Winchester 94 1966 centennial feed problem

johnsopi · Jul 3, 2021

Just got a Winchester 94 1966 centennial from a coworker who never fired it.
I believe him, plus he has a 1957. Problem is some of my reloads wont active the lever safety. The only thing I can see is the OAL might be short right at the top of cannal. The ones at the middle of cannal fired fine. I've read that some of the early post 64 had stamped lifters then they went to cast lifter.
Have not shot any factory 30-30

John from MD · Jul 3, 2021

What weight and type of bullet are you loading? The 30-30 max is 2.55 but I have never seen a minimum. I have loaded them with buckshot just sticking out of the neck and they have worked through the action.

johnsopi · Jul 4, 2021

150 gr RNSP Hornedy. Did read that some of the early post 64s used a stamped lifter. Latter they went to a cast lifter.

John from MD · Jul 4, 2021

johnsopi said:
150 gr RNSP Hornedy. Did read that some of the early post 64s used a stamped lifter. Latter they went to a cast lifter.

Regardless of how the lifter was made, they both work with 150gn loads as long as the length is 2.55 or less. When you cycle the lever, are you doing it briskly? If you baby them, sometimes that will cause them to miss feed.

Assuming you are using the lever correctly, what exactly happens when you attempt to load a found from the magazine.

When you run the lever forward, does a round come out to lay on the elevevator? If not, with the bolt open, can you move the elevator up and down by hand? Does it feel smooth?

If the elevator is not going down far enough to pick up a new round, have you pulled the lever and looked for a spent primer in the action?

dist1646 · Jul 5, 2021

johnsopi said:
Just got a Winchester 94 1966 centennial from a coworker who never fired it.
I believe him, plus he has a 1957. Problem is some of my reloads wont active the lever safety. The only thing I can see is the OAL might be short right at the top of cannal. The ones at the middle of cannal fired fine. I've read that some of the early post 64 had stamped lifters then they went to cast lifter.
Have not shot any factory 30-30

Are you squeezing the lever tightly enough to depress the little tab that protrudes between the lever and the bottom of the lower grip tang? If not, that is probably the issue. .30-30 headspaces on the rim of the case so unless your reloads are long enough to prevent the lever from fully closing due to the shoulder being too far forward, the lever should close fully.

johnsopi · Jul 8, 2021

Disassembled, cleaned, and lubed with Ballistol. The trigger assembly on this is not any on you tube not that matters. Action is much smoother now 50yr old lube gone. My son's G.F dad bought a box of factory ammo so their going to shoot tomorrow.
I am thinking my reloads are the problem but the oal was under by .01 and that does not make sense. I should have disassembled and cleaned it start with. It was PIA but understand the gun better. Will report back.

John from MD · Jul 8, 2021

Did you run a dummy round through it? Did it work?

XCheckR · Jul 8, 2021

johnsopi said:
Disassembled, cleaned, and lubed with Ballistol. The trigger assembly on this is not any on you tube not that matters. Action is much smoother now 50yr old lube gone. My son's G.F dad bought a box of factory ammo so their going to shoot tomorrow.
I am thinking my reloads are the problem but the oal was under by .01 and that does not make sense. I should have disassembled and cleaned it start with. It was PIA but understand the gun better. Will report back.

Was gonna ask where you were as I have some factory we could try. Interested in hearing results.

Winchester 94 1966 centennial feed problem

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