The most popular rifle in American history was the Winchester Model 94, produced in 1894. The popularity of Model 94 led the American industry in the level action rifle area for years, along it the Model 94 came many efforts to improve upon the Model 94’s base that it had established. Since the original design of the Model 94 limited the power of the cartridge used U.S. Repeating arms designed and developed a strong version of the Model 94 that could handle cartridges 37% higher in pressure than the original Model 94. The new version Model 94 came with an improved action with thicker walls and improved metallurgy. The new version of the Model 94 also allowed a scope to be mounted on the top by lowering the right side wall and repositioning of the ejector which would then drop the shells out to upper right. This new feature gave the name the Model 94 Angle Eject or 94AE to this new version of the Model 94. Along with the new version of the Model 94 the 94AE, came the invention of two new cartridges, the 307 and 356 Winchester. The 356 and 307 Winchester have the same external dimensions as the 308 and 358 Winchester, except that the rims had been changed.
The new cartridges had the same diameter rim as the 30-30 Winchester, this made the case fall under the semi-rimmed category of cases, that and both new cartridge pressures were set at 52,000 cup. Ballistically the 307 Winchester is only a nose behind the 308 Winchester in performance. The 307 Winchester is also equal to the 300 Savage in all aspects, even though the Savage rifles usually had longer barrels. The modern tests with the 307 Winchester gave impressive velocities, but once again using a tubular magazine limits the type of ammunition, and therefore limits the testing. Of course you could always tempt your luck by loading pointed cartridges in the tubular magazines but it is higher discouraged, especially if you value your life. A slight bump is all it would take to make your firearm go bang in ever place you don’t want it to.
The truly sad case here is that the manufacturers for rifles chambered in the 307 Winchester are in short order. As far as I know Winchester is the only manufacturer to produce a rifle chambered in the 307 Winchester. At one time Marlin offered a rifle chambered in the 307 Winchester but as far as I know I have never seen one around, or offered for that matter. But the popularity for th e307 Winchester is still there, with the reloaders, hobbyist’s, and traditional shooters there will always be demand and a place in the shooting world for the 307 Winchester. Thankfully there are many fans of lever action rifles and shooting, and those that are seeking a modern performance for game hunting and a traditional look all in one excellent package the 307 Winchester is one hard cartridge to beat.
