Winchester 94 sporter 38-55

[EOD3]

Does anyone have first hand experience with this rifle and possibly loading for it.

I'm specifically interested in the "real" bore diameter.

TIA 3

[JRPVT]

TIA 3, many years ago, I slugged the bbl of an old .38-55 we had,IIRC it was around .380-.381. They will vary a lot, so slug it and cast what you need. I wasted a lot before I did that, afterwards, some tuning and they printed under 3" at 100 yds. JRPVT

[JHeath]

Think by "Sporter" the OP means a Miroku Winchester. I'm interested too.

[TXGunNut]

Closest thing I have is a pre-Miroku Legendary Frontiersman, it needs a .379 boolit. Presently feeding it with a Lyman 380681 but just jumped in on the NOE GB 379449. My other 38-55 is a 1901 vintage but it's taste in loads and boolits is remarkably similar to the LF. Both like somewhere around 30 grns of 3031 or about 43 grs of OE FFg.
Be sure to read the article in the Starline site about the two different lengths of brass, very enlightening.

[EOD3]

You're correct JHeath, I'm considering buying one of the new rifles BUT, I'm not even slightly interested in a "do-over" of the problems I have/had with my only other 38-55. Some of the guys here probably remember my effort to get the rifle to shoot at all. 90 degree keyhole at 25 yards. It looks like the barrel is actually larger than the chamber.

It would be nice to use some of the brass/boolets I already have.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Every thing I have read by owners of this model state it has a very consistent .377 groove. If I was in the market for a new in the box 38-55 I would buy one. But I find it just as good to send JES Reboring a rusty bore 94 and have him bore it to 38-55. His barrels end up just as nice not fat throated and take a .377 bullet nicely. But it still is a used 94.
I have a couple of the jap 86 models and those barrels are very well made and very accurate. Not fat throated. Both barrels the same .457 diameter.
Mike in Peru

[EOD3]

Thanks missionary, exactly what I needed to know.