The 38-55, An All Around Rifle

The 38-55, An All Around Rifle

Hunter-Trader-Trapper, Vol 20, No 1, physical pages 358-361

NOTE: Issues do not have defined covers, so it's very difficult to determine the specific issue number. The pages also curve away from the spine, so the text is distorted or even missing. You will see " [?] " scattered throughout the article. Where I could not determine the missing text, I used " [?] " to show that I have no earthly idea of what word would fit.

This is a period article, and is contemporary to that time. The opinions expressed are by the author.

The 38-55, An All Around Rifle
By Chuck Remington

Not always are the latest introductions and developments in the firearms line the best and most desirable. Some of the oldest of our rifles and cartridges are the most reliable and useful, and such is the case with the always popular .38-55 caliber. With the exception of its companion, the .32-40, no one caliber will answer as well the requirements of an all around weapon, one equally adapted to large, medium and small sized one.

The .38-55 cartridge was originally designed and introduced mainly for target shooting purposes, and as regards accuracy was all any shooter could wish for. The safety and number of different loads of suitable power which can be used in a .38-55 to cover all classes of game and target shooting and make it a valuable gun for the man who can only take with him or purchase one arm.

The .38-55 is a popular size with hunters and trappers of the Northern, Central and Western states, who in the course of their occupations are apt to run across anything from a porcupine to a black bear, and is a particularly reliable and inexpensive rifle to purchase and to shoot.

A standard rifle in this caliber can be purchased for as low as $ 12.15 net, with black powder steel barrel, and with nickel steel barrel for the sum of $ 15. The .38-55 cartridges, especially the standard black powder load, can be very easily and economically reloaded. The shell, being of medium size, neither too small nor too large to conveniently handle, is easier to clean, resize and reload than others of the high-power smallbore type.

The only disadvantage connected with the using of so many different powered loads in the same rifle is the readjustment necessary to the rear sight. If a new rear sight could be designed for use on the .38-55 and other rifles, using both black powder and high-velocity loads, one along the line of that used on the Winchester .32 Special, it would greatly increase the efficiency and convenience with which these weapons could be used. Such a sight could be easily made with black powder graduations on one side of the notch and with high-velocity ones on the other side, and could be built so as to be instantly shifted from one to the other.

The next expensive class of cartridges of any one caliber to purchase in proportion to their power are those of short or medium range. These usually sell for the same price as do the regular loads, and if a shooter intends to use these loads to any great extent he had better purchase short range tools in preference to the regular ones, if he can afford only one set of reloading implements. Of course, if short range shooting will not be indulged in often enough to warrant this, the most satisfactory and practical tools to invest in are those loading the regular black powder cartridge. If you are shooting a Savage rifle or a single shot of .38-55 caliber, or intend using your tubular magazine repeater as a single loader for short -range work, the sharp pointed bullets of 166 grains weight cast in the mold furnished by the Ideal Mfg. Co. are the most desirable to load for close shooting. The proper charge is twenty grains of black powder, and, loaded thus, the cartridge is somewhat similar in power to the popular .32-20 and will kill more cleanly and without mangling even such small game as squirrels and rabbits.

The load is extremely accurate up to fifty yards, and I have killed quite a few red
squirrels with it . It is advisable to practice with this load as much as possible if you expect to use it often, so as to be able to aim by instinct and hit the smaller animals without going to the trouble of adjusting the rear sight to the exact proper elevation.

The regular .38-45-255 cartridge is of very reliable performance and is the most popular and extensively used for medium sized game shooting. The original .38-55 cartridge, as designed by the Marlin Company for use in the Ballard rifle, contained exactly fifty-five grains of powder, but the shell used at that time was of the thin, folding head type and was found inadequate in strength for reloading. Later, when it was strengthened and reinforced, the powder capacity had to be lessened to make room for the extra metal in the shell. The .38-55 shell can be safely loaded with as much black powder as it will hold, and those who reload their ammunition can, by lessening the weight and length of the bullet, load with more than the regular powder charge and materially increase the velocity and range of their rifle. The most convenient distance at which to target the black powder load for game shooting is 100 yards. When sighted to shoot plumb center at this distance, the lead bullet raise some three inches at just half that distance. So, when shooting at fifty yards, in order to make a hit, it will be necessary to aim three inches lower than the spot you wish the bullet to strike. The express mold which can be obtained from the Ideal Company will enable the shooter to cast bullets which will increase the killing power of the regular .38-55 load nearly one-half. I am of the opinion that the hollow point bullets develop more striking power than the soft nose metal patched ones of the same velocity over the regular lead balls and should have the point filled with tallow or lubricant to obtain the best results.

