QUESTION FOR WIN '94 FOLKS

[30calpal]

I have read that Winchester made some '94's with "fat sides"..for strength in some big bore offerings i.e. 444.  Does the '94 in 375 Win have the 'fat side' action ?
I read that the Win rifles can handle up to 50,000 cup where Marlins only 40,000.  True or No ?  Reason is I may be considering a custom build.

[Rangr44]

[I have read that Winchester made some '94's with "fat sides"..for strength in some big bore offerings i.e. 444.  Does the '94 in 375 Win have the 'fat side' action ?]

All Big Bore 94's Winchesters, including the top-eject .375 (BB94), and the later angle-eject's (BB94AE) in .307 Win, .356 Win, .375 Win, .444 Marlin, & .450 Marlin, had the rear third of their receiver sidewalls thickened outward/bulged for extra strength.

The "extra strength" was for the difference between the Big Bore loads and the previous standard levergun loads, like the .30-30, .32 Special, .32-40, & 7-30 Waters.

AFAIK, the respective pressure tolerances for a BB94 & a Marlin 336/1895 is very similar - neither suitable for 50,000psi.

IMHO, a 50,000psi custom levergun is BLR territory.

BTW - FWIW, Those BB94's factory prepped on the receiver side for a peep sight require a dedicated peep, due to the bulge not letting standard M94 peep sights fit properly.


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[John Y Cannuck]

http://kwk.us/pressures.html

At the above, check the pressure standards for the 307. You'll find it's the same as the 308, 52000 psi.

Now I've used only the regular non strengthened lever guns for many years, so I can't comment on the continued use of those pressures, or how well these strengthened guns have stood up over the years, however, the standard versions are tougher than many would have you believe, and Winchester did produce 'em for that pressure.

Please be aware that most rifle failures are not a result of the action failing, rather the barrel, and these rifles do have thin walled barrels.

[Rangr44]

More properly, Winchester & Marlin leverguns have the lower part of the barrels, just under the chamber, thinned for the passage of the magazine tube.

The remainder of the barrels are just fine, thickness/strength wise - the reason they tend to burst downward, disassembling the mag & forend in the process, along with the possibility of some shooter partial disassembly.   

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[Mikey]

I have 3 Winchester Big Bore 94AEs in the 444 Marlin caliber and there is absolutely nothing weak about the actions or, imo, the barrels.  Mine see pretty heavy use and I rarely use any factory loads - everything that goes out the ends of those barrels is heavy (300-335 gns and I'm working on 350s and 405s) and as fast as any Beartooth Bullet load can get to, which is what makes the 444 really outstanding and very heavy hitting.  I've had mine apart, right down to the barrelled action and I do not see anything that appears thinner than what it should be - if my eyes deceive me that may be one thing, but none of mine have come apart, lost accuracy, slipped screws or pins or anything that would indicate any of my loadings are too much for the rifles or that the barrels are too weak to continue. 

The Winchester action is stronger and safer, imo, than the Marlin action, by design, not by the pressures generated by any particular cartridge.  When you close the lever on a Marlin, the lever locks the bolt in place - granted, that's near 3/8" steel but the Winchester has that, as well as it's original bolt block, at least another 1/4" of steel that comes up and blocks/locks the bolt in place for firing - that is one strong action. 

I would say that if you want a custom build, build it on a 94AE action.  If you like the 375 Winchester caliber, go for it and build it the way you want.  jmtcw.

[LONGTOM]

I must agree with Mikey.
I too own the BB in 307, 375 & 444.
While the 444 has seen little use and the 375 has been somewhat limited the 307 has seen hard service and always performed very well.
I do reload for it and rather heavy I might add but I use old stock Winchester 150 gr Silvertip bullets.
The gun loves them at just under 1" 3 shot groups with a Weatherby 2x7x32 Supreme scope.
I have never had one of my BBs apart so I can't comment on the barrel thinning underneath.
I would think you would have to have some pretty hefty loads to blow one.
I personally wouldn't be to worried about theit strength.



LONGTOM