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April 24, 2025
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The words “big bore” are to common for me to get good search results.
Do we have any data on DOM for the Big Bore series? The usual available resources don’t include them.
Thank you.
December 9, 2002
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I could probably get you in the ballpark, as my notes say, “The Model 94 Big Bore’, came out in 1983, and in a few calibers. .307 Win. (disc. 1998), .356 Win, (disc. 1998), .375 Win, (1987, and the most common), .444 Marlin,(new 1998). I have no production numbers, as I thought that I might have.
Anthony
March 23, 2010
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I believe the .375 Winchester Big Bore Model 94 was introduced in 1978.For my self, I only consider the Model 94 with side plates ,to be true Model 94 Big Bore rifles.:)
December 9, 2002
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28 gauge said
I believe the .375 Winchester Big Bore Model 94 was introduced in 1978.For my self, I only consider the Model 94 with side plates ,to be true Model 94 Big Bore rifles.:)
You could be correct, these are older notes that are no way documented, as to the reason I used the term “Ball Park”, and look forward to any other members, correcting this so I can update that part of my information, or lack of.
Anthony
January 27, 2018
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The Model 94 XTR Big Bore .375 was introduced in 1978. See page 41 & 42 of The Winchester Model 94 The First 100 Years by Robert C. Renneberg.
The NRA published an article on the Big Bore in the September 1978 issue of The American Rifleman.
Michael
August 8, 2024
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The Winchester Model 94 Big Bore was introduced in 1978. It was a top eject model with a beefed up receiver. Chambered for the new .375 Win. Cartridge. In 1983 the angle eject Model was introduced in the new .307 Win, and the also new .356 Win. It was also chambered for the .375 Win. The funny thing about the .375 Win. chambering is that in the 1983 Winchester catalog which featured the new Angle eject Model 94 Big Bore. Winchester recommended the new .307, or the .356 over the .375 Win. Stating that they was ballistically superior over the older cartridge. Because of this the .375 Win. is more difficult to locate now then the .307 Win, or the .356 Win. In the early Model 94 Angle Eject.
The new Angle Eject Model 94 Big Bore when it first came out was a very nice rifle. It featured a steel receiver, nicely checkered walnut stock with a Monte Carlo butt stock. As well as detachable swivels, and weaver style scope mount, and rings. One of the last Model 94s that still had the half cocked hammer. It was a fairly expensive gun retailing over $400.00 at the time of introduction. This style did not last long! First change in 1985 was the half cocked hammer was replaced to the rebounding style. Then Winchester wanted to reduce the cost. With that the stocks began not to be checkered. The scope base, and rings were not included as well. Later they began using a straight stock, and then the horrible side safety!
One last note is that the serial number on the new Angle eject Model 94 Big Bore started at AE10000. I have found them as high to be in the AE2200 serial number range. These later guns had rebounding hammers. So, I figure that Winchester made around 10,000 of the first style Model 94 Angle Eject big bore rifles. This Model, and Style of rifle is the only Post 64 Winchester Model that I find interesting.
March 3, 2020
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Michael B. said
The Model 94 XTR Big Bore .375 was introduced in 1978. See page 41 & 42 of The Winchester Model 94 The First 100 Years by Robert C. Renneberg.
The NRA published an article on the Big Bore in the September 1978 issue of The American Rifleman.
Michael
I bid on and bought 3 boxes of factory Winchester 38-55 ammo on an online auction, thinking I could use them for hunting whitetail with my 1894 carbine. When I got them, the bullets mic’ed out to .375 – way too small to shoot in my .379 bore.
Might this ammo be meant for the .375 Big Bore gun?
In any case, and expensive mistake on my part…… should have done my due diligence. 
January 27, 2018
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John D.,
It’s my understanding that the newer commemorative rifles chambered for .38/55 were bored .375. Since your rifle is a model 1894 and is bored .379, I suggest you find someone with a commemorative and sell them the ammo. I would recommend reloading ammo to suit your rifle and your hunting requirements.
You may want to Google “difference between .38/55 and .375 ammo” to get a more complete answer.
Hope this helps.
Michael
March 3, 2020
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Michael B. said
John D.,
It’s my understanding that the newer commemorative rifles chambered for .38/55 were bored .375. Since your rifle is a model 1894 and is bored .379, I suggest you find someone with a commemorative and sell them the ammo. I would recommend reloading ammo to suit your rifle and your hunting requirements.
You may want to Google “difference between .38/55 and .375 ammo” to get a more complete answer.
Hope this helps.
Michael
Oh yeah, I’ve been reloading for my rifles for years, using .380 sized lead cast bullets.
While I suppose I could use the lead bullets for hunting, what I was looking for was a more modern jacketed hunting round that would be more efficient/reliable in taking down game. So, I bought the loaded ammo as jacketed hunting bullets for reloading are not an easy find for the original 94’s. I mistakenly assumed that the factory ammo labeled 3-8-55 was good to go. I found out different. 
