What’s The Difference Question?

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:40 pm

Stumbled upon this strange looking 38-56 cartridge
the other day during a 38-40 ammo. search.
I don’t ever recall seeing a box or round in person.

So what’s the difference between the 38-56 wcf
And the 38-55 wcf?

Cast Bullet Hunter · Post by **Cast Bullet Hunter** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 6:45 pm

.38-55 is based on the original .32-40 WCF being basically blown out straight to ca. .375. .38-56 is based on the .45-70 necked down to ca. .375.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:12 pm

And.......... If I might add the 38-55 holds around 47gr of blackpowder while the 38-56 does hold 56gr as it's named.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:15 am

Thanks guys, ya lert me something today

.Dirty-.Thirty · Post by **.Dirty-.Thirty** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:27 am

Teach me something too, what i the meaning behind the 55 name of the 38-55? If it is only capable of 47gr of black?

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:01 am

.Dirty-.Thirty wrote:Teach me something too, what i the meaning behind the 55 name of the 38-55? If it is only capable of 47gr of black?

The -55 in 38-55 is the total case capacity of black powder. In the early days in single shot rifles, the bullet was breach seated just forward of the case, then the case, full of powder was chambered.

w30wcf

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:15 am

w30wcf wrote:
.Dirty-.Thirty wrote:Teach me something too, what i the meaning behind the 55 name of the 38-55? If it is only capable of 47gr of black?
The -55 in 38-55 is the total case capacity of black powder. In the early days in single shot rifles, the bullet was breach seated just forward of the case, then the case, full of powder was chambered.

w30wcf

I never heard that one. Can you tell me where you read that?
Gobbler

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:51 am

Gobblerforge,
Here's an article that explains breechseating bullets:
http://www.assra.com/getting_started.htm

w30wcf

fordwannabe · Post by **fordwannabe** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:18 am

I also know the 38-55 is available in 2 case lengths so one may have been able to hold 55 grains at one time. Tom

Pepe Ray · Post by **Pepe Ray** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:52 am

The 38-55 has been available in 2 diff. lengths for only a few years.
The original LONG length was shortened by Winchester when they resurected it in the '70's after making it obsolete earlier.
Also the old cases were of the "baloon head' type and had more capacity, even tho it may not have been 55 gr/BP.
The breach seating technique , as described, was correct. The cartridge was originally established as a target round.

No quotes available. Believe it or not!
Pepe Ray

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:02 pm

w30wcf wrote:Gobblerforge,
Here's an article that explains breechseating bullets:
http://www.assra.com/getting_started.htm

w30wcf

Sure would make a single shot 45/70 a bit more interesting!

Thanks.

Nath.

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:56 am

Thanks. I read the article and I must say, the more I start to think I'm learning about shooting sports, the more I find I have a lot to learn. I never heard of breach seating. The article says that a wad is sometimes used and sometimes not, to hold the powder in place. I'm wondering, do the folks that don't use a wad, lift the muzzle up to insert the case so as to not spill powder before it fully chambers? I'll be reading more on this some time. Very interesting.
Thanks again, Gobbler

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