The Below Information Has Been Provided From Our Gun Caliber Dictionary And Is Meant For Informational Purposes Only. It Is Not Intended to Describe The Unique Specifications For This Ammunition.
The 38-55 Winchester (38-55 Ballard) was introduced by Ballard as a target cartridge in 1884. It and the 32-40 were the original chamberings for the Winchester Model 1894 because, although the action was designed for smokeless powder, the 30-30 wasn't ready for release. The 38-55 uses a .379-inch bullet of 255 grains at 1320 feet per second. Although adequate for deer-sized game at short to medium ranges, the 38-55 was considered extremely accurate and often chambered in single-shot target rifles. Winchester dropped the cartridge for some years, but due to both demand for older rifles and reissues of classics Winchester brought the 38-55 back and continues to offer factory ammunition. Its rimmed case has been the basis for numerous later cartridges, including the 30-30 and 225 Winchester and the 22 Savage High Power. — Craig Boddington
