The 38-55: What can it do?

[Bogie35]

Hey guys. I did a search, and found no discussions about the 38-55. I read John Taffin's article at "Leverguns", which was informative. I read recently that the cartridge can be very effective on large game. I saw a load on loaddata.com that claimed a 280 grain cast bullet at 1854 fps. Is that a typo? What is the 38-55 capable of out of a Marlin 336?

Thanks,
bogie

[Nath]

A nice big chunky bullet like thems, anything
Someone will fill the details soon

Nath.

[J Miller]

bogie,

I'm search challenged too. But I can tell you there is numerous threads about the 38-55. And what can it do? Well, for starters it will take anything you want took.

Joe

[BenT]

Published 38-55 data is held to 30k CUP. So data you find on the internet can be hotter. As far as your Marlin people will shoot loads up to 44k CUP , which the rating for the 444 Marlin.

I have used Hodgon starting load data for 375 WIN for hotter loads . They list pressure for these loads and usually start around 36K CUP . This gives you a saftey tested reference.

Also you need to slug any 38-55 barrels since they all vary in diameter. Cast bullets for these would vary from .377 to .381. For a Marlin I would check out Ranch Dogs site for correct diameter that Marlin uses.

Good Luck!

[tman]

buffaloe bore makes a hot 38-55 that should take north american game out to 150 yards or so.

[Modoc ED]

I have no experience with the .38-55; however, something that kind of confuses me (nothing new) is that there seems to be a difference in the .38-55 of old and the .38-55 of new. It seems that the newer rifles will handle a .375 just fine. I guess there is a difference between chamber and bore sizes of the older and newer .38-55s.

Anyone care to comment? Help an old-man clear his befuddled mind.

[Hobie]

I have a .38-55. I think that anything on this continent save the large bears.

[madman4570]

My Lyman Reloader spec sheets show
Max Load----255 gr. JFP (bullet)
35.0 gr IMR 3031 (powder)
Velocity 1805

This is for guns like the modern Win. 94s

This would be kinda like your 50 cal muzzleloader.
Will do a job(Look what Jim Shockey does with his)

[Sixgun]

I run all of my 38-55's from 1300-1500 with a 270 gr. cast bullet. Thats plenty fast enough for anything at reasonable ranges. Its easy on the gun, you, and your cases. A 270 gr. cast bullet going 1500 will sail clear through an elk. The extra velocity up to 1800 will only make it a tad easier to hit at extended ranges and the 38-55 is no "extended range cartridge" at any velocity, even in a modern strong gun.

I even run my 375 at 1500, although it can easily push the bullet 300 fps faster

Enjoy the cartridge at factory pressures or a little above.--------------Sixgun

[Bruce Scott]

My experience is limited to paper punching with factory ammo through a 94 Winchester. Great accuracy combined with low recoil make it a pleasure to shoot.

[Bogie35]

I have a .38-55. I think that anything on this continent save the large bears.

Thanks Hobie. Nice article.

bogie

[20cows]

I have two 38-55s. One is a trapper with really brisk recoil if I up the load in it, so I generally stay with an old BP level load (275 gr cast @ 1400fps) The other , a 26" rifle, likes the Hornady 220 gr jacketed flat point at 1850 fps. I could do more, but I don't feel the need.

My brother pushes the 275 gr cast a little over 1700 fps out of a 20" carbine.

The .38-55 with handloads is respectable.

[pokey]

i have two as well, as the other fellas said the round will
do what you need it to, load up/down as needed.
you really need to work with your specific rifle
though. as in hobie's article there are alot of variations
in bullet diameter/brass length that you will need to work
out. that's half the fun with this oldie in particular.

good luck, pokey

[2X22]

Hey Bogie35!

The 38-55 is my elk rifle for the most part for the last 1/2 dozen years. I shoot a 280gr cast bullet at a bit over 1700fps and last season killed a HUGE bull elk (Roosevelt), hung a bit over 500lbs that I took out in the timber behind the house! I use a Marlin CB and that was the 2nd bull I've taken with it. I use 31.5grs of 3031 and the bullet is the RCBS38-250, but it weighs a bit heavy with WW's at 280.5grs sized and lubed with GC in place.

