Winchester 94AE .45LC

[Lee]

I've got a Winchester 94AE in .45LC. Never fired, well a couple pistol rounds thru it. Couldn't hit the broad sise of a barn with them low power pistol loads. Does anyone have some recommendations on where to look for some reasonably accurate handloads for that particular rifle??? Personal recipes accepted with caution, also. Thanks, ...............................Lee

[Throckmorton]

Even low powered pistol loads should bullseye at 50 yards.Or at least group well.How bad was the experience.?
My .357 version is very accurate with cowboy loads.

[Quantrill]

I use 5.5 grain of 700X under a couple different lead bullets, 200 grain to 240 grain in both pistol and 94AE for CAS with good results. I had many problems with my 94 having to send it back to the factory twice (not being fixed either time) and finally to my gunsmith who DID fix it. Quantrill

[Lee]

On the paper, and not grouped well at all. I think the loads were too mild, just MHO. They were hand loads and I disremember the particulars, except that I did load at the bottom of the recommended loading....................................Lee

[Throckmorton]

I'm pretty sure the rifle is not at fault here.Very low powered loads in a big case can lead to erratic ignition and burn of the powder.If you have some unique on hand load it to near max for the bullets you have and I'll bet things improve a LOT.Even 8 grain loads with 255 grain bullets are farily mild but very accurate.It's the 'old standby' for that caliber...amongst a few others.

[Lee]

Yeh, I'll have ta dust 'er off in the next few weeks, and get some time in at the range. I'll have to try the Unique recipe...............................Lee

[Cherokee]

My Marlin will shoot one hole groups at 25 yds with 5.0 gr WST and 230 CB. My Win 94 will do almost the same. The Win 94 also likes 7.0 gr WW231 with 255 Keith, but I have never grouped it. It will hit the 100 Ram though. I have another hot load ( you find your own hot load) in the 94 that works well and kicks fairly hard to me.

[Larry Gibson]

Lee

I've a Rossi M92 in .45LC with a 24" barrel. I developed several good loads for it that were safe in my Uberti SAA also. I mostly use a Lee 200 gr RNFP (cowboy bullet) over 7.5 gr Bullseye. This runs 1228 fps in the rifle. Lyman 454424 255 gr SWC or a commercial counterpart over 8.5 gr Unique runs 1001 fps in the rifle. Both loads will put a magazine full into 2" or less at 50 yards and do well at longer ranges also. Both loads shoot into 2" at 25 yards out of the Uberti SAA and run 927 and 830 fps respectively. I believe your M94AE has the same slow twist that my Rossi has. I found in the Rossi I had to shoot pretty much max loads for the pistol to get good accuracy. I also found that the lighter loads would not obturate the case to seal the chamber and I was getting gas blown onto my forehead with each shot.

Larry Gibson

[Lee]

Thanks, gives me the impetus and a few things to look for(at) as soon as the weather breaks and I can get outside again..............................Lee