Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Black Powder vs smokelss

Can anyone tell me approximate date or serial numbers Winchester changed from black powder barrels to smokeless. I have an old Model 94 in 38-55. S/N 403xxx, mfgr date 1907. I would like to use

IIRC the nickel steel barrels were perfected for the smokeless 30-30 and 25-35 that went into production in 1895. By 1907 when your rifle was manufactured all barrels would have been proofed for smokeless powder. I have a 38/55 from 1906 that I shoot with light smokeless charges. Working from my aged memory here so grains of salt included free of charge.

Saddlesore, I wouldn’t hesitate shooting that rifle with smokless. I have 2 94’s in that age group. One 30wcf and he other a 25/35. Just don’t get carried away loading em hot.

Thanks for the come back. I have been loading 13.5 gr or 2400 with a 250gr cast bullet for about 1200 fps.Old Sharpes manual says to keep it below 25,000 psi. Manual shows up to 18 gr will do that, but I won't go that high.Question came up on the Marlin forum. So stated that Marlin stamped the barrels for black powder or smokeless. This Winchester has no markings at all to that effect .I am in the process of putting a globe sight on the front and Lyman tang sight on the back.