Winchester Deer Rifle

726 Views 26 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Polytec, 4 d ago

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · 10 d ago

2

I couldn’t help myself. The new Mayodan made Marlin 336 got me looking into 30-30 lever action rifles. I’m waiting until my gunsmith can sell me one of those below MSRP.

This is a 1949 Winchester Model 64 Deluxe Deer Rifle chambered in 30-30 with a 24” barrel. Does it get any more American?

Air gun Gun accessory Gun barrel Everyday carry Metal

Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory Wood

(Sorry but the seller’s pics are much better than the ones I took this afternoon.)

Please note that I didn’t even ask you guys to talk me out of this one.

An almost identical rifle ran away from me at auction a few months ago, but this one is older, in better shape, and cost a touch less.

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WaM14gunner

· #2 · 10 d ago

One of my all time fav rifles! Had one once just like that. I still have a 64A which was made for about 3-4 years in the '70's. Not as pretty but shoots just as good.

Those Super Grade swivels are worth about a $100 each these days.

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fastdadio

· #3 · 10 d ago

Wow! what a beauty....

Reactions: 1

TheTinMan

Discussion Starter · #4 · 10 d ago

WaM14gunner said:
One of my all time fav rifles! Had one once just like that. I still have a 64A which was made for about 3-4 years in the '70's. Not as pretty but shoots just as good.

Those Super Grade swivels are worth about a $100 each these days.

Didn’t know about the swivels being valuable - thanks!

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WaM14gunner

· #5 · 10 d ago

TheTinMan said:
Didn’t know about the swivels being valuable - thanks!

Yes, they are very hard to find and only used on this rifle, the model 71 Deluxe and Super Grade model 70's, IIRC.

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Iggy

· #6 · 10 d ago

I have 2 model 64's both 1951 production - one in 30 WCF and the other in 32 WS - both are very accurate!

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Edbert

· #7 · 7 d ago

I have a '94 Winchester in 30-30 from my grandpa, manufactured in 1920.

About the only "stock" steel sight that rivals the M1A in my opinion, too bad the cartridge isn't much good past 150-ish yards because the sights are!

WaM14gunner

· #8 · 7 d ago

Edbert said:
I have a '94 Winchester in 30-30 from my grandpa, manufactured in 1920.

About the only "stock" steel sight that rivals the M1A in my opinion, too bad the cartridge isn't much good past 150-ish yards because the sights are!

You mean open sights? Most would consider them much inferior to any peep sight.

Edbert

· #9 · 7 d ago

WaM14gunner said:
You mean open sights? Most would consider them much inferior to any peep sight.

Yes. I get it. I did say rival not surpass.

But those really old sights are different than any "typical" rifle, Winchester (pre64) Model 70 included. The rear sight is basically a V, but there's a TINY notch in the V of the V that allows the bright (brass?) foresight which is also tiny to really lay it in there. Again, not talking 500 yards here, it is only a 30-30, but at stalk-hunting range I'll take it any day. It would be fun/interesting to see how good they were at 200+, my opinion might change. But sticking with the opinion that they are superior to most at the ranges for which intended.

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WaM14gunner

· #10 · 7 d ago (Edited)

Edbert said:
Yes. I get it. I did say rival not surpass.

But those really old sights are different than any "typical" rifle, Winchester (pre64) Model 70 included. The rear sight is basically a V, but there's a TINY notch in the V of the V that allows the bright (brass?) foresight which is also tiny to really lay it in there. Again, not talking 500 yards here, it is only a 30-30, but at stalk-hunting range I'll take it any day. It would be fun/interesting to see how good they were at 200+, my opinion might change. But sticking with the opinion that they are superior to most at the ranges for which intended.

Operative words, "tiny". Those sights are hard for any but the best and youngest shooters eyes.

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Shiloh1944

· #11 · 7 d ago

An outstanding rifle and one I too would love to own.

The closest thing I have to it is a 1994 Centennial Grade 1 rifle. It is a very good shooter but it has that ugly cross bolt safety and in my opinion just ruins the looks of the 94 receiver. I wish there was a way I could eliminate it and fill that awefull looking crater.

