1894 reloading tool for 38-55

[trooper joe]

I just bought a ANTIQUE WINCHESTER 38-55 HAND RELOADING TOOL (Feb, 13, 1894) off of ebay. I just ordered a Henry Brass 38-55 and luckily picked up 5 boxes of ammo from my local dealer ( one Winchester hunting ammo and four boxes of cowboy loading ammo).

I want to play around with this old hand loader to sort of replicate sitting around a campfire in the late 1890’s loading for the next days hunt.

(Photo’s borrowed from ebay ad)



I may get into modern loading equipment for this 38-55 if I shoot this enough. I am also actively looking for a nice, nostalgic single shot 38-55 rifle to go with my Henry. If that happens, I will definitely get into seriously reloading for this caliber.

Any information on using this 1894 reloading tool would be appreciated.

Trooper Joe

[Bill in Oregon]

Awaiting replies. Cool tool, Joe!

[marlinman93]

They do OK in a pinch like if you were out on the trail, but they wont do steps a good set of dies does. No case sizing, or belling, so you might find it doesn't make accurate ammo.
I have one in .32-40 that was in the fitted case with my 3 barrel Ballard set. I think they're neat, but wont ever consider loading ammo with it. The other tool alongside it is a Winchester also, but earlier 1887 .22WCF tool.

[black river smith]

I just bought a ANTIQUE WINCHESTER 38-55 HAND RELOADING TOOL (Feb, 13, 1894) off of ebay. I just ordered a Henry Brass 38-55 and luckily picked up 5 boxes of ammo from my local dealer ( one Winchester hunting ammo and four boxes of cowboy loading ammo). I want to play around with this old hand loader to sort of replicate sitting around a campfire in the late 1890’s loading for the next days hunt.

Trooper joe, they are very nice tool but like Marlinman93 states.....

They do OK in a pinch like if you were out on the trail, but they wont do steps a good set of dies does.

You really need to start reloading with modern dies and tool for the 38-55 because of modern chamber sizing and modern brass lengths.

No case sizing, or belling, so you might find it doesn't make accurate ammo. I have one in .32-40 that was in the fitted case with my 3 barrel Ballard set. I think they're neat, but wont ever consider loading ammo with it. The other tool alongside it is a Winchester also, but earlier 1887 .22WCF tool.

What is stated above about the 1894 sizing and belling is not totally correct. This 1894 tool was Winchester EDITTED -- third (not first that was the 1888 tool) fully resizing tool. The tool does about everything except make the correct bullet. 1st - take fired casing and set it in the interior of the handle, take the deprimer pin, insert it into the casing lining pin in primer hole and hit pin with wood implement only. 2nd - take deprimed brass and insert it into the upper claws and prime with plier handle. 3rd - take the primed brass, move to the bottom cone shaped tab on the threaded chamber an expand the mouth on that tab using gentle pushing or rotation (this cone shaped tab should be in perfect condition to work and it is specific in shape to each and every caliber tool). 4th - lube casing and load powder into casing. 5th - place bullet on top of casing. 6th - set casing on the deprimer pad in the upper handle so it locks into place. 7th - slowly lower threaded chamber over bullet until threads meet handle thread. 8th - start to screw chamber down over bullet until resistance and plier handle has move out. 9th - squeeze handle back down to body. 10th - repeat steps 8 and 9 until sizing/crimping chamber is fully screwed in. 11th - Remove crimped, sized bullet by reversing steps 9 and 8. Try unscrewing the chamber or pull handle gently out from the body. This should start the removal. Unscrew and pull handle until chamber is removed.
Now all this info is good and from experience. BBBBBBBUUUUUTTTTT these tools do not work UNLESS you are using the PROPERLY associated Winchester bullet from the Winchester bullet mold. JUST ask me how I know this! Well don't, just take it from my once failed experience, with my 1st tool a 30WCF, try to use a Lee 150 grain lead bullet.

