It's here! It's mine, not the states any more!!

[handirifle]

Well I picked up my Target model tonight.  Looks perfect, and the trigger is very nice too.    Like my old BC was  , should have never sold that.  OK lesson learned, never again.

I slugged it out and it is as follows, (hope I named these right) the lands are .374, the bore .378, and the chamber mouth is .392 (I think, the chamber number,  left the note downstairs).

So I guess I should start off with .380 bullets.  Any good sources?  What weights have these things been happiest with?  Seems like about 265gr or so?  This will be black powder only, so no hard cast and no gas checks please.

Anyone had any experience with these? They're from Chey Cast, 38/55 Cal 245 Grain RNFP?  http://www.cheycast.com/catalog.htm

[quickdtoo]

Congrats! There's a good article in the FAQs on cast bullets for the 38-55 if you haven't seen it already. Mt Baldy has .380" bullets listed.

Tim

http://www.mtbaldybullets.com/asp/products.asp

[trotterlg]

Are the grooves only .002 deep on those barrels?  How do you get a grip on lead with only .002 deep grooves?   Larry

[John Boy]

handirifle - Some advice with the H&R 38-55:
1.  The chamber will need to bored out to properly chamber a loaded round using a 380 bullet after the cases have been fireformed.
2.  A 380 (1:20) bullet is needed to obdurate the grooves
3.  The bore twist is 1:18.  So to best stabilize the bullet, based on black powder twist ratios for this rifle ... the bullet is the Lyman mold 330gr 375166.  This bullet calculates at 17.65 twist. I don't know who sells them retail.

If you subscribe to BPC News, there is an excellent article by Don Miller ... A New Twist Rule Applied to Black Powder Rifles.  Greenhill's formula doesn't calculate accurately to BP rifle loads

And here's Harry Pope's recipe ... 52gr FFg and a felt wad.  You may want to bump the powder up to 58grs because he used a 255gr bullet for the barrels he made ... entirely different than the H&R 

[handirifle]

Are the grooves only .002 deep on those barrels?  How do you get a grip on lead with only .002 deep grooves?   Larry

Hmmm, lets see.  .378 - .374 = .004.

Thanks for the links, and info John Boy

Quick, I read it once, some time back, but will look it over once more.

[handirifle]

JohnBoy
The company in the link I posted sells a 330gr for the 38-55 but not sure if it's like the lyman or not.

[stalker1]

trotterlg is correct. O.D. radius 0.189" - I.D. radius 0.187" = 0.002" depth. I'm curious also.

[Roudy]

Handirifle,

Don't know if you cast your own bullets, but if you do Lee makes a dandy 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 379-250-RF (379 Diameter) 250 Grain Round Nose Flat Point.  Midway has them for less than $20 + S&H.  This is a bevel base (no gas check) nose pour mold.

I size mine to .379 and load with either IMR 3031  or Blue dot for lower velocities.  I usually use some dacron filler, but not real sure that it helps all that much.  If you are going to use black powder you might want to consider a grease cookie and a wad to keep the bore fouling to a minimum.

Hope you enjoy loading for and shooting your as much I do mine, the target model seems like a mini-BC to me and much easier on the shoulder.

Congratulations,
Roudy

[handirifle]

trotterlg is correct. O.D. radius 0.189" - I.D. radius 0.187" = 0.002" depth. I'm curious also.

Yep, my mistake, fuzzy math.      Forgot about the divide by two part.

[handirifle]

Roudy
Yes I PLAN on black powder only for this one.  I think I'd prefer a flat base, as it aids in seating the bullet flat against the powder.  I've read some negative comments on bevel base and BP, as it seems to increase the gas blow, by, or whatever it's called.

I don't cast, yet, but will see what it likes best and get a suitable mold.

[quickdtoo]

Handi, Western Bullet has a bullet made for the 38-55 that's not expensive that you might try, give em a call or email and see if they're closer to .380" as cast.

Tim

http://www.westernbullet.com/cbip/b375248.html

[handirifle]

Thanks Quick

[handirifle]

Well I ordered a couple boxes from Chey cast.  I bought some 1-20 245gr Flat base, flat point, and some 325gr snover's, all at .380 dia.

[eskimo36]

Let us know how the BP works out in it.   I am about to do a little BP in my 500 S&W with a 320 grain R E A L bullet. 

[handirifle]

Will do.  It will be most likely Monday before I get the bullets and then check out the throat of the chamber to make sure all is well.  IF all is well, I'll get out sometime next week to try a few rounds.  I have some Pyrodex and GOEX so I'll try both, and on both weight bullets.

If the throat is like some have reported, too small to chamber the .380 bullet, then I'll have to send it off for reaming.  Local smith isn't that great and would be at least a month to get it back anyway.

[stimpylu32]

handirifle

I do feel for you guys , the last gun i got was , i'll take it , do the paper work , a phone call and pay . was out the door with a NEW Handgun in less than 1/2 hour . what would that take you ? 1 or 2 weeks ?

stimpy

[eskimo36]

handirifle,
be careful with the amount of crimp on the bullet....the slightest amount of roll crimp can prevent the 38-55 from chambering.

Stimpylu32
Here in Oklahoma it is like what you describe....If I had to wait two weeks, I would change my mind or forget what i bought.

[handirifle]

stimply
It's the same, whether shotgun, rifle or handgun, it's a 10 day wait.  Handgun purchasers have to take a written test to insure they know how to "safely" handle it.  Some questions are reasonable, some are a joke.

All this and the gang bangers still buy them out of trunks.  Oh, yes, we also have to prove we have a qualifying gun safe or purchase a gun lock for about $10 more.  I have a safe, eventually it will pay for itself.  The safe thing is because if a 16 year old breaks into my home, steals my "unlocked" handgun and kills someone with it I can be held liable.  Never mind the little prick had to break into my home and steal it to obtain it, it's still partly my fauly, according to these morons.  It gets more fun here everyday!!!!!!

Eskimo
Points noted, will proceed with caution.

[safetysheriff]

Handi'

a scripture comes to my mind.    i do hope you enjoy the rifle, but the scripture is one you'll possibly recognize......and it may relate to your home state.

the scripture says, "come out from among them."

does anything like that seem to be a 'confirmation'?

take care,

ss'   

[handirifle]

SS all too clear, my friend.  If it were ONLY my decision, it would have already been made.