While surfing through the web, I saw that Davidson's Gallery of Guns is posting a limited run of new Winchester 1885s in .38-55 Win, 405 Win. .45-70 Govt, and .45-90. They are being built by Miruko (sp?) of Japan. This is the same mfg. that had built the Browning O/U (as I recall) and the Browning 1885s of a few years back. IMHO, they did a good job.

I am interested in the .38-55 Win, but I don't have much experience with that cartridge. The purpose for this rifle is for C.A.S. as it meets S.A.S.S. rules.

Is anyone familar with this rifle and/or cartridge. The Lands are .373 and grooves are .379.

Thanks

Some info here.

I'm familiar with the .38-55 and have one on an original 1885.

Your groove/land measurements seem a bit odd to me. Modern barrels are typically .368/.375 or so. Your land diameters suggest to me that this barrel is not a Badger barrel as the earlier Browning bpcr rifles were - and it was these rifles that really performed well.

Beyond that, .38-55 is a fine cartridge and quite mild. I killed an antelope with mine last fall using a 317 gr Hoch tapered bullet and 45 gr of Swiss 1.5 fg.

Brent

Brent

They (Davidson's) posted the 'lands/groove' measurements on their website. My guess is that Winchester was thinking of bullets for the 375 Win? I don't know that to be a fact.

Cast bullet would be my primary focus.

On the site you posted go to the top left and click open the GUNGALLERY window, then LIMITED and SpECIAL EDITIONS . then scrol down to the first US REPEATINGARMS...1885 , then under the pic see READ GUN REVIEW ...click here and see info on the 38-55 as loaded in a Marlin by an author on a bear hunt. He gives some load data and velocities

Murf

Thanks.

Very dumb to offer these heavy recoiling rifles with a crescent buttplate, especially the .405.

Vigillinus,
the crescent butt serves a purpose, but it is not intended to be held like a shotgun butt, tight into your shoulder. It should go out on your arm a little ways. Just like an old Hawken or similar muzzleloader. Few folks seem to actually realize this. The hook of the crescent will help balance a muzzle heavy rifle.

Brent