Pard...you did a fine job!
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
That Winchester is actually 2-times stronger than the pre-64's. Who says? Bill Miller wrote an article in The American Rifleman-Jan. 89. He was an engineer for Winchester during the transition in 60's I believe.
Here's the repro:
"Late in 1961 the model 94 became the first Wiinchester product to go through a reengineering program utilizing the latest in engineering techniques and state-of-the-art technology. As a result, 27 different changes were accepted that, along with improvements in the manufacturing process, cut the cost of making a Model 94 by 54%.
For example, ductile iron castings replaced the forged receivers. Since this change made up a large percentage of the cost reduction, it had to be thoroughly tested before the program was implemented. Several receivers were put through 15,000-round endurance tests with no difficulties. A 94' with the standard forged receiver was run through the same test as a control sample out of current production. At the end of the test, the forged receiver had lost twice as much headspace as the ductile iron casting.
The endurance testing was supplemented by firing a series of high intensity rounds in 5,000-lb. increments in groups of five shots through both 94's. The results showed that the cast ductile iron receiver sustained approximately twice the pressure than did the forged model before safe headspace was lost. The change to a ductile iron receiver would not only make the product cheaper, but stronger and safer."
From a man that was there & who knew what he was talking about!
Your rifle is a beauty...you did a wonderful job pard bringing back an unsung & unappreciated Bear of a rifle. Maybe when more rifleman find out the truth, they'll be more appreciative of the efforts of a pretty cagey group of engineers & riflemen. Miller was a man to ride the river with and I would have liked to have met him.
Best to you pard...you have excellent taste in riflery.
LB
Anyone have an old Sears 54 in 30 WCF they want to part with? I'm going to make it into a 38-55 Win.