38/55 Oliver Winchester

[Lastmohecken]

Has anyone on used any of the 38/55 Commemorative Winchesters? I am thinking about buying an Oliver Winchester 38/55 with the 24" octagon barrel. There's 3 or 4 Commemorative models in 38/55. There's the Oliver Winchester, the Crazy Horse, and a Canadian Centennial, maybe another one or two. Anyhow, I thought it might make a good straight wall gun for my state, probably with a William's receiver sight, or the Skinner barrel mount sight.

And Buffalo Bore makes some good ammo for it, with a 255 grain soft nose at about 2000fps.

[JBowen]

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
I have a Chief Crazy Horse. It has the 24” round barrel.
It doesn’t shoot Winchester factory loads very good. I get much better accuracy with a Lee cast 279-250RF as cast.
My barrel slugs out at .379-.380. I have mine ready to hunt with once I get a deer with my .375 Winchester.
My best loads are with Accurate 5744. I bought mine used and it came with a Marbles tang sight, which I like.
I think you’ll like it!

JBowen

[earlmck]

Seems like some of those commemerative Winchesters are the most economical way to get a nice 38/55 these days. Good plan!

[veeman]

I used my Crazy Horse this past season with success! I used Barnes ..377 bullets with 2400 powder. That was the main reason I bought in NIB, new barrel, no bs lawyer safety's. I do wish it had an octagon barrel, the thin round barrel gets purty hot after a few shots. But it shoots great and fun to hunt with.

[Lastmohecken]

That's a nice rifle and a very nice buck. I do have a Buffalo Bill rifle with the octagon barrel in 30/30. It's a good shooter.

[Lastmohecken]

I used my Crazy Horse this past season with success! I used Barnes ..377 bullets with 2400 powder. That was the main reason I bought in NIB, new barrel, no bs lawyer safety's. I do wish it had an octagon barrel, the thin round barrel gets purty hot after a few shots. But it shoots great and fun to hunt with.

Veeman, it looks like you have a Skinner sight on there. How is it mounted?

[4t5]

https://skinnersights.com/products/winc ... ight…maybe

[marlinman93]

Back about 40 years ago I bought a new in box Legendary Frontiersman from a guy and paid $450 for it. Got the box, papers, and it was all unfired and like new. I kept it 5 years and kept thinking it would grow in value, but also wanted to shoot it too. I refrained from shooting it, but finally decided to resell it before I got too tempted. I walked it around numerous gun shows asking $500, but no takers. Finally at a show a guy had an 1893 Marlin pistol grip deluxe rifle in .38-55 and said he'd trade me straight across! I quickly accepted his offer, and he told me he couldn't wait to get it home to shoot it!
I think most of those '94 commemoratives got shot, but I also think any still new in box aren't getting huge money like people hoped they would.

[RIHMFIRE]

Check your state regulations for straight wall cartridge lengths.
I think it might be too long, and that is why the 360 buckhammer, and other short straight cartridges came out.
And don't worry about shooting those commemorative rifles once in a while. It wont hurt the value too much...enjoy it!!!
The only ones I would make safe queens are the John Waynes, some of the 9422's and a few other high-grade rifles.

[Lastmohecken]

I went ahead and called the shop who had it on gunbroker before I just hit the buy button. He sold it to me for 1060.00 out the door. No box or paperwork, and the rear sight is broken, which didn't matter to me, as those rear sights on the commemorative's are not very robust and very low quality compared to the pre-64's, but I was going to change out that sight anyway.

[Lastmohecken]

Check your state regulations for straight wall cartridge lengths.
I think it might be too long, and that is why the 360 buckhammer, and other short straight cartridges came out.
And don't worry about shooting those commemorative rifles once in a while. It wont hurt the value too much...enjoy it!!!
The only ones I would make safe queens are the John Waynes, some of the 9422's and a few other high-grade rifles.

We have a straight wall season instead of a muzzleloading season here in Arkansas now days. No length limit. I used a 45/70 this year, and last year, also. I also have a Buckhammer, which I am having custom work done on at this time. I didn't need this 38/55, I just wanted it to mess around with. With Buffalo Bore ammo, I can get the same ballistics out of it, as the 375 Winchester, with less pressure.

[Lastmohecken]

Back about 40 years ago I bought a new in box Legendary Frontiersman from a guy and paid $450 for it. Got the box, papers, and it was all unfired and like new. I kept it 5 years and kept thinking it would grow in value, but also wanted to shoot it too. I refrained from shooting it, but finally decided to resell it before I got too tempted. I walked it around numerous gun shows asking $500, but no takers. Finally at a show a guy had an 1893 Marlin pistol grip deluxe rifle in .38-55 and said he'd trade me straight across! I quickly accepted his offer, and he told me he couldn't wait to get it home to shoot it!
I think most of those '94 commemoratives got shot, but I also think any still new in box aren't getting huge money like people hoped they would.

