I fell in love with the Winchester Model 94 ‘Antique’ Carbine at age 10, thanks to a Winchester ad. Of course it wasn’t an antique at all; it was a new-production Winchester intended to appease their customer base, who was unhappy with Winchester’s 1964 manufacturing shortcuts on their Model 94 and Model 70 rifles. Production began in 1964 and according to most sources, ended about 1983. This one was made in 1966.

These rifles are unafflicted by the cursed safety button, found on post 1992 Winchester Model 94s. I don’t believe any Antiques were made with the rebounding hammer, a standard feature by 1985-which produces about a seven pound, often gritty trigger pull. 

The 94 Antique also had certain features to make it appear more classic. It had light scrollwork on its receiver, which was also finished to resemble color casehardening. It also featured a saddle ring, common on early Winchesters intended for the mounted trades. Some were brass and some were steel. To my delight, this one has the blued steel variant. Finally, the ‘Antique’ had a checkered steel buttplate, like pre-64 Model 94s. Its only gaudy feature was its brass-plated loading  gate.

This particular rifle has spent time outdoors and acquired a bit of light rust, which was easily removed with a few passes of oiled 0000 steel wool.  The action internals look almost unused and the bore is perfect. The sight hood was still in place. Just a touch of the case colors remain on the receiver, though the photo didn’t capture them well. The trigger is excellent. In 1966 you could still buy a lever action with a crisp 3# pull, no external safeties and no idiot warnings inscribed on the barrel. I’ve watched 94 Winchester prices climb steadily and spike recently, with plain post 64s selling well over 500 bucks. Figured I better grab this one for a lot less.

This Winchester feeds & ejects perfectly and is kind to brass. It don’t shoot half bad either. I spent seven rounds of Federal 150 soft point getting it rough zeroed and these three standing unsupported from 100 yards in a pretty brisk breeze. Won’t get me to the Palma Matches but I’m OK with it in the first 10 rounds.

This 30-30 arrived in time for an Arctic front that gave us highs in the single digits for much of the week. Outside chores pick up in bitter cold and since I was out there anyway, I burned about 50 rounds of 150 grain Federal and Winchester 30-30 ammo getting it rough zeroed and shooting it offhand. I was glad when it warmed up enough for final zeroing.

I regulate my 30-30s to print top dead center on the front sight at 200 yards with 150 grain softpoints. I’m OCD about this stuff so I’ll keep it short. I flat-top the rear sight and select a front bead that shoots just a froghair high at 200 yards, with the rear sight set to the lowest notch of the elevator. Elevation is then perfected by careful filing of the flat top surface of the rear sight. This is all accomplished from the bench, which also provides an idea of how well a particular 94 shoots with the zero load. If I don’t have a pile of reloads ready, I use Winchester 150 grain Power Point. It has proven accurate for me in numerous 30-30s and it has almost exactly the same POI as my standard 30-30 load.  I use 3 shot groups to conserve ammo.

In deference to aging eyesight, I staple a 7″ picnic bowl in the middle of a B27. It’s easy to see at 200 yards and it provides a precise sight picture, with the bead just covering the bottom 1/4 of the bowl. During this initial ‘distance’ shooting I noticed two of the three shots close together, with the third shot out 4-6″. So I decided to make my best effort to fire three shots with precisely the same hold, controlled breathing and the best surprise break I could manage. This old rifle will shoot.

4-5 light file strokes brought the rear sight down enough to center the paper bowl at 200 yards- perfect for general field shooting with this class of carbine. With a 30-30 zeroed at 200 yards, I have killed deer cleanly at 240 yards and vermin a bit further. I have stretched the old 94’s legs to 330 yards by simply raising the rear elevator a notch.

Of course this was in the days before Hornady’s LeveRevolution 30-30 ammunition was introduced. I really never got on the LeveRevolution bandwagon. My nephew gave me a few rounds of it, which languished in my ammo box. But this Model 94 was showing promise, so I decided to see if it offered advantages for field shooting.

I set up an old barrel lid, backed off about 330 yards and let fly a couple of Power Points from a braced sitting position. Both fell about 20 yards short, though one round found its way through the target- sideways. I patched the target, drove back and fired two of LeveRevolution rounds; same hold and same position. The result was two direct hits, center of the lid.

I’m sold. I’m going to keep a couple of the LeveRevolution rounds in my shirt pocket while puttering around the farm. Most of it is open country and a 330 yard shot at a coyote is always possible. Now, I can do it without fiddling with the sights.