Description
.38-55 Winchester 245 grain RNFP Hi-Tek Coated lead bullet- The .38-55 Winchester cartridge (actually .3775 caliber), also known as the .38-55 WCF and the .38-55 Ballard. It was based on an earlier cartridge called the .38-50 Ballard Everlasting that was introduced in 1876 by the Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Company. The .38-55 Winchester is also the parent case for the .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, and the .375 Winchester cartridges. The .38-55 Winchester is one of the most enduring and historically significant American rifle cartridges, introduced in 1884 alongside the Winchester Model 1885. Originally developed as a black powder round, it quickly earned a reputation for excellent accuracy, mild recoil, and dependable performance. In the late 19th century, the .38-55 was widely used by hunters, settlers, and competitive marksmen, excelling in single-shot and lever-action rifles. It proved highly effective on deer, elk, and black bear at typical frontier distances, and it became a favorite in early target and Schuetzen competition due to its inherent precision. Winchester continued to use the round in various rifles until about 1940, and also used it in a few commemorative editions of rifles since then. Today, the .38-55 Winchester enjoys a strong revival among traditional hunters, black powder cartridge shooters, and Cowboy Action and vintage rifle enthusiasts.
Cowboy Choice Ammunition loads the .38-55 Winchester specifically for vintage firearms that require lower pressures comparable to original black powder loads. Our Cowboy Choice .38-55 is hand-loaded with care to ensure safe, consistent performance in antique and early smokeless-era rifles, while preserving the classic shooting characteristics the cartridge is known for. Using our Chey-Cast 245-grain Hi-Tek coated bullet, this load delivers smooth feeding, excellent accuracy, and minimal barrel fouling. Reduced recoil and mild muzzle flip make it especially well suited for Cowboy Action competitions, extended range sessions, and traditional hunting. The result is an authentic, soft-shooting .38-55 load that honors history while benefiting from modern hand-loading precision.
The Bullet:
For these bullets, we use the unique heat-set “HI-TEK Super Coating”. The Coating Totally encapsulates the lead projectiles and replaces standard wax lube. Our bullets are Hard Cast at 22 Brinell. This coating molecularly bonds to the lead, encasing the entire projectile in a protective shell that is self-lubricating. This proprietary coating contains no PTFE or Moly.
- Velocity: 1,000 fps
- OAL 2.500″
- 100% Hand-Loaded!
