What would it take to come up with a source of 38-55 ammo and would it have to be black powder to use in an old Winnie? May come into possession of a 120year old 94 that was originally issued in this calibre and now sports a blued model 94 30-30 barrel. Might not be pretty enough to sell so I may put a barrel on it and mess around or return to original. Suggestions?
Venerable Winnie 1894
- Thread starter bogie
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Check your local gun shop for 38-55 ammo, it's still in production.
Remington and Winchester ammo is held to black powder pressure levels. But burns smokeless. If your rifle is in good condition it will work fine.
Watch out for old ammo, Many many years ago, they did make a high pressure load that may not be safe in your rifle. Current stuff is fine.
(Your chances of finding that high pressure stuff is about akin to a major lottery win)
Your original post indicates that you now have a 30-30 barrel, if that is the case, you're still fine with current ammo. The action can take it, the weak spot in the older rifles was the barrel. Prior to about 1910 or so, Winchester did not use 'smokeless' or 'nickel' steel barrels.
I said "or so" because they used up old inventory gradually, and there is no firm switch over date.
Remington and Winchester ammo is held to black powder pressure levels. But burns smokeless. If your rifle is in good condition it will work fine.
Watch out for old ammo, Many many years ago, they did make a high pressure load that may not be safe in your rifle. Current stuff is fine.
(Your chances of finding that high pressure stuff is about akin to a major lottery win)
Your original post indicates that you now have a 30-30 barrel, if that is the case, you're still fine with current ammo. The action can take it, the weak spot in the older rifles was the barrel. Prior to about 1910 or so, Winchester did not use 'smokeless' or 'nickel' steel barrels.
I said "or so" because they used up old inventory gradually, and there is no firm switch over date.
OK...I'm confused
120 yr old 1894 Win ?? Earliest could be is 2007 - 1894 = 113 yrs!
You said now sports a blued model 94 30-30 barrel
So why are you now looking for a source of 38-55 ammo
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
OK...I'm confused
120 yr old 1894 Win ?? Earliest could be is 2007 - 1894 = 113 yrs!
You said now sports a blued model 94 30-30 barrel
So why are you now looking for a source of 38-55 ammo
I have an unbasterdized win. model 94 38-55 I dont know when it was made but it is old probebly really early 1900s. I'll post some pics of it later!
The info I was given by another GNer is that this rifle was made in 1889 and was originally issued as a 38-55. That would make it 118 which is awfully close to 120. Anyways, it currently has a 3030 blued barrel on it and I was asking the question to see if it would be likely that I could either get or make the ammo and if I was likely to find a barrel for it. Or would it just be an underpowered rifle and not worth the effort. In that case I would sell it for parts. It is old and kinda neat and might be a fun thing to do. The post is more to find out if it is doable and worth doing if that makes it any clearer and if it also makes sense. I could always just go and buy a Marlin or such but this is a bird in the hand at this time and I thought it might make sense to bring the old girl back on line to shoot. And I dont need a 30-30 so the barrel would go.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
The 1894 winchester, did not exist in 1889.
Check the serial #
Check the serial #
bogie: You're missing the point. It is probably an 1894 but it wasn't made in 1889 as that precedes the date the model was offered for sale. So the 1889 date you are referring to is in error if it is a lever action Winchester. Some one with the numbers at hand can probably pin down the year but it is likely in the period 1894-1899. You could probably convert it back to 38-55 with a rebarrel but why would you want to as it serves good function as a 30-30? Unless you simply want to have a 38-55. It may be cheaper in the long run to do some trading than to rebarrel. However we do some things just out of curiosity and interest don't we?
It may be the info I was given had a typo too-might well be an 1899 at that.
The 38-55 sounded real cool and I have never seen one never mind a box of ammo. I have a 308 and a 30-06 so I dont really need a 30-30 but then, what does need have to do with any of this anyways. Thanks for the feedback. I will do some research and maybe talk to a gunsmith too. Thanks guys.
