Author Topic: Need 38-55 info. (Read 607 times)

Spanky · « **on:** November 25, 2009, 07:02:03 AM »

I just got my 38-55 barrel and have a question about it. I read about the undersized neck issues and having to have it reamed. I want to shoot cast bullets so I'm wanting to ream this one. Was it ever determined as to which reamer worked best or to what size the chamber needed to be reamed? I read the FAQ's and saw the .400 reamer. Is that the proper size or is there something better? Thanks for any help.

Spanky

AtlLaw · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2009, 08:17:29 AM »

That's the reamer I used because that's the one I was told to use by folks here.

Before I reamed it though I slugged the bore and it came out .380. I loaded a dummey round with a .381 bullet and confirmed it would not chamber.

The original owner told me he had no problem chambering cartridges he loaded using a thinner brand of brass and .379 bullets. Based on the targets he sent me, they shot very well.

I now shoot .379 jacketed bullets and, had I done so from the beginning, may have not have had to ream the chamber. But the rifle shoots so good I'm not worried about it!

P.S. That's it in the avitar

dieselten · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2009, 08:46:32 AM »

where do you get .379 jacketed bullets? thanks

Spanky · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:05:40 PM »

Is it just a matter of reaming it by hand or does it need to be set up on a lathe? If it's something I can do myself I'll just rent the reamer and have a go. It doesn't seem like much material would have to be removed from the neck. $:-\$

Spanky

AtlLaw · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:57:36 PM »

It's a hand job...
Heck, it took me longer to unpack the reamer then ream the barrel! Just an itti-bitti amount of metal was removed from mine!

Spanky · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:51:14 PM »

Thanks Richard.

Spanky

LONGTOM · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:57:51 PM »

Yea Richard, where do you get .379 jacketed bullets?

LONGTOM

rsl · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2009, 06:14:31 AM »

Where does one get (buy or rent) a .400 reamer? Thanks. Rick

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2009, 06:15:34 AM »

Source is listed in the FAQs, 4D IIRC.

Tim

cwlongshot · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2009, 01:29:58 PM »

The .400 is what I did to mine as well.. WHAT A SHOOTER IT IS!!!!! I LOVE THIS RIFLE!!!! (Who am I kidding, I love them all!!)

CW

rockrat · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:36:37 PM »

You might be able to use the Starline "long" brass, which is thinner in the neck, and not have to do any reaming. Try it first. You can't put metal back