38-55

[MI2600]

I have been thinking about picking up a 38-55. I noted that cartridge is available in the Henry, cheaper than the Winchesters.

What are the feelings about the popularity and utility of the cartridge?

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I don't have a rifle in this chambering at present, but it remains one of the old standby cartridges amongst the classic single shot blackpowder cartridge rifle crowd. Ballards, Wichester High-Walls, that sort of thing.

I would not be deterred from buying a classic rifle chambered for this cartridge, but for my shooting purposes I can handload and get by nicely with a relatively modest supply of brass cases and bullets. If you're planning to do extensive hunting with 38-55 (or its more modern equivalent, the .375 Winchester), keep in mind that in addition to its other attributes, factory hunting ammo availability is never going to be particularly good. When you find a box, be prepared for severe sticker shock.

https://www.brownells.com/ammunitio...nchester-255gr-lead-flat-nose-prod103322.aspx

Today the 38-55 is largely a handloading proposition. Starline makes both 38-55 and .375 brass, but the former is back-ordered at the present time.

The cartridge uses a .377" bullet (with considerable variance in early rifles -- evidently some have bores for bullets closer to .380"). Another component that isn't the easiest to source, though far from unobtanium. I'd probably order from Montana Bullet Works for this kind of cartridge.

https://www.montanabulletworks.com/product-category/rifle/

 

[fireman 9731]

Let me preface all of this by saying that I don't and have never owned a 38-55 rifle but have researched them some.

H&R made a 38-55 Target rifle that I wanted to get as a companion to my H&R Buffalo Classic 45-70. Some had issues with inconsistent bore diameters and I never actually found one in person to buy.

Its pretty much strictly a hand-loaders and bullet casters proposition unless you want to pay through the nose for factory ammo if you can ever find it. It is still used by cowboy action shooters.

If you want a nostalgic cartridge to tinker with, I think its neat. If you want a mid-bore hunting rifle, I would get something else like a 35 Remington, 375 Winchester, or even a 350 Legend.

 

[.308 Norma]

What are the feelings about the popularity and utility of the cartridge?

If you want a nostalgic cartridge to tinker with, I think its neat.

What fireman 9731 said is exactly why I'd like to, and probably will get myself a 38-55 one of these days. I like nostalgic cartridges, and I like to tinker. I can just see myself joyfully casting my own bullets for it, and using them to build accurate ammo. Heck, I might even shoot a rockchuck or three with it.
As far as "popularity and utility" of a 38-55 go though - nah. If it was popular, it would be easier to find ammo for (which its lack of popularity is one of the things I like about it of course), and there are probably about a hundred cartridges out there that have greater "utility" for hunting - both big and small game.

 

[25-20 WCF]

I’ve had my .38-55 for over 45 years and still enjoy it a lot. I hunted some with it but mostly target shooting and plinking. The rifle has never had a factory round through it, just reloads with both cast and jacketed bullets. If the OP wants one and is willing to load for it he should go for it. Brass is very easy to find, fire-formed .30-30 brass is a bit short but works great. Cast bullets can be found in any reasonable diameter, and powders from Unique to IMR3031 work fine.




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[3850remhep]

Maybe my online ID / handle gives me away. If looking for a .38-55 lever gun, I can't offer anything and have no comment. If considering a single shot, there are a plethora of .38 cal rifle barrels from which to choose. Green Mountain offers the popular Winchester High Wall profiles otherwise Krieger, Lilja, etc for barrel blanks.

Personally, I faced this decision sometime around 2005 or so and went with a very similar cartridge, the .38-50 Remington-Hepburn which is easily formed by blowing out .30-40 Krag cases. The NRA considers it a traditional, thus legal, cartridge for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle competition, as such there exists a vast catalog of bullet molds with which to cast depending on barrel twist, nose shape, etc.

If only due to differences in rim dimensions, never confuse .38-55 Winchester with .38-50 Remington-Hepburn. When available, Starline .38-55 brass is of very good, very consistent quality. I used it as the basis for forming .32-40 Winchester cases.

Good luck with your project.

 

[PapaG]

Had a Ballard that was lights out accurate with black powder and a cast bullet from the mould that came with it. Id rather have a 32-40. Velocity was in the neighborhood of 1300 fps. No speed demon. Never tried smokeless as it wasn't allowed in our matches

 

[eastbank]

my shooter 38-55 is lever action marlin cowboy that i set up with reciever rear sight and globe front sight, with a hard cast 250 gr bullets and reloader 7 it shoots five shots into one ragged hole at 50 yards and less into 1.25" at 100 yards from a rest.

 

[garandsrus]

I shoot a H&R Target Rifle and really like it. I did put a Williams peep sight on it for easier adjustment. I mostly shoot the Lyman 378674, which is a 330gr bullet, over a case full of black powder.

For smokeless loads, a Lyman 375248 or 375449 work great over a light charge of Unique. Recoil is light and it smacks steel pretty hard.

 

[JDeere]

I have an old Model 94 Win with the octagon barrel built in 1896 according to the serial #. I love shooting that rifle and have taken a couple of deer with it. My Dad took his first deer with it back in the day. I reload for it so ammo is no issue. I run .379 265 gr gas checked lead in mine. I love to hear that slow bullet slap the target at 100.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have a Marlin 1893 in .38-55. With hard cast lead bullets and a moderate load, it is amazingly accurate despite a somewhat rough bore.

 

[Weflyfast]

There is a reason they call it the mild mid-bore. Plenty for deer and pleasant to shoot- factory loads are pricy and can be difficult to find- BUT the 38-55 handloads easy and you can tailor your loads to your needs-

.....spend the money and get a Winchester if it fits your budget- you won't regret it.

Good shooting-

 

[3850remhep]

There is a reason they call it the mild mid-bore. Plenty for deer and pleasant to shoot- factory loads are pricy and can be difficult to find- BUT the 38-55 handloads easy and you can tailor your loads to your needs-

.....spend the money and get a Winchester if it fits your budget- you won't regret it.

Good shooting-

Ditto with an emphasis on hand loads, and seriously consider a Mdl 1885 for that Winchester, there's more to Oliver's catalog than the Mdl (18)94.

Handloads can he made with a Lyman hand held press and a sizing die, maybe a buller seater, crimp die, too. There are numerous sources for .375" - .378" cast lead bullets, they're popular with the cowboy action crowd. One such source would be Buffalo Arms in Ponderay, ID, Dave Gullo & Co. know their stuff.

Just a suggestion:

https://www.buffaloarms.com/375-250-grain-fn-hand-cast-b-375248-375.html

 

[Obturation]

I really wanted one but read a lot about the differing bore dimensions and variances between different era manufacturer . couple that with costly brass and I decided I was content with 45-70. It was just simple and I can always download to whatever power I choose, which should be an option for you too. I wouldn't even consider a 38-55 if you don't handload- even if you're wealthy.

 

[Weflyfast]

I find that I get the most enjoyment out of taking a cartridge that I have not played with- tuning the gun with handloads- becoming proficient enough to hunt with it - and taking game. ....even more so if is a classic cartridge or rifle....

I also try to encourage people to find out for themselves-..... buy it...load for it.....shoot it....get yourself wrapped around what it will do and what it wont-. .....then come back here and tell us about it.

....but I have always been a rifle loonie.