What twist rate does .38-55 Winchester use?

.38-55 Winchester typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .38-55 Winchester?

.38-55 Winchester uses a 0.377″ (9.576 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .38-55 Winchester still in production?

.38-55 Winchester is active; typical availability is limited.

What is .38-55 Winchester used for?

.38-55 Winchester is primarily used for hunting, target.

What are the best powders for .38-55 Winchester?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .38-55 Winchester include H322, IMR 3031, H380.

Rifle · SAAMI

.38-55 Winchester

.38-55 Ballard9.5x52mmR

Classic black-powder era cartridge still popular in cowboy action shooting and single-shot rifle competition.

Caliber: 0.377″ · 9.576 mm
Introduced: 1884
Case: Rimmed
Primary use: Hunting, Target
Status: Active

Velocity1,320–1,530 fps

Energy987–1,403 ft·lb

Typical grains220 · 255 · 265 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1884
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Ballard
Manufacturer: Winchester, Marlin
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Limited

Build

Case capacity: 52 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:18
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 30,000 psi
Eff. range: 200 yd
Max range: 400 yd
Recoil: 3.5–5.5 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,200–1,950 fps · 28 loads
Parent case: —

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady LEVERevolution220 gr · FTX · 1,900 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetBear Creek RNFP255 gr · Lead RNFP · 1,320 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .38-55 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	9.58	0.377	✓
Neck ⌀	9.96	0.392	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	10.69	0.421	✓
Rim ⌀	12.85	0.506	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.60	0.063	✓
Neck length	n/a
Case length	52.96	2.085	✓
Overall length	63.75	2.510	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .38-55 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 28 active loads across 13 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 32 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	255	Jacketed Flat Nose	1,950	2,153	—
Winchester	Super-X	255	Lead Flat Nose	1,950	2,153	—
HSM	HSM Trophy Gold	255	TSX	1,950	2,153	—
Hornady	LEVERevolution	220	FTX	1,900	1,763	—
Garrett Cartridge	+P	255	Hard Cast	1,850	1,938	—
Cor-Bon	Hunter SP 255gr	255	SP	1,350	1,032	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	265	Jacketed Flat Nose	1,325	1,033	—
HSM	HSM Trophy Gold	265	Banded Solid	1,325	1,033	—
Remington	Express SP	255	SP	1,320	986	—
Federal	Power-Shok SP	255	SP	1,320	986	—
Hornady	Custom FP	255	FP	1,320	986	—
Bear Creek	RNFP	255	Lead RNFP	1,320	986	—
Hornady	Custom FP 255gr	255	FP	1,320	986	—
Remington	Core-Lokt SP 255gr	255	Core-Lokt SP	1,320	986	—
Remington	Core-Lokt	255	PSP	1,320	986	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

3 reloading powders listed for .38-55 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

H322 IMR 3031 H380

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .38-55 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .38-55 Winchester. Browse all →

Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Side Gate .38-55 Win 20-inch StainlessHenry Repeating Arms Side Gate .38-55Henry Repeating Arms Brass Lever Action 38-55 WinHenry Repeating Arms Side Gate .38-55 Win 20-inchHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Steel .38-55Winchester Model 1894 Deluxe .38-55 Win 24-inchHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Classic .38-55 Win 20-inchWinchester Model 94 TimberWinchester Winchester Model 94 .38-55 Win 24-inchWinchester Model 94 Short Rifle 38-55 WinHenry Repeating Arms Henry Big Boy Classic .38-55Winchester Model 1894 Short Rifle 38-55 Win 20-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

Root — no documented parent

Direct descendants (2)

.375 Winchester .32 Winchester Special .30-30 Winchester

Family TreeOpen .38-55 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads32 factory loads for .38-55 Winchester↗Reloading3 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .38-55 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Developed by Ballard in 1884, adopted by Winchester and Marlin for their rifles. Popular in Schuetzen target shooting and hunting through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The cartridge survived into the smokeless era with reduced loads, remaining popular with cast-bullet enthusiasts and cowboy action shooters. The parent case for the .375 Winchester.

FAQs

What twist rate does .38-55 Winchester use?: .38-55 Winchester typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .38-55 Winchester?: .38-55 Winchester uses a 0.377″ (9.576 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .38-55 Winchester still in production?: .38-55 Winchester is active; typical availability is limited.
What is .38-55 Winchester used for?: .38-55 Winchester is primarily used for hunting, target.
What are the best powders for .38-55 Winchester?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .38-55 Winchester include H322, IMR 3031, H380.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 28 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →