Trying out some home-made 38-55 bullets (photos)

[Win 38-55]

I've been sitting on my own private stash of home-made 38-55 bullets for years. These are 250 grain JFP, swaged to .377, made by a fellow I used to know but have lost track of him. I figured it is time to find an RL-7 load for them somewhere between 1,500 and 1,600 fps. I loaded up 5 rounds over 28 grains of RL-7. The next step is to try them out at 100 yards, chonographing them as I go to determine both velocity and accuracy. I only have one 38-55 at present, a special order Winchester Model 1894 shipped with a specified four-cartridge magazine in 1905 that is in magnificent condition. Here is a photo of the cartridges and my 38-55.

 

[H4831]

That rifle sure looks a lot better than my Model 94 in 38-55 calibre, made in either 1905 or 1906, depending what set of Winchester date of manufacture figures you use. Your tang sight looks a little different, also. Did you ever take it off to see what number it is? Mine is a Lyman 4 D A.
And I only have two old Dominion factory cartridges!
Oh well, mine spent its life as a ranch rifle, so actually came through it pretty well, and amazingly, I don't think it has ever had a screw removed from it anywhere, except the tang was an add on. It still functions perfectly. I think those old Model 94 actions were better than the later, pre 64 actions.
Bruce

 

[Win 38-55]

Bruce, the tang sight is an original Marbles that I had laying around. Since I have a hard time focusing on that front sight, I put the tang sight on to help me out.