otherwise, been very happy with the results.

I really want to try the .356 out, at least on deer, this year. A hog or bear gets in the way, it won't hurt my feelings. I may carry the 7-30 a time or two also, but I'm blessed with a large rotation of leverguns to hunt with so that one will have to wait and see.

I have both rifles but bought them too long ago to remember what I paid. I've only hunted with the 7-30. Shot a 100lb sow with factory ammo at about 30 yards. It ran less than 50 yards...

Wish I had a story to tell but it's coming! Glad to hear all of yours!