Got a 1895 (original) in 30-06

[.45Cole]

I though it was a steal and figured I would post some pics. Never had a 1895, any particular concerns? I heard headspace, but the 'smith didn't think it was usually a prob in 1895's.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_580150987e7b0ce0e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=7318)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_580150987e9545dcf.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=7319)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_580150987e9d1817f.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=7320)
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_580150987ea74de76.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=7321)
PS. I found out you can't edit a thread title, even if it makes you look bad

[rintinglen]

Is it 30-06? I thought I read that 30 Govt was the 30-40, but I see the 1906 after that stamping.

[I'll Make Mine]

I agree, .30 Government is .30-40 -- 1906 may indicate an upgraded loading (several cartridges from the early 1890s changed bullet shape or construction to conform to international treaties between about 1895 and 1910). The magazine should accommodate a rimmed cartridge, and the bolt face and extractor are likely too big for .30-06 (that model was also built in 7.62x54R, another rimmed cartridge contemporary with the .30-40).

Headspace is on the rim with both .30-40 and 7.62x54R, unlikely to be a major issue unless the action has been badly abused.

[JHeath]

I think it's a .30-06:

1) I once had a rifle marked .30 Gov't 06, which was a .30-06. In that case a 1930's Remington.

2) Obviously your Model 95 was made after 1906, so the .30-06 was available and Winchester would have been foolish to mark any other caliber in the manner yours is marked.

3) Not being a Winchester expert, I just did a quick search and found this: http://forums.gunboards.com/archive/index.php/t-125990.html , where some guy who sounds like he knows more than I do describes M1895 caliber markings.

[elk hunter]

It's a 30-06. Had one marked the same way. My current model 95 is marked 30 US model 1903 for the 30-03 cartridge the forerunner of the 30-06.

Great rifles. Be sure to slug the barrel, my current 95 in 30-03 is .304 x .312 instead of .300 x .308 that is currently the standard for US 30 caliber.

[Hardcast416taylor]

There`s always the test of putting a dummy .30-06 into the chamber. If it won`t fit try a dummy .30-40 into the chamber.Robert

[.45Cole]

It's a 30-06, I even tried a 30-40 to be sure (but I don't have any 30-06 brass laying around---yet) 30 Army would be a 30-40 if I have read everything correctly.

[wrench man]

It IS an '06, the 1895's that are chambered in 30-40 Krag are "30 ARMY", my brother has one chambered in 30-03, it's "30 GOVERNMENT", it' serial # dates it to 1905.
My brothers rifle won't shoot anything lighter than 220grns, it shoots 180's in about 4', YES FEET! but it'll put the 220's in about 3", it like Sierra 220's stretched out to just fit in the magazine with a moderate charge of 4064.

I would think the .312" barrels would be for the 7.62x54R?, the only difference of the '03 vs the '06 as far as I've ever seen is the length of the neck??, they shortened the neck .070" for the '06.

[Mooseman]

As a Winchester Collector I concur..It is Chambered for 30/06 . The 1906 designation was to distinguish it from the 30/03 , and the .30 US (.30-40 Krag) .
They are Nice Valuable guns when in Original shape and well maintained .

Good Score !

Rich

[runfiverun]

the 30-40 is marked 30-Army and it's marked down the bbl further by the winchester markings.

[Beau Cassidy]

Mine is a .30/40 Krag and this is how it is stamped. Too bad it isn't a .30/06

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895011.jpg

[TXGunNut]

Awesome rifle, congrats! And yes, it's what we now call a .30-'06.

[JHeath]

Mine is a .30/40 Krag and this is how it is stamped. Too bad it isn't a .30/06

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/OrthoNP/3-22-12Winchester1895011.jpg

Why "too bad"? .30-40 is a great cartridge in this rifle or any other. When I was a kid in Oregon, old timers called the .30-40 "elk medicine." I think it got that reputation because the surplus Krags were sold with surplus 220gr solid ammo. That equals a sectional density over .300, with great penetration even at modest velocities (by modern standards).

Your Model 1895 .30-40 is a great old rifle that can handle long solids and whack an elk or moose now as well as in our grandfathers' day. Be proud of it. It may even whack them better than these whippersnapper post-.270 high velocity wonders shooting low sectional density bullets at high velocities.

[.22-10-45]

Hello, .45 Cole. Nice rifle! I have read where it's best to keep pressures down around .30-40 Krag levels to avoid case stretching..and undue stress on older rifle.

[bob208]

the .30-03 used the 220 gr. krag bullet. that was the big change from 03 to 06 was they went to 150 gr bullets along with a shorter neck.

keep loads on the light side. the 95 is a strong action. but the 06 loads have picked up a lot more steam over the years.

i have a 95 in .30-40 it shots real good with 180-200 gr bullets. i also have one in .35 winchester i have not got around to shooting it yet.

[eck0313]

Your 'smith isn't very knowledgeable about Winchester 95 rifles.

The Win '95 rifles chambered in 30-06 were frequently sent back to Winchester for rebuilds due to loosening after shooting near max loads intended for bolt action rifles.

The 30-06 rifles also had a bad name for "blowing up" with surplus ammo. This stigma was traced to owners who actually loaded (and fired) the rifles with 7.92mm (8mm Mauser) surplus ammo that found its way here to the US between the two World Wars. As you could imagine, the .323bullets had a hard time making it down a .308 barrel.

The American Rifleman covered this many years ago.

Not trying to scare you, I had a '95 in 30-40, liked it a lot. They are nice rifles, albeit a little unwieldy.

Don't "hotrod" your loads, and you will enjoy it for many years.

[gandydancer]

for me I like the 30/40 krag better then the 06 from a collectors view.and its more fun to shoot.

[Freischütz]

The two original rifles I tried (late 400000 range production and solid frame) both produced bad case stretching and partial case separations with modern ammo.

Waters suggested the following loads for the M95:
150 gr bullet - 47.0 gr 4064
165 gr bullet - 46.0 gr 4064
180 gr bullet - 53.0 gr 4350

I bought a Browning M95 for hunting. It handles the modern loads but case life is limited with them.

[smokeywolf]

.45Cole,
Keep your pressures down. Can't remember what the original 30-06 pressures were. But a few short years after the '06 cartridge was introduced, the loads and pressures were bumped up considerably.
The "95s, specifically in 30-06 do occasionally suffer from headspace problems due to folks shooting modern loads. This usually manifests itself in the form of bolt face peening, and I've read, but never seen, frame stretching.
The model '95 '06 was designed and manufactured to shoot the original 30-06 loads.

It's also common to see what appears to be a headspace issue due to sizing the shoulder too far back during a FL sizing of your '06 cases.

smokeywolf

[.45Cole]

@smokeywolf,@eck0313
I probably won't reload for it as I will not shoot it much (I bought it for pocket change). I figured I would just shoot the core-lokt remmys and super X shells through it, as a means of competition for my brothers .303. The smith also said it would be good at those pressure levels. Unfortunately last night I got a box of super duper win supreme '06 loads from a friend last night (a full box from a girl!), so I need to trade (ft collins).

PS this 'smith is excellent at winchester leverguns. He took apart and rebuilt the lever for free, just to work on a winny. He has more money hanging on his wall (2 story) just for display than I think my place is worth. Everything from 76,86,92,94. I had asked him about the collection, and he had told me it was a fraction of what he had in the SAFES!