Author Topic: 38-55 to 40-65 - - - Thoughts??? (Read 1042 times)

TopperT · « **on:** January 04, 2009, 07:38:36 AM »

I have an extra 38-55 TC, and I have been thinking this could make a neat 40-65 conversion. I need to have the chamber of rthis rifle enlarged anyway to correct it, so I have been wondering what the cost and practicality would be to simply change the 38-55 into a 40-65? I have asked several knowledgeable sources and the information I have is that it can be done. My question is, has anyone tried this and if so what "issues" does this pose if any? I appreciate any information. Thanks; Jim.

brennemanj83 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:48:20 AM »

Hey Jim why dont ya just send me that extra target classic! ;)I would say the 40-65 would be a wonderful choice.As far as how it would work out I dont know.It could be done at reasonable price and I think you would probally have to swap the extractor out for one from a 45/70.If you have it done keep us posted on how it turns out.I have been toying around with this idea also.

Jon

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2009, 07:49:06 AM »

Go for it, what's $300 for the work considering it's the rifle of your dreams!!

Tim

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=RELOADING&dept2=DIES&dept3=40-65%20WINCHESTER

http://www.grafs.com/metallic/857

brennemanj83 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2009, 10:26:58 AM »

Another option would be to have Bufflo Classic barrel relined for the 40-65.I personally think the extra 4'' would make some difference in velocity and accuracy in the 40-65 out at the longer ranges.

TopperT · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2009, 01:05:57 PM »

Jon, between you and Tim your giving me some very interesting ideas.........Tim even supplied the links for all the goodies

Thanks. This may just become 2009's project. Frankly I hadn't thought about re-linning a BC........

; interesting indeed!

brennemanj83 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2009, 01:10:03 PM »

Hey Jim Wayne York at Oregunsmithing can Probally do it for you whichever way you decide to go.

http://home.earthlink.net/~oregunsmithing/

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2009, 02:08:54 PM »

Yupper, Wayne does relining as well as rebores, he did my 405 Win for me.

Tim

http://home.earthlink.net/~oregunsmithing/id13.html

LONGTOM · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2009, 04:16:37 PM »

I say go for the relined long 40-65 BC and sell me the 38-55 barrel!!!

LONGTOM

Blackhawker · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2009, 05:38:13 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 04, 2009, 02:08:54 PM

Yupper, Wayne does relining as well as rebores, he did my 405 Win for me.

Tim

http://home.earthlink.net/~oregunsmithing/id13.html

Tim, I hate to side-step the main subject here but this is interesting. I have recently been tinkering with the idea of shooting a 405 Winchester via a re-chambered handi. First off, are you shooting the 405 via a Handi? If so, what caliber did you start with?....did you rebore a smaller caliber or reline a larger?
Any other advice would be helpful too if you have any tips etc.

As always, thanks Tim

Topper T,
I know I'm the third in line here but if you decide on letting that 38-55 barrel go, I'd be interested in it if nobody else in line ahead of me buys it.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2009, 05:45:16 PM »

It's a rebored and rechambered 38-55 Target.

Tim

Blackhawker · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2009, 06:20:40 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on January 04, 2009, 05:45:16 PM

It's a rebored and rechambered 38-55 Target.

Tim

That was the way I figured it to work.....38-55 rebore and rechamber. How does the resulting 405 shoot?
By the way, nice stocks with the checkering. Did you re-finish them? Also, is that a case colored SB-2 frame or a standard hadi SB-2? The reflection on the frame makes it hard to determine the finish. Great looking rifle!

Thanks for sharing Tim.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2009, 08:45:19 PM »

The stock set is from a Topper deluxe Classic as they came from H&R, frame is the 38-55 Target, same as on the BC, it shoots the 300gr Hornady SP @ close to 2435fps with a healthy dose of Benchmark, didn't chrono factory ammo, but it shoots both real good.

Thanks,

Tim

Blackhawker · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2009, 04:01:01 AM »

WOW, very impressive! That's a heck of a lot of power. It's a wonder why this round has fallen from popularity. Nice shooting, by the way!
Hopefully, someday I can work up a rifle like that. From my searchings, the reloading components (bullets mainly) are a little scarce and therefore are expensive.

TopperT · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2009, 08:57:52 AM »

Just a follow up on my thread........; First off thanks for all the great information concerning my question re: 40-65.

