.38-55 Today - Page 2

Jim Watson · August 15, 2018, 09:51 PM

I bought a .38-55 Winchester Single Shot for CAS side matches. Loaded hard cast bullets and smokeless. Got into BPCR and the rifle has not seen anything since but black. Groove diameter is .378" so .379" as cast bullets are just enough.

CoastRange · September 4, 2018, 11:21 PM

"Surprised no one has mentioned that the 38-55, as a straight-walled cartridge, is legal for hunting deer in Ohio. Maybe other states with similar restrictions. I agree the 30-30 is a better round. But you can't use it here." --ligonierbill

Wow! I hadn't heard the .30-30 was an illegal round anywhere for deer (except shotgun only areas.) Is there a sane reason?

Based on ?: ballistics, energy, bullet diameter, fps, range?

If .38-55, then why not .30 WCF?

Your deer must have a magic shield and the .38-55 is the only 1894 cartridge that will penetrate the spell!

What about the .25-35, 32-40, .32 WS? Illegal?

I can't understand why it would be an unsatisfactory deer cartridge.

Old Stony · September 5, 2018, 02:51 AM

I shot a buck a few years back with a Marlin 38/55 using jacketed bullets. It shoots very nice and did a nice job on the Whitetail.

ligonierbill · September 5, 2018, 05:51 AM

CoastRange: Sane reason? No, just the Ohio DNR rules. No bottleneck cartridges. Actually a big improvement over the prior regs. It has to do with the perceived hazard of cartridges that carry a long distance. No, 30-30 is not legal for deer in Ohio. Of course, if you're hunting coyotes or groundhogs, you can use whatever you want. But them's the rules.

CoastRange · September 5, 2018, 03:29 PM

Sounds about right-- common sense=POOF

Sure Shot Mc Gee · September 5, 2018, 04:12 PM

Lead has been shot more often with this antiquated cartridge than jacketed.
38-55 is a dandy close range big game (deer size) stopper and also known to be quite accurate at longer range's than most shooters gave it credit for. It's only problem it has no Parent brass as it is a Parent brass for many other winchester cartridge brass.

That is the reason why I won't own one but shoot a replacement i.e. >32-40.

Jim Watson · September 5, 2018, 06:14 PM

Ha ha

gw44 · September 24, 2018, 07:10 PM

I load for the 38-55 & 375 Marlin one in the same, no lead or cast bullets no-no-no I want to have fun !!!

Shootrj2003 · October 4, 2018, 09:49 PM

I knew why I wanted to Pass by Ohio and go straight to Texas.

ligonierbill · October 5, 2018, 01:04 PM

Yeah, the Texas deer are a whole lot easier to carry, too.

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August 15, 2018, 09:51 PM	#26
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	I bought a .38-55 Winchester Single Shot for CAS side matches. Loaded hard cast bullets and smokeless. Got into BPCR and the rifle has not seen anything since but black. Groove diameter is .378" so .379" as cast bullets are just enough.

September 4, 2018, 11:21 PM	#27
CoastRange Junior Member Join Date: February 9, 2017 Posts: 9	"Surprised no one has mentioned that the 38-55, as a straight-walled cartridge, is legal for hunting deer in Ohio. Maybe other states with similar restrictions. I agree the 30-30 is a better round. But you can't use it here." --ligonierbill Wow! I hadn't heard the .30-30 was an illegal round anywhere for deer (except shotgun only areas.) Is there a sane reason? Based on ?: ballistics, energy, bullet diameter, fps, range? If .38-55, then why not .30 WCF? Your deer must have a magic shield and the .38-55 is the only 1894 cartridge that will penetrate the spell! What about the .25-35, 32-40, .32 WS? Illegal? I can't understand why it would be an unsatisfactory deer cartridge.

September 5, 2018, 02:51 AM	#28
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	I shot a buck a few years back with a Marlin 38/55 using jacketed bullets. It shoots very nice and did a nice job on the Whitetail.

September 5, 2018, 05:51 AM	#29
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	CoastRange: Sane reason? No, just the Ohio DNR rules. No bottleneck cartridges. Actually a big improvement over the prior regs. It has to do with the perceived hazard of cartridges that carry a long distance. No, 30-30 is not legal for deer in Ohio. Of course, if you're hunting coyotes or groundhogs, you can use whatever you want. But them's the rules.

September 5, 2018, 03:29 PM	#30
CoastRange Junior Member Join Date: February 9, 2017 Posts: 9	Sounds about right-- common sense=POOF

September 5, 2018, 04:12 PM	#31
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Lead has been shot more often with this antiquated cartridge than jacketed. 38-55 is a dandy close range big game (deer size) stopper and also known to be quite accurate at longer range's than most shooters gave it credit for. It's only problem it has no Parent brass as it is a Parent brass for many other winchester cartridge brass. That is the reason why I won't own one but shoot a replacement i.e. >32-40.

September 5, 2018, 06:14 PM	#32
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	Ha ha

September 24, 2018, 07:10 PM	#33
gw44 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 311	I load for the 38-55 & 375 Marlin one in the same, no lead or cast bullets no-no-no I want to have fun !!!

October 4, 2018, 09:49 PM	#34
Shootrj2003 Member Join Date: August 12, 2007 Posts: 24	I knew why I wanted to Pass by Ohio and go straight to Texas.

October 5, 2018, 01:04 PM	#35
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	Yeah, the Texas deer are a whole lot easier to carry, too.