Buffalo Classic in 38-55

[Tom-ADC]

I just picked up a Buffalo Classic in 38-55 serial number begins with HU. I hear on other forums these barrels have mismatched chambers and need to be reamed to shoot cast bullets?

[rsl]

Mine worked well with Starline brass and a Lazer cast .380 bullet.. Factory ammo would key-hole.. Winchester brass is too thick and won't chamber with a .380 bullet. Good luck..

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! Check the FAQs and Help sticky, there are a couple links specific to the 38-55 Target Classic's tight neck and overbore barrel, use the page search for 38-55.

Tim

[gcrank1]

Hope you are planning to reload lead bullets for it, you can find the perfect match and it is a fun classic. Ive never used jacketed in mine but I understand J bullets in several dia. are available.
Mine is one of those 'tight neck' models and Ive not throated it. I use fire-formed 30-30 cases, which are already thinnish necks and once blown out take .379 bullets fine, .380 are a tad tight. If I get an outside neck turner and just even up the uneven case neck thickness the .380 fit fine. I seat the bullet out to contact the rifling and do not crimp.
The bullet Im using is from the inexpensive Lee mould , alloy is just wheel weights with a dash of tin to aid castability.
I really like mine.

[Lefty Dude]

I just returned from shooting My HT model 38-55, testing powder & loads. I bought Winchester brass, but with .380" bullets the test/dummy round failed to chamber. My bore slugs .379". I ordered Starline 2.125" thin neck brass. With the .380" sized bullet, all is well now. I may get some unsized as cast bullets, hopefully they will be .382" or larger. I will then size/lube them to .381".

The bullets I used today were Meister 245 gr./.380". I tested five loads with three different powders. Best powder was Accurate 5744. I E-mailed Accurate and got there recommended loads for 5744. The response was prompt and very helpful. There is no loading data on Accurate's load data site for 38-55. I also requested load data on the .375   Winchester for 5744.

I have used 5744 for 30-30 lead loading and have been very satisfied with this powder.

[quickdtoo]

AA has published 38-55 A5744 data in their cowboy loads before. RL7 is my favorite for 375 Win loads. 

Tim

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/2003guide.pdf






 

[Lefty Dude]

Thanks Tim, for the Accurate Link. I have used that before. The Info that I got was much more improved with a minimum & max data.
The other powders I tried were SR4759 & RL 7. SR4759 is a close second to 5744, I may do a re-visit with this powder. The loads were very close, a Grain or two apart. RL7 was way out in Left field some where. I got the RL7 load from my old Lyman Cast Bullet handbook.

And Yes, RL7 is my powder of choice for the .375 Winny also.

[dpe.ahoy]

Anyone used AA1680 in their 38-55?  I have used it in my 375's and am gonna try it in the H&R's when it warms up this spring.  I was using the 220 gr Hornady and their data for the loads.  Looks like less pressure at the same speed as RL-7 or will go faster at max load.  DP

[Tom-ADC]

Thanks to all, the bullets  I have right now are .377 cast I loaded a few up using Unique at 8 grs & the short Starline brass, I do have a back order on the longer Starline brass coming, the person I bought the rifle from has used 10.0 grs of Unique with a lee 250 gr bullet at .380 with no problems he is going to send me some plus 5 pure lead so I can slug the barrel.
The lead I use right now in my 45-70's is 30-1 and shoots great with no leading, when I figure out what bullet I like then I'll buy that mold and start casting.
Have heard good things about AA 5744 but haven't used it yet.
I'm thinking of swapping the Williams WGS sight that came with the rifle for a Williams Fool proof with target knobs.
BTW thanks for the FAQ tip

[gcrank1]

On my first TM I put on that upgrade sight and liked it very much; I got it through H&R, and a couple other little things, and it was a good buy. I used that one for more 'target' work at that time. If you do it maybe give me dibbs on your original sight?
The .377s may lead on you, though that is not a fast load, if gas gets by the bullet base it gas cuts the bullets. Even that soft alloy may not if the bullet really filles the grooves.
You might think about Trail Boss, it wll help fill up that long case.
FWIW, my 'old H&R' style chamber wont take the 'long' Starline brass. I tried, it is chambered for the currently available lengh 38-55s, not the old original spec. longer cases. I would have had to trim them down! What a waste! I bet yours is the same, but a chamber cast (even in canning wax if you dont have Cerrosafe) will tell you.