Winchester 94 in 38-55 loads

[Tac20]

Hi I have a model 94 in 38-55 legendary frontiersman all loads I see for the 38-55 seemed to be based on old early models with relative low velocity would it be safe for this action to go to loads around 1800 fps or there about ? I’ve seen you tube videos of levergun 50 getting even 2000 fps thou I don’t want to go that hot thanks

[Cast10]

I’m gonna guess that due to this cartridge being a vey old one, and lots of older rifles are still out there, most data is cautionary and a bit on the safer side.

I’ve got a new 94 in 38-55 and load to 1577 fps due to accuracy/consistency. I’ve loaded up to 1757 fps with no issues nor accuracy. These are 250gr Lee boolits powder coated.

Also, my rifle shoots consistently 200 fps faster than any data I use. I spoke with Winchester and the tech there told me his 86 does the same thing; different twist rate.

I’m sure someone with a LF rifle will add in…….Best of luck to ya and monitor each shot for signs of pressure; work up diligently.

[Texas by God]

You can duplicate 30-30 load pressures in your rifle.
I’ve found that loading past 1500 fps with the 250 gr Lee in my 38-55 carbine ceases to be fun due to the checkered steel buttplate stamping my shoulder……


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[MarkP]

Older Alliant complimentary guides have RL 7 data. Also Hodgdon has 4198 data. There used to be a link somewhere on this site to legacy complimentary guides. I have shot both in my 94 Chief Crazy Horse.

[marvelshooter]

I load a coated Lee 250 grain boolit over 10 grains of Unique. I don't own a chronograph but it is soft shooting and plenty accurate.

[ulav8r]

Original 38-55 loadings ran Below 1300 fps, but just a few years later a hunting load was developed for stronger actions such as the Model 94. Those were loaded to 1800 fps.

[indian joe]

Original 38-55 loadings ran Below 1300 fps, but just a few years later a hunting load was developed for stronger actions such as the Model 94. Those were loaded to 1800 fps.

1800 with a 250 grain ??? that would be plenty and then some I reckon!!

The 375 Big Bore sent a 220 grain out at 2100-2200 (Hornady data) That ran at pressures way above the 38/55 and Winchester strengthened the 94 action in order to take the extra --I think 1500 would be a more realistic maximum for the 250 grain in a 38/55.

[Shawlerbrook]

I’ll second the 9-10 grs of Unique under a 240-250 gr cast bullet. That’s what I shoot in my 1900 vintage Marlin 1893.

[Pereira]

I shoot a Marlin Cowboy 24" barrel, likes been mentioned 10 grs of Unique with the 240,243 &250s.
I also like 15grs of 2400 with the 250-255s, and a 255-260 with 21 grs 4198.
A buddy of mine used the last one for some serious long range shootin, with the very rifle I own.

RP

[Kai]

24gr of Imr-4198 should get you pretty close with a 250gr jfp.. Your rifle with modern steels should have no issues with the hotter loads.

[TomAM]

The load I use in my 38-55 94XTR (labeled as a 375 Win) is 1826fps with a 200 grain 38-200AG design, using 5744.

[FergusonTO35]

Read up on what Buffalo Bore has to say about the topic: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=159

[farmbif]

dont have 38-55 but when loading the 375 win to 38-55 levels with 250 grain boo lit I use 20-22 grains 4198 gets me about 1600 fps. with these loads no need for gas check boollit design and shoots good in both the winchester and marlin

[indian joe]

Read up on what Buffalo Bore has to say about the topic: https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=159

Buffalo bore???
If this is correct information we have to wonder what on earth the gurus at winchester were thinking when they cobbled together the original 375 big bore combo
shorten the case - still allows it to be chambered in old Blackpowder era guns
thicken the case walls
reduce powder capacity - and then ran it at 52,000 instead of a possible 38,000 ...............................

[jreidthompson1]

A possible explanation

https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/38-55-in-a-win-375-model-94.357521/post-4685414

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[FergusonTO35]

Buffalo bore???
If this is correct information we have to wonder what on earth the gurus at winchester were thinking when they cobbled together the original 375 big bore combo
shorten the case - still allows it to be chambered in old Blackpowder era guns
thicken the case walls
reduce powder capacity - and then ran it at 52,000 instead of a possible 38,000 ...............................

