Winchester 38-55

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Glen Ring
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Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

My Grand Son turns 12 this month. He shoots my Winchester 1885 22lr pretty well and the next step I'd love for him to take is shooting BPCR with me and Jeanne.

I want to start him slow and with a rifle he can hold standing, so I'm looking at a Winchester 1885 traditional Hunter in 38-55. I think the twist is 15.

Do any of you have experience with this model, and if so what bullets did the rifle like ?

I have had a couple of 38-55s a few years ago, but not this model.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
beltfed
Posts: 1962
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
Location: Central Wi

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by beltfed »

Glen,
A good friend of my found that the Lyman 335 grain cast bullet shoots lights out
in his Traditional Hunter.
beltfed/arnie
Glen Ring
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Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

Thanks.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
beltfed
Posts: 1962
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
Location: Central Wi

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by beltfed »

Glen,
over on the ASSRA forum there is a Winchester TH 38-55 for sale with upgraded Lee shaver tang sights.
Seems like a good price.
Perhaps that is the one you are already looking at?
beltfed/arnie
Kenny Wasserburger
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Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2002 3:53 pm
Location: Gillette, Wyoming

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Kenny Wasserburger »

May want to consider that crescent butt plate, first time he shoots it prone, he will have a built in flinch. Not a particular good way to start out a youngster in my opinion.

Kenny Wasserburger
We'll raise up our Glasses against Evil Forces, Singing, Whiskey for my men, Beer for my horses.

Wyoming Territory Sharps Shooter
Glen Ring
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Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

Beltfed
Thanks for the tip. I looked at that one. If I can find a new one I already have two sets of sights ready for him ready to go but I think he'll prefer a scope. We'll see. I'll put a good recoil pad on one , get scope blocks mounted and then take him to the range. He's shot our 1885 22s for a couple of years now so he should be able to start right up.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
Kurt
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Kurt »

Glen,

Kenny is right with the crescent buttplate for a young shooter or a older shooter for that matter. I don't have a .38-55 rifle or ever had one but I have shot them and that caliber would be a fine one for one his age but if your going to have him shoot prone sooner than later it will draw blood.
H have a Shiloh .44-77 with a crescent buttplate and I love that rifle but I don't shoot it prone. I did for a midrange match once and by the end of the first 10 shot relay my Wife said you're bleeding.
The buttplate is fine shooting off hand or leaning against a tree even shooting off the bench with high bags or rest, but not for prone. It will bite you if you get careless.
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
beltfed
Posts: 1962
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:07 am
Location: Central Wi

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by beltfed »

Glen, you might want to look at the C.Sharps High walls.
They do offer 38-55s, hopefully with a 12 twist barrel, set trigger, choice of buttplates,etc
beltfed/arnie
Glen Ring
Posts: 904
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

Yep...I have the crescent butt plate thing cured if I get one. I have a slip on recoil pad the eliminates the problem. The Winchester 38-55's appear to be everywhere..we are 5 months into the wait for a new 1885 40-65 from C Sharps.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
gunlaker
Posts: 2764
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:16 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by gunlaker »

Glen, another thought, a few years ago Miroku built a number of 38-55's with a heavier barrel, and I think a shotgun buttplate. I'll see if I can google up a picture for you...

Chris.
gunlaker
Posts: 2764
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:16 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by gunlaker »

Glen, this is the one. I saw one used at a gun show once but the price was more than I wanted to pay:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/ ... dened.html

Chris.
Glen Ring
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Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

Chris...That is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I didn't know they made one in that configuration. Thanks for posting that. Now I can better search for what I want. I learn something new every day.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
Kurt
Posts: 8428
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Kurt »

:D Don't rely on that :D I used one for my 86 Winchester in the .38-56 caliber and the buttplate cut right through on top :D :D
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
BFD
Posts: 2789
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by BFD »

Kurt, Glenn, Fill the curve of the crescent with a few laminations of leather held in place by the lace-on. Works fine, will never cut through. Not even in a .45-100. I use an unpadded lace-on this way to get length (and a sling attachment point).
Glen Ring
Posts: 904
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:45 pm

Re: Winchester 38-55

Post by Glen Ring »

Brent
I have used leather in the past to lengthen the pull on another gun...you're right..It works pretty darn good. Now to find that rifle for the grand monkey.
There are those that talk, and those that act. Make a choice.
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