I am fortunate to have a few guns, but one glaring hole is a pre-64 94.
I'm wondering, with its scope unfriendly setup and the limitations of a round nose .30-30, is the 94 now bought and held mainly for its collector value or do people still shoot deer with an iron sight on a pre-64 94?
There some nice ones out there from 1980s. Two come to mind 7-30 and .307. The 7-30 is 7mm slug in .30-30 case and 307 is rimmed .308. I'm sure both can be scoped and Leupold 1,75-6x32 would be just about perfect for the job. The 24" barreled 'XTR' 7-30 rifle with long magazine tube would also make very nice HD gun. Something to consider because when Madam President takes over in January assault weapons and high cap hand guns might be banned in USA.
I would say absolutely not, I know several people who still hunt with old model 94s. An old friend of the family has one that has killed a deer every year since he bought it back in the 50s. I certainly would if I could hunt with a rifle in this state. I traded mine for a 10 gauge a few years back, and still haven't replaced it. I really need to get that gun replaced too. I've got a ton of reloading stuff for one.
I would not at all be looking to use or give my son one of those to use. I am quite prejudiced because we live in ny where Savage started before they moved to ma.
Once I have used a 99, pre 1 million serial number, of course, I ain't going back.
So yeah, I have wondered where those shooter 94's are going to go. There are so many better choices for hunting.
Personally, I love the 94. It was my first "real" rifle as a teenager in the mid 70's. I shot a fair amount of game with it, but later moved on to other guns. Mostly bolt actions. About 25 years ago, the nostalgia of the 94's led me to begin collecting them. I've managed to put together a modest collection of various models from different eras. Occasionally, I shoot one of them and will even take one into the woods on a nice day. I like the feel of it and it definitely takes me back. Technology has come a long way since that rifle was developed but there is no arguing the fact that for a long time it was "the" deer rifle. Marlin and Savage tried, but we all know how that worked out. So, the long answer to the short question is this: there are definitely more modern and better options out there to hunt with. Those include better cartridge options with the ability to use optics. But a 94, used within reasonable limitations, will still kill a deer as dead as it would 120 years ago. The fact that over seven million were produced speaks volumes. If all that has to be explained to someone, then they probably won't understand.
I guess I should acknowledge that only 2.6 million of the total production were pre 64 guns. Although there isn't a lot of difference in hunting with one versus the other.
Mine is late 40's early 50's, I try and take it on the river bottom stand every year where a 60 yard shot is a long one! No scope and even with my SS age eyes I can nail a whitetail at that range or less, no problem. I feel good when I hammer one with my first BIG, deer rifle! Ive skipped a year or 3 but going to make a real go this coming year, its just a Beatch to get the deer to the truck from river bottom slough! With 3 good guys its a job... and about a 60 to 70 yard drag em out any way you cut it! very best on a good honest gun .. WinPoor
I've got an 1894 Winchester rifle that was passed down to me from my Grandfather through my Father to me. It's got a 5 digit serial number and was made the year the 30-30 was introduced. I've hunted it and I've shot deer with it. When I finally shot an 8 point buck with it I retired it as I thought that I'd finally shot a buck worthy of my Grandfather's rifle.
I have one and I would use mine tomorrow if the season was open. My grandfathers flat band 30-30 he bought sometime after WWII. Yup, I surely would. All day long.
There have been probably millions of big game killed by that model, and probably a few people. There is zero reason to believe that it wouldnt do just as good today. They are very popular in woods like Michigan were 95% of shots are well south of 100 yards. And most people still hunt or use a blind. The 94 is great for that duty.
Mine too Bugger, got a carbine from 1950 loaded with 170 gr Hornadays at a true 2155 fps w/ RL-15, it just works.
I have two in 30-30 and hunt with both