Local guy has a model 54 from the 30's in 30-30 caliber. Pretty nice condition with a nice peep sight. He is asking $675.
Is that a good deal?

Very good deal

If original almost worth twice as much. Very fun gun to shoot and accurate

Buy it!!

i'd give my left n@%! to find one, both N@%!s for that price, especially for as original as possible.

Thanks guys! He sent me more pics and it appears all original with metal butt plate. H thinks it is mint but by the pics I'd say 85-90%.
He just inherited it with some other old Winchesters and he is going to send me model numbers this evening after work. I will tell him to consider the 54 sold. I know about some Winchesters, mostly the 22's and some of the levers but have never dabbled in the 54's or 70's.
Thanks!

I'd buy it

Oh man, you are missing out. Those particular 54's are pretty desirable. They don't make many bolt action rifles chambered in 30-30, but that is probably one of the best ones right there. One of my buddies has one and we've compared it to my Remington 788 and the Winchester is a much better rifle. That's hard to say since I really like my 788.

Saw the pics on Winchester Collectors site. Looks good, better grab it quick.
If you’re interested there was a thread in this forum on June 9 that touched on the value of a M54 .30-30
All unmolested M54’s are very desirable.

Was able to pic it up this morning. Unmolested and in better condition than the pictures showed. Maybe have time this afternoon to clean it up. I'm stoked!

Cant wait to see the pics!!

Better than pictures showed! Amazing condition with perfect bore.

Dam nice, wait till you see how great she shoots!

Beautiful! Way better shape than my 30Govt. But it was my grandfather's so lots of sentimental value.

Simpsonltd.com has a Winchester Model 54 in 9X57MM

I’ve got a 30 WCF like yours. 1929 manufacture. I paid a good bit more. Enjoy that rifle. It’s a good one and they just don’t make them like that anymore.

Adding my "Congrats" too. The Model 54 in 30 WCF was made only from 1927-31 and is uncommon. In my own opinion, between the carbine and rifle editions, the rifle is also less common! Yours looks good and including the less often found double flat-folding flat leaves - if that's what I'm seeing. Typically such leaves are either loose & floppy or exceedingly tight due to minor corrosion! The one photo I can't understand is of the action right side which "appears" to show a large - perhaps gas relief ' hole in the extractor and presumably only making sense, corresponding through the bolt body in corresponding location. Is there a hole, or??? I'm also unsure of your receiver sight which I, first glance, took as a modified Lyman 48, but now think perhaps a Pacific Model? You don't show the receiver from atop. Hopefully no scope holes which would not have been original and would significantly affect the collector value!

Below pix of my similar rifle dating to 1930. Only one such 30 WCF rifle as I have three carbines, two of which are original. Mine's wearing a Lyman 48, believe 2nd Model aperture. These were sweet guns and the aside of particularly uniqueness as the receiver was designed by Winchester specifically for that .30 WCF chambering. The immediately to be noted difference from every other Model 54 factory chamberings is the lack of clip slot in the receiver bridge.

I've enjoyed the entire line of the Model 54. Last several years of production, it was "updated" with an NRA inspired American traditional stock replacing the European Schnabel style and a svelte barrel integral forged front sight replacing the sight in our rifles here. The 30 WCF rifles existed only in the Euro-fashion and something of post front sight.

Best!
John

I have one in 30-30 in 90% original condition. I am hunting with it this year. Great rifle.

What looks like a hole in the pic is the ‘step’ in the extractor, not a gas relief hole. That’s a Redfield receiver sight.

Great find. IMO one of just a few American rifles that deserves a spot in "The Top Ten Best of All Time".

What a nice rifle! Better than expected no doubt!

Great snag!

I flirted with the idea of loading Spitzer bullets in mine. Quickly learned that COL is the limiting factor there. Mine has been plenty accurate, as others have eluded.

a few M54s in 30-30 WIN were rechambered to 30-40 Krag way back then

A 54 in 30/30 is my Unicorn.....

My most desired rifle.

After that is a Remington Model 30S in 30 Remington or 25 Remington...

I am a bolt action guy, and those are the ultimate in classic rifles & calibers.

Could you post a better pic of the front sight on your new M54?

Thanks Mr. P, for the better eyes... or maybe 'better brain', sight ID and un-holy confirmation!
Best!
John

Been out of pocket for a bit. Sight pics.

I took my 54 Carbine 06 to the range as a possible rifle for my bear hunt. I struggle to see peep sights anymore but I thought it may work for this hunt. Holy Mother of God does that thing get your attention off the bench! After the first shot I checked the brass close and even checked the barrel for a bulge. Everything was good so I touched off another. Judas Priest! My shoulder won't handle magnum rifles anymore and this one ranks right up there. It is once again retired to the closet.

?? Just load it down to the point where it's comfy to shoot. Nothing says that we have to touch off full power loads with every pull of the trigger. They won't make you turn in your Man Card if you do that! Then, right before hunting switch to a load you deem necessary, re-zero, and go hunting.

I shoot, no exaggeration, about 100 sub-2000fps cast bullet loads for every full power jacketed load out of my .30-06's, and life is peachy.

Yes what gnoahh said! When things got scarce during Covid I picked up a mold and broke out the H4895. Clocking around 2000fps it is really fun to shoot. Full house loads and steel butt plates don't mix well.

I found one a few years back in 30-30 for $400.00. It looked a bit rough but the acton was slick than grease on a doorknob and bore as shiny as a brand new silver dime. Shoots good too. Wood appears to have no finish left and a gray patina on the metal. It has a Redfield receiver sight that if somewhat different from the one on the OP's rifle. I like the 30-30 for cast bullet shooting and my M54 shoots them really well. The checkering os somewhat worn but still there. before all my old shooting buddies passed on we used to have what we called a "Burrito" match. Ten shots at 25 yards and ten more at 50, iron sights only and offhand position. Groups at 50 yards usually told the tale on who bought lunch at a local Mexican eatery. Loser bought lunch and when I used the M54, I bought damn few lunches. I didn't think recoil was all that bad but the stock does sorta slap you in the jaw a bit with full power loads. I ran the 170 gr. Lyman #311291 over 10.0 gr. Unique for my match load; the bullet seated out enough to engage the rifling. That worked for me in that rifle.
PJ