No, anyone who bought one for an investment, years ago, did good to keep up with inflation. I am thankful that Winchester made a bunch of Commemorative's back in the 70's, etc. because a lot of them our pretty cool rifles, and better than what you can buy now days. And they don't have a bunch of added safety stuff on them, or MIM parts to break. Some of them could need one or two parts upgraded, but it's mostly easy to fix.

[Lastmohecken]

https://skinnersights.com/products/winc ... ight…maybe

415,
Ok, I figured it out, it's the sight for the 94 Angle Eject, but for the pre-angle eject rifles, you just have to have it drilled and tapped. I was hoping I could just use the holes on the side of the frame, that are used, when mounting the traditional receiver sight, like a Williams or something. But I like the Skinner better, I think. So, I will probably go to the trouble to drill and tap it for the Skinner, unless i settle for the dove tail barrel mount.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Here's a depressing video for you on the 38-55 commemoratives ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJ8ohtBtC4

The 80's was just like the 70's but with better marketing. Quality was last on the list.

[marlinman93]

Here's a depressing video for you on the 38-55 commemoratives ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJ8ohtBtC4

The 80's was just like the 70's but with better marketing. Quality was last on the list.

His mistake was buying bullets sized to the smaller diameter of his bore. He should have slugged the bore from the chamber end and sized bullets according to what diameter his grooves were there. Might still not be very accurate, but I bet it would be a lot better than he got shooting smaller bullets and letting them slam into that last 10" of correctly sized bore.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I know 38-55 brass isn't exactly falling from the sky these days, but I'd think he might do well to turn a thousandth from first 1/2" of the inside. Then his problems chambering larger (sized to bore) bullets would abate. Nobody likes reaming brass though.

His issue stems from the thickness of that Starline brass. Yet, it's the only place you can go for new 38-55. I know they make 375 Win (38-55 short) as well but it's shorter because well ... Winchester. I'll never figure that one out.

[veeman]

Veeman, it looks like you have a Skinner sight on there. How is it mounted?
[/quote]

I had this and both my Browning 1886's D&Ted for these Skinner sights. I don't think they are being produced in this style anymore. I called their shop to get a 2nd one for my 86 src but no go so still on the lookout. I have this style on a couple other 94's. Had to have it shaved down a couple thousandths as it shot too low. Now perfect.

[Lastmohecken]

Here's a depressing video for you on the 38-55 commemoratives ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJ8ohtBtC4

The 80's was just like the 70's but with better marketing. Quality was last on the list.

I hope I have better luck with mine. As far as the commemorative's go, I have had very good luck with them, in 30/30 at least. I have a Legendary Lawmen, an Antlered Game, and a Buffalo Bill all in 30/30 and seem to be quite accurate to me. I also have a Browning 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine in 45/70 which I have killed several hogs with. it's an accurate shooter.

I was watching a video, by Tim of Buffalo Bore, talking about the 38/55's in mostly the Commemorative's and he has a load that pushes a 255 grain bullet at close to 2000 feet per second, with pressures about the same as the 30/30, and he claims to get great accuracy out of them. I don't know what kind of bullet he uses, but it's supposed to be able to slug up or down to fit most bore diameters and he does mention that the bore diameters do vary a few thousands up and down. But he says his bullets will slug up to fit the .380 and larger bores, and also capable of slugging down to fit the 375 Winchester bores which tend to run slightly smaller. Of course he won't share his load data. His bullets are jacked soft points, and he doesn't load hard cast bullets because of the varying bore diameters from gun to gun. I figured I would try a box or two of his loads. To listen to him talk, he has done a lot of research and shooting of the 38/55 in the Commemorative's.

[Lastmohecken]

Veeman, it looks like you have a Skinner sight on there. How is it mounted?

I had this and both my Browning 1886's D&Ted for these Skinner sights. I don't think they are being produced in this style anymore. I called their shop to get a 2nd one for my 86 src but no go so still on the lookout. I have this style on a couple other 94's. Had to have it shaved down a couple thousandths as it shot too low. Now perfect.

[/quote]

Veeman, thanks for posting this close up of the Skinner sight.

[RIHMFIRE]

Check your state regulations for straight wall cartridge lengths.
I think it might be too long, and that is why the 360 buckhammer, and other short straight cartridges came out.
And don't worry about shooting those commemorative rifles once in a while. It wont hurt the value too much...enjoy it!!!
The only ones I would make safe queens are the John Waynes, some of the 9422's and a few other high-grade rifles.