Well, Winchester wasn't really known for good decision making in those days...

[shdwlkr]

So winchester made new cherries for .375 winchester, but it is possible to use the short 38-55 brass? Were the early bb's cut with 38-55 cherries? Can you use 38-55 bullets safely in a bb? Jbullets or just lead? If you are using the jbullets for 38-55 in bb aren't you increasing pressure as it is sized down to .375 diameter? Just questions I have may not be an issue

[TomAM]

That thread on the Ruger form is quite informative, but I'm surprised that the author never slugged the bore to find that the real groove diameter of 375s made by Marlin and Winchester are .378+ diameter.
It seams that those two manufacturers never even had any 375 Win chamber reamers, nor used barrels of that bore diameter.

As for brass length, I have encountered 375 Win chambers long enough to easily accept the longer Starline 38-55, but one gun was a bit shorter, using the shorter Starline 38-55 brass.

[farmbif]

I lubesize bullets for the 375 at .377. with the short starline 38-55 brass I found it better to resize, seat and crimp with 375 die rather than the larger 38-55 dies and with jacketed 375 bullets found it absolutely necessary to run the 38-55 brass though size die in order for bullet to not just slip into the shell.

[farmbif]

That thread on the Ruger form is quite informative, but I'm surprised that the author never slugged the bore to find that the real groove diameter of 375s made by Marlin and Winchester are .378+ diameter.
It seams that those two manufacturers never even had any 375 Win chamber reamers, nor used barrels of that bore diameter.

As for brass length, I have encountered 375 Win chambers long enough to easily accept the longer Starline 38-55, but one gun was a bit shorter, using the shorter Starline 38-55 brass.

I never slugged either of mine and have a hard time believing the bore on 375 barrel is .378. I have never had a leading problem and if barrel was .378 and my cast bullets measure .377 I think I would have had leading problems by now.
that rumor of .378 in winchester 375 win barrel is complete poppycock. the barrel they measured must be seriously shot out. I just measured a new old stock 375 win barrel I have. ive had it for many years and never even took it out of plastic sleeve. with a very accurate micrometer with 4 0's behind the decimal point and it measures right on the money at .375. I could not get accurate measurement on the marlin barrel which has been used and is on gun because of the microgroove rifling

[Kai]

I never slugged either of mine and have a hard time believing the bore on 375 barrel is .378. I have never had a leading problem and if barrel was .378 and my cast bullets measure .377 I think I would have had leading problems by now.
that rumor of .378 in winchester 375 win barrel is complete poppycock. the barrel they measured must be seriously shot out. I just measured a new old stock 375 win barrel I have. ive had it for many years and never even took it out of plastic sleeve. with a very accurate micrometer with 4 0's behind the decimal point and it measures right on the money at .375. I could not get accurate measurement on the marlin barrel which has been used and is on gun because of the microgroove rifling

I have 2 Winchester 1894s in 38-55, a rifle from 1902 and a carbine from 1914. The barrels slug .378. My cast bullets from Lyman 375248 are sized to .379. Not sure about Marlin but early Winchester bore diameters were on the large size. Not sure what kind of 375 gun you have but you might be surprised if you actually slugged the bore, especially if it is an older Winchester.

[farmbif]

the winchester 38-55's from what I understand have larger bores than those chambered for 375 win, I dont have nor ever had a gun chambered in 38-55 an only know what I have read about them. what I have is winchester big bore model 94 xtr 375 win built in 1979 I believe, and a new spare barrel that was still in original factory wrapping until today when I put the micrometer to it. and a marlin model 375 which is chambered for 375 win. both the winchester and the spare winchester 94 xtr 375 barrel both have a barrel groove measurement of exactly .375

[freakonaleash]

I have two winchesters in 38 55. The have .380 bores
My old marlin measures .381. My old savage measures. 380. They all shoot .381 255gr bullets exceptionally well using black powder. I occasionally use a duplex load for extended shooting sessions.

[TomAM]

Even if using an inside micrometer properly equipped with the correct feelers for diametric use, you'll get more accurate results from a slug.