.375 Winchester 94 Big Bore

[jem102]

Came across a .375 in about 98% condition with nice wood. They want 1K...is it worth any where near that?
Thanks for any input.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Well, that is kind of astounding. I own two that are about NIB, and never thought that they'd be worth that much. However, prices on Winchesters seem to be up, as they are on most guns, even the surplus rifles that used to be inexpensive. So, in view of the fact that it was discontinued a now-long time ago, if it is in really nice condition I would at least consider it. I wouldn't be happy paying that price, and would shop around, but if it came right down to it and that was what I really wanted, I'd probably pay it.

[shoot-n-lead]

It is not worth that...

I have seen a couple recently that went for $575 for one and the other was $650.

Just me, but I would not pay a dime more than $650 for one.

[JSH]

I gave $900 for a new unfired one last year. Wood stock xlt or what ever their fanciest grade was. I have not regretted it. Though I am partial to Marlins.
If somone is selling them for 575-650, they must have been rough. I have not seen one of the BB 94 Winchesters sell for much less than 1000 for a while. May be a regional thing.......

[samari46]

The 375 BB Winchester 94's or the 375 Marlins are pretty scarce down here. Only saw 1 BB 735 Winchester and 1 Marlin. I bought the Winchester few years back after seeing it on a Sunday at a local gun show. Couldn't sleep that night so called the shop and told them I'm on my way to pay for it. Good thing I did as they were going to put it up for sale on the internet. Never saw another Winchester or Marlin in 375 since then. Have had that happen on more than one occasion. buy one then either never saw another in that condition at that price or way higher that what I was willing at the time. Frank

[starmac]

The last pristine big bore I looked at was probably 3 years ago at a gunshow. It was 356 and not the 375, asking price was 900, and it came close to coming home with me. Infact if he would have dealt just a hair on the price, I would have bit.
Are they worth it, I don't know, but they don't come up here very often, and they sure aren't makeing any more of them.

[EDG]

New Win factory brass sometimes brings as much as $3 per case in auctions. The Hornady 220grn FP .375 component bullet brings a silly price too.

I have owned at least one of every .375 Win except the 99 Savage. The Winchester that I had was a piece of ****. The front sight was leaning way over to one side making it nearly impossible to sight in with the factory rear sight. My dealer returned it to the factory and they replaced the barrel and front sight but the new barrel was so crooked it still would not sight in. That rifle also had a problem with the lever disconnector so I sold that dog.

The Marlin I have is a better rifle than the Winchester. It is also a 1/2 magazine pistol grip with is a better looking rifle too.

[seaboltm]

Lots of them on gunbroker right now. Most are well under $1000

[shoot-n-lead]

I gave $900 for a new unfired one last year. Wood stock xlt or what ever their fanciest grade was. I have not regretted it. Though I am partial to Marlins.
If somone is selling them for 575-650, they must have been rough. I have not seen one of the BB 94 Winchesters sell for much less than 1000 for a while. May be a regional thing.......

NO...they were not rough...matter of fact, I considered them be in excellent condition. They had been for sale for several months...with no takers. Despite the talk about these...there is a very small segment of folks that want them...got to get them in front of someone that really wants them, for them to bring top dollar. If they had been so popular, they probably would not have been discontinued. There are plenty of folks like myself..that love lever guns, but have no desire to own the .375, the .307, the .356 or the vaunted 45/70...just have no use for them. But, if I were going to buy one, it would certainly be the 45/70 as it is not necessary to scrounge brass and get robbed for it, when you do find it.

If someone does want one...all that is necessary to get one at a "reasonable" price, is to determine what you are willing to pay and watch Gunbroker...you will get the chance to have one at your price.

[jem102]

I really appreciate all the replies! I would like to have it and may make an offer of 700.00 just to see what he does. If no luck I will just keep looking. Thanks again gents.

[shdwlkr]

The challenge with the .375 winchester is finding one at a fair price. That is determined by the buyer more than the seller. Years ago you could pick them up for around 4-500 dollars but as time moves on the price is going to go up on all winchester's that were made in the USA and not Japan. The ones in Japan will set their own price standards and also be a niche market.

Where you are going to run into issues is finding brass for the .375 winchester as no one I know of is making it right now. It has been found that many can use the short 38-55 brass in them but then you are loading to 38-55 pressures and that isn't bad just have to remember that fact when reloading.

If you are really going to put down hard earned dollars on a .375 winchester make sure you get to actually have it in your hands. Check how it cycles, check the bore, check the action to see if it is full of crud, check the fit of the wood, check the bluing, check the sights make sure they are straight. Just a few things I have found to check when you are looking to buy a .375 winchester.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Have a couple also and the really nice one was $575... but then that was a couple years back also.
But having them and a couple JES rebored 336 Marlins in 375... The JES rifles cost far less and shoot as well if not better than the original BB 94's we have. We look at the BB's more as an investment now than a hunting rifle.
Mike in Peru

[saleen322]

I have a Winchester Big Bore 94. I got it on a swap for another rifle so I don't know what cash price he would have sold for. I have made ammo from 38/55 cases and even some from 30-30 (but are short). Factory 200 grain ammo is near 2200 fps and rocked you pretty good with that light rifle. I load a 235 cast FPGC around 1900 and I am very happy with it. Accurate and hits hard enough for anything I need.

[richhodg66]

A few years ago, I bit the bullet and dropped a lot of coin on a Savage 99 Brush Gun in .358 Winchester and was not disappointed. In my opinion, based on how I hunt and using cast bullets, it is as close to the perfect deer rifle as exists. Savage made the same rifle in .375 Winchester and one day I'll probably sell a kidney or something to buy one.

I love 99s, but I could probably be persuaded to buy a Marlin or Winchester if the price was right.