The Winchester high velocity cartridge is next in power in the .38-55 class, and, when developing considerably more power than the regular load, can be safely used in the ordinary black powder steel barrels. However, they are hard on the riflings of this class of steel, and about 500 rounds of the metal cased ammunition will seriously impair their accuracy. The Winchester high velocity charge is used mainly on the class of game heretofore covered by the black powder cartridge and is very effective on deer and possibly black bear.

The U.M.C. is the most powerful of all and develops enormous killing power when compared to the .30-30, .32-40 and .25-35 calibers. Its supremacy lies in the comparatively large bore and weight of the bullet, which enables this cartridge to equal in execution on large game the .303 Savage and nearly approach the .33 W.C.F. The trajectory or path of the U.M.C. high velocity bullet is sufficiently flat for all big game shooting up to 200 yards, and it can be used with great success upon black bear, caribou and even moose. A good shot armed with this calibered rifle would be able to bag any American game, I think even the redoubtable "Old Ephraim " himself. The Winchester-style of rifle in this caliber can be fired ore quickly, in my opinion, than can the guns of same make. Indeed, I think the .38-55 U.M.C. high velocity is a worthy rival of this latter caliber and would recommend a careful consideration of it when the time comes to choose a big game arm.

The Hoxie type of bullet works much better when applied to a projectile of considerable weight and size, and is not so apt to pieces and not penetrate far enough to be fatal, which is frequently the case with the smaller, lighter bullets. The Idea gas check bullet and a charge of twenty-five grains of lightning powder, develops about the same velocity and power as the U.M.C high velocity cartridge and is a very valuable load, inasmuch as it permits a great amount of practice with full power loads with the least possible wear on the barrel. With an extra mold to cast the soft tip attachment, anyone can prepare ammunition equal in stopping power to the regular [?]ry soft point cartridges .

The expense incurred in reloading 1000 black powder cartridges, provided you have [?]d the necessary empty shells, is about [?] and the cost of loading the high power gas check loads is around $ 11 per 1000. The figures will vary somewhat, depending upon the cost of powder lead and primers in different localities and the quantities in which they can be purchased by the shooter. These estimates include the cost of lead for running the bullets at 8 cents per pound, and where it can be purchased for less the cost of reloading will be substantially reduced from the figures given above. Most shooters-I know I am one of them- have laid away for just such an occasion as these several coils or so of lead pipe, and in such cases shells can be reloaded for nearly next to nothing, at least when compared to the cost of factory ammunition.

NOTE: Casting bullets is referred to as "running", I assume because the term came from the way lead is poured into multiple cavity gang molds.

The casting of bullets is the most tedious process connected with the reloading stunt, and to obtain the best results as many as possible should be molded at a time. Particular care should be taken to see that each shell is cleaned and the old primer removed as soon after firing as convenient. When lubricating bullets, do not go to the trouble of dipping each in the grease one at a time, but set a hundred or so on end in a large shallow pan with a level bottom and pour in the melted lubricant until it reaches the desired height and covers all the grooves. When cool, the bullets can be removed quickly and cleanly by pressing over each an Ideal "kake kutter."

