Hi
I just bought a Winchester 1894 Big Bore in .375 Winchester,
I've always wanted a lever gun in this caliber, but never got around to getting one, finally found a second hand one while brousing gun shops and bought it straight away. :D For some reason it's hardly been used at all, my guess is the previous owner didn't reload and didn't fire it much because of the price of the ammo here in Oz.
Anyway I was wondering how strong the Big Bore actions are, obviously there stronger than standard M1894's but are they capable of handling the pressures of say a 45/70 Govt or 444 Marlin. Oh don't worry I'm not considering a rebarrelling job, I'm just wondering how strong the actions are.

Regards Jaeg :D

The .375 Winchester generates more pressure than the .444 or 45/70.

The .375 Winchester generates more pressure than the .444 or 45/70.

Hi Ken

Wow I didn't realise that, thanks Ken for pointing that out.

Jaeg

Goober;
That 375 runs around 47,000 to 50,000 in pressure, If memory is correct. I have had a Marlin 375 for years. Ammo is VERY EXPENSIVE and hard to get around here. Winchester makes a limited run every year I guess. I just bought 500 new cases and 2 rcbs molds, One for the 248 grain solid base flat nose and one for the gas check. Have not found a load for the plain base yet, But reloader 7 looks promising. The gas checked one does real good with SR4759 at 2000 fps. This caliber is way underestimated. It has more power than books show. I would not be afraid to take anything on in the continental 48 with it. I think you will be happy with your new toy. God Bless Steve

Hi
I just bought a Winchester 1894 Big Bore in .375 Winchester,
I've always wanted a lever gun in this caliber, but never got around to getting one, finally found a second hand one while brousing gun shops and bought it straight away. :D For some reason it's hardly been used at all, my guess is the previous owner didn't reload and didn't fire it much because of the price of the ammo here in Oz.
Anyway I was wondering how strong the Big Bore actions are, obviously there stronger than standard M1894's but are they capable of handling the pressures of say a 45/70 Govt or 444 Marlin. Oh don't worry I'm not considering a rebarrelling job, I'm just wondering how strong the actions are.

Regards Jaeg :D

I don't know if Marshall makes any hard cast bullets for the .375 Winchester but I would find out, as this would give you another avenure to explore and I am sure those hard cast bullets even at slower velocities will give you great satisfaction hunting.

I, too, have a Marlin 375. I absolutely love mine. If I'm not mistaken the BigBore receiver is stronger then the Marlin. It doesn't really matter, though. Case capacity is the biggest restriction. RL-7 has provided the best accuracy for me. AA1680 will really get it cranking in the velocity dept and may provide great accuracy in your gun.
Congrats on your purchase. The 375W is a neat cartridge.

I've got the same rifle, 1894 Big Bore '94 in .375. I use Re-7 almost exclusively, with the Barnes Original 255 gr FP. Ken Waters' "Pet Loads" has a very good section on handloading for this cartridge/rifle combo. My loads give me 2" @ 50 and 3-5" @ 100 yds. I'm using a Williams FP receiver sight. Recoil is a bit stout off of the bench, as this is a light rifle. Haave fun!

I've got the Marlin version of this too. I can heartily recommend Marshall's 250 gr LFN. I've yet to take an animal with it but it is accurate in my rifle. RL7 is my powder of choice. My only experience with AA1680 was in a Win BB XTR and accuracy was not good. However this could have been more a matter of bullet fit than anything as I used bullets ordered to fit the Marlin rather than specifically sized for the BB's bore. If I recall the BB had a larger bore than the Marlin does...my rifles only. You'll like your's. The shooting world doesn't know what it missed with the 375 Win. Gun writers, and modest factory loads, were it's demise. Handloads give a much better idea of it's potential.

I have two winchester 94 big bores in 375 winchester one with a 20 inch barrel and one with a 26 inch octagon barrel.
The caliber was and is played down by gun writers and others. If you want to get an idea of how good the caliber is look at the 45-70 and the 375 winchester in your reloading manuals. They are close enough for me and if the 45-70 can do all it has why can't the 375 winchester??? Makes one wonder if the gun writers really do report on what they find or what the industry or who ever wants them to find.
I am going to use lead in mine mostly because I like making my own. I do have a very good supply of barnes 255 grain brass if I need it. I will be using 250 and 264 grain bullets the first is plain the second in going to have a gas check. I have read that the 264 is to much for the 375 but will prove it to myself and see. I think some people are hung up on a round having to move at 4000 fps and be able to put 100 rounds in the area of the size of dime at 600+yards. Seems everyone things that you need to be at least on the opposite mountain to hunt so the animals don't know you are there. case in point the 50 caliber round for hunting????????
When you go to large rounds you can slow done the speed and still get good performance. I intend to go elk hunting next year with my 26 inch 375 and have no doubt that if I see an elk it will go into my freezer.
As to powder I will be starting with the old 3031,4198 and one other powder as that is what I have on hand may go to some other one but until I can see a reason to most likely will stay with the ones listed.
The only issue I have at the moment is whether to get a sizer for .376 or .377 for it will slug the bores before I spend my money and get one that will work for both.
Just my ideas with a very nice caliber and I will add more big bores to the collection as time and money permit. I can't help it if the public listens to the wrong information but it helps me get big bores at good prices so I hope more people listen to all bad information on the big 375 winchester and maybe I will get lucky and find a 356 winchester along the way I an have fun with also. I have never followed the crowd as to what a firearm will or won't do. I tend to do the reserach myself and see how it works for me as I had a magnum in my youth and it lasted a few years and then I realized that do to my physical self that it didn't work for me and found another that did and it didn't kick me so hard and I could shoot better so I have found that what works for others doesn't work for me. Must be why I have so my lever actions in my collection and why I have one being built for me because it isn't made anymore.

What is it well it is a 256 winchester mag going on a model 92 action that followed me home awhile ago. It is much better than the 25-20 and I already have a 32-20 and don't like having the same general appearence of brass around. So the 256 is going to be my 25-20 like I said I don't follow the masses and if I find something that works for me I get in built for me.
I think I need about 6 more big bores then I can stop.
I like the early top eject ones the best and they are the ones l look for.
I don't like the cross bolt ones or the rebounding hammers either. Must be my age or something.
I only have 5 or 6 I think at the moment levers all winchesters but will add two non winchesters as the orginals I am looking for just cost to much.

I have only used jacketed bullets in my 375- the 200 Sierra and 220 Hornady.
With either bullet, AA1680 is the powder of choice in my rifle. 1680 appears to give 200 fps more than RL-7 with either bullet, and, in my rifle, a bit better accuracy, too.

I had a 94 also...still kicking myself in the @$$ for selling it!!!!!! What a moron I was!!!!!

I ran a 250gr cast FBFN, been a long time but I think I was using IMR-4198 with the cast but don't pin me down on that. They worked and worked well. Never had to chase anything whacked with this round. I don't recall ever loading jacketed bullets in this round. Would not hesitate to buy another one in a heartbeat.