Hello guys, in new to the forum and I would like some suggestions on reloading the 38-55 WCF cartridge.
I am in the process of purchasing a new in box Winchester 1885 highwall traditional hunter chambered in 38-55.
So far I purchased a set of Redding 38-55 Winchester/ Ballard dies, starline ( long ) 38-55 reloading brass, some CCI 200 primers, and a slug kit from meister bullets co.
Figured this is a good start..I hope
I want to shoot lead cast bullet, with smokeless powder..
Any one have one of these rifles that can shed some light on a  powder , and bullet suggestion. 
What do I need to know about reloading for this rifle..
Thank you in advance for any help..

Well, if your rifle is like other modern Winchesters, chances are that it wants short (2.080") brass, not the long (2.125") Starline brass. A quick and dirty way to check is to bell a case and seat it fully in the chamber, and see whether the bell gets ironed out. I have fooled myself once with this method.  So the best way is to make a chamber cast (carefully) and measure from the front of the rim seat to the beginning of the transition from chamber to leade, and add .063" for the rim thickness.

You'll want to slug the barrel to determine what size bullet you want to shoot, and you've got the slugging kit on the way, so good on that one.

Get ye a Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook, I think 4th Ed is the current one, and you've got good loads for a bunch of powders. A 250 grain cast bullet of the proper diameter is a good start. I like 10 grains of Unique for a light load (though a couple of my 38-55s prefer 11 grains). For a bit more umph, I turn to 21 grains of IMR 4198 (25.8 gr max) or 25 grains of Reloader 7 (27.5 gr max).

the traditional 250/260 grain weight bullet over 22 grains of H4198 does an excellent job for me. no filler. tiny groups.

I also load the Lyman Postell bullet (330 grains?) over about 18 grains of the same powder with very good results.

Lots of folks prefer 4227 for this cartridge (I don't know how much with what bullet off the top of my head). 4198 does better for me. try both.

As for the dies. There labeled  38-55 wcf / 38-55 Ballard.
Thanks for the tips guys ..any one shooting 300 gr or heaver bullets .
Also..yes the barrel is a 1 in 15 twist..so I need to stick with the heavy bullets.

Marlinguy is right the proper name should be a Ballard 38-55.
Unless your referring to the shortened 2.080" .375" groove diameter modern bastardisation of Ballard’s perfectly fine 2.120" .380 groove diameter 38-55.
I’m happy to let Winchester claim that.

40 Rod

Schuetzenmiester wrote on Sep 20^th, 2017 at 3:43pm:


OR 38-55s (short) and 38-55L (long)

1coolcat wrote on Sep 19^th, 2017 at 11:48pm:


Yes, as are Lee dies. But the cartridge was introduced by Marlin in their Ballard rifles, and is the .38-55 Ballard. Amazing how these companies take the liberty of putting the WCF after .38-55 so often.

Haha..no problem..I did some reading and now I understand why it is called the 38-55 Ballard.  That is the original name of the cartridge, it became the 38-55 WCF once winchester standardized the cartridge and add the WCF to it..correct ?

Anyways I received great support to my question, and a few p.m. that we're very helpful..
Thank you very much guys. For making me feel welcome..comm'on group hug..wait..to soon?.. haha

I also plan on shooting out to 300 yrds  just target shooting for fun..
Also the rifle is a 1 in 15 twist barrel ..will I want to stick with 255 gr bullets or 300gr and up..thanks