Looking for Heavy Bullets for 38-55

[eskimo36]

I normally shoot 265 gr lead in my 38-55's but i just got a short barrel 38-55 and I am thinking about developing a heavy bullet 1000fps load for this gun.  I will have a low power scope, youth stock and probably use it for my ATV gun.  You know..... low noise hard hitter for the occasional undesirable varmint or critter..

I say all that to say this...What I am looking for is a vendor that sells 300 grain or heavier .380 bullets.   Thanks guys.

[quickdtoo]

BA has 300gr .380"s.

Tim

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,201.html

[dpe.ahoy]

I've got a target 38-55 that I'm thinking of cutting back to 22 or 20 in.   Will the "Handi-gods" get POed at me and make all the Handis shoot bad if I do that?    Just seems a little heavy to pack around with the longer barrel, and would be more handy,  (sorry) to pack around that length.  Interested to hear how you like your shortened one.  How short is short on yours?  Would 18 or 17 be even better?  Looking for comments from all who have done it, please.  DP.

[Tencubed]

Don't have a short Handy but do have, dare I say it here  , a youth model TC carbine with a ported 16" 45-70 barrel.  Rifle weighs just 4 Lb 2 Oz and, as you can guess, the recoil and muzzle blast are extreme with anything but very mild loads.  405 grain cast at 1500 FPS requires practice to get where you can control the rifle's recoil.  Loaded down to 44 Mag velocities with lighter bullets it's a pleasure to plink around with.

This little unit is very handy to pack on a quad and you know what the stopping power is.  I also like the ability to shoot 2.5" 410 shells in it when working in snake country.

The 38-55 would not be quite as extreme but I would guess the recoil and blast would get your attention.

Mike

[eskimo36]

I've got a 38-55 barrel that is 19 7/8ths inches long.  No sights parkerized finish.  Ejector model.   Chamber & throat were cut with a custom manson reamer to take .380 reloads.  The mild loads I normally shoot leave me no concern over muzzle blast or noise.   I like the youth stocks for winter hunting with heavy clothes as well as the more compact design and lighter weight.

[dpe.ahoy]

What powder are you using in the shorter barrel?  Also, what weight bullets?  Really need to get mine shooting better, haven't loaded any .380's yet, seem to spend to much time on this thing.   DP.

[Daniel Laws]

I've got a 45-70 cut off to 18 inches.  It is the most user friendly handi that I have.  I made it out of spare stuff, the barrel looked like 40 miles of bad road when I got it.  I removed the sights, cut and crowned, filled the slot for the rear, added a base, polished and blued, came up with a of PW Monte Carlo stock, fore arm from a Huntsman, scrounged a SB-2 frame, worked the trigger, blued the barrel, Redfield 4X scope.  I only use the top level of trapdoor loads, so recoil isn't a problem.  It is pretty noisy, however.  Five shots at game last year, five animals down.  None went over 30 yds.  That long barrel thing is way over-rated in my opinion. 

[quickdtoo]

Here's another, 335gr that may be .380" as cast, you'd have to check with Sagebrush. 

Tim

http://www.sagebrushproducts.com/bullets.htm

[quickdtoo]

And another that is .380".

http://www.cheycast.com/catalog.htm

[eskimo36]

I use Trailboss (from 6 to 9 grains) and plain base lead bullets in my 38-55's.  


Thanks Tim for the links.