38-55 Strikes.....Twice!!

Eagleye

Eagleye

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I bought a Legendary Frontiersman Model 94 Winchester earlier this year, and developed a decent load with the Barnes original 255 grain FPSP [[1700 fps. groups just over 1" @ 100 with aperture sights] Went to the Peace River Country this weekend and shot two Whitetail deer with it, one a 140ish Buck and the other antlerless. Neither shot was over 60 yards, but that 38-55 puts them down with authority. Smaller deer ran about 40 yards, but was dead on it's feet. Buck DRT with a shot through both lungs. Buck was still in good shape, without any smell. Pics will be posted as soon as I get the film developed [old technology] ;) :D Regards, Eagleye
 
38-55 loads

Pretty nice performance, from that 94, what was the load? powder wise, if it's not too much of a secret? always been impressed by the 38-55, used it on feral hogs in Georgia, a couple of times, but those were cast bullets at aproximately factory ballistics, first one was one shot kill, second one needed a finishing shot, bit more power would would have been handy, once again congratulations, regards Bully.
 
Pudelpointer said:
Glad to here there is a better 38-55 outcome then that other fellows experience.

Old and slow can get the job done just fine.
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I believe there would be a considerable difference between the factory loads available and my handloads. I chronographed a few Winchester 255 factory loads and the average was 1255 in my 24" barrel. My reloads are leaving at 1700+ and pack a lot more whallop than do the factory offerings. That may well explain the difference in deer reaction to the shot.

Bully; I do not mind sharing at all! I am using the Barnes original 255 grain Flat nose soft point [.377" diameter, specifically designed for the 38-55] loaded in a 38-55 case using the Remington 9½ primer and 31.0 grains of H322. I have been a bit higher, but cannot recommend more powder since it seemed that this load shot well and displayed normal pressure signs. If you are shooting a vintage 38-55, I would approach this load from below carefully, and stop when the chrony reads about 1650. The Barnes has a long bearing surface. I am busy developing a load for a 285 grain, .379" diameter cast gas check bullet for this rifle. I am hoping to get 1600 or so out of it. Should be the cat's a** on game at modest ranges. Regards, Eagleye.
 
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Nine said:
Good stuff!

But....

What is this "Film" you speak of? :confused:

:D
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I believe it is in the same category as "Carburetor" ;) :D I actually carry an older Pentax 35mm around with me, since batteries tend to last a long time in it compared to the digital I own. When you are out and about at -20ºC, cold batteries and high demands are not always compatible. Thus the "film" camera of which I speak. Regards, Eagleye.
 
My Dad hunted with the 38 55 winchester 94 hexagon barrel 255 grain bullets his entire life I have it now I love it and seen it
bring down many bucks and a few Bears .Great rifle you have made me think
I should dust it off and use it this coming season
Thanks ,
 
Eagleeye: Did you slug the bore of your new Winny? I'd be surprised if it's not a .375 bore. I have shot a few deer with my Sav 1899 in 38-55 using K Waters standard load of 35gn of 3031 @ approx 17-1800fps, I use the MUCH cheaper .375 dia Horn 220gn FPs. My Sav has a .375 bore & shoots amazingly well with them & drops deer with athority.
 
There was always two loads for the 38-55 and two case lengths .A low velocity at 1300fps and a warmer one 1600+ In a modern / or nickle steel barrel 1894.........deer leave a bloodtrail Stevie Wonder could follow.................377-379 bore
 
I have had a couple of 94's in 38-55.My youngest son shot a great Black Bear when he was just starting to hunt.(6.5'-7')
The load he used was 255 gr Hawk FP CCI-200 Pr.27.0 gr of H-322.
I am playing with Black Powder in one now,Seem's to shoot great.Both rifles have the long octagon BBL'S (28-30")
I would like to shoot a moose or elk with the 38-55 with the Black Powder load's this fall.
It is an awsome caliber.
 
Gatehouse said:
Never had a 38-55 but always thought it would be a cool cartridge to use. Especially using modern brass in a modern rifle.;)
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I used to think that but at one time I also had a 375BB & used the brass to see how much more velocity I could get in a .38-55...none! The straight cases never seem to have the pressure spicks bottlenecks do.
 
reb said:
I have had a couple of 94's in 38-55.My youngest son shot a great Black Bear when he was just starting to hunt.(6.5'-7')
The load he used was 255 gr Hawk FP CCI-200 Pr.27.0 gr of H-322.
I am playing with Black Powder in one now,Seem's to shoot great.Both rifles have the long octagon BBL'S (28-30")
I would like to shoot a moose or elk with the 38-55 with the Black Powder load's this fall.
It is an awsome caliber.
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Those are some rare 94s if they both have 28-30" Oct barrels!
 
senior said:
Eagleeye: Did you slug the bore of your new Winny? I'd be surprised if it's not a .375 bore. I have shot a few deer with my Sav 1899 in 38-55 using K Waters standard load of 35gn of 3031 @ approx 17-1800fps, I use the MUCH cheaper .375 dia Horn 220gn FPs. My Sav has a .375 bore & shoots amazingly well with them & drops deer with athority.
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Senior; I did in fact slug the bore of my New Winchester. The measurement comes in right at .3775" I cannot shoot that Hornady 220 grain in my rifle, although it would seem possible. Every load I tried keyholed at 35 yards or so. The .375" - 255 grain Barnes Jacketed soft point shoots just fine, but not as well as the .377" - 255 grainer designed specifically for the 38-55. Additionally, to get the correct COL with the .375 variety, one must use the shorter 375 Winchester brass, or else the cartridge is too long tho cycle through the 94 action. I am using cast bullets, sized at .379 - .380 with great success in this rifle. I have some in 240, 255, 265 and 285 grain weights. I like H322 and Benchmark, but several powders, including 3031 & RL7 work just fine. Regards, Eagleye.
 
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