Model 95 Winchester as a working gun?

[Canuck Bob]

Lately I've been stricken with a urge that roles around every few years. The siren call for a 95 in 303 Brit. Winchesters were very popular here for many years because Canadians know a good hunting rifle when they see one. I've always considered the 95 303 as a gun targeted at Canada. I also like anything 303.

I've never handled a 95. Setting aside the collector and romantic allure for a second how are they as working rifles?

[Charles]

There are no flys on the 95 as a working rifle.

[sore shoulder]

I wish someone would give me a 95 in 7.62x54R.

[Pitchy]

All this talk about 95`s, you guys are going to force me into trading something off and getting one.
Had a beauty in 30-40 years ago but had to sell it

[Canuck Bob]

All this talk about 95`s, you guys are going to force me into trading something off and getting one.
Had a beauty in 30-40 years ago but had to sell it

Exactly, I opened my safe and made a hit list of expendables for this idea.

The Ruger No,1 was once an idea but it is in fact a right hand action and I'm a lefty. It is minor but still bugs me. If I was going single shot the High Wall clones would work.

[Ji in Hawaii]

Old Teddy spoke highly of his "Big Medicine" and that's a pretty decent endorsement of the '95.

[piller]

Wasn't Teddy's 95 in .405 caliber? That notwithstanding, he did use it on lions during a Safari in Africa. I doubt very much that he would have used anything on lions which he didn't trust.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I believe specifically "Big Medicine" was his 405 but I believe he also carried a '95 chambered in 30-03 (predecessor to 30-06).

[O.S.O.K.]

Yes, they are great working guns and you can load pointy bullets in em.

Of course, you have to be happy with iron sights

I have one of the new production repro Lyman aperture sights on my 30 US. I like it a lot. Pacific Tool IIRC.

[Bosco]

I have one in 9.3X62. So far it does it's work well. Interested to put some different ammunition through it this upcoming year.

[rjohns94]

That would be a great choice for sure. The 303 is a great round. Good luck with that

[ving-thorr]

Wasn't Teddy's 95 in .405 caliber? That notwithstanding, he did use it on lions during a Safari in Africa. I doubt very much that he would have used anything on lions which he didn't trust.

Not to mention he carried one in Cuba during the Span-Am war, in addition to buying one for every company commander in his regiment. I think they're spectacular rifles, and yes a 95 in 303 has Canada written all over it!

[Malamute]

I think they're great rifles. I've had a couple of the Brownings in '06 cal. The only thing I didnt care for was the magazine sticks out right at the balance point to carry it naturally. a bolt gun is easier to carry in hand.

A '95 can be scoped with a forward mount or a side mount. A good receiver sight is probably about as simple as needed unless one needs glass.

[cpt Dan Blodgett]

I bought a browning 06 in 87 as a getting out of the Army present to myself. Like the rifle but have never figured out a load it likes. Shoots 5 - 6 inches at 100 yards. Dads old 32 special with iron sights shoots about the same size group at 200 yards with reloads or leverevolution factory.

Any of you have a browning 95 06 and a load the rifle likes?

[OJ]

For years, the prize largest elk rack (mounted in a cape as an afterthought) hung in a friend's motel in Crested Butte, Colorado - taken with a Winchester 95 in 30-40 Krag - an old "slabsides yet. Was shot on Kebler Pass.

I have to settle for this one given to me by my wife for our 25th anniversary some seven years ago - in 30-06 -





OK - so I admit I did "help" her find it - husbands should help their wives all they can - besides, the more anniversaries that pass, the tougher it is to think up something new. It was "NIB, unfired, with manual" - probably part of an estate and value not recognized by owner -



It shoots even better than it looks, too. I zeroed my sights -Williams FP71 (required D/T much to my gunsmith's distress) + XS white stripe blade front - to point of aim at 25 yards - then "fine tuned" it to hit 2" above point of aim at 100 yards - all done from fist rest on range table. I don't do "bench rest" shooting and my aging knees and some heart problems have largely put most of my hunting in the past. Doesn't stop me from shooting at the range every week - my Colt Government Model 45s and rotating rifles - mostly lever guns + M1A.



All that was done on less than one box of 20 rounds.

Besides being able to use "pointy" bullets, with the box magazine instead of a tube, the balance for carrying as well as for shooting just feels so natural. I'm as attached to mine as TR was

[Old Savage]

Tried to like them but the carry thing got in the way of that. Those who use them - how do you like to carry them?