We have a straight wall season instead of a muzzleloading season here in Arkansas now days. No length limit. I used a 45/70 this year, and last year, also. I also have a Buckhammer, which I am having custom work done on at this time. I didn't need this 38/55, I just wanted it to mess around with. With Buffalo Bore ammo, I can get the same ballistics out of it, as the 375 Winchester, with less pressure.

Wow, that's great. at least one state got it right!
I think you are gonna like that 38-55 buffalo bore!

[Pat C]

I think you could argue your way out of the 38-55
"straight wall" debate as its not really a straight wall . It has two very distinct body tapers.

[JBowen]

We need pictures!!!!


JBowen

[veeman]

I think you could argue your way out of the 38-55
"straight wall" debate as its not really a straight wall . It has two very distinct body tapers.

It's straight enough to be legal in Illinois.

[Griff]

I own several Winchester commemoratives. Except for the John Wayne, they're all pretty good bargains for the shooter, which is possibly the only one that's outpaced inflation. While I have a couple of the carbines, a trapper, the only "rifle" I have is the short rifle version of the '66 Centennial, 20" octagon bbl. I have a Lyman tang sight after drilling & tapping the tang. I know several guys that use various commemoratives they own for long range shooting at some of the larger cowboy action matches. Usually holding their own. There, the Oliver Winchester is probably the favored version.

[Lastmohecken]

I own several Winchester commemoratives. Except for the John Wayne, they're all pretty good bargains for the shooter, which is possibly the only one that's outpaced inflation. While I have a couple of the carbines, a trapper, the only "rifle" I have is the short rifle version of the '66 Centennial, 20" octagon bbl. I have a Lyman tang sight after drilling & tapping the tang. I know several guys that use various commemoratives they own for long range shooting at some of the larger cowboy action matches. Usually holding their own. There, the Oliver Winchester is probably the favored version.

That's encouraging to know.
I am assuming they have probably slugged their barrels and using cast bullets to fit groove diameter.
Yes, the John Wayne is the most expensive, I think. Most all of the others can be had at pretty competitive prices compared to how most new leveraction rifles cost. All of mine shoot quite well, so far. And I like them because they are still unmolested with added safeties and rebounding hammers, etc. The early ones like the Canadian had the sheetmetal shell pickup bar, that was blamed for reliability issues. Most of mine are later models, but my Buffalo Bill has the cheaper pickup bar, and I always figured to change it, but it's never given a problem, so I have not changed it. The only other bad thing about some of them is a little corrosion on some of the plated parts, and the receivers can get to looking bad, but all of mine still look good with the exception of a little corrosion on the butt plate of my Buffalo Bill, but it's not an issue with me, really, as it was shooter before I bought it, not collector condition in the box or anything.

[Lastmohecken]

I think you could argue your way out of the 38-55
"straight wall" debate as its not really a straight wall . It has two very distinct body tapers.

It's straight enough to be legal in Illinois.

I will probably never get checked anyway, but the case has no defined shoulder, so I think it would get a pass. They will let us use the .405 Winchester and it has a little tapper to it, doesn't it?

[Lastmohecken]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCohpF1JH5k&t=189s\

I don't know how to post a hot link. But you could copy and paste the above.
This is a pretty good, youtube video on the 38/55, that I found very interesting. Worth the listen.'
Well, heck, I guess the link is hot after all. I clicked on it and it worked.

[veeman]

When I checked my deer in this past season, I was asked if I used shotgun or rifle, I said rifle, she said Cool! Nothing else. I could have use a howitzer for all they cared. Had the game warden been there it may have been a different story. Deer checkers are mostly students for wildlife biology I suspect.

[Lastmohecken]

When I checked my deer in this past season, I was asked if I used shotgun or rifle, I said rifle, she said Cool! Nothing else. I could have use a howitzer for all they cared. Had the game warden been there it may have been a different story. Deer checkers are mostly students for wildlife biology I suspect.

In Arkansas, we check our deer in online. I guess we are on the honor system. All they ask is Bow, crossbow, rifle, straight wall, and I think they still ask if it's a muzzleloader. OH and we have a spear season, now, I think. So far, I have not looked into that. My recurve and longbow is challenge enough for me.

[Lastmohecken]

Well, I need to quite buying new stuff, as it tends to get expensive after a while but can't take it with you. I ordered two boxes of the Buffalo Bore loads to get started. And I ordered a Skinner barrel mount sight, yesterday. I just wanted to try the barrel mount out to see if i liked it. I will probably end up with it, mounted on my farm gun, which is an old pre-64 30/30 in keep in my side by side. It starting to get harder to see the open sights on that gun. I will probably have the Orval Winchester drilled and tapped for the Skinner receiver sight.