From the line of rifles offered to us by the American gun manufacturers in .38-55 caliber it is possible to select a very efficient and handsome arm and one that can be secured in such specifications as to fully meet the individual taste and requirements of every shooter. For hunting purposes this caliber can be obtained in three standard repeaters of different makes, viz, the Savage model '99, the Marlin model '93 and the Winchester model '94. The Winchester single shot rifle is preferred by some target shooters who use the .38-55 cartridge. These rifles, with heavy barrels and the various attachments essential to the so called "schuetzen crank", have done some remarkable shooting with the Ideal Special Schuetzen bullet and with the regular loads . The Stevens .38-55 caliber single shot is a fine light rifle of very pleasing outlines and is also extensively used for target and game shooting. However, in my opinion, the single shot is not in the class of strictly hunting weapons, the repeater having it beaten in so many particulars .

The Marlin people are the most accommodating of all in furnishing without extra
charge different lengths of barrels for their various models. The '93, which handles the .38.55 cartridge, can be obtained in the rifle style with 26, 28, 30 and 32-inch barrels, and the carbine in 15 and 20-inch lengths . A special light weight model is also made by this firm with 18 and 20-inch barrels and which is a very compact, business-like looking, serviceable weapon. The magazines on the Marlin rifles will also be furnished in different sizes, full length, half and short magazines presenting a good variety to choose from. It is possible to procure a very neat appearing arm when the half or short magazine lengths are chosen, the latter size only extending to the length of the forearm. I would like to see the model '93 equipped with the stock which comes on the Marlin .44-40, model '94 , and which would greatly increase, in my opinion, the ease and speed of handling this rifle. The drop of the stock on the .38-55 Marlin is three inches and could be increased to advantage to three and one-half inches . A large amount of drop is more desirable than a straighter stock, for the eye of the shooter instantly falls along the line of sight over the top of the barrel when the gun is raised to the shoulder.

It is a well established fact, both with the rifle and shotgun, that men of different
heights and build can use with more convenience and ease a stock with considerable drop than they could handle one with less. The Marlin, like the Savage rifle, has a fixed pivot, upon which the lever works, thus securing for the action a smooth, free movement. The Rocky Mountain front sight on the Marlin and Savage rifles I like much better than the regular sporting front sight placed on the Winchester, although for quick handling Sheard's front bead has them both discounted.

Never buy a rifle of any make with an octagon or half octagon barrel, if you can possibly obtain the same arm with a round one. If any shooter can show me whereby additional advantages are obtained by an octagonal barrel, enough of them to make up the extra cost and inconvenience occasioned by this style-I would be very glad indeed for him to do so. They are heavy, clumsy, inaccurate, due to the unequal expansion of metal, and the edges quickly wear bright and are dented and marred by the slightest blow.

Although the Savage Company state that their rifle is the only one originally designed for the high velocity .38-55 load, in the features of safety and strength I do not think their action is any stronger than the Marlin or quite as strong as the Winchester of the same caliber. The Savage is the only lever-action repeater that I can handle with ease with a rifle butt. On the others, I prefer the shotgun stock, for I find the ease with which repeat shots can be fired from the shoulder greatly increased by this improvement over the regular style of butt. In all the recent productions of high power arms the shotgun stock is the regular style, and I think lessens the feeling of recoil and increases the speed and ease of hurried aiming.

My choice of all the rifles in .38-55 caliber is the Winchester lightweight model '94, 22-inch nickel steel barrel, half magazine and shotgun butt. This gun is as handy a weapon as can be obtained in a tubular magazine repeater, and its balance and handling qualities must be experienced before they can be fully appreciated. You never enjoy or appreciate the merits of the Winchester model '94 rifle to the fullest extent until you have used one of these special guns.

The life of a .38-55 rifle barrel is [?] duration when compared to that of such guns
as the .30-30 and .32 Special. Its large barrel and slow moving bullet does away
much of the rack and tear experienced by many of the smaller bores. I meant, of course, the .38-55 U.M.C. high velocity ammunition. Using such, I think, according to my experience, a .38-55 nickel steel barrel would maintain its accuracy until at 5000 to 6000 rounds had been fired. Furthermore, the large bore of the .38-55 permits muzzle cleaning with a wooden or even brass cleaning rod with absolutely no ill effects whatever. Therefore, I think, with reasonable care, a .38-55 high power will outshoot outclass the .30-30 and similar calibers for all around conscientious work.