NEF 38-55 Issues

[Kmrere42]

Hi,


I am in need of some help. I am currently working on a project for my rifle.  I would lik to use it next year for the local 300yd slowfire matches. 
My biggest problem is that the my NEF has the typical large bore and normally small chamber. 
Bore - .375  Grove - .3815  End of chamber is right at .395

I have access to a decent machine shop and am working on a swaging die with a dia of .371.  I REALLY do not want to use
black powder. 

Does Hodgdon's 777 act in the same fashon as the old black powder or would it be better to hand ream the front end of my chamber slightly
larger




Paul

[Smokin Joe]

Paul, most guys shooting BPCR or single shot matches are going the reamer route. It solves a lot of problems.
 Check with 4-D products about their .38-55 reamer Reamers@4-dproducts.com. They'll rent you one cheap and it'll take about 15 minutes including cleanup.
 
http://4-dproducts.com/

[Woodbutcher]

 Dear smokinjoe5150
 Is this something done by hand, without a lathe, I mean. Woodbutcher

[Smokin Joe]

You can do it by hand. Slap the reamer in a tap/die stock, flood it with cutting oil.......in about 6 turns you're done. Clear the chips every turn or couple of turns. Stop when the reamer rim cutter section just "kisses" the existing rim cut in the barrel.

[JBMauser]

to answer your 777 question, it has more power volume for volume than BP.  My groups are tighter with BP than 777 in my Danish rolling block,  11.7 X reamed for 45/70.  Other than fouling issues, BP cleans up easily.  JB

[Kmrere42]

Hi JBMauser,



Thank you for the info.  I am considering getting a reamer to fix the chamber although would a simple piloted straight reamer do??  The NEF chamber seems unusualy long or else my winchester brass is kinda short. 

When using 777 do you find that the bullet obturates properly, also is there any special loading procedure other than filling up the case minus bullet space and seat.



Thank you



Paul

[Woodbutcher]

 Smoking Joe, that's nice!!! Thank you very much!
 I asked at another time, and wasn't sure about the answer, but it seemed like something I could do. Really not much to remove, and seemed like the sensible to do, if it's too small, make it bigger.
                                                                                             Woodbutcher

[Kmrere42]

O.K. Guys,



Had great weather in NH.  Not much time to shoot with all the other things going on.  My first try kinda stinks

H&R 38-55 Target  Bore .375  Groove .3815
260 gr pointed .372" Brown paper patch 2 turns .382
16gr SR4759
Seated to just touch the forcing cone
Target at 100yds


Paul

[Smokin Joe]

Never seen that paper used before. What alloy are you using? Did you lube the patch?
I use Rooster Jacket liquid for lube on a 25 or 30 to 1 alloy.

[Kmrere42]

Hi  smokinjoe5150,



I am using straight lead from corbin and just graphite on the patch.  I willbe making a proper sized expander next week as I think that the neck tension is swaging down the bullet when seated.  The paper an unbleached paper from home depot. Thickness of .003




Paul

[arnie19]

Paul ,you need to back off the length of your wrap and allow just a slight bit of lead to show at the top.Also i would try some of the paper that Buffalo Arms sells .You want that bullet wrapped about half way between bore and groove diameter or less so the bullet can upset into the grooves and cut the paper as it goes down the bore .You also want the wrapped bullet slip fit into the case unless your hunting with them  .Are you shooting this bore dirty ? If you are good luck .I have never gotten a paper patch to shoot very accurate unless cleaned every shot .Arnie

[Smokin Joe]

Paul.....check your PM