.38-55 leverguns

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri Dec 01, 2023 7:57 pm

This cartridge wasn’t terribly common in the Texas Hill Country though I saw a few of them in the east Texas piney woods.

I was in Texas Jack’s in Fredricksburg this week and they had a whole bunch of Winchester 94 clones chambered in .38-55 and in every configuration from a 20 inch saddle gun to 26 inch octagon barreled rifles.

These were made by Chiappa and seemed to be very nice rifles.

But where would you ever find ammo?

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Fri Dec 01, 2023 8:05 pm

38-55 is a great round , ammo is fairly common at most good gun shops and especially online. Expect to pay $75 -$100 a box though.

TomF · Post by **TomF** » Fri Dec 01, 2023 8:29 pm

Awesome round. There are several factory ammunition offerings....HSM, buffalobore, .........expensive. I knew for me it would be a casting and reloading chore. Diameters range .375-.383. Some commercial casters offer variety of diameters. Plenty of brass is available in 2 lengths. Starline has both.
250 gr boolits at a leisurely pace, accurate as well, low recoil. Powder friendly... Unique, 2400, Re7......
Mine is a Marlin Cowboy.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:24 pm

I spent a few minutes looking online for unprimed .38-55 brass but every source seems to be out of them right now; backorder only.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:55 pm

The 38-55 is my favorite 94 chambering. I have 5 of them now. Three octagon rifles, and 2 half mag SRC's.
The 38-55 was wildly popular here back in the day.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:50 am

I’m down to about 3 but this is my favorite..takedown 1893 Marlin made in 1901….mint bore and it slugs at .377. No brag but I’ve won trophies with this rifle against quality single shots

RIDERED350r · Post by **RIDERED350r** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 6:32 am

I have a 94 Big Bore in 375 Winchester which is essentially a 38-55 magnum. The lower end of the 375 Win runs about where the 38-55 tops out. I really like the cartridge and platform. Once I get to the point that I start collecting vintage rifles as opposed to modern shooters I would love a Rifle config 94 in 38-55 with a full length octogon barrel.

38-55 will be easier to feed if you hand load, but there is factory ammo available out there as mentioned above.

Starline does runs of 38-55 and offers both "long" and "short" brass for vintage and modern rifles respectively. Check their site regularly and when it becomes available for backorder I would order 250pcs which is their minimum. A little bit of money for sure, but you won't find the brass cheaper than buying from Starline direct and 250pcs should last a lifetime of shooting.

Sixgun: that old Marlin 93 is flat out gorgeous!

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:05 am

Beautiful picture, Sixgun....thanks!

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:48 am

Sixgun, that’s a gorgeous rifle!!!!!

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:02 am

Sixgun wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:50 am I’m down to about 3 but this is my favorite..takedown 1893 Marlin made in 1901….mint bore and it slugs at .377. No brag but I’ve won trophies with this rifle against quality single shots

That is a wonderful example !!

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:04 am

I have been on the prowl for an original 38-55 for years. I guess the right one just hasn't come along when I had the money in my pocket. But with 6 different 375 Winchesters, the desire for a 38-55 is just for the collection and history of an original Marlin or Winchester. I do have 400 pieces of new Winchester brass waiting for an opportunity.

20231202_095512.jpg

veeman · Post by **veeman** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:07 am

I have 2, an 1897 made SRC that was rebarreled way back, and a Chief Crazy Horse that I shoot regularly.

JBowen · Post by **JBowen** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:30 am

veeman wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:07 am I have 2, an 1897 made SRC that was rebarreled way back, and a Chief Crazy Horse that I shoot regularly.

Veeman, I have one of those Chief Crazy Horse Rifles, that I purchased back a 2003 and have never worked up a cast load for it. I tried the Cast Performance.378 with fair accuracy using Blue Dot back then and it had been in the safe ever since. Would you mind sharing what you use?

Thanks,
JBowen

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:44 am

Great thread fellas. Six, Marlin sure knew how to get case colors right, didn't it?
Veeman, I had chances to buy the Crazy Horse commemorative and didn't -- of course!

vancelw · Post by **vancelw** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 12:31 pm

JBowen wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:30 am Chief Crazy Horse

Veeman, I have one of those Chief Crazy Horse Rifles, that I purchased back a 2003 and have never worked up a cast load for it. I tried the Cast Performance.378 with fair accuracy using Blue Dot back then and it had been in the safe ever since. Would you mind sharing what you use?

Thanks,
JBowen

I have a Chief Crazy Horse. My 1st attempt at cast rounds I used a .375 Mould

Nothing but keyholes

I have purchased a .380 mould since then but have not taken time to cast and load them yet.

Gratuitous mule deer pic...Barnes 255Gr original with IMR 4198

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 12:46 pm

.
Sixer - is that the original finish...????

