Lonewolf,
I've been casting 250 gr bullets for my H&R Target Model. I basically use wheel weights and don't know the constitution of the lead. Have been using a Lee mold and really like it, it is a nose pour design with a beveled base.
Had plenty of time (3 months) to read up on the Target model during my wait for the rifle. There is a lot of discussion on the dimensions of the chamber and rifling so I waited until I could slug the bore before getting a bullet sizing die....lucky I did because I needed a .379 die.
If you do get a 38-55 barrel and reload I would strongly recommend that you take the first finished round and insure that it chambers and ejects. My chamber is very tight and I had to put a mild taper crimp (sizing die less primer punch) to get the rounds to chamber. I elected to let my brass and chamber wear in in lieu of polishing the chamber, but apparently some folks polish. Don't be surprized if the brass sticks in the chamber, just use a 3/8 dowl rod to tap the case out. This symptom diminishes as you shoot more through the barrel, but if you are hunting it is not a good thing, probably want to polish the chamber.
The rifle is very accurate and funs to load for and shoot.
Roudy
