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38-55 Good Bear Caliber?

96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
I am going back to Maine for black bear. I have a 47-70 that I took a black bear with 2 years ago. It cleanly knocked the props out from under her. I am toying with the idea of using a 38-55 this trip. I understand it was at one time the round thought best for deer and black bear. Have any of you guys had hunting experience with this cartridge? I like trying different guns as it gives my collection a little character. You know; I took an antelope with this one, I got my first black bear with this one...... If you have data or an article relating recently to this rounds success please advise me.
Thanks in advance guys.
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Comments

  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Should be a dandy round for Black Bear especially if loaded with a good 255 grain hard cast bullet.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would say Allen would be the one to answer that question.


    Best!!!

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have a M93 Marlin in .38-55 which members of my family used to take several deer & black beer in the Great North Woods. Plenty enough at the typical ranges you'll see in forests of northern New England.
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  • Ronald J. SnowRonald J. Snow Member Posts: 1,346 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am loading for my Marlin 336CB, 38-55, using a Barnes Original, .377 diameter bullet and 25 grains of Reloader 7; getting very good accuracy but have yet to try it on game. Seems it should be in the same catagory as the 35 Remington with 200 grain bullet. I personally would not use this load in one of the older rifles without carefully working up to it.
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  • joeaf1911a1joeaf1911a1 Member Posts: 2,962 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    While the 38-55 is a nice caliber, would realy check out the .375
    Winc. "Big Bore" cartridge. It is a 38-55 "on steroids" and much
    more powerfull for the Winch. 94 by far. I have one and love it.
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to you my friends. I have decided to take the 38-55 on it's maiden voyage. I have thus far only found Winchester factory ammo and there is definitely none at any of the gun stores around here. Looks like it's off to one of the wholesalers and order some.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guys, The Winchester factory load is 255gr at 1320fps
    with less than 1000 ft lbs of energy. Isn't this on the light side for black bear?
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    No, the 44 mag and a lot of other handgun cartridges have a lot less energy than that. That is why I am not razzle dazzled by foot pounds of energy.

    AlleninAlaska

    http://www.outdoor-o-rama.com

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I kilt a few deer with the ole'38-55 Winch, and if they would have been wearing socks, I'd have knocked them off. I would not hesitate to use it for Black Bear at all, so long as kept my shot clear and within 70 yards. Ya gotta remember, that ole slug is gonna go almost as high as it goes long, once you get out over 100 yds., heh heh. But she'll knock down a cow when she hits. I have a .375 Winch myself, and it is a nice round, but I usually grab the .32 WinSpl, just because it's an old friend, and being of early forties vintage, it's tighter and faster than the "Big Bore" was when it came out of the box, which I believe I bought in Wilmot around 78 or so??? Sounds pretty close, I know I didn't have a child yet...
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  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ole 30-30 has taken it's share of bear, the 38-55 has even more power.
    Just don't hit it in the a**.
    Happy hunting.

    Happy Bullet Holes!
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