Does anyone have any top accuracy loads for the 38-55? I will be using commercial cast plain base bullets in Browning 1885, Ruger No.1, and Win 1894. Thanks.

man, can i move this to reloading for you?

38-55 aint even a big hole!! LOL

Some of the proceeds from the sale of Chief Crazy Horse Commemorative Winchester 1894 rifles went to benefit my tribe. Lakota Sioux.

Too bad Winchester didn't make it a Model 1866 to keep it historically accurate and more appealing to those who wax nostalgic over that 1876 event, when Custer got Siouxed.

This would be better served in either:

Reloading Forum
Lever Rifle Forum
Single Shot Rifle Forum
Favorite Loads Forum

Too bad Winchester didn't make it a Model 1866 to keep it historically accurate and more appealing to those who wax nostalgic over that 1876 event, when Custer got Siouxed.[/QUOTE]

They did, in 1966, Want to buy one?

my crazy horse keeps spitting out its magazine tube.

quote:

Originally posted by invader66:
Too bad Winchester didn't make it a Model 1866 to keep it historically accurate and more appealing to those who wax nostalgic over that 1876 event, when Custer got Siouxed.

They did, in 1966, Want to buy one? [/QUOTE]

A Crazy Horse Commemorative Winchester 1866 made in 1966? And is it a 38/55, or what? I gotta look that one up.

1866 made in 1966 in 30-30 so not perfect.

quote:

Too bad Winchester didn't make it a Model 1866 to keep it historically accurate and more appealing to those who wax nostalgic over that 1876 event, when Custer got Siouxed.

No, it is historically accurate to bvuild it in a Model 94, as the Model 94 was the original rifle Winchester made in .38/55.

The Yellow Boy was a .44 Henry rimfire ONLY!! The 38/55 was introduced in 1884, originally as a Ballard target cartridge, and didn't even exist yet on 25 JUN 1876......

Of course. We were just BS-ing on a thread about a 38-55 "big bore." Historically accurate in cartridge and rifle for a Crazy Horse Commemorative 1866 Winchester ain't gonna happen.

Now that El Deguello has set us straight historically on the cartridges, maybe we should go for a Crazy Horse Commemorative Yellow Boy Winchester 1866 in 44-40 or 45LC ... 'cause who can reload rimfires?

I guess I should try this question elsewhere.

You might try the Yahoo cast bullet forum and "cast boolits".

PM me and we can discuss this more. I recently got a 38-55 and have tried 4 or 5 different loads in it. I would have tried more but this summer has been a monsoon.

quote:

Originally posted by ireload2:
You might try the Yahoo cast bullet forum and "cast boolits".

PM me and we can discuss this more. I recently got a 38-55 and have tried 4 or 5 different loads in it. I would have tried more but this summer has been a monsoon.

Tanker:

Look in the Lyman Reloading manuals, I believe it is still in both the 46 and 47 (don't have a 48).

One main consideration when loading the .38/55 is bore & groove diameter. Groove can run from .375" all the way up to .380" or even .382", and this has a real efect on accuracy. Particularly if you choose to use cast bullets in it.

Actually, despite its' low velocity, the .38/55 makes a pretty good deer rifle when loaded to full potential in a strong action. I use the Lyman .375449GC in it and in the .375 H&H w/60 grains of H4831. In both, I load to 1800 FPS, and use the .375 H&H for deer with that bullet. It works.