After looking over my bank book

; I've decided to send off my recent 38-55 TC purchase (frame and fore-stock) and have a 32" BC barrel fitted. With this then, at least, I have my base should I find the $$$ to create a 40-65 OR I can simply stay with 45-70 and shoot this as a BPCR.

Then; if and when I ever get to either go visit the Quigley shoot or hunt out west for 'critters larger than Whitetails I have more than sufficient rifle....(maybe using the 38-55 and the 45-70 do a combination hunt like Elk and Antelope....hummmmmmm

).....

Also this leaves me with an extra 38-55 barrel and as an added bonus the TC I picked up last week has a Pedersoli Front Globe sight and a (real) Buffington Trapdoor rear sight that I can move to the 32" 45-70. To boot somewhere here I have the original 38-55 sights that came with my first TC and these can go on the extra 38-55 barrel. A bit convoluted but it does get me both worlds so to speak. Thanks again; Jim.

rockrat · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:01:40 PM »

And to add another bit of confusion to the pot, you could rechamber the 38-55 to 38-72 and with the proper reamer, use 405 win brass. A 280gr sp to 2400fps is easy and groups under and inch are possible with the right bullets.

eskimo36 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2009, 03:59:58 AM »

to further confuse things...I am pondering on one of my Target Models rechambering to a 38x3.25 using bertran basic 3.25" 30-30 brass or a 38x74( necked up 9.3x74r).

Duplicate guns and barrels always cause grief when I have money in my pocket....

wgr · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2009, 04:42:26 AM »

sell the extra 38-55 barrel to someone that needs it. buy and h&r barrel blank and go for it

Blackhawker · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:19:59 AM »

Quote from: wgr on January 07, 2009, 04:42:26 AM

sell the extra 38-55 barrel to someone that needs it. buy and h&r barrel blank and go for it

Can H&R barrel blanks be purchased? I didn't know this. How does one acquire one?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:25:43 AM »

No! $:-\$

Natty Bumppo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:59:38 AM »

It would probably work out great, but I wish you would sell or trade the target rifle barrel to someone and get another barrel that's still in production to rebore and rechamber.

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2009, 08:07:14 AM »

Jon,

If you're serious about the BPCR thing, check the rules. They specify a certain weight/velocity (to make sure the rounds aren't bombing the target pullers in the pits). Most guys using the .40-65 find that they have to duplex or kicker load this round.

Blackhawker · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2009, 09:17:44 AM »

Thanks Tim. I didn't think it was possible to buy a blank. It's too bad that it's not possible. Imagine the calibers we could have!

Natty Bumppo,
I sort of agree here. It seems like the 38-55 barrel is used a lot for re-boring or re-chambering. In fact, that's what I had in mind with the thought of the 405 Winchester. For some reason, I feel a little bad about it since the 38-55 isn't produced by H&R anymore. Re-boring and re-chambering is going to make the 38-55 more and more scarce. It's too bad H&R stopped offering the 38-55....especially the Target model with the 28 inch barrel.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2009, 09:21:25 AM »

I wouldn't rule out custom barrels in the future, the Remington Custom Shop may be an option for us some day, no promises, but it's a possibility, that's all I can say for now.

Tim

Blackhawker · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2009, 06:20:01 PM »

Tim,
I'm not sure how Remington is involved with H&R's. Maybe I missed out on something with the transfer of rights or ownership of the organization.

Is Remington now involved with the ownership of H&R?

If not, do you think the Rem Custom Shop would produce barrels with the H&R lug etc?

Again, forgive me if I'm asking a question with an obvious answer (as stupid question). Being primarily a T/C single shot user, I am fairly new to the H&R single shot world so I don't know all of the ins and outs of the industry.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** January 08, 2009, 06:23:22 PM »

Remington owns Marlin/H&R, has for about a year, read the top and bottom article on H&R's News page, this is old news, so I'm not gonna go over it.

I have a contact at Remington that is "in the loop" for new products, let's just say he's aware of most everything that's mentioned here and has an open mind towards making H&Rs a better product.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/News/pressreleases.asp#remington

Blackhawker · « **Reply #25 on:** January 08, 2009, 06:58:07 PM »

I guess old news is good news for me!

It's good to know that there is someone at such a big company that still cares about these relativley inexpensive and simple rifles and wants to keep the quality in them as well as satisfy the customer base.

Now, as for that 405 Winchester.......

Thanks for the info Tim.