.38-55 Winchester
Encyclopedia
The .38-55 Winchester cartridge
is named for its approximately .38 caliber bullet (actually .3775 caliber) and was introduced in 1876 by Ballard which belonged to Marlin Firearms from 1875 on for various single-shot target rifles and in their 1893 lever action. It was later used by Winchester
for its Model 1894 lever-action
rifle. Winchester continued to use the round in various rifles until about 1940, and also used it in a few commemorative editions of rifles since then. Also Marlin used this caliber in some 336 models.
A modernized version of the cartridge debuted in 1978 as the .375 Winchester
, designed with higher pressures and to be used in modern firearms only. It is not safe to fire factory .375 Win ammunition in rifles chambered in 38-55, especially in older versions of the 38-55. The brass is very similar (identical in some cases) but using modern, higher pressure .375 loads in an older rifle could cause serious injury to the shooter.
The .38-55 is renowned for its exceptional accuracy at ranges up to 330 yards. It is often used to hunt black bear and deer at moderate ranges, and is also used in Cowboy Action Shooting
sidematches.
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
is named for its approximately .38 caliber bullet (actually .3775 caliber) and was introduced in 1876 by Ballard which belonged to Marlin Firearms from 1875 on for various single-shot target rifles and in their 1893 lever action. It was later used by Winchester
Winchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American maker of repeating firearms, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Winchester brand is today used under license by two subsidiaries of the Herstal Group, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and the Browning Arms Company of Morgan, Utah.-...
for its Model 1894 lever-action
Lever-action
Lever-action is a type of firearm action which uses a lever located around the trigger guard area, to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when the lever is worked. Most lever-action firearms are rifles, but lever-action shotguns and a few pistols have also been made...
rifle. Winchester continued to use the round in various rifles until about 1940, and also used it in a few commemorative editions of rifles since then. Also Marlin used this caliber in some 336 models.
A modernized version of the cartridge debuted in 1978 as the .375 Winchester
.375 Winchester
The .375 Winchester is a modernized version of the .38-55 Winchester, a black powder cartridge from the 1880s. .375 Winchester was introduced in 1978 along with the Winchester Model 94 “Big Bore” lever action rifle....
, designed with higher pressures and to be used in modern firearms only. It is not safe to fire factory .375 Win ammunition in rifles chambered in 38-55, especially in older versions of the 38-55. The brass is very similar (identical in some cases) but using modern, higher pressure .375 loads in an older rifle could cause serious injury to the shooter.
The .38-55 is renowned for its exceptional accuracy at ranges up to 330 yards. It is often used to hunt black bear and deer at moderate ranges, and is also used in Cowboy Action Shooting
Cowboy action shooting
Cowboy Action Shooting , also known as Western Action Shooting or Single Action Shooting, is a competitive shooting sport that originated in California, USA, in the early 1980s...
sidematches.