Fellas, i now have my Win. 94 .38-55 dialed in and with a 200 grain .375 bullet i am getting 2200 fps. Everytime i have this gem out, folks give me the proverbial " nice 30-30!" Rather than tell them its a .38-55 which i always have to explain to them exactly what a .38-55 is, can't i just call it a .375 Win since i am getting the same performance??? What are your thoughts??

I kind of side with the actual proper caliber designation Mark. Explaining stuff is part of the cost (and pleasure) of owning things that are different. 38-55 is a grand old cartridge, I have one in a savage 99. - Dan

Dan, after i sent my post i started reloading some more shells and thought along your same way of thinking on this. I also realize i should have posted in the big bore section as well. Oh well. Dan, i too have a savage 99. Its a C model in .308. I always loved it but after going to Wholesale sports this past Saturday and seeing a Savage 99 their in "dragged behind my Jeep" condition and what they wanted for it, it makes me appreciate my 99 even more.

Just tell 'em it's a ".38" rifle!!

Technically, you're correct to call it a 9.5mm. Okie John

I've got an old 30-30 M-36 Marlin that is still crisp mechanically but the bore is bad. I'm thinking of rebarreling it in 38-55. Is there much difference between the 375Win & the 38-55?

fla3006, the .38/55 case is a little longer, and some of them have a larger groove diameter of .377" or .378", rather than .375". In addition, .375 Win. cases are somewhat heavier in construction, since the .375 Win. is higher-pressure load. I have used both .38/55 and .375 Win. brass to make .32/40 Win./Marlin ammo. Your M36 is not made to handle the higher pressures of the .375 Win., so chamber it for the .38/55, and have it so marked, so the next owner will NOT try to shoot .375 Win. factory ammo in it.

[ 05-08-2003, 18:30: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

Hell yeah...
In fact you can tell them it's a 50 BMG if you want to...

[ 05-10-2003, 03:51: Message edited by: Crosshairs ]

Mark, I to enjoy shooting the 38-55. Mine is on a Win '94 with Oct. barrel. I have had problems finding the correct combination for consistent shooting. It handles factories fine but I have had to go to .380 in lead and still feel it needs a little more- maybe .381 to start grouping tighter. Have you had any problems along those lines?
Frank