Page 2 - 38-55 Winchester Firearms at Western Gun Store

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.