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Author Topic: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?  (Read 1005 times)

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Offline OHHJIMMY

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375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« on: November 15, 2006, 03:49:19 AM »
This may have been asked before. I have been using Buffalo Bore ammo in my 38-55 Target model, and it works well for deer, but it is expensive and hard to get. The Winchester 375 factory ammo has similar ballistics to the Buffalo(the Winchester is 250 fps faster) and I was wondering if it could be used in safely the 38-55?
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Offline Daniel Laws

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2006, 04:05:09 AM »
In my 38-55 target, I tried the fit on some 375 dia. bullets that I had for a 375 H&H.  They would free drop thru the barrel from end to end.  Didn't even touch the rifling enough to slow down on their way thru.  You are most likely stuck with using .380 or .379 dia cast bullets in your rifle.  Mine likes .380 dia cast flat points, 900-1100 fps.  Good luck, and check jph45's posts on the subject.  His and cheatermkII's adventures on reloading for this creature saved me an ulcer and a new bald spot.  I was shooting good right off the bat.  If you don't reload, you may be in for a struggle finding a consistent ammo supply.  Hope this helps, Danny.  PM if you want any details or sympathy.
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Offline Fred M

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2006, 06:24:02 AM »
Man these bores must be big if a .375 bullet drops right through. For a bullet to drop through the bore has to be at least .377" add 4 thou to that and you have a groove diameter of .341". So a cast bullet of .342 would be about right. The trouble with these 38-55 is that the bores are not all the same, from what I hear.
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Fred M.
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Offline OHHJIMMY

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2006, 10:03:34 AM »
I don't reload, but a friend does, and he also has a 38-55. We ordered some cast bullets from Midway, .380 dia. with a gas check and loaded some up at 1650 fps. They shoot good, but I wish I could just find some factory I could use. I don't know if the pressure of the 375 Winchester would be too much for the NEF.
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Offline knight0334

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2006, 01:18:51 PM »
I dont think the Handi will have a problem with the 375 pressure, seeing how it handles higher pressures from the 270 Win and such..   Its just the bore diameter will cause the issues.
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Offline Fred M

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2006, 12:41:58 PM »
You wont have a pressure problem  with a barrel that that has a bigger groove diameter than .375. You can shoot shoot 375 Win ammo but don't expect much accuracy. The blow by will foul the barrel with carbon, and if you don't clean it the barrel will eventual build up with carbon and get the grooves down to proper size.

That way it may after a while shoot not too bad. Carbon attract moisture so you should swap it with pentrating oil but don't remove the carbon. That may work???
You may have heard that some rifles shoot better when badly fouled.

The Handi can stand the pressure of the 375 Win.
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Fred M.
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Offline OHHJIMMY

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2006, 03:37:40 PM »
Thanks, Fred. I knew someone here would