[starmac]

I have ever seen a couple of the M99's in 375 and they were priced out of my reach, but man would I love one.

[hpdrifter]

Just saw a nice one, had a couple of blemishes, go for $600. I was mighty tempted, but had JUST bought a 1895CB.

[richhodg66]

I have ever seen a couple of the M99's in 375 and they were priced out of my reach, but man would I love one.

Somewhere in all my junk I have a long, octagon barrel from a .303 Savage one and the magazine rotor. Hoping someday to build one using those parts, but I'll have to find a smith who knows what he's doing with modifying the rotor to get it to feed. I'll probably still spend less than on an original brush gun version.

[FergusonTO35]

Henry needs to bring out a .375!!

[021]

The Big Bores are nice guns, I have seven of them so I guess you could say I'm partial to them. The .375's can range in price quite a bit, but they are extremely well made. Finding ammunition will keep you busy and condition is, of course, paramount. Here are three Winchester .375 BB's in my inventory, along with a Marlin .375 and a NIB .375 Savage 99----I like the cartridge. Regards, 021

[jem102]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback! As I said I would like to have this rifle but at 1K it sounds at least 200.00 too high and if I am going to cross that boundary there are other firearms I would choose to own. I will just have to make an offer and see where it goes.

Again, all the posts are much appreciated.

[FergusonTO35]

So, can a 336 shoot the .375 with just a rebore/rebarrel?

[Skipper]

Yes. Wayne York rebored my 336 and it works just fine.

[021]

So, can a 336 shoot the .375 with just a rebore/rebarrel?


JES rifle reboring at www.35Caliber.com 541-942-1342 can help you out also.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
If your 336 was a 30-30 or any other caliber with the same rim diameter ... Yep ! Rusty bore 336's used to abound but getting fewer as people have figured out they could be rebored for under $250 by JES.
Mike in Peru

[FergusonTO35]

Sweet. Will have to remember that if lightning strikes and I find a tired Marlin for a reasonable price, or a cursed Remlin that someone wants to be rid of. The .375 looks like a perfect lever action cartridge if there was such a thing. I bet a 250 grain boolit cruising along at 1800 fps would be lotsa fun!

[Skipper]

I use the Lee 250 a lot...at 100 yards when it hits a deer, it sounds like a baseball bat hittin' a wet pillow.
:-)

[hpdrifter]

So, can a 336 shoot the .375 with just a rebore/rebarrel?

I wouldn't shoot full house 375 out of a regular 94.

[shoot-n-lead]

I wouldn't shoot full house 375 out of a regular 94.

It will rattle your teeth...:twisted:

[264 Win Mag]

Where you are going to run into issues is finding brass for the .375 winchester as no one I know of is making it right now. It has been found that many can use the short 38-55 brass in them but then you are loading to 38-55 pressures and that isn't bad just have to remember that fact when reloading.


Jamison, Captec International, makes the brass and Winchester just did a run of 200gr ammo that was $45ish a box at Midway just a couple of weeks ago. Stuff is out there if you look hard enough.

Thomas

[MT Gianni]

I have seen 2 or 3 the last 18 months or so that are in shooter condition, 70-80% bluing, scratched stocks and looking worn but with a shootable bbl. Price has been from $400-$550.

[FergusonTO35]

I wouldn't shoot full house .375 out of anything. That's what .45-70 is for! Marlin 375's come up for sale around here every so often in good shape for reasonable prices, you actually see them more than the Winchester version. I'm going to start a special savings envelope so I can be prepared to strike.

[ulav8r]

but I'll have to find a smith who knows what he's doing with modifying the rotor to get it to feed.

Not likely to happen unless you do it soon. Anyone with experience with this has already died, retired, or will very soon.

[FergusonTO35]

Apparently the .375 Big Bore was a popular item at some point. GB has a whole bunch of them right now, looks like $600.00 will get you a really nice one.

[skeettx]

Yes
Too high
BUT I like my BB, but it does KICK!!!
Mike

[FergusonTO35]

Ya gotta pay to play. I would imagine the BB was not a cheap gun to begin with. Nobody buys a rifle that fires a special seasonal run $2.50 a shot cartridge in the interest of saving money anyhow.

[rking22]

I gave 600$ for mine in excellent condition, year and a half ago. Has become my favorite deer rifle. 10Gr of 20-28 and the Lee boolit cuts cloverleafs like a big 22 and RL7 will drive a 379449 plenty fine! The BB94 is light, so expect the 375 level loads let you know it when fired. Then, there is very little in TN that a 38-55 level load won't easily handle. Used as a +P capable 38-55, firing cast it's the cat's meow :)
Don't think I would put 1000$ into one when JES can do some magic with a std 94 for much less$$$$. I have felt the 38-55 was the perfect cast load for whitetails for many years, just took my time finding something to prove it :)

[cabezaverde]

I use the Lee 250 a lot...at 100 yards when it hits a deer, it sounds like a baseball bat hittin' a wet pillow.
:-)

What is your load?

[Randy Bohannon]

I consider the B.B. one of the best finished Olin Winchester lever guns they made. Mine is better finished than any Marlin I have ever seen for fit and finish. 20 gr of IMR 4759 and 250 gr. g/c Accurate mold or 300 gr. PB from Accurate is better than 1 m.o.a on a good day with a Williams receiver sight.I bought mine unfired except factory for $700.00 locally

[lar45]

I paid around $360 for my BB XTR about 12 years ago, but it was rode hard and put away wet. The inside of the barrel looks great and it shoots really good. The action has lots of rust pitting on the outside and has a chip out of the stock right at the tang. So I can take it hunting in the thick timber and not worry too much about getting an extra ding on it.

[Down South]

Got one in Marlin. I love it.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/album.php?albumid=6&attachmentid=174117
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=174118&d=1470864178