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The model 64 came in both a standard variant, and “Deer Rifle”. Deer Rifle is the name Winchester called the “deluxe” variant of the model 64 featuring checkering on the pistol grip and stock, as well as the provision for sling swivels from the factory. The “Deer Rifle” variant can be had in any of the Model 64 calibers.
[email protected] said
Thank you for the explanation. I have never heard or seen that in print before, about the Model 64!
This might help explain it…
The following are scanned copies of the 1934 Catalog where Winchester introduced the Model 64. The first pad shows the Standard Rifle, and the second page the “Deer Rifle”.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I would describe the “DEER RIFLE” as a ‘style’ of the rifle. If you will notice the calibers listed are 30 and 32. Not the 25-35 or the 219 Zipper. In fact, at one point in time (in the late 1930s) the 25-35 and all 25 caliber rifles were not allowed for deer hunting in Oregon. Roger B.
rogertherelic said
I would describe the “DEER RIFLE” as a ‘style’ of the rifle. If you will notice the calibers listed are 30 and 32. Not the 25-35 or the 219 Zipper. In fact, at one point in time (in the late 1930s) the 25-35 and all 25 caliber rifles were not allowed for deer hunting in Oregon. Roger B.
Roger,
Keep it in mind that the catalog I posted a copy of was the first one to list the Model 64. The 219 Zipper did not yet exist, and Winchester added the 25-35 WCF to catalog in the following years.
Based on the stated physical differences between the Standard rifle and the Deer Rifle, they are distinct variations, just as a Model 1894 Fancy Sporting Rifle was an upgraded variation of the standard Sporting Rifle.
Oregon’s game hunting laws were put in place to prevent people from hunting deer with the old 25-20 WCF cartridge (which was not deemed adequate for deer/elk). When Winchester began chambering rifles for the .257 Roberts cartridge, Oregon changed the law and included the 25-35 WCF as suitable for deer. (I grew up in Oregon, and hunted Blacktail deer along the Oregon coast in my formative years).
Bert (Oregon native)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
rogertherelic said
I would describe the “DEER RIFLE” as a ‘style’ of the rifle. If you will notice the calibers listed are 30 and 32. Not the 25-35 or the 219 Zipper. In fact, at one point in time (in the late 1930s) the 25-35 and all 25 caliber rifles were not allowed for deer hunting in Oregon. Roger B.
Information on hunting with a 25-35 in various states.
It is illegal to hunt deer in CO with a 25-35 caliber rifle due to factory ammo rated under 1000 lbs of energy at 100 yds. Reloaded ammo is usually loaded over 1000 lbs at 100 yds but that is not what CO G&F goes by, so even if you can prove your reloads exceed 1000 lbs of energy at 100yds it makes no difference to CO G&F. They go by factory specs. RR
25-35 has been legal in WY in my life time. 1935 to present.
This may sound stupid but the only rifle calibre restriction for deer or moose hunting in Ontario is that you can’t hunt with a rimfire rifle of any calibre but it would be OK to hunt moose with say a .22 Hornet. This has been the case for as long as I can remember. As a Conservation Officer I never saw anyone legally hunting deer with a .22 although many poachers like to use a .22 magnum.
Dave K. said
This may sound stupid but the only rifle calibre restriction for deer or moose hunting in Ontario is that you can’t hunt with a rimfire rifle of any calibre but it would be OK to hunt moose with say a .22 Hornet. This has been the case for as long as I can remember. As a Conservation Officer I never saw anyone legally hunting deer with a .22 although many poachers like to use a .22 magnum.
A number of states (including Oregon) legalized the .22 center fire cartridges such as the 223 Remington, .222 Rem Mag, and 22-250.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert, I have always believed that shot placement is more important than caliber when hunting deer or moose. Many hunters,in my experience, buy guns which are too powerful for their ability to handle the recoil and wound more animals than they humanely kill believing that the power of the bullet will compensate for poor marksmanship. An old retired game warden I know,that is now in his 90’s, has killed about 200 moose with a .300 Savage and as he says that all the gun he needs. I have written this before but I recall a story that a 10 year old Cree boy up on James Bay killed a bull moose with a .22 short while on his family trap line by putting the muzzle in the moose’s ear and pulling the trigger while the moose was struggling in deep snow. Now that is shot placement!
Hard to beat a Winchester Model 64 Deer Rifle in .30-30 Winchester for a great woods deer rifle.Plus hard to beat it as a beautiful rifle period.
Dave K. said
Bert, I have always believed that shot placement is more important than caliber when hunting deer or moose. Many hunters,in my experience, buy guns which are too powerful for their ability to handle the recoil and wound more animals than they humanely kill believing that the power of the bullet will compensate for poor marksmanship. An old retired game warden I know,that is now in his 90’s, has killed about 200 moose with a .300 Savage and as he says that all the gun he needs. I have written this before but I recall a story that a 10 year old Cree boy up on James Bay killed a bull moose with a .22 short while on his family trap line by putting the muzzle in the moose’s ear and pulling the trigger while the moose was struggling in deep snow. Now that is shot placement!
I don’t doubt it one bit. I’ve been told stories of .22 Short used to kill Elephants by tribesmen in Africa. I also doubt that there isn’t much alive on the planet that can’t be killed with a .22 Short.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Down here in South western Ontario One can’t use a rifle for deer hunting but You can use a 12 ga. with a slug bbl. . Now I gotta think that is just plain stupidity. Those rules were put in place after the 2nd world war ’cause folks were hunting with those $5.00, .303 surplus Enfields that would reach out about 5 miles and We are fairly densly populated, but I gotta wonder what would be wrong with being able to use a 44-40 or something similar. Then even better they put a cal. restriction,(.27) for small game rifles, so I can use a .270, 22-250 or My 25-35,(nice) but I can’t use a 32-20 for ground hogs or coyotes etc. It’s like most of the gun laws that go into effect, there just isn’t any knowledgeable thought goes into them before enacting them, kinda like the firearms debaucle that’s happening right now in Canada.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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