Marlin 1889 in 38-55 and factory ammo

[curiousgeorge]

I'm starting a new adventure with a Marlin 1889 in 38-55 in very good condition. I have picked up a box of Winchester Legendary Frontiersmen factory ammo from a member here.

My question is if factory ammo is safe to shoot in this rifle. I will be reloading back to black powder pressure levels. I would prefer to shoot this ammo and then load back, but will break down for components if needed.

Any and all advice will be appreciated.

[pietro]

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I would rather break the modern ammo down instead of risking damage to a rifle that's 120-130 years old....…..

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[Eddie Southgate]

Would not hesitate a minute to shoot it in the Marlin . Should be pretty low pressure like the regular 255 gr Super X .

[ulav8r]

Winchester ammo should be safe in any 38/55 except for maybe some of the earliest Ballards. I know practically nothing about any of the Ballards, just seem to remember that someone once said that the earliest Ballards were weaker than later ones.

[fordwannabe]

Uhmm the marlin 1889 is a pistol caliber gun. Either you have the model wrong or the caliber. Is it marked 38wCF by any chance? That would be 38-40. Please make sure before something bad happens.

[JimB..]

Come on man, we want pics of this rifle!

[David LaPell]

Are you sure this isn't a Marlin 1893? The 1889 was only in small calibers, the .32-20, .38-40 and was the step up the 1894. I once had an 1889 in .32-20 so I know it's a smaller action.

As far as the ammo,
I have an 1894 Winchester in .38-55 made in 1895 and it handles the factory Winchester ammo just fine. I would however avoid the old Canadian Imperial ammunition should you run across any. The Winchester factory 255 grain ammo is listed as being 1,320 fps. The old Imperial ammo is 1,600 fps and I have shot it before, not in the gun I have now and it is definitely hotter, avoid that. I would also stay away from Buffalo Bore. I think that stuff is hotter as well. Learn to handload, if anything, for the cost of it.

[50target]

Wasn't the Marlin model 1881 made in 38-55. If so that action is a little on the delicate side.

[.45Cole]

I'd say its a 1881 mfg in 1889. Does it have a cool sliding "door" for the loading gate that slides forward toward the mag tube? The marlin 1881's are super distinct -

[.45Cole]

I know you guys like leverporn so I'll toss in a pic of my 1881 mfg 1885 40-60 early large frame. Anybody have parts for these?