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38-55 caliber

bobjensen1
I was reading a catalog from Harrington & Richardson (New England Firearms) and they list two rifles of interest to me. One is a 45-70 Government with a 32 inch barrel. I should think that would be a great "brush gun" for up to 100 yards. The other gun is a 38-55 caliber and that's new one for me. Does anyone know anything about a 38-55 caliber?

I made two mistakes in my life. The second was admitting the first!

Robert Evans
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6 comments

Date Votes
  • nononsense
    .38-55 Winchester

    Introduced by Ballard in 1884 for various single shot target rifles, the .38-55 was one of the first cartridges to appear in Winchester's Model 94 lever action ten years later. The .38-55 was also once available in the Marlin Model 93 and Savage Model 99 lever actions, the Remington Lee bolt action, and various Winchester single shot rifles.

    In its high velocity loading, which pushed a 255 grain bullet along at over 1500 fps, the .38-55 once enjoyed an excellent reputation as a deer and black bear cartridge for woods hunting. Many hunters were forever convinced that due to the .38-55's greater bullet diameter it was a far more effective big game cartridge than the .30-30 and not far behind the harder kicking .45-70.

    Now the .38-55 is seldom seen in the woods, but it is one of the more popular cartridges among todays schuetzen competitors. Benchrest shooters have their PPC cartridges but for those who gather for the annual Coors Schuetzenfest in Golden Colorado, it's the .32-40 or the .38-55 that win most of the gold. Those fellows, by the way, are shooting groups of minute of angle and less with cast bullets in single shot rifles of falling block design.

    Most target shooters load the .38-55 with light charges of quick burning powders such as H4227 and SR-4759 for muzzle velocities of 1200 to 1300 fps with bullet weighing from 250 to 300 grains. Some shoot cast bullets of spitzer form for increased wind resistance. For deer and black bear, the Sierra 200 grain and Hornady 220 grain jacketed bullets at about 1600 fps work fine. Another good choice is a cast bullet weighing around 250 grains. Excellent powders for the .38-55 hunting loads are H322, H4895, and H335. In a pinch, .375 Winchester cases can be used in .38-55 rifles, although they are a bit short. Never fire .375 Winchester factory loads in a rifle originally chambered for the .38-55.


    Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
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  • .450-barnes
    The 38-55 is an old black powder cartridge that survived through use in the Winchester 94, Marlin 93, and several other fine rifles. It was discontinued in 1970 and reintroduced sometime later. The 38-55 is capable of taking deer size animals and had a fine reputation for being accurate out to 300yds. However with reloading and modern weapons it is capable of doing much better than the old 255gn bullet at velocity of 1500 '/sec. I hope this will help. Take care and God bless, .450-barnes
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  • .450-barnes
    Hi bobjensen1,
    I had gone out to the reloading room to get a few books and did not check on the fine update that nononsence gave you. Sorry about the repeat info. .450-barnes
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  • bobjensen1
    To .450-barnes: Never apologize for giving too much information. I like all the attention I can get! Thank you, Bob



    Robert Evans
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  • bobjensen1
    To .450-barnes: Never apologize for giving too much information. I like all the attention I can get! Thank you, Bob



    Robert Evans
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  • allechalley
    .38-55 was a problem getting ammo a few years ago and was a definate reloaders cartridge, but since the Cowboy Action types got going, it
    has made a strong comeback in popularity. It still probably won't be found at Wally World (never say never). I passed on a nice winchester 94 because of ammo issues a few years ago. Still kicking myself over that one.
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