I may get into modern loading equipment for this 38-55 if I shoot this enough. I am also actively looking for a nice, nostalgic single shot 38-55 rifle to go with my Henry. If that happens, I will definitely get into seriously reloading for this caliber.

Any information on using this 1894 reloading tool would be appreciated.

Trooper Joe

You really need to start reloading with modern dies and tool for the 38-55 because of modern chamber sizing and modern brass lengths. I now have an 1894 tool in 32-40 and 38-55 with the appropriate Winchester bullet mold BUT not the correct size length brass to make them work.

Go out on the internet and search for Instructions on using a Winchester 1894 reloading tool. I think someone on ebay sells a copy of it, also.

I like them as a Cowboy impression look but learned fast to not expect to use them, very much. That is not true for all the pistol caliber Win and Ideal plier reloading tools that I own and used regularly, for Blackpowder loading.

PS -- go to this link and expand the pictures and see if you can print or at least read them. https://winchestercollector.org/forum/w ... ding-tool/. EDITTED -- This is a better webpage to read about the 1894 and other tools. https://www.reloadingtool.com/wincheste ... ding-tools

[OldWin]

I have one of these tools in 38-55, and a pile of other chamberings. I have a couple other styles of tools also. The only ones I've actually used is the earlier "tong type" for 38-40 and 44-40. Those work rather well, but I'm not so sure the larger cartridges would. That is complete conjecture on my part, however.
The 38-55 is one of those cartridges that can require some fussing with. Groove diameters can vary in the old guns, and are usually on the large side in Winchester 94s. If you haven't loaded for this rifle or messed with others in the same chambering, I'd start with a good set of standard dies. If you don't know what size Henry uses for a groove diameter, slug your barrel. Once you have your load dialed in, then try your Winchester tool to see if you can get the results you want.
Just my two cent opinion. Best of luck to you.

[marlinman93]

The finest hand type reloading tool of that era was the John Browning patented designed 1881 Marlin loading tool. It did all the steps needed, and did them quickly. They are a bit expensive, and each tool was serial numbered like a firearm is. But they do a very nice job of reloading ammo easily.

[kaschi]

Nice tool. I have a similar one for "44 WCF" in great condition but have never loaded ammo with it (yet anyway).

As for "replicating sitting around the campfire in the 1890s loading for the next day's hunt", if you want the full effect of that romantic notion, do it some evening in your back yard the next few days if you're in the North Woods when it's -10 degrees

[Pat C]

I have the old WRA 32 WCF loader and mold .I planned to do the same but with blackpowder.For 1883 model 73

[black river smith]

The finest hand type reloading tool of that era was the John Browning patented designed 1881 Marlin loading tool. It did all the steps needed, and did them quickly. They are a bit expensive, and each tool was serial numbered like a firearm is. But they do a very nice job of reloading ammo easily.

marlinman93,
I totally agree with your statements about the Marlin loading tool. They are a mechanical marvel. That crimping tube and other moving parts must have been a machinist nightmare to time-out in order to work properly. Also, as you say, they are too 'expensive' for me to own and play with but I wish I could put my hands on one.

I have the old WRA 32 WCF loader and mold .I planned to do the same but with blackpowder.For 1883 model 73

Pat C,
They do produce a nice bullet and the tool crimps just like most all pistol caliber tools. Something to watch for, if you will, these tools were produced to handle the proper/original 1.315" COL but what we have available from Starline is the newer 1.28" COL(don't know why, either). The tool may not put a crimp on this short brass. I too, have a very nice WIN mold and plier tool in 32WCF, just no firearm in that caliber at this time. I have not tried putting the Starline brass in the plier tool. This issue is NOT the same for the 44WCF or 38WCF tools and modern brass.

[marlinman93]

When I had a small collection of 12 Model 1881 rifles I eventually got 1881 tools in .45-70, .40-60M, .38-55, and .32-40 for those guns. I still own two of the dozen 1881's I had, but I also have those four tools still too. Back when I got them they weren't as expensive and ran in the $75-$100 range.