New Lever Gun - Winchester 1894 Sporter - 38-55

[Cast10]

I’ve been trying to select a lever gun for some time. I wanted a bigger bore, mainly for hogs and ‘what if’. I also wanted a Winchester, one that was iconic and nostalgic. Nothing fits the bill better than a 1894 and a 38-55. This is a brand new rifle. Sure is purdy!

Also was able to pickup some ammo at the local gun show; Aardvark Labs 38-55 Winchester using Starline short brass and 250 lead FP.

Already have been secretly reading all the 38-55/Winchester/Lead Bullet threads. It never fails to amaze me how knowledgeable you guys are!

I’ve got some cerrosafe ordered and will cast the chamber and bore to be sure. Thinking of the Lee 379-250-RF to start with. Looking for IMR4198 now. I’m sure I’ll have some questions for you experts along the way. TIA

[Winger Ed.]

Very good!

Nothing wrong with Lee molds, but I'd celebrate and get one of the high end custom ones.
No particular reason other than they're real Cadillacs, great to use, and cool to have.

[FergusonTO35]

Awesome! I've been drooling over those for some time now.

[missionary5155]

If Not buying new look for a 1894 30-30 and have it JES Rebored.

[Shawlerbrook]

I will second missionary. JES does good work fast and reasonable. A favorite 38 55 load is your cast over 9-10 grs of Unique.

[Pereira]

Nice, any pics?
Also, 15.0grs of 2400 with a 250-255gr is a sweet shooter, in mine.

RP

[Cast10]

Nice, any pics?
Also, 15.0grs of 2400 with a 250-255gr is a sweet shooter, in mine.

RP

Good to know. I’m gonna try some IMR 4198 first. Like what I read about its characteristics, which seem to fit this cartridge well. I’m hoping for something good in the 1400-1600 range. It seems like the slower it goes the better penetration. My alloy at 11.2 BHN does expand a bit but I also like the penetration possibilities on big hogs!

Saw a video of a 255gr lead PC with BP that was 1399fps go through three blocks of gel and into a hardwood 2” more; total 48”. WOW!

310152

[freakonaleash]

Nifty. I bought a Ollie Winchester commemorative a few weeks ago. Never cared much for commemoratives but this one has a pretty slick action. All I have are .377 bullets so I rolled a few cartridges with 21gr of 5744 and will pop them off today since it's finally above freezing. It mics about .378-9 so I don't have high hopes for accuracy....

[Cast10]

Nifty. I bought a Ollie Winchester commemorative a few weeks ago. Never cared much for commemoratives but this one has a pretty slick action. All I have are .377 bullets so I rolled a few cartridges with 21gr of 5744 and will pop them off today since it's finally above freezing. It mics about .378-9 so I don't have high hopes for accuracy....

Yeah. It seems like the latest model has a 375 bore per Winchester. I’m gonna cast the chamber/barrel anyway just to see. Let us know how it shoots!

[Pereira]

Cast10, on the 4198. The guy I bought my Cowboy from used it for long range dinger ringing.
His favorite load was a 260gr. pill over 21.0 grs. of 4198. this one has a bit larger bore and a .380 or .381 seem to better.
Lol, I haven't tried any long range stuff but at 100 yds. it does quite well when I do my part.

RP

[Pereira]

Nifty. I bought a Ollie Winchester commemorative a few weeks ago. Never cared much for commemoratives but this one has a pretty slick action. All I have are .377 bullets so I rolled a few cartridges with 21gr of 5744 and will pop them off today since it's finally above freezing. It mics about .378-9 so I don't have high hopes for accuracy....

I have been looking at those for the past 6 mons.
Like you have never been hung up on any kind of the commemorative molds, but that one has just seemed to be gaining more and more interesting. And it's not like I "need" another lever gun.

RP

[Cast10]

So, I’ve read some low numbers for IMR4198, while the Lyman 4 has it at min 24 max 25.8 for a 249gr boolit. Kinda trying to figure velocities. Anyone with real world numbers, Much Appreciative.

250gr. Boolit w/ IMR4198 in a 24” bbl.

Oh, btw, Periera; GO GET IT!

[flatnose]

Nothing beats 4759 in the 38-55 but sadly discontinued. Next choice is 5744. After that it is Shooters world buffalo powder. Been there done that.

[Cast10]

Nothing beats 4759 in the 38-55 but sadly discontinued. Next choice is 5744. After that it is Shooters world buffalo powder. Been there done that.

I’ll keep that in mind.

[Pereira]

I have no clue to the velocity of the load I posted above. I do know that he quite regularly shot it out to 660 yds.
And on one occasion that I heard about hit the 900 yd gong with it.

All this talk, and I pulled mine out and tried a load that a friend suggested. He shoots it in a Cowboy like mine and one of the newer Henrys.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230206/022c3984f64f0cd2e10d623480a56731.jpg

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

[Cast10]

Sweeeeeet!

[freakonaleash]

I ended up using 22gr of 5744 in my first outing with the Ollie Winchester in 38 55. The bore mics at .378 but all I have on hand is 249gr that mic at .377. Seemed to shoot well, but I was shooting at steel gongs at 50 yards so I don't know exactly how well. I was surprised it shot well with the undersized bullet. I have a mold coming that should drop at .379 or so. We'll see what happens then. The 22gr 5744 load is extremely mild.

[Griff]

You do know that Winchester changed the model to simply "94" in the 1920s, right? And the new ones are called a 94AE.

[Cast10]

You do know that Winchester changed the model to simply "94" in the 1920s, right? And the new ones are called a 94AE.

My Winchester box the rifle came in states; Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle.
Model: M94 SPTR RND/OCT 24” S 38-55 Win

All current models are scope mountable, thus no more AE designation. I have an original AE in 307.

I do know Winchester markets it at ‘94’. Yes.

[FergusonTO35]

The short rifle variant is the one I want! Yummy.

[Cast10]

@freakonaleash - Sounds like your dialing it in!

I’m having problems getting some powder. But, I have some IMR4895 on hand, so decided to give it a run. Haven’t got the dies yet. One less thing to worry about.

I’m going to shoot it first, but think I’m going to put a Skinner peep on it.

Anyone have experience with IMR4895 in 38-55, feel free to post, TIA.

[freakonaleash]

I got a Lee mold in the mail for a 250 gr bullet that drops at .379. I cast a bunch yesterday. I hope to lube them today and get some loaded. They have a bevel base that I have doubts about but we'll see what happens.

[Cast10]

I got a Lee mold in the mail for a 250 gr bullet that drops at .379. I cast a bunch yesterday. I hope to lube them today and get some loaded. They have a bevel base that I have doubts about but we'll see what happens.

Sounds good! My Lee 379-250-RF came in yesterday……..Let me know how that goes.

[freakonaleash]

Sounds good! My Lee 379-250-RF came in yesterday……..Let me know how that goes.

Same exact mold!

[T-Bird]

That boolit shoots well in my JES rebore. I shoot 16.5gr IMR 4227 w/ dacron. Is about 1350fps

[Cast10]

Sounds good T-bird.
I’ve got IMR4895 on hand and will try my first loads with it. I’m shooting for 1400-1600 with a powder coated bullet. I have a chrony, so will eventually get some data. Lyman data uses 30” test barrel, so I’m at a loss for loads/velocities. I’ll have to compare what I get and stay within the pressure limits, as written by Lyman. I’m pretty sure this rifle is designed for much more, but my mission is not to ‘rattle it loose’ with high velocity loads.
Anyone use IMR4895 and a 250gr cast bullet?