Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Of the "big bore" 94 cailbers, which one?

Ok I've got my heart set on a Big Bore 94, I just cant decide which cartridge to go with. 307? 375? 356?

I'm leaning towards the 375win, as I want to keep this gun with iron sights (probably a peep rear) and the 375 will work perfectly at ranges I'd shoot without an optic sight. Plus it is for sure capable of taking all the game I want to take with it.

But, would I gain anything going with the other two? And yes I'm going to start reloading. I suppose the 307 would shoot much flatter, making longer shots easier. The 356 looks like a great round, im just concerned about brass quantities.

(a bucket list/pipedream type idea of mine is to try to get a Wyo big game "grand slam" with an iron sight lever gun, assuming I can pull the tags in my life time)

Of the 3 you listed, probably the .375 Win. It's the true, original BB94. Especially if you are on a budget as the .307 and .356 guns are bringing more money these days. You'll run across more .375s, as well.

The .356 Win would be tempting.......especially since you're talking elk (and moose ?). But I can't see there being a real noticeable difference on the receiving end of either the .356 or the .375 at iron sight distances.

There is, however, the "other" BB94. The .444 Marlin. Probably the most spendy of all the BB94s. But something else to consider.

I would go 356 and not look back. And no,, the 375 caliber is not even in the same LEAGUE as the 356, power wise. The 375 Win never should have been, is only a slightly overgrown but still very anemic 38/55. A cartridge that went the way of the dinosaurs for good reasons.

A 444 might be fun, also, but I don't think they made that caliber in the pre safety models. The ones with the extra safety in the receiver, whatever the caliber, should be avoided.

I've owned all 3 & I Definately prefer the WW 94 in .375 Big Bore. JMHO.

Really? From the load data I've read the 356 pushes a 220gr bullet about the same speed as the 375 pushes a 250gr bullet. Are you referring to commercial loads only?

Yes, commercial loads. I was not aware that you ahndloaded. Many cartridges were emasculated at the factories, Remingtons 8mm RemMag probably being the worst example.

I am a big fan of the 348WCF, and the 356 largely duplicates it in a smaller package. I had one in a pre safety version and foolishly let it get away from me. Been kicking myself ever since. And it was an XTR version with gorgeous blueing, too! Not to worry too badly, though as my actual vintage Model 71 in 348 is filling that void in my life quite nicely so far <G>

I love the .375 winchester. I have a couple of them. I'm of the mindset that these rifles are for shorter distances and never really understood the need to make them into longer range rounds. Although in the right hands, they can do amazing things.

Do like me and get all 3 calibers!!! Oh, make that 4, I also have a .444 "Timber Carbine"!

Is the .356 better than the .375? Well, its more powerful, for sure. Will the .307 shoot flatter than either? I'm willing to bet it will. In any of these calibers does it have anything to do with the price of tea in China? They will all get the job done.

A WINCHESTER MODEL 94AE IN 444 MARLIN CALIBER would be my choice

You will have trouble finding a 375 Angle Eject. I prefer the pre saftey, pre rebounding hammer. I think the 375 was discontinued before either of these improvements were made.

Have a .375 thats either new or as close to new as you can get (no box). Might be willing to sell or trade for? ?

Like this one ?

Spook, that one looks mighty handy. Need to mention the 94 can be had in 450 Marlin also.

444. And be done.

The 375 can be loaded up pretty heavily and top eject 375's are noticeably lighter than an AE in 356 due to the larger diameter barrel in AE model. I load mine with 300 gr cast bullets doing around 1800 fps. In a rifle weighing around 6 1/2 lbs that's enough performance for me. It responds nicely to being loaded down too if you want to practice on smaller game.

As someone suggested AE's in 375 are thin on the ground. I read somewhere that they estimated only around 2000 were made. Also, I've only seen AE's in 375 without the cross bolt safety and rebounding hammer.

For?

The ones with the extra safety in the receiver, whatever the caliber, should be avoided. [/quote]

I have a couple and would have to disagree. Still accurate fun guns to shoot, just require a little more mechanism manipulation to get into action quick.



But this one I would agree with. However if you had to pick one, thick cover hunting, or shots under 100yds the 444. Possibility of longer shots??, the 356.

my 450 timber carbine 94 has a tang safety. slick and accurate little gun but a bit brutal to shoot. i have mine set up scout style. it is a joy to carry in the woods. at about 6lbs its not so much of a joy to shoot though but i don't shoot it much.

the 444's had the receiver safety.

I have two of the three you listed. .356 and 375 win. Both are heavy hitters. If I had to chose I'd say .356