1871 38-55 Target help

[craigster]

Just acquired  a new to me 1871 38-55 Target model. Put 20 rounds of Precision Cartridge ammo downrange with poor results. Shots patterned rather than grouped, had a half dozen tumblers as well. I have slugged the bore and it measures .381". The Precision ammo uses .377" bullets so that would account for the poor accuracy, I'm sure.  Next step was to load some Cast Precision .380" s in the thinner walled Starline brass. Loaded rounds would chamber, but not at all easily. at this point it would seem that chamber reaming is in order. My question is, which reamer? 4D lists three, .395", .398" and a .400".  I made a chamber cast and it measures right at .395-6". So, am I correct to assume that the .400" reamer would be the correct one to use? Also, will standard 38-55 reloading dies work with the reamed chamber? The dies I have on hand are Lee. Any and all help and input will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

[srussell]

my chamber is reamed to .400 and works well with .380/381 boolets

[craigster]

Are you able to reload using  "standard" 38-55 dies?

[srussell]

yes. actually i reload using 375 dies. but yes 38-55 will work. you might want to try rcbs cowboy dies ,are Lyman

[craigster]

Thank you !

[AtlLaw]

As I remember, my bore slugged .380, but cases loaded with .381 bullets wouldn't chamber.      I reamed the chamber with the .400 reamer and everything has been fone since!      And it shoots jacketed .379 bullets real well!   

[quickdtoo]

As I remember, my bore slugged .380, but cases loaded with .381 bullets wouldn't chamber.      I reamed the chamber with the .400 reamer and everything has been fone since!      And it shoots jacketed .379 bullets real well!   

Sounds like a twin to both of mine including the .379" jacketed!! 

Tim

[craigster]

Who makes/where are you getting the .379" jacketed?

[quickdtoo]

There's a source of jacketed bullets listed in the FAQs.

Tim