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Winchester 1894 38-55

Big Game

Recently purchased an original 1894 which was mfg. in 1898. I'm thinking I should "slug" the barrel for a correct bullet dia.
Just want to take it for a walk in my deer woods.
Any thoughts on a smokeless powder choice and bullet choice. Probably should keep the velocity close to what was once, 1300fps.

Al
 
Definitely slug the barrel. I have a 2nd year production (12xxx) and I think I'm using cast lead from Rimrock at .383 due to big bore and poor rifling. But it is fun with around 9 grains of Unique. I'd have to look up the exact charge but pretty sure it's under 9.5 grains.
Factory ammo would keyhole every time. I started with cast at .379 and it leaded big time after just a few shots. I found that bigger is better, especially with cast lead.
Never tried any other jacketed bullets as the gun being about 130 years old, I'm happy just plinking with it out to 100 yards.
Lots of good info on the Marlin Owners board under the 38-55 banner.
 
Hornady's Hodgdon Reloading Date site has loads and powder suggestion for the 38-55 cartridge.
Check it out and see what powders you may have that are listed or could use.
Yes, don't push the loads into the max areas, but find some nice one's and enjoy the fine old rifle and cartridge in you woods walk.
 
RegionRat said:
Not to dissuade you from what makes you happy, so shoot it if that makes you happy, but did you consider that some folks collect originals and antiques to preserve them and never shoot them?

You can get a modern version that would scratch the itch of shooting that classic without risking damage to an actual antique.

https://static.hornady.media/site/hornady/files/obsolete-data/38-55-winchester.pdf

https://forums.sassnet.com/index.php?/topic/325929-reloading-the-38-55/

View attachment 1622589
View attachment 1622590
Click to expand...
You are correct in preserving vintage firearms. This would be occasional outing under ideal conditions.
Your advice is much appreciated. Al
 
I was also criticized for unwrapping an unissued SMLE No 4 once upon a time.

I had that gun for something over 30 years in the mummy wrapping and told myself if I lived to 50 I would shoot it.

I shot it on my 50th birthday and never looked back.

Folks jumped up and down when I broke it out of the wrappings, but I shot it anyway.

I even replaced the buttstock for a longer one so I could play the CMP games and run it in the prone rapid stages. The collector wonks looked like they would faint, but the original stock was meant for very short length of pull and I wasn't going to lift my head while running the bolt.

Life is too short to leave things like that undone before you die, so I am on your side.
 
Unless something is one of a kind or has an historic provenance, making it eligible for museum status, I don't think there is anything wrong with shooting it. The op is smart enough to check his loads and do it safely, so what is the problem with shooting it. I have a friend with the same rifle, and he shoots it quite frequently and it still looks pristine.
 
I’ve owned first, second and later early 1894 38/55’s. Rifles and SRC’s. The bores ran oversized .381 and .383. So to load for it one will need a larger sizer. And a larger bullet. And now the neck OD is larger. I’d suggest using Cerrosafe and do a chamber, throat and leade cast.
I’ll add while on the vintage pieces that my early Marlin 1893’s were found to be spot on .379. I do shoot em!
 
gle3105 said:
I’ve owned first, second and later early 1894 38/55’s. Rifles and SRC’s. The bores ran oversized .381 and .383. So to load for it one will need a larger sizer. And a larger bullet. And now the neck OD is larger. I’d suggest using Cerrosafe and do a chamber, throat and leade cast.
I’ll add while on the vintage pieces that my early Marlin 1893’s were found to be spot on .379. I do shoot em!
Click to expand...
What is your reason for a chamber casting?
Al
 
Big Game said:
What is your reason for a chamber casting?
Al
Click to expand...
Al, It will give you a better accurate read on the neck, throat and rifling leade. When I first started shooting my vintage 1894’s ( about 30 years ago ) I just went by usable load data for such. Used .379 pills.
Shot nice patterns. Used for geese. LOL . Kidding of course.
Then I wised up and slugged the bore. Saw it was oversized. ( should had done that first)
After that I thought it best to see what the chamber dimensions looked like. Dimensions didn’t match SAAMI. Way..way… way b4 SAAMI.
Sent my casting with a bullet mold order to LBT.
FL resized cases then ran an expander button.
They shot pleasingly well after all that.
IIRC my load as 19 gr of AA5744 and gas checked 270 bullet. About 1325 fps.
 
gle3105 said:
Al, It will give you a better accurate read on the neck, throat and rifling leade. When I first started shooting my vintage 1894’s ( about 30 years ago ) I just went by usable load data for such. Used .379 pills.
Shot nice patterns. Used for geese. LOL . Kidding of course.
Then I wised up and slugged the bore. Saw it was oversized. ( should had done that first)
After that I thought it best to see what the chamber dimensions looked like. Dimensions didn’t match SAAMI. Way..way… way b4 SAAMI.
Sent my casting with a bullet mold order to LBT.
FL resized cases then ran an expander button.
They shot pleasingly well after all that.
IIRC my load as 19 gr of AA5744 and gas checked 270 bullet. About 1325 fps.
Click to expand...
Wow! Thanks much.
Best,
Al
 
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