84 z28 Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I have had some rifles laying around for a while now. I have had them since my dad had passed about 20 yrs ago. I am only use to shooting slug guns so im not fimilar with rifles and there calibers. I have a Winchester model 54 .30 wcf. What caliber is this and what bullet should i be using ? Also what would it be worth ? Its looks pretty old. Not that i would sell it cause its my dads gun just want to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry264 Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hey 84, the win. 30wcf was the original designation and same as a 30-30 win. The old M-94's were marked 30WCF if that helps. Depending on it's condition it may be worth a good amount of money but probably worth more in sentimental value for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84 z28 Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I not gonna sell it just wanting to get some info on it. I checked the serial number on the gun and it was made in 1929 thats one old gun. So any 30-30 bullet will do the trick or I have to get a certain kind.I see .30 carbine and .30-30 winchester on cabelas.Whats the difference between the 2. I am assuming I need to stick with the .30-30 winchester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry264 Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 You assumed correctly. As long as the box says 30-30 you are okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 I am no gun expert, and I have no idea what kind of value you may have in that gun and maybe some others that you have inherited. However it is smart that you are inquiring. On the outside chance that maybe the value warrants some additional special insurance to protect against fire and theft and other tragedies. Even if you never intend to sell any of them, it probably would not be a real bad idea to try to get some reliable estimate of it's value for insurance purposes. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 (edited) .....some really good info and advice above.... -So...-You have gotten as far as the Winchester serial numbers.....? ....could you list what number (or, year/grouping) it falls into? -I have a feeling , with you having looked up the serial number already...-that you are sure of this rifle in fact being a model 54, and not the 1894 - -I would have to look up my Madis book- but, I am almost positive that the "WCF"....(Winchester Center Fire) was not as such marked until 1898- ?? -only about 50,000 or so Winchester mod. 54s manufactured and serial numbered for sale...( a wonderful, yet murky period of our country's history...when .30 caliber actions were experimented with, and developed, for military contracts.....if you happened to possess a 9mm mod. 54 bolt action...-I would say, guard it with your life and get it insured- -I would first suggest familiarising yourself with the bolt action....if you are intending on shooting it, and/or hunting....and yes, the (bolt action) .30-30 will open yourself up to a broader selection of ballistic options.... -and, the 5-round capacity is nice- -Did you measure the barrel length?- is it the 20" carbine mod 54...-or, the 24"?? -describe the stock?...- scope mount?....-weight ?....-can we see a picture??.......Please??...I would just love to see a picture- neat, handy caliber for up here... -Great gun!...-thanks for posting!.... -and ....-why in the world are looking in Cabelas for any kind of comparison? (ps, I apologise...-I realise you were asking about ammo in the .30-30 cal- as far as Cabelas...and yes- Terry264 is right, any .30-30 will do-) -I do encourage you to familiarize yourself with the bolt action, though....I think you'll like it- Edited December 10, 2008 by aksheephuntress I assummed wrong on something- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84 z28 Posted December 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Im sure its a model 54 and everything is stamped right on the barrel. I forgot the serial number but i ran it last night and it came up being a 1929 gun. I will take some pics for you tonight when I get home. The sights are the most interesting thing about the gun i have never seen a setup like it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Hi, 84.... -I got all excited delving into the Madis books today....-realising I was getting a few things really mixed up with some of my earlier post...(hadn't had any sleep, either-lol-) -Terry264 was right on about the model (18-) 94's having that .30 WCF marked for the .30-30....(I still couldn't find what years that they started to be stamped like that, though-) -I was a little confused, because all the mod 1894's are lever action....and one of the main reasons why I like this particular model (54)you have in the .30-30, is specifically because they were all bolt action....but which is unfortunately why they never sold very well at all in the first place, though - -the lever-action in that caliber was the most successful- -I really enjoy reading Winchester history and looking at various examples of guns...-I learn a little more , a bit at a time...(I have a long way to go..).and threads and posts like yours really interest me... -I can't wait to see your pictures... -so...-your serial number must be between about 19,000 and 29,000?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
84 z28 Posted December 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Here's a couple pics of the action and sights couldnt take any more the batteries died. Tomorrow maybe I will get some more and take more pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA_RIDGE_RUNNER Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 So far you have received some good info. The Win 54 was to centerfire cartridges what the model 52 was to rimfire cartridges. It was a quality made bolt action rifle with a non detachable box magazine. This was Winchesters first bolt action rifle built for heavy, high velocity ammo. It was introduced in 1925 and discontinued in 1936 with about 50,000 sold. It does have collector value and in the 30-30 chambering would bring a premium. Book value for the Standard rifle or carbine is in the $500 - 700 range but could be worth more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Here's a couple pics of the action and sights couldnt take any more the batteries died. Tomorrow maybe I will get some more and take more pics. ....Thankyou for posting these pics, so far....looking forward to more...-when you do, can you also take a picture of the stock....and the back of the stock, and the front sight? -I know what you mean about the rear sight....-when I first saw one of those at my first gun show, I thought...-"that's wierd looking!" -it's actually a standard rear Lyman sight(folds over) -does it say no.48?- -the model 54 was the forerunner to the model 70- -Pa_ridgerunner is right, and summed up beautifully the characteristics of this model, and its significance in the historical progression/development ... -the mod. 54 was basically discontinued for production in 1936...but, the .30-30 cal in this model stopped in 1930- -looking forward to more of your pictures...as far as value, a lot will depend on how close to factory this was retained, or things altered- -will be neat to see the stock,too- -and, condition- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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