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Bert H. and other Win. Buffs .01 NO RESERVE
garanch
Member Posts: 3,681 ✭
Comments
About 100 years too new for Bert H.
Actually, it is about 40-years too new for my taste. My preference is pre-WW II, and that rifle was manufactured circa 1980.
WACA Historian & Life Member
W.D.
I'm with Bert, too new for me, and that thing on the side of the action???? A safety??? I've been to two County fairs, a goat ropin and a preacher beatin, ain't never seen nothin like that. And Bert, isn't 375 just yuppie speak for 38-55?
W.D.
That "thing on the side of the action" is the frame. When Winchester introduced the Big Bore XTR back in 1979, they modified the receiver frame (made it thicker) to strengthen it behind the bolt for the more potent 375 Win. cartridge.
And no, "375" is not just yuppie speak for the venerable (older) 38-55. While the two cartridges look very similar, there are important differences. (1) The nominal bullet diameter of the 38-55 is .378/.379, whereas the 375 Win is .375. (2) The case length of the 375 is 1/10-inch shorter than the 38-55, and it is of heavier (thicker) construction. While it is possible to chamber a 375 Win. cartridge in a firearm chambered for the 38-55, shooting it could prove to be a life altering experience[B)][:0] (except in an original Model 1885 high-wall).
WACA Historian & Life Member
There is no safety on these models.
Not exactly true for all of the Model 94 Big Bores... Those that were manufactured by WINCHESTER in 1979 & 1980 do not have the cross-bolt safety. Those that were manufactured by the U.S. Repeating Arms Co. up through 1983 also do not have the safety, but all of them made from 1984 through the end of production (1998 for the 375 Win) do have a safety.
WACA Historian & Life Member
I have a problem with the bullet dia. as listed in these posts.I checked my loading manuals from the lyman 41 edition to the newer one i have which is hodgdons 2006.all list .375 for jacketed bullets and .376 for cast for both the 375 win. and the 38-55 I load for both as i have a 38-55 in a stevens and a 375 win. in contender. i also miked the bullets on new shells for both cal. and they were .375,I also checked my bullet collection and old peters 38-55 were .375.tks hedge[:D]
The modern 38-55 cartridge is loaded with a .375 diameter bullet. Please note that I specifically referred to the "venerable (older)" 38-55. All of the "original" Winchester Model 1885 high-walls, and all of the pre-WW II Model 1894/94s chambered for the 38-55 cartridge were made with a .378 bore (some of the real early high-walls will measure as much as .380). The real early Savage 1899, and Marlin, Marlin-Ballard, and Stevens 44-1/2 rifles were also all made with a nominal .378 bore. My bet is that any 38-55 made prior to 1950 will have a .378 bore, and anything in the past 30-years will have a .375 bore.
WACA Historian & Life Member
I was being a smart * about the 375. I do know the differance, and you are most certainly correct in stating that the old 38-55 is .379. I have a Marlin 1893 that is 1907 smokeless powder vintage. I cast 20-1 lead .379" 250 gr bullets and kick them out about 1300fps. If I do my part the old gun still does a fine job.
For what it's worth.
W.D.