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wxl

· #12 · 6 d ago

How about Winchester 88 in 284?

Cowboy bob

· #13 · 6 d ago

Edbert said:
Yes. I get it. I did say rival not surpass.

But those really old sights are different than any "typical" rifle, Winchester (pre64) Model 70 included. The rear sight is basically a V, but there's a TINY notch in the V of the V that allows the bright (brass?) foresight which is also tiny to really lay it in there. Again, not talking 500 yards here, it is only a 30-30, but at stalk-hunting range I'll take it any day. It would be fun/interesting to see how good they were at 200+, my opinion might change. But sticking with the opinion that they are superior to most at the ranges for which intended.

This aperture sight will make a believer out of you. Ditching 3031, using ball powders and 130 speer flat nose makes my 3030 a real contender quite a ways past 200.
Everyone just thinks hell its only good to 150. They are seriously mistaken

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WaM14gunner

· #14 · 6 d ago

Cowboy bob said:
View attachment 516701
This aperture sight will make a believer out of you. Ditching 3031, using ball powders and 130 speer flat nose makes my 3030 a real contender quite a ways past 200.
Everyone just thinks hell its only good to 150. They are seriously mistaken

I have an original Climbin Lyman on my model '95 Winchester in .35 Win. Beats open sights all to Hell. Have also mounted new Marbles tang peeps on 3 rifles and it really makes the difference. Was just shooting one of them on Thursday, my Taurus Thunderbolt ( Lightning ) in .45 Colt. So much easier to shoot.
Also have them on my '76 Winchesters in .45-60 and .45-75.

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Cowboy bob

· #15 · 6 d ago

WaM14gunner said:
I have an original Climbin Lyman on my model '95 Winchester in .35 Win. Beats open sights all to Hell. Have also mounted new Marbles tang peeps on 3 rifles and it really makes the difference. Was just shooting one of them on Thursday, my Taurus Thunderbolt ( Lightning ) in .45 Colt. So much easier to shoot.
Also have them on my '76 Winchesters in .45-60 and .45-75.

Now your talking. I appreciate an aperture shooter. No diss intended fot optics, it's just not every rifle needs or wants one

Reactions: 1

XM25Dweeb

· #16 · 6 d ago

WaM14gunner said:
Operative words, "tiny". Those sights are hard for any but the best and youngest shooters eyes.

Id love to have a lever action rifle in 38/357. Then have a S&W model 19 to go with it.

OMCHamlin

· #17 · 6 d ago

MAN! That American Classic is so drenched with American Pride and Exceptionalism, I hope you had to apologize to some third worlder just so's you could buy it! Seriously gorgeous rifle. The lines remind me of a brief flirtation I had once with a Marlin 375 Winchester. Never could find any ammo for it, beyond the box that it came with. Of course, that was right up until the time that I sold it, THEN perfect vintage boxes popped up all over the place...
You should be able to keep THAT one in "BBs" for a long time though.

tonyben

· #18 · 6 d ago

I've still never forgiven my brother for selling my dad's 1970's mint model 94 Winchester. That's a nice rifle!

Tony.

E pluribus unum

· #19 · 5 d ago (Edited)

2

Edbert said:
The rear sight is basically a V, but there's a TINY notch in the V of the V that allows the bright (brass?) foresight which is also tiny to really lay it in there.

That is an excellent point.
I’ve long been a fan of that design.
My 70s Marlins have those and I love ‘em.
Top photo is an 80s LTS
Lower is a 1970.
Both in 30-30.

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E pluribus unum

· #20 · 5 d ago

tonyben said:
I've still never forgiven my brother for selling my dad's 1970's mint model 94 Winchester. That's a nice rifle!

Tony.

Dad gave me his ‘94 that he bought in the 50s along with his Colt.
Probably my two most treasured firearms.
They both have interesting family Histories and I was able to set up a digital camera and get that History on video of he and his brother a few years back in their own words. Dad was in his mid 80s then.

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