On various sites I frequently see this caliber mentioned. I have a nice collection of antique and replica 45-70's but think I might like something in a smaller caliber just for a change.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Recommendations?

Thanks, Retreever

The .38-55 Ballard is a very versatile and very old cartridge. It was first introduced in 1884 for the Ballard rifles, and was quickly picked up by other companies. It's been a popular hunting cartridge, and target cartridge for many years. And one of the few early BP cartridges that made the transition to smokeless and is still currently in production.
The .38-55 is mainly a mid range or closer cartridge, but a few have used it for longer range shooting with faster twist rates, and heavier bullets. The standard load was a 255 gr. bullet, but many shooters today use bullets up around 325 gr., and a few even heavier. Old time target shooters also used bullets around 300-315 gr. to shoot bench rest, and schuetzen too. But offhand shooters soon turned to smaller calibers to avoid stiff recoil over long shooting periods.
The .38-55 is one of my favorites, but as mentioned above the .40-65 is a better choice if your goal is 800-1000 yd. shooting. But if you plan to shoot mostly 500 yds. or less the .38-55 would get the nod from me. Very mild compared to the .40-65, and easier on the lead and powder supply too.

My thoughts: 
Yes, the 38-55 is a fine cartridge to work with for short to
medium range shooting. ESPECIALLY if you go with a 12 twist barrel to enable stabilizing heavier bullets out to 600yds.
AND the 40-65, is also a fine, modest recoil cartridge usually used for out to Midrange-600yds in usual 16 twist.
It is noted that the 40-65, with appropriate length bullets
has been shown to be accurate out to Long range- 8,9,1000yds.-even in usual modern16 twist.  However, for best versatility, I would go with a 14-14.5 twist barrel for long, heavy bullet capability.
NOW, there is a middle of the road cartridge to consider:
the 38-50 Rem Hep cartridge. My recent experience with mine
indicates much greater versatility/capability than the 38-55 BMW. (Ballard/Marlin/lately Win). It is a pussycat to shoot, but will reach out with heavier bullets, even up to 360-380 grain with a 10 twist barrel clocking up to 1375fps.
It is easy to form brass from 30-40 Krag brass. 
beltfed/arnie

JLouis wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2021 at 10:50am:


Recoil isn't my concern, I'm a big guy well padded  and I like my 45-70's I'm just looking for a another caliber to have fun with - I'm fine with the mid-range limitation.

My 45-70's fill the bill for me for long distance.

Retreever

Thanks Retreever then I too would recommend the 38-55 for your own chosen use.

Rex N wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2021 at 9:16pm:

That’s a lovely gun, wood just speaks to me 
Gumpy

Thanks,

I bought the wood at local lumber yard called Windsor Plywood, i think the guy thought I was crazy as I  bought the part with an ugly knot in it but it turned out well.  The action was just a rusty frame that a friend found at a gun show for me.  Turns out to be a forged frame and handles the 38-55 very well. It is one of my favourite rifles now.  Grumpy gumpy wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2021 at 9:51pm:

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far, appreciate the feedback.

I started looking online yesterday for a likely candidate to purchase but I'm finding very little in the way of used single shot rifles. Most of what I am seeing are older Winchester lever guns usually with a 26" barrel.

I did find a used Pedersoli High Wall Classic Model in 38-55 but that's about it.

Retreever