JBowen · Post by **JBowen** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:47 pm

Vancelw, I purchased a Lee mold, I think it is 379-250 that I plan to start with when I get around to it. I have heard good reviews
about it.
What size ( diameter) is that Barnes bullet? Nice mule deer!

JBowen

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:50 pm

These are 4 of my 5. The 5th is at my dad's place. It's a standard 26" octagon rifle. It is an early example, with the serial number 33xx.
I guess I'd of been wise to post my pic BEFORE Six posted his 93 Marlin.

They don't look like much now.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:55 pm

Thank you gentlemen…..I’ve been enamored with the 38-55 since my first one came in 1973. ……a very nice 1894 rifle for $150…..I’ve always had 3-5 around the house……

Little tricky getting it to shoot accurately especially the earlier versions. Out of tens of thousands of rounds, I don’t believe more than 100 were fired with 38-55 brass…..always 30-30 blown out……that’s what eliminates most accuracy issues allowing for a proper sized cast bullet to be used..

An octagon barreled 1899 Savage I have is an MOA gun…….

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:57 pm

Hey……Old Win…..WHO are you to have so many 1894’s in 38-55?…..In the upcoming communist government these guns will be “for the people” and you must distribute.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:14 pm

Sixgun wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:57 pm Hey……Old Win…..WHO are you to have so many 1894’s in 38-55?…..In the upcoming communist government these guns will be “for the people” and you must distribute.

Ha! I've had a bunch more over the years. As I said, the old 38-55, along with 38-40, was wildly popular here.
Distribute......I.? Oh, I'm sorry. While they ARE the "Peoples rifles", they have to stay here in the "politburo".

JBowen · Post by **JBowen** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:44 pm

Nice rifles everyone.
I have read many stories on the net about so many different size bores and chambers. Things like .380-.381 bores that would only
chamber .377 bullets or something similar in the extreme cases.

Scott, good luck if you decide to jump in and get one of the new Chiappa's. Maybe the worst challenge will be rounding up the componts
to load with.

JBowen

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 3:52 pm

I’m not about to jump into a new chambering. I just found it interesting.

vancelw · Post by **vancelw** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 6:17 pm

JBowen wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:47 pm Vancelw, I purchased a Lee mold, I think it is 379-250 that I plan to start with when I get around to it. I have heard good reviews
about it.
What size ( diameter) is that Barnes bullet? Nice mule deer!

JBowen

IIRC they are .377, which works fine in my rifle with jacketed bullets.
Someday I'll have time to play with cast again...

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 6:42 pm

The old Barnes bullet was available in .375, .376, and .377 if I remember correctly. I still have some of the .377s that I'd shot years ago over IMR3031. I got great accuracy from it, but they seemed to shed jackets if I recall.
The 38-55 is best served with cast IMO. If you want the stout loads, just use a gas check. I have an RCBS gas check mold that works well.
One of my carbines has a smokeless barrel and will take a steady dose of jacketed bullets, but I still don't use them much anymore.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:09 pm

You guys got my 38-55 intrest piqued, found a light weight sharps and a #3 for sale... Sadly my gun fund is empty thanks to the bumbling stumbling jackazz in the Whitehouse

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:16 pm

.38-55 ammo used to be very commonly found, and brass even more so. But these days ammo is very tough to find, and brass almost as tough to find.
I've been a .38-55 fan for decades, and owned a number of 1893 and a couple 1881 Marlins in .38-55. All gone now, but I still own 6 or 8 Marlin Ballard rifles and a Rolling Block in this great cartridge. Like so many neat old cartridges the .38-55 has become a cartridge and rifle best owned by reloaders if you plan to enjoy it. Almost all the factory ammo I've seen for sale for the last 20 years has been jacket bullets, and the rifles chambered in it shoot cast lead sized to the proper groove diameter much better.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:21 pm

This is another that’s been languishing around in the safe……used to shoot it all the time but like most adventures, the enthusiasm subsides. 26” full octagon with a near mint bore. Took it out to Colorado for elk but didn’t see nothing worth shooting.

Doc Omeara saw it and told me he never did ever see one like it.

It has the Savage “special smokeless steel” barrel which is about equal to Winchesters nickel steel.

cj57 · Post by **cj57** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:56 pm

Here’s a Marlin 1881, the 38-55 is a favorite of mine, have around 10, Marlins and Winchesters

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:24 pm

The OP mentioned the 94 clones as being made by Chiappa. I know that Uberti makes them, never knew Chiappa also does.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 6:42 am

I have a Winchester 94 Legacy in 38/55 with a 26 round barrel that is still new and unfired. I bought it on the day that USRA announced Bankruptcy. Nice wood and nice gun. I have just never gotten around to shooting it.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 7:30 am

one of the last made here in the USA

38-55 001.jpg

and I load my own.
Took it hunting one or twice.