I feel very comfortable with it at ranges of 150 yards or a bit more and while I am a .44 man, I LOVE this cartridge!

Jeff

[Bogie35]

Hey Bogie35!

The 38-55 is my elk rifle for the most part for the last 1/2 dozen years. I shoot a 280gr cast bullet at a bit over 1700fps and last season killed a HUGE bull elk (Roosevelt), hung a bit over 500lbs that I took out in the timber behind the house! I use a Marlin CB and that was the 2nd bull I've taken with it. I use 31.5grs of 3031 and the bullet is the RCBS38-250, but it weighs a bit heavy with WW's at 280.5grs sized and lubed with GC in place.

I feel very comfortable with it at ranges of 150 yards or a bit more and while I am a .44 man, I LOVE this cartridge!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff!
I bet you'll be eating like a king for a while! Great job!

bogie

[Pete44ru]

[The 38-55: What can it do?]

Slay squill's, deader 'n hell.

.

[Terry Murbach]

HEY BOGIE, HOW ARE YOU ?? LONG TIME NO HEAR IT SEEMS TO ME BUT THEN AGAIN I CANNOT REMEMBER WHAT THE HECK I DID YESTERDAY ANYMORE. I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS.
I OWN THE FIRST MARLIN CB 38-55 TO HIT SOUTH DAKOTA, I THINK. IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL RIFLE, PERFECT IN EVERY RESPECT WITH NOTHING ABOUT IT THAT PO'D ME; NOTHING !!! THE TRIGGER IS FINE, THE SIGHTS WERE LINED UP PERFECTLY, THE CHAMBER IS THE RIGHT SIZE, IT SHOOTS .377", .378", AND .379" CAST BULLETS EXCELLENTLY WITH THE BEST GROUP BEING .55" AT 100 YARDS. I HAVE USED NOTHING BUT XMP5744 AS A PROPELLENT AND SEEN NO NEED TO TRY ANYTHING ELSE TO DATE. I RUN THE LOADS ABOUT 1500FPS+ - AND EVEN THE RECEIVER SIGHTS WERE DEAD ON THE MONEY FIRST SHOT WITH THOSE LOADS. I ALSO SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS SLEEK BEAUTIFUL RIFLE.
WHILE I HAVE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO KILL ANYTHING WITH THIS 38-55 RIFLE I HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT IT KILLING ANYTHING ON THIS CONTINENT INCLUDING THE BIG BEARS. A 3/8" FLATNOSED BULLET AT 1500FPS HAS TO BE A KILLER IF YOU PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE. IF YOU DON'T ALL HELL IS OUT FOR NOON THEN AND BRER BRUIN WILL BE COLLECTING.

[KirkD]

Bogie, Terry about said it. I have two original 38-55's. One's a Winchester 1894 made in 1899 and the other is a Winchester saddle ring carbine made in 1907. Like Terry, I like 1,500 fps for my 250 grain cast bullets (plain base). I used quite a few different powders in mine, including 5744, 4227 and SR4759. They all work well, but SR4759 seems to work best for my old rifle.

I've only harvested one Whitetail deer with mine, a 75 yard shot. It was running flat out, and I mean belly-to-the ground-flat-out, but when that 255 grain cast bullet intercepted him he went down right now, on the spot. Bullet went right through both lungs, exited, and kept on truckin'. Muzzle velocity on that particular load was around 1,495 fps, if I remember the chrono results properly. You can certainly load it up higher than that if you want. The original high velocity loads available from various cartridge manufacturers in the early to mid-1900's was 1,600 fps, and some, like Snooky Williamson, stoked the old 38-55 up more than that. However, I like to be easy on my old Winchesters and 1,500 fps is plenty for any North American game 'cept for Grizzlies. If I was to be using a 38-55 on a Grizz, I'd like to be at least 100 yards away and behind cover, and put the shot exactly where it needs to go so that if ol Grizz decided not to go down on the spot, I'd have time for a few more rounds before he covered the ground between me and him. Of course, I have zero experience with Grizzlies, and doubt I ever will.

Hobie's article is a good read and has good info in it.

