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Author Topic: 38-55  (Read 854 times)

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Offline bub524

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38-55
« on: November 09, 2007, 02:36:52 AM »
I'm planning on sending my 38-55 out for a chamber job today. Anyone here have that done? I have the usual problem with tight chamber. I'm hoping for noticeable improvement after I get it done and can use bullets that fit the barrel.
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Offline bub524

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2007, 04:25:40 AM »
Somebody must have had this done??? Have you guys all given up on the 38-55 H&R target rifle???
When I got mine I bought a box of .375 jacketed bullets to try with it. Every one of them hit the 16x20 target at about 80yds...........sideways. Thus began the quest for a good shooting round.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2007, 04:52:12 AM »
They have, but they don't post often.  Stone Fence at MO makes .379" and maybe larger jacketed bullets, PM him for more info.

Tim

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=709

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,110596.msg1098335173.html#msg1098335173
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Offline handirifle

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2007, 07:26:53 AM »
I always a little more than suprised at the number of people (at one time, myself included) that wonder why .375 bullets do no work in a 38-55.  It's like using 45 Colt bullets in a 45-70, same caliber, right?  Wrong.

The 375 Winchester caliber was designed for .375 dia bullets, but the 38-55 never was.  They were always in the .378-379 range, so it's no suprise they keyhole.  Not trying to put anyone down, so please do not take it that way, but I too have learned the hard way, after plunking down hard earned cash, something we could have easily read beforehand.

For ONCE I did my homework first, and when I bought my 38-55, I did so knowing it most likely would never see a jacketed bullet.  I MIGHT see smokeless powder, but not sure yet. 

I'd suggest giving up on jacketed bullets, and getting some good cast bullets for it.  You push them about as hard as you need to in this caliber, with a GC 250gr bullet at nearly 2000fps, it will stop most any critter in the country.

Please let us know how the chamber job does for ya.  I must have beem one of the lucky ones since I can slide .380 dia bullets into mine with no issues.

By the way, the Handy and the 38-55 brass will handle any load you can find in any manual for it.  I use 38-55 brass in my Winchester 94 BB with some warm 375 Win loads and have yet to see any brass issues from it.
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Offline OHHJIMMY

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2007, 11:55:53 AM »
A friend and I bought 38-55 targets I think 2 years ago. He hand loads and uses the .379 hard casts with good results. I don't load so I had to find factory that would work. I found Buffalo Bore brand and it works great. It is very accurate and they load it to 1950 fps. No key holes. It is a deer smoker. You can buy it Midway USA.
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Offline eskimo36

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2007, 12:04:06 PM »
I shoot 265 grain lead .379 bullets with 9 grains of Trailboss (worked up from 6 grains). This load is a great all around load.  I have shot gophers, armadillos, possums, coons, coyotes and deer with this load.  There is very little recoil and noise out of the Target Model barrel.  I have no need to tinker with this gun or its loads.   No chambering problems have been experienced and I use the RCBS cowboy dies with the .380 expander.
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Offline GrampaMike

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2007, 01:38:49 PM »
Love my 38-55 Target rifles, second most accurate Handi caliber I have.  But the bores of both 38-55s are .381. 
I use Beartooth .380 265gr FN GC hard cast.  The load of 25.8gr of Vihtavuori N120 gives me 1766 fps.  Case 2.077; COL 2.520.
Don't know why it is so accurate with undersized bullets but it is.
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Offline bub524

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Re: 38-55
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2007, 12:41:03 PM »
Thanks for the encouragement guys.
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