Tag: Winchester

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Rifles

New Winchester Rifles for 2014

Winchester Big Loop rifle

Winchester Big Loop rifle

At the 2014 SHOT Show, Winchester Repeating Arms will introduce several new rifles to the company’s catalog.  These include a new versions of the Model 1873, the Model 1885 Hunter Rimfire and the Model 1892 Large Loop Carbine.

The Model 1873 is one of the classic American rifles.  For 2014, Winchester will be offering the rifles in .44-40 Win and .45 Colt now.

Additionally, the company will make a color case hardened 1873 rifle.  The color case hardened model will have a 20″ barrel and will come in .357 Magnum, .44-40 Win and .45 Colt.  MSRP will be $1,579.99.

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Rifles

Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle

Winchester 1873

Winchester 1873

As mentioned in a previous report of SHOT Show rumors, Winchester Repeating Arms is re-introducing the classic Model 1873 short rifle in 2013.  Considered by some as “the gun that won the west,” the new version of the classic lever action rifle will be chambered for the .357 Magnum and will also short the mild .38 Special cartridge.

The model 1873 has an oil-finished walnut stock with a straight grip.  The stock has a true-to-the-original crescent butt plate.  The metal is all blued steel. The Winchester 1873 has a 20″ round barrel and a full length tubular magazine.  The magazine will hold 11 .38 Special or 10 .357 Magnum cartridges.

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Ammunition

Winchester Power Core 95/5

Winchester PowerCore 95/5 Ammo

Winchester announced a new line of affordable hunting ammo at the 2011 SHOT Show called the Power Core 95/5.  This new ammunition is an interesting collection of loads and they offer reasonable pricing.  The company recently published this video on YouTube to explain the new line of ammunition:

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Ammunition

Winchester Razorback XT Ammo

Winchester Razorback XT ammunition

Winchester Razorback XT ammunitionRolling out in 2012 is the Winchester Razorback XT line of ammunition designed for hog hunting.  Initially, the Razorback XT will be loaded in .223 and .308.  The .223 will use a 64 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3020 fps.  The .308 load will use a 150 grain bullet with a velocity of 2810 fps.

Two thoughts.  First, hunting wild pigs is really catching on, and it is nice to see the industry keeping up with the needs of their customers.  The Razorback XT might be the first line specifically developed for hogs, but I don’t think it will be the last.  Hog hunting is becoming hugely popular, and I can say it is both an enjoyable and needed activity.  Feral hogs are really causing problems in many areas of the country, and turning them into ham and bacon is a great way to spend the day.  Feed your family with these pests!

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Ammunition

Winchester Ammunition at Peak Production

Winchester Ammunition

winchester_ammunition1I have previously run articles about the increase in ammunition costs and ammunition shortages.  I have had a few people claim that the ammunition manufacturers were restricting supply to drive up prices.  Based on the contacts I have made in the industry, I knew that companies are producing as many rounds as they can, as quickly as they can.

However, it seems that the rumors persist.

Winchester Ammunition, in an effort to combat the notion that they, or anyone else, is cutting production, released this statement:

Winchester Ammunition, like other ammunition manufacturers, has seen the demand for our products increase significantly since last fall. To meet that increased demand, our operations are running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our team is literally working around the clock to make quality ammunition available for purchase. We remain absolutely committed to meeting the growing needs of our customers.

Update – Eventually the ammo shortages of 2009 eased up.  As supply increased, prices dropped.  That’s how a market economy works, don’t cha know.  I suggested (and so did a lot of other people) that shooters slowly build up supplies of ammo and reloading components for the calibers they shoot and/or load.

After several years of a soft market, the market panicked again in late 2012, and a ammo shortage hit again.  The 2012/2013 shortage seemed worse than the 2009 shortage in many ways.  Some calibers, like .22 LR and 9mm, were the hardest to find.  However, other rounds like 5.56/.223, .40 S&W and .45 ACP were also very difficult to locate.  People would stalk Walmart delivery trucks on delivery days hoping to be able to score a couple of boxes of their favorite caliber.

Demand for Winchester ammunition (and other brands) was such that 5.56 ball (and other calibers) was selling for more than $1000/case at times.  That seemed to be the top limit on the pricing, but there was a lot of push back from consumers as prices approached these prices.  Those prices were set by dealers, and not manufacturers like Winchester.