.38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by rondog »

Trailboss wrote:A seller local to me posted a 38-55 rifle with 26" barrel and full magazine. I found the ad on a local grocery store board. I went to take a look and ended up buying it. Made in 1899, crescent butt, only 40% bluing left and the bore is a bit dark. It can group five into around 2 inches at 100 yards. Good enough for deer hunting. I enjoy carrying it during deer season and the best part, it only cost me $300. Sometimes a deal comes up.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Trailboss »

rondog wrote:
Trailboss wrote:A seller local to me posted a 38-55 rifle with 26" barrel and full magazine. I found the ad on a local grocery store board. I went to take a look and ended up buying it. Made in 1899, crescent butt, only 40% bluing left and the bore is a bit dark. It can group five into around 2 inches at 100 yards. Good enough for deer hunting. I enjoy carrying it during deer season and the best part, it only cost me $300. Sometimes a deal comes up.
Wow.....what make?
Oh, sorry, most important part :D

Winchester 1894.

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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by rondog »

Trailboss wrote:
rondog wrote:
Trailboss wrote:A seller local to me posted a 38-55 rifle with 26" barrel and full magazine. I found the ad on a local grocery store board. I went to take a look and ended up buying it. Made in 1899, crescent butt, only 40% bluing left and the bore is a bit dark. It can group five into around 2 inches at 100 yards. Good enough for deer hunting. I enjoy carrying it during deer season and the best part, it only cost me $300. Sometimes a deal comes up.
Wow.....what make?
Oh, sorry, most important part :D

Winchester 1894.

tb
A Winchester 94, made in 1899, .38-55, 26" barrel - for $300???

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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Trailboss »

rondog wrote: A Winchester 94, made in 1899, .38-55, 26" barrel - for $300???

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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by GasGuzzler »

There's one listed on another site yesterday from 1906 for $3500.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Trailboss »

GasGuzzler wrote:There's one listed on another site yesterday from 1906 for $3500.
Ouch! That one is probably in much better condition than mine. Practically every family I knew while I was growing up had at least one Winchester 94 rifle, today, less common.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Ranch Dog »

Trailboss wrote:Practically every family I knew while I was growing up had at least one Winchester 94 rifle, today, less common.
Same here. It was the "AR" of the '40s through '70s.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Missionary »

Dead... Naw just overlooked ! Like most old hy-phanated calibers.
We have at least 4 and would buy another just to have 5.
And if ya reload (poor shooters who do not) why the capabilities are unendable !
Round ball to 320 grainers... wabbits to big ugly under 25 yards... Dead is a good word there.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by m-saunoras »

Not sure if it's been talked about before but I'll ask it here.

I've been looking for a 375 big bore XTR but haven't been able to put my hands on one, I do however know where there is a 94 trails end hunter 38-55. Would you think the modern 38-55 rifle would be able to handle 375 level loads? I have a bunch of 375 win brass to use.
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Re: .38-55? WHY should I consider this all but dead caliber?

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

The impression I get from the "experts" is that 375 Win loads are not safe in a 38-55 regardless of vintage. RD may have a better idea of the risk than I. My 336 will be restricted to 38-55 loads at what ever level squeezes the best accuracy.

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