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I was wondering if different dies, like a 32WS, and a 38/40, can be swapped on the basic 1894 tool frame. I found a guy with a few dies and no tool to go with them. I have an extra tool, but no dies. Will they work on my tool. I have zero de-capping tool and am still looking for them if there any leads on a person who might be selling the replacements or making them would be helpfull. thanks garrett
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Garrett,
I would think it would work. The thing that is in the tool is the extractor that could possibly make a difference. The only other thing that is particular to the caliber is the case mouth tool which is part of the die.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The short answer is NO they won’t. The long answer is maybe, it depends.
The above picture is a comparison of the “Fork” of various caliber tools side by side. This “Fork” portion of the tool holds the head of the cartridge while the protrusion on the end of the lever is used to re-prime the shell. The “Fork” portion is obviously different for each case that has different diameter cartridge shell bases.
Therefore obviously you can’t just simply switch out dies of two drastically different calibers and have the tool fully function properly. I would imagine that the various dies will thread into the tool body, as I believe they all have the same thread pattern, but I have yet to study if there is a variation between the location of the extractor between various caliber tools.
One would assume like calibers could be used interchanged with each other i.e. all the .30 caliber, the .40 Calls, the. 45 cals, etc. But I’ve actually never tried to find this out. Also you can clearly see if the above photo the fork for the .50-110 Express is wider than the .50 Gov., so there is that.
I would have to study and compare the base dimensions of the 30 something various calibers offered in the Tool, and go from there.
It would be an interesting exercise to look at.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
The threads are 1″ acme if I remember right. When I loaded 38-70 I cut the threads into a Lee turret press so I didn’t have to get carpal tunnel screwing that die in and out all the time.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The 1894 tool was never made for any of the small (shorter) pistol calibers, ie., .38-40, .44-40, etc. The .32 Winchester Special chamber will work on the 1894 body, but this body was designed for large caliber rifle cartridges. The 1882 tool was made for small caliber.
win4575 said
The 1894 tool was never made for any of the small (shorter) pistol calibers, ie., .38-40, .44-40, etc. The .32 Winchester Special chamber will work on the 1894 body, but this body was designed for large caliber rifle cartridges. The 1882 tool was made for small caliber.
Yeah I missed he was asking about the .32WS and the .38-40. I guess in my head I immediately thought he was talking about the 38-55.
1873man said
The threads are 1″ acme if I remember right. When I loaded 38-70 I cut the threads into a Lee turret press so I didn’t have to get carpal tunnel screwing that die in and out all the time.Bob
Using a modern standardized thread may work, but they were originally Winchester’s own thread standard. Unified Thread Standardization (UTS) was a few years later and although the ACME thread form is a good way to describe it for how it looks. It is not 1″ and it is not ACME threads. The nominal diameter of threads is 7/8″ for the die. Also the pitch angle I don’t believe is 29 degrees and the (TPI) threads per inch are not the same as the ACME. The ACME 7/8″ TPI is 6, where the 94 tool die has 5 threads in the first 1/2 inch of the die. So I’m guessing the TPI for the die would be 9-10. The ACME standard thread was invented in 1894. The Winchester Model 1894 Reloading Tool, was actually being manufactured and sold as early as June 1893.
So there is that, in my humble opinion, for what its worth.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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