30/30 w.c.f. 30 s.r.?|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

Found this from an old post on the forum

https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-shooting-and-hunting/30-w-c-f-short-range-cartridges-1896-1924-and-their-replications/

[email protected] said
I am looking at a 1894 reloader and wondering if it is for making (short) rounds or is it a different shell than 30/30.  

The 1894 Reloading Tool was sold in two distinct calibers in this regard, one for the 30W.C.F. and one for the 30W.C.F. S.R. (Short Range).

So if you want to load the short range cartridges you have to use the tool with the die marked 30W.C.F. S.R. And if you were wanting to load the regular 30W.C.F. the die will be marked “30 W.C.F.” only without the S.R. markings. The die chamber is slightly shorter and different for the Short Range cartridge.

Sincerely,

Maverick

P.S. When I get a minute I’ll try and post you some pictures of the differences.

In my research I’ve found that Winchester sold the 1894 Tool boxes in two sizes. A large box to include the tool with mold, and a small box with the tool only. You could also order just the mold by itself for $1.10 and you could order just the die separately for $1.00. I’ve observed a few boxed sets that have two dies in the set.  Again they sold the sets marked in either the 30wcf.  Or in the 30 W.C.F. Short Range. There is some evidence to suggest that Winchester may have sold strictly a 30W.C.F. mold, but it was likely for only made a short period of time. If at all, as I have yet to come across one, but I don’t rule it out either. The 1900 Catalog and 1900 dated instruction sheets have an added note. “Bullet molds, except for short range bullets, cannot be furnished for .25-35wcf, 30wcf or 30US Army cartridges. Price of reloading tools for these cartridges, per set, $2.10.”  Which apparently the 25-35wcf, 30wcf, and 30Gov where the only calibers that Winchester sold the Tools and Molds in both the Short Range & standard cartridges. No other caliber tools were offered in the Short Range. Winchester started offering the Short Range Tools & Molds in 1896, along side the cartridges. The first 30W.C.F. Short Range molds from 1896-1904 have a round nosed cavity = 100grains. After 1904 the 30W.C.F. Short Range molds have a flat point cavity =117 grains. Early 30W.C.F. boxed tools will be found with a powder measure. Where later sets will be absent a powder measure and have a warning notice flyer insert in the box. I hadn’t quite narrowed down the time frame when this change occurred, but would say roughly midway through production. 

Here is an example of 30 Gov Tool with both the standard and short range dies. 

Sincerely,

Maverick