I shot a bull elk with an old 1894 Winchester 38-55. Range @100 yards. I was using 265 grain hard cast bullets. The elk was trotting broadside when the first shot took him through the lungs. It brought him to a stop when I shot him a second shot through the lungs. As I levered in a 3rd round he collaped dead.
38-55 Hard Cast questions
I’d like to ask a little advice and input – here goes:
My Father’s fine old Winchester M1894 is circa 1918, (I ran the serial number). It is in 38-55 and shoots the Winchester factory 255 grain loads, (the bullets of which I milked at .377), very well. Given that, it is logical to assume that .377 is the proper groove diameter, correct? (I haven’t yet tried slugging the bore & given the prior statements, I feel that in this case it may not be necessary, right?)
I just ordered some hard cast Hunter’s Supply 260 grain .376 diameter (Brinnel hardness 15) pre lubed bullets. I also ordered some Barnes Original .377 bullets in case the old rifle just flat doesn’t like the hard cast slugs.
My questions are: 1) Do you learned folks think these hard cast (advertised as rated to 1600 FPS without gas checks) will perform in the no-bore-leading category as long as I hold velocities at or below 1600 FPS? And 2) [grass roots logic here] since many white tails are taken with jacketed, expanding .223 and .25 caliber bullets that probably expand to around the unexpanded diameter of he 38-55 slugs, is it commonly deemed ethical to use hard cast slugs in the 38-55 to hunt deer, (given reasonable ranges and careful shot placement)? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
My Father’s fine old Winchester M1894 is circa 1918, (I ran the serial number). It is in 38-55 and shoots the Winchester factory 255 grain loads, (the bullets of which I milked at .377), very well. Given that, it is logical to assume that .377 is the proper groove diameter, correct? (I haven’t yet tried slugging the bore & given the prior statements, I feel that in this case it may not be necessary, right?)
I just ordered some hard cast Hunter’s Supply 260 grain .376 diameter (Brinnel hardness 15) pre lubed bullets. I also ordered some Barnes Original .377 bullets in case the old rifle just flat doesn’t like the hard cast slugs.
My questions are: 1) Do you learned folks think these hard cast (advertised as rated to 1600 FPS without gas checks) will perform in the no-bore-leading category as long as I hold velocities at or below 1600 FPS? And 2) [grass roots logic here] since many white tails are taken with jacketed, expanding .223 and .25 caliber bullets that probably expand to around the unexpanded diameter of he 38-55 slugs, is it commonly deemed ethical to use hard cast slugs in the 38-55 to hunt deer, (given reasonable ranges and careful shot placement)? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