38-55 002.jpg

average accuracy...

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 1:23 pm

kaschi wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:24 pm The OP mentioned the 94 clones as being made by Chiappa. I know that Uberti makes them, never knew Chiappa also does.

Does Chiappa actually make any guns from scratch? I always thought they bought castings or machined parts from other Italian makers and finished them? I believe they list Armi Sport as their maker for their products. They list an 1886 and 1892, but I don't see an 1894?

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 2:14 pm

A pleasant cartridge to shoot and quite accurate when you find the right combination.
I have my grandfather's 94 that shoots the Barnes .377s really well. The rifle is all original but has some pitting and wear on the receiver. The bore is perfect though.

The rifle I have been taking out a lot just for fun has been a Custom Ruger No.1 I picked up a couple of years ago. Shoots a 249 gr. cast over 28.5 grains of Varget quite well.

jb

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:08 pm

Cimmarons 1894 is made by Uberti , good article in Guns magazine comparing the original . Only thing I see I don't like is they used the post 64 receiver design.The attention detail in the receiver is just not anywhere close to prewar Winchester rifles. For $1600 I'll be shopping for an original.

Chiappa does not currently make 1894 but they do make what is probably the closest copy ever made of 1892 Winchester.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:51 pm

Sixgun wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:50 am I’m down to about 3 but this is my favorite..takedown 1893 Marlin made in 1901….mint bore and it slugs at .377. No brag but I’ve won trophies with this rifle against quality single shots

Six, that gun is stunning!!!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Dec 03, 2023 10:35 pm

Thanks Kid…..it’s definitely one of my favorites……I HAD a model 36 in 30-30 that had brighter colors than this one and still have a pre war 39 that still has the lacquer on it. (They lacquered the case colors and it wore off easily.)

It shoots unbelievable…..

veeman · Post by **veeman** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 4:43 pm

JBowen wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:30 am

Veeman, I have one of those Chief Crazy Horse Rifles, that I purchased back a 2003 and have never worked up a cast load for it. I tried the Cast Performance.378 with fair accuracy using Blue Dot back then and it had been in the safe ever since. Would you mind sharing what you use?

Thanks,
JBowen

What works best so far in my never ending perfect load search is 20.0 of Buffalo Rifle and a MBC 245g Ballard HT bullet. Another great load is .28.0 of 3031 with a 245g FN cast Allstar bullet that I have no idea where I got, had them for years and still have several hundred of them. Both bullets are .380.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:06 pm

Sixgun wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:50 am I’m down to about 3 but this is my favorite..takedown 1893 Marlin made in 1901….mint bore and it slugs at .377. No brag but I’ve won trophies with this rifle against quality single shots

Dang! With that one -- you definitely got bragging rights!!!

Old No7

JBowen · Post by **JBowen** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:36 pm

veeman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 04, 2023 4:43 pm
JBowen wrote: ↑Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:30 am

Veeman, I have one of those Chief Crazy Horse Rifles, that I purchased back a 2003 and have never worked up a cast load for it. I tried the Cast Performance.378 with fair accuracy using Blue Dot back then and it had been in the safe ever since. Would you mind sharing what you use?

Thanks,
JBowen
What works best so far in my never ending perfect load search is 20.0 of Buffalo Rifle and a MBC 245g Ballard HT bullet. Another great load is .28.0 of 3031 with a 245g FN cast Allstar bullet that I have no idea where I got, had them for years and still have several hundred of them. Both bullets are .380.

Thanks, Veeman. I had a suspicion that .379-380 may be the average bore size for these rifles.
Much appreciated,
JBowen

olskool · Post by **olskool** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 2:50 pm

here is my 38-55 from 1901 the bore is pristine, and it is as slick and tight as new. it has a 26in tapered barrel,,,,,,,,,,,,

Rockrat · Post by **Rockrat** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 3:26 pm

I have 3. A Marlin Cowboy nib and a used one and an oddity I picked up years ago. Its a bolt gun, built on a P-14 action, near full bull barrel(Shilen I think), thumbhole stock, 3x9 scope. I have shot the NOE 310gr GC over a heavy dose of Varget. At first the bullets were yawing and hitting the target at about a 45 degree angle. Add more powder, bullet straightened out a bit, so more powder and more powder till the bullets were hitting nose first. It really shoots well
Took it out to one of our sight-in days at the range, right before hunting season. Had a break so got it off the rack and shot it and hit the 500yds steel target about the size of your palm. Few of our sight-in customers came over and looked at what I was shooting. Showed them the round and told them I just shot the small gong. They didn't believe me so I put the next 5 on the same target. They just shook their head exclaiming that if they hadn't seen it, they wouldn't have believed it. One of the rare days the wind was just about calm. Not normal at our range.