The 38-55 sounded real cool and I have never seen one never mind a box of ammo. I have a 308 and a 30-06 so I dont really need a 30-30 but then, what does need have to do with any of this anyways. Thanks for the feedback. I will do some research and maybe talk to a gunsmith too. Thanks guys.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
And here are some pics of my 38-55!
It has a really weird flip up and down front sight!
And here is the only box of ammo i have for it!
And this is what they look like next to other cartriges i own!
left to right!
1) 38-55
2) 30-30
3) 303 british
4) 30/06
It has a really weird flip up and down front sight!
And here is the only box of ammo i have for it!
And this is what they look like next to other cartriges i own!
left to right!
1) 38-55
2) 30-30
3) 303 british
4) 30/06
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Thanks for the pics death junky and the bullet shot puts it all in perspective. My serial is 6973x and it is in pretty much the same condition as yours. I guess for something that old it should look like that if it has been used. Might be a fun gun to have. Wonder what the likelyhood is for getting a barrel for it. I have a 308 and 30-06 and just sold a 30-30 but this 38-55 is strange enough to be interesting. Do you hunt with it or thought about hunting with it? This may not come to pass but I may not be able to sell it and wouldnt just blow it out the door cheap to get rid of it-too much history there and all that. I am going to the HACS show in Burnaby in a couple of weeks and there are a lot of collectors there. I will ask around about barrels etc. Thanks again. HACS is Heritage Arms Collector Society if you are not familiar-gun show every month almost near Vancouver.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
Well that gun has probebly only seen around 40 rounds in its life and its in really good condition for how old its is! It hasnt even been shot in over 50 years
I ran a rod and patch thru it and it felt quite sloppy. Bear in mind I clean 2 30 cal rifles with newish barrels and there is some resistance to the patch with a patch ram and in this case if was kinda loose. May be the 30-30 barrel is shot out too. Ill get a smith to check the barrel and see if its worth keeping. Still it would be nice to have something like a 38cal in the herd even if it was more novelty and a lot less trouble than black powder. Almost a crossover piece. Still making up my mind and in no hurry so I will ask some questions of some supply places and see if that doesnt change my mind. If nothing else, a
30-30 barrel is going to be the easiest thing to get. But it isnt about easy is it? Got to be some just plain fun in it too eh?
30-30 barrel is going to be the easiest thing to get. But it isnt about easy is it? Got to be some just plain fun in it too eh?
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
Cool I found out that mine was made in 1903! I wonder what it is worth! Oh and yours would be in the 1913 range! From what I have found on the net 1000-2500$ range! The only problem with this rifle is the bluing there is only about 10-20% the bore is good and everything is tight!
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I checked with a collector a few days ago. Mine not being original barrel and some rust he was willing to pay $200-400. Pretty sure I could get at least a hun for the tang sight alone and a shooting 30-30 should at least get $250 anyways just for a trunk gun. You might want to contact this Winchester collector or at least one to find out what it is worth. Try ahoivic@shaw.ca name is Art Hoivik
and he is in Chilliwack BC 604-858-8039. My rifle might be worth more in parts than the rifle as is but I will explore this some more.
and he is in Chilliwack BC 604-858-8039. My rifle might be worth more in parts than the rifle as is but I will explore this some more.
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A couple of years back, I had both a Win 94 Carbine mfg in 1905 and a Winchester M94 Rifle mfg in 1913 both in .38-55. Reloading is the only way to go. I put at least 2,000 rds through each rifle over the space of 6 years. What a fun cartridge. Brass and Dies from Wholesale Sports, 255 grain RNFP Bullets from the Bullet Barn in BC. Mine loved 10.0 grains of Unique, which gave you the equivalent of Winchester Factory ammo produced today.
Death junky, can we check the date on my rifle again? Dont know if you noticed but my sn is only 5 digits and yours is 6. My figuring is that mine should be older than yours not newer unless I missed something. Just a detail anyways. The sucker is at least an honest 100 years old. Thanks for the info. This may become a project yet.
death-junky
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Moose Jaw SK
whos? mine?
Sorry I though it was 6 that would mean yours is a 1896 model!!!
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