Just purchased my first rifle

[wayne robson]

Being over seventy years of age, and just purchased a 40 year old
Winchester 94---30-30.
And it may sound strange, but ill probably never use it,and im
not even going to purchase any bullets for it.
Reason is ive always watched TV westerns and i think 30-30 was used alot
in those western movies,and so ill just clean it up, play with it,and look
at it alot, and ive always liked the look of them.--hope ill like it.
Have to go get my licence in the week ,before i can take delivery of it,
after alot of checks and paper work.

[rfuerst911sc]

Seems a shame not to use it but you can do what you want . At the very least I would want to do some target shooting with it . Anyway good luck with the new purchase .

[KFC911]

That's very cool! I've had my Marlin .30-30 for over 4 decades. I don't think The Rifleman was using that round tho'...but I ain't 6'7" either

edited: Go shoot it...absolutely!

[GH85Carrera]

I understand the want of one of hose cool rifles. Go to a local shooting range, buy a box of bullets, and run them through. Ya almost gotta see just how it feels to shoot it. If you don't want bullets for it in the house, soot all 50 and go home and take it apart and clean it and oil it and bond with it.

I am an old grey hair, but still a puppy in my 60s. I don't own a rifle. I came close once, but the deal did not go through. I just can't think of any reason I need a rifle and I don't see me hunting. The grocery stores have the food all packaged and ready for me.

[fanaudical]

Congrats. Lever guns are fun. I recommend finding a local shooting club where you can get some range instruction and taking it shooting at least once. There is a certain satisfaction from grouping well on a target after mastering another skill...

When I was a kid I had a toy lever gun with a little catch that would pull the trigger. Still remember how cool that was.

[sc_rufctr]

Mr Robson. You need to buy some ammo and visit a range.

You may regret never using it.

[craigster59]

Congratulations! As others have said, at least take it out and shot it once.

Being from Australia check out the "Longmire" series if you haven't seen it yet. Robert Taylor (an Aussie actor) plays the Sheriff who's main weapon is a Winchester 94.

[911 Rod]

Ya, that was a cool gun when I was a kid.
Take it apart and clean it and you will be so into it that you will have to shoot it.
Personally I'd just find some crown land.

[Crowbob]

++28 (at least) on Longmire.

[Jeff Higgins]

Awesome! As these guys will tell you, I kind of like my lever guns. The Model 94 is known as the zenith of Winchester lever gun design, as one Mr. Browning worked his way through his many improvements over several preceding models. Very historic as well, as it introduced their first smokeless powder round, the venerable .30-30.

While the '94 dates from the year of its model number (as did all Winchesters in the 19th century), 1894 was too late in the game to really be a part of our "Wild West". The preceding models of 1873 and 1886 were the big players on that stage. The 1894 is, however, the superior design, and eventually pushed the preceding models out of production.

I agree with these other guys - go shoot the darn thing! At least once, even if you never do so again. It's an awful lot of fun...

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I agree with these other guys - go shoot the darn thing! At least once, even if you never do so again. It's an awful lot of fun...

yup yup yup!

[KFC911]

A .357 lever is cheaper to shoot, more than potent, and tamer...err, fun too imo!

[Bill Douglas]

Or buy it a little brother, a lever action .22, and put a few thousand rounds down range. Ammo costs next to nothing, easy on the body, and lots of fun.

Google 9422

[tabs]

John Wayne used the Win 92.

The 94 is absolutely venerable..millions produced.
Probably taken more deer than any otjer gun. Great medium range gun.

Congratulations..do shoot it at least once..
Then think about the Colt SA in 45 lc as the companion piece.

[ckcarr]

I can see not shooting it. That's a classic. Probably won't ever appreciate a lot, although finding nice ones is harder and harder.

You might buy a box of bullets just to have. To have the rifle but not the bullets is like peanut butter without jelly. There used to be some anniversary 30-30 boxes around that would complement it.

Some rifles and pistols are like art, or a piece of history. They're fun to have around, take care of like furniture or a car.

I have a pretty decent collection, some I have shot in the past, and others I've never shot. Think I have a 30-30 somewhere that I bought but never shot.

[abisel]

Did you get an owners manual with it? If not, go online and download one. That way you will know how to take it apart and put it back together. Winchester may be able to help you with an owners manual.

You may have to buy a few special tools to make the cleaning job easier. https://www.brownells.com/ can be your friend. Don't forget cleaning products such as oils and grease, cleaning rods (one piece rod is better), cleaning patches, jags and loops for the cleaning patches, maybe a mat to do the work on, etc., etc. You can go to Cabella's and pick-up a cleaning kit that may have everything you need. I like Sweets 762 for getting the copper fouling out of the bore. Nasty stuff with ammonia but is sure does the job. Kroil is good stuff too. And a moly grease for those parts that rub together. Just a dab, don't over-grease.

Don't shoot it until you have taken it apart, cleaned it and put it back together. And before you shoot it, be sure the bore is dry. You want to leave the bore wet with oil for storage, but not for shooting. Otherwise when the bullet goes down the bore, what oil or grease left in the bore can cause hydraulic pressure against the bore and cause it to bulge outward. Rare, but it can happen.

Oh, and BTW, enjoy.

[sc_rufctr]

BTW: For our American friends... Lever & bolt action rifles are still legal in Aus.

Semi auto rifles or semi auto shot guns are illegal.

[HardDrive]

Nice rifle. The .30-30 caliber is nice choice. Moderate recoil, but enough power to be an effective hunting round. Widely used to hunt deer in the US.

Go shoot the thing at least once! The experience will be worth it.

[wayne robson]

Many thanks for, all the positive replys,and it looks like
i dont have a choice re ever shooting it, also the tips
from members on looking after it.-----thank you.