[txpete]

I have shot several deer with my BB 375 win with the lyman 375449 @1500 fps my sweet spot with that rifle and cast.I have never recovered a bullet or had to track a deer yet .
pete

[2ndovc]

Sixgun set me straight with my 94/ .38-55.
Keep it under 1600 fps and accuracy improved dramatically.
With factory loads I was shooting 1" groups at 50 yds but my handloads were running 5-6" couldn't
figure out what I was doing wrong.

Swtched to a lighter load of AA-5744 and started getting some great results.
Will take her hunting this year and hopefully will connect with something.

jb

[Bogie35]

HEY BOGIE, HOW ARE YOU ?? LONG TIME NO HEAR IT SEEMS TO ME BUT THEN AGAIN I CANNOT REMEMBER WHAT THE HECK I DID YESTERDAY ANYMORE. I HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS.
I OWN THE FIRST MARLIN CB 38-55 TO HIT SOUTH DAKOTA, I THINK. IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL RIFLE, PERFECT IN EVERY RESPECT WITH NOTHING ABOUT IT THAT PO'D ME; NOTHING !!! THE TRIGGER IS FINE, THE SIGHTS WERE LINED UP PERFECTLY, THE CHAMBER IS THE RIGHT SIZE, IT SHOOTS .377", .378", AND .379" CAST BULLETS EXCELLENTLY WITH THE BEST GROUP BEING .55" AT 100 YARDS. I HAVE USED NOTHING BUT XMP5744 AS A PROPELLENT AND SEEN NO NEED TO TRY ANYTHING ELSE TO DATE. I RUN THE LOADS ABOUT 1500FPS+ - AND EVEN THE RECEIVER SIGHTS WERE DEAD ON THE MONEY FIRST SHOT WITH THOSE LOADS. I ALSO SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET THE DAY I BOUGHT THIS SLEEK BEAUTIFUL RIFLE.
WHILE I HAVE NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO KILL ANYTHING WITH THIS 38-55 RIFLE I HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT IT KILLING ANYTHING ON THIS CONTINENT INCLUDING THE BIG BEARS. A 3/8" FLATNOSED BULLET AT 1500FPS HAS TO BE A KILLER IF YOU PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE. IF YOU DON'T ALL HELL IS OUT FOR NOON THEN AND BRER BRUIN WILL BE COLLECTING.

Thanks Terry! Great info. It's great to see you up and about again.
Sounds like you have a real shooter! I've been really happy with my Marlin 35 Rem, but I'm starting to eye a Marlin CB. Just need to collect a few more funds! I'm still a budding levergunner!
Hope you continue to feel better!

Sincerely,
bogie

[Bogie35]

Thanks to all for the great info.
Once again, you guys are super!

Sincerely,
bogie

[missionary5155]

Good morning I shoot 38´s and I would tackle any critter IF i had to. But the old 38-55 cartride was and still is down loaded so the old Stevens ,Ballard and other WEAK rifles of time past will not blow up. The New Built STEEL 38-55 can take any pressure the 375 rifles will take. NEW made Federal and Starline Brass(38-55) are as stout as 375 brass.
So it just depends on which rifle you are holding. Check Ken Waters reloading book " Pet Loads" for action strength and loads. Use the Case Web Expansion measurement and your 38-55 will be a snorter.
Mike in Peru God Bless ya´ll

[20cows]

The New Built STEEL 38-55 can take any pressure the 375 rifles will take.

I respectfully dissagree. In a standard Model 94 Winchester, the .38-55 can be loaded to the same pressure levels as the .30-30, which maxes at about 40,000 cup. The .375 can go on up to 52,000 cup. That's why the Big Bore receiver is beefed up considerably.

[Hobie]

The New Built STEEL 38-55 can take any pressure the 375 rifles will take.

I respectfully dissagree. In a standard Model 94 Winchester, the .38-55 can be loaded to the same pressure levels as the .30-30, which maxes at about 40,000 cup. The .375 can go on up to 52,000 cup. That's why the Big Bore receiver is beefed up considerably.

That is true but some of the .38-55s at 40K will move the 255 gr. JSP at 2000 fps. That is about all the old 250 gr. .375 Win loads would do.