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Any opinions on the Legedary Frontiersman as a shooter? 38-55, 24” brl, late 70s. I see a few available and am considering. They look nice. I am not a reloader but thinking about it.
As long as the one buy is in good condition, i.e. good rifling, bore, no broken parts, you aught to be in good shape. They made them to go BANG like the rest of them.
I have found that with a gun in good condition, and it not being a shooter, usually boils down to operator error. 8 outta 10 times. 1 outta the 10 is due the ammunition and the other percent goes back to condition of the gun.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Maverick, the rifles I have been looking at are in near new condition and I believe 77-79 build. I am looking for like-new guns for shooting and hunting. I was looking for 30-30 but the L.F.s were made in 38-55. The more I learn about this cartridge, I think I would like to own one and maybe learn a little about reloading. thank you, Don
Don,
Good things can be said about both calibers. Some consider the 30-30 to be the more modern cartridge. As if that makes much difference. They both will put meat on the table. Reloading the 38-55 is fairly straight forward. RCBS, Lyman, & Lee, they all sell reloading dies for the 38-55, and various companies make pretty regular runs of brass.
One thing to consider why buying factory loaded ammo, last I checked the average 20rd box of 38-55 goes for $50, versus $18-20 for the 30-30.
So there are things to consider.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I’ve not looked at the Frontiersman, but have run into mention of it on forums while I was searching for Old .38-55 reloading information.
Questions:
The bores are smaller than in the original rifles?
The chamber should have Starline brass 2.080 instead of their 2.125″?
My situation is that I have suddenly got the bug to aquire a small collection of 94s. I’m at 3 and counting. My 1st, disguised as a Ted Williams M100 1974 and got it new from grandpa in 74 when I was 14. Very nice gun with a proper front sight that goes well with the Williams peep sight. It shoots a nice group at 50 or 100 yds, at least for the first 5 or so shots.
I plan to use all the guns for deer hunting with a little casual off season target practice. I just bought a nice old farm/mountain property in Mars Hill NC (~150 acre) and have plans to retire next year. So, I plan to do a lot more shooting and hunting.
My most recent gun is a mint 1942 30-30. Lucked into it at a Morphy auction. Its almost too nice to shoot but I probably will (carefully). Not a fan of the ramp front sight and guess I need to find a good tang sight for the gun.
To end my rambling, I’m looking for one or two more reasonably priced guns in good shape with the plain dovetail mounted front sight. Some of the mid to late 70s commemoratives, and later standard guns seem to fit the bill. 30-30 only, but the 38-55 has gotten me curious. Don’t mind the price of factory ammo if I mainly hunt with it, but it might be fun to try my hands at reloading.
On a side note, ran into a new Miroku 94 at Bass Pro last week. It was nicely made overall, but the bolt was a purplish color and it had no scope or peep sight provisions (contrary to what I’ve read on Winchester’s web sight). Overall went away disappointed and more intent on looking for old guns.
Don
November 7, 2015
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FromTheWoods said
I’ve not looked at the Frontiersman, but have run into mention of it on forums while I was searching for Old .38-55 reloading information.Questions:
The bores are smaller than in the original rifles?
The chamber should have Starline brass 2.080 instead of their 2.125″?
Had one for awhile; used 2.125 brass and cast a .380 bullet, believe it was a Lyman 380681 but will have to check when I get home.
Mike
November 7, 2015
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The current production Trail’s End “Winchester” was made by Miroku and the Legendary Frontiersman was made about 40 years ago by a different company. There is probably a long list of differences but I don’t recall the twist rate of the LF. Just checked, the bullets I’m shooting these days is the Accurate 28-255L sized to .381. Seems the 380681 was a bit too heavy for my current (1895 and 1904 production) 38-55’s so the LF may have had a faster twist rate. I was surprised that the LF had a .380 bore instead of .375 like so many modern rifles. Hard to say what the Miroku bore diameter could be.
Mike
TXGunNut said
The current production Trail’s End “Winchester” was made by Miroku and the Legendary Frontiersman was made about 40 years ago by a different company. There is probably a long list of differences but I don’t recall the twist rate of the LF. Just checked, the bullets I’m shooting these days is the Accurate 28-255L sized to .381. Seems the 380681 was a bit too heavy for my current (1895 and 1904 production) 38-55’s so the LF may have had a faster twist rate. I was surprised that the LF had a .380 bore instead of .375 like so many modern rifles. Hard to say what the Miroku bore diameter could be.
Mike
Mike,
the Trails Ends I was referencing above were (I think) made in New Haven in 2006 or before. Many years after the Legendary Frontiersman but I think same factory. Your reference to the .380 vs .375 bore, and the twist rate, is what I was trying to figure out so I know what I’m getting into in terms of what king of ammo a particular gun does best with and if I should even take this caliber on not being a reloader (yet).
Don
November 7, 2015
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IMHO the 38-55 is an excellent reason to start reloading but that doesn’t address your question.
I read a very good article awhile back that is written for reloaders but may be of interest to you. It’s a bit tedious but the 38-55 is a complicated cartridge to load these days.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/Loading-with-Correct-38-55-Winchester-Cases–38-55-Rifle/
Mike
TXGunNut said
I read a very good article awhile back that is written for reloaders but may be of interest to you. It’s a bit tedious but the 38-55 is a complicated cartridge to load these days.https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/Loading-with-Correct-38-55-Winchester-Cases–38-55-Rifle/
Mike
Mike, thanks. I read that article twice. I think a little sank in. I guess I have a lot more homework to do….Don
November 7, 2015
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask, Don. The 38-55 is an ongoing project and one of my (many 
) favorite cartridges.
Mike
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