Winchester 94, FUBAR'd, caliber conversion?

[flashpuppy]

Sorry if the pic doesn't format correctly, posting from my tablet.

Someone dropped this off at my shop yesterday. Trying to figure out what to do with somebodies squib gun. It's chambered in .375 Win and is top eject. What's the possibility of converting this to .44Mag? Action serms good, everything fuctions as it should with no binding. Doesn't look like any damage occured anywhere else in the firearm.

What would you do with this?

 

[sloughfoot]

It seems like the ideal prospect for the conversion. Full speed ahead.

it won't cost me a nickle.

 

[yellowhousejake]

The BigBore 94 has a beefier frame with a thicker receiver around the locking bolts. They also came with far better finish and real cut checkering, I've owned a few. They are the best of the 94 action. Making it a 44 mag would be like putting a 22 hornet into a Magnum Mauser action. 375 is a powerful and under rated cartridge, 220gr bullet at 2200fps from a light framed lever action.

But if you wanted to do a conversion, the 307 WCF would be a great option now that you can get the polymer tip bullets from Hornady. 30 WCF AI would be a interesting gun too, 219 zipper AI could be fun.

I could think of a lot of options.

YHJ

 

[flashpuppy]

I'm not opposed to other calibers. How about something IN deer legal? Something .475 Turnbull-ish?

Reason I was thinking 44Mag is I'm pretty sure I know who actually owns this. Once he sees it functional again, he'll probably try to pay me for the parts and take it home. I don't mind this as he's a nice older gent and has always treated me well. I'm sure he would rather just buy ammo though. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Hookeye]

I had a first yr BB94 in .307.
Worst shooting rifle I ever owned.
Nice wood and killer blue job, checkering done great (chewed on ya a little).
Buddy thought he could reload and help it, bought it, tried a lot of things, nothing worked so he sold it.

Why not rebarrel it in .356 Win?

 

[fireball168]

357 Herrett.

 

[rjhans53]

445 sm

 

[ghostdncr]

If there's enough room to stay legal, I'd trim it back to just behind the damage and recrown it. Have me a .375 carbine! I've always thought a lot of that cartridge and would probably stay with it, even if I had to replace the barrel altogether.

 

[flashpuppy]

I also considered shortening it... There is enough length to do it, barely. I would probably chop it at 16.25" and back bore it another 1/2". Cut a new dovetail slot, get a new mag tube and barrel band. It's a real interesting and cost effective idea.

maybe just bend the forks out and run it as is...

 

[ghostdncr]

maybe just bend the forks out and run it as is...

You could just straighten those prongs a bit and with some creative file work: flash suppressor!

 

[ghitch75]

or a frog gig....

 

[hrearden]

I dont see any issue with a conversion to 44. I see a lot of other ideas for caliber here. If youre willing to change calibers, why not just replace the barrel and stick with the current caliber?

 

[Mosinguy]

I dont see any issue with a conversion to 44. I see a lot of other ideas for caliber here. If youre willing to change calibers, why not just replace the barrel and stick with the current caliber?

Or just cut the barrel down and make it a carbine?