[Lastmohecken]

I have one of the older Browning 95's in 30-06, I added a Williams receiver sight and a nice recoil pad. I like it a lot. I wouldn't mind having an original carbine in 30/40 Kraig (30 Goverment)

[arjunky]

Been wanting one in 30-06 or .405 for years, just haven't forced myself to get one yet.

Byron

[Hobie]

Tried to like them but the carry thing got in the way of that. Those who use them - how do you like to carry them?

I carried mine one season. Just grabbed it just forward of the magazine. No, it isn't as comfortable to carry as say a Savage 99 but it is tolerable and much nicer to me than a modern bolt action...

[OJ]

Tried to like them but the carry thing got in the way of that. Those who use them - how do you like to carry them?

I carried mine one season. Just grabbed it just forward of the magazine. No, it isn't as comfortable to carry as say a Savage 99 but it is tolerable and much nicer to me than a modern bolt action...

+1 -

Such things are relative, I guess - and I carry mine with a full magazine - holding it at the front half of the box magazine - where it balances nicely - I guess I'm comparing it with my 26" long barrel Winchester 94 - or, the 20" carbine.



My M1A has a sling but, I'm reluctant to put a sling on my lever guns.

[Old Savage]

I have a sling on 1895SS and it works very well. I find bolts very easy to carry - must just be a difference of personal taste there. I find my BLR a bit awkward to carry also - to each his own.

[1894c]

I have to settle for this one given to me by my wife

sure glad you had to "settle" for the '95... :)

[Old Ironsights]

I wish someone would give me a 95 in 7.62x54R.

Me too... me first. That's a great "working gun" caliber - mainly 'cause the ammo's so cheap.

Heck, I'd even buy it (assuming I had the money).

How about you and me catch a flight to Moscow and see if we can get 'ol Vlad P. to release us a few from the warehouse where they're stashed?

[big bear]

I bought a browning 06 in 87 as a getting out of the Army present to myself. Like the rifle but have never figured out a load it likes. Shoots 5 - 6 inches at 100 yards. Dads old 32 special with iron sights shoots about the same size group at 200 yards with reloads or leverevolution factory.

Any of you have a browning 95 06 and a load the rifle likes?

Winchester 150gr PowerPoint store bought, 1.5' 4 SHOT GROUPS WITH lyman repo sight at 100yds in my Browning95

[Hobie]

I have a sling on 1895SS and it works very well. I find bolts very easy to carry - must just be a difference of personal taste there. I find my BLR a bit awkward to carry also - to each his own.

I said it was "nicer" to carry, not easier.

[ving-thorr]

I bought a browning 06 in 87 as a getting out of the Army present to myself. Like the rifle but have never figured out a load it likes. Shoots 5 - 6 inches at 100 yards. Dads old 32 special with iron sights shoots about the same size group at 200 yards with reloads or leverevolution factory.

Any of you have a browning 95 06 and a load the rifle likes?

Winchester 150gr PowerPoint store bought, 1.5' 4 SHOT GROUPS WITH lyman repo sight at 100yds in my Browning95

Mine is fond of 150gr barnes TSX aand H4895

[Blaine]

Mine in 405.....Big Medicine on both ends

[BenT]

I bought a browning 06 in 87 as a getting out of the Army present to myself. Like the rifle but have never figured out a load it likes. Shoots 5 - 6 inches at 100 yards. Dads old 32 special with iron sights shoots about the same size group at 200 yards with reloads or leverevolution factory.

Any of you have a browning 95 06 and a load the rifle likes?

55 gr. of H4350 behind a 180 Rem RN shoots excellent in my Browning 06.

[KirkD]

One thing a first-timer will notice right off the bat, the first time they work the action, is how slick and smooth as silk it levers another round in. I have an original 38-72 and the barrel is two inches longer than standard, which helps shift the carry point forward a bit to just forward of the magazine. I enjoy shooting it, but have not yet brought home some meat with it. I hope to change that in the next year or two. Here's a shot of the old '95 you've all seen before .....

[Canuck Bob]

Thanks Kirk,

The only fly in the ointment for me is the hand carry with a 95. I so admire the handling of the traditional levers with tube mags or the Savage rotary. Actually there is two flies, no money right now!

Your report is encouraging. My little Winoku 92 with the long barrel is too forward balanced for me. Due to the little bore of the 32 barrel and long octagon it is quite forward neavy. It balances up at the rear sight.

[buckeyeshooter]

gotta say I really like my 30-06 carbine!

[barbarossa]

My winchester95 src reissue in 30/06 great little gun

[Old Ironsights]

My winchester95 src reissue in 30/06 great little gun

See, those carbines look really handy. And if I could get one in 54R... :happy dance: