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.