April 15, 2005
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I recently purchased several hundred .379″ bullets (220-gr and 255-gr) from Vollmer. I loaded a batch of the 220-gr with 30.0 grains of IMR 4198 (to shoot in my Single Shot high-wall rifle).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 3, 2020
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Bert H. said
I recently purchased several hundred .379″ bullets (220-gr and 255-gr) from Vollmer. I loaded a batch of the 220-gr with 30.0 grains of IMR 4198 (to shoot in my Single Shot high-wall rifle).
Bert
Holy Frijoles…… Thanks a bunch Bert!
April 15, 2005
Online
John D. said
Bert H. said
I recently purchased several hundred .379″ bullets (220-gr and 255-gr) from Vollmer. I loaded a batch of the 220-gr with 30.0 grains of IMR 4198 (to shoot in my Single Shot high-wall rifle).
Bert
Holy Frijoles…… Thanks a bunch Bert!
I also bought (500) of the 245-gr hard cast coated bullets from the Missouri Bullet Co. for “plinking” loads. I loaded up a total or (210) rounds and still have another (210) factory new W-W cases that are empty.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 3, 2020
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Bert H. said
John D. said
Bert H. said
I recently purchased several hundred .379″ bullets (220-gr and 255-gr) from Vollmer. I loaded a batch of the 220-gr with 30.0 grains of IMR 4198 (to shoot in my Single Shot high-wall rifle).
Bert
Holy Frijoles…… Thanks a bunch Bert!
I also bought (500) of the 245-gr hard cast coated bullets from the Missouri Bullet Co. for “plinking” loads. I loaded up a total or (210) rounds and still have another (210) factory new W-W cases that are empty.
For lever gun silhouette competition, I use a similar cast bullet from Bear Creek. It performs very well for knocking down steel targets but I would be reluctant to use it for hunting
September 19, 2014
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Used to be Barnes “Originals” came in 255 gr weight and were .377 diameter IF I recall correctly. Does Barnes still do this? I do not know as I shoot mostly lead I cast myself. I prefer shooting my “Winchester” (made in Japan) single shot in .38-55 using a 312 gr pointed silhouette bullet. I suspect that bullet won’t stabilize in most rifles and it would punch through a deer without any expansion. BTW, don’t sell the 220 gr Hornady short. Yeah its too small, but I’ve had some good groups with it for some reason. Tim
November 7, 2015
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For my 375 Big Bore I have had great success with cast bullets from Lyman’s 375449 mould. If I was to take this beauty hunting again I’d use Hornady’s 220gr bullet. I have the good fortune of having a few hundred properly headstamped cases for the 375 as I also load for my 38-55’s. While very similar in appearance it is best to treat the 38-55 and 375 as different cartridges. BTW Powder Valley has Starline brass for some of our favorite hyphenated cartridges…and the 375 Winchester.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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John D. said
Bert H. said
John D. said
Bert H. said
I recently purchased several hundred .379″ bullets (220-gr and 255-gr) from Vollmer. I loaded a batch of the 220-gr with 30.0 grains of IMR 4198 (to shoot in my Single Shot high-wall rifle).
Bert
Holy Frijoles…… Thanks a bunch Bert!
I also bought (500) of the 245-gr hard cast coated bullets from the Missouri Bullet Co. for “plinking” loads. I loaded up a total or (210) rounds and still have another (210) factory new W-W cases that are empty.
For lever gun silhouette competition, I use a similar cast bullet from Bear Creek. It performs very well for knocking down steel targets but I would be reluctant to use it for hunting
I agree… which is why I mentioned that I am loading them for “plinking” purposes.
For hunting purposes, I would use the 220-grain jacketed soft-nosed Vollmer bullets.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
Online
tim tomlinson said
Used to be Barnes “Originals” came in 255 gr weight and were .377 diameter IF I recall correctly. Does Barnes still do this? I do not know as I shoot mostly lead I cast myself. I prefer shooting my “Winchester” (made in Japan) single shot in .38-55 using a 312 gr pointed silhouette bullet. I suspect that bullet won’t stabilize in most rifles and it would punch through a deer without any expansion. BTW, don’t sell the 220 gr Hornady short. Yeah its too small, but I’ve had some good groups with it for some reason. Tim
Tim,
I am in agreement with you on the 220-grain. With my load (30 grains of IMR 4198), they perform extremely well, and I believe that they would be way more than adequate for deer hunting purposes.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
May 22, 2024
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I tried to find a M94 BB in 356Win for a while around here a number years back, never even came close to one! I find this rifle & cartridge to be as interesting and useful as any the even old Winchester Levers, for my taste & purposes! It along with an 86 in 33wcf and Mid 71 in 348 are just Winchester Levers at their finest IMO! But I detest the Angle Eject Cut, but it wouldn’t have stopped me.
I haven’t looked for these purposes, but im fairly sure Hawk would have or could make the ideal bullets for either, and probably none better for performance on game!
October 8, 2012
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Wasn’t the 444 Marlin one of the big bored? I have all four in my collection if I recall correctly.
August 8, 2024
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The .444 Marlin, and the .450 Marlin were introduced much later. They feature a cross bolt safety, or tang style safety. Pretty sure that the .307, .356, and the .375 were discontinued when the Marlin chamberings were available. It is just me, but I have no interest in a Winchester Model 94 that has these additional safety features.
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