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My nephew wants to send me an older Winchester in 38 -55 he claims.Octagon,long barrel blade front sight,but no side plate like a 73.
I have an old 1906 Marlin 94 that sounds the same, but he claims it is a Winchester. Would this be an early 94.I have no other info. Anyone have any photos or information on such a rifle?

If it's a lever action it would be the model 1894

OK thanks

They're worth a lot of money especially in 38-55.

I'm not a huge lever gun fan, although I've owned a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem for about 40 years, and have a Rossi 92 in 45 Colt. But, for some reason, I've always wanted a Winchester in 38-55.

This one followed me home today...
1894 Winchester - 26" half-ocatagon / half-round barrel, 38-55... S/N says it was made in 1901

Love it!

I am shipping several family heirlooms to my nephew and he says in return he will ship me that 38-55.I'm trying to wittle down my firearm count,but don't want to pass this up

I've never had so much fun as I've had with my Savage 1899 in 38-55. I shoot that thing across canyons at rocks and it's very intuitive. Like shooting a 22LR.

The 38/55 is very fun!

Lots of fun, my M336 rebored by JES gets used more than any other gun in my safe. Some of the original 38-55s can be troublesome to load for since groove diameter varied quite a bit. Cast bullets are the way to go, once you've got a throat casting to see what size to use. Loaded light, 10 gr either Unique or Universal, it is a great practice/plinking round. Heavier hunting loads, 4198 or even heavier with 3031, get the job done well out to reasonable iron sight ranges. Starline makes brass in two lengths, I use the 2.082" with complete satisfaction.

Are the rifelings in the model 1894 38/55 Winchester shallower than modern firearms or is the barrel on mine worn?

Yes they were shallower but it's probably worn as well.

That is a big assumption.

Surely it is like new in box if I own it!

Just kidding!

Great news today.

Me and my brother got together built some cartridges for my 38/55 1894.

She shoots just Jim dandy!!!!!!!

That's good to hear.

Thank you!

The barrel is very evenly pitted, but very nice groove and lands exist.

She shot cast sized to .379 with 22 grains h 4198 R.E.M. 9.5 primers. Under two inches 50 yards 5 shot group.

I was extremely happy!

Good to hear. Some bores are so pitted they lead up right away and you can only fire a few shots without cleaning. Usually though a rough bore will still shoot jacketed alright.

Nice, I have to shoot cast bullets at .380" in mine, love it too, Congrats!

.

I shoot .379 or .380 bullets in mine depending on which gun I am using ( I have 6 or 7 38-55 rifles), 10 grains of Unique or Universal in Starline 2.082 cases. Great fun.
Starline also makes a 2.125 case but that is for black powder or breech loading use and not the best for cast bullets.

Some of the older lever guns have the longer chamber. I have a couple of boxes of Dominion 38/55 smokeless loads with 2.125 brass. If I remember correctly, the Uberti repros have the longer chamber also.

I finally got this Winchester Model 94 in 38-55.LGS where I had it shipped to says from the S/N it was made in 1906. Appraised at $2000.

So where to go from here? I have no brass,no bullets..Probably have some powder here that will work.
How do I determine what length of brass it will take. I will probably want to shoot the lightest cast bullet I can find due to a replaced right shoulder.. Should I just go for it and order some .380 bullets or maybe slug the bore first?

The bore doesn't look too bad, it is not shiny,but rifling looks pretty good.Overall condition is too bad.

The cowboy action shooter ammo would be a good place to start.

Gnoahhh is a wealth of knowledge for cast.

I got one with me but let me look if I got the recipe. Mine slugged right at .379.

I slugged mine today and the closest I could measure with a 4 place mike was .379. So I guess I will go with.380 bullets.The Starline website says to go with 2.125 brass.I can always trim it back if needed.

I reached out to my brother I will call him today. His name is gnarly bob on this sight. He has the load specs we used for my ammo I am using.

Thanks.Look forward to the info

Can you resize 30-30 brass for the 38-55?

Angus, Angus.....Angus.
What am I going to do with you?? Ya'll already posted the recipe....

mine is a mod 94 made in 1897. redone some time in the past. looks almost new but way too good to be so old.

You can but crimping will probably be a no go, as they will be on the short side. Starline brass is not cheap, but it is good.

It's been a few years ... I remember having trouble splitting necks when I expanded the .30-30. Annealing helped. It was a bit short but worked ok without a crimp in my single shot. My neighbor gave me a modified crimp die for use in my lever. He shortened it on his lathe.

Once Starline started making .38-55 I switched and have not looked back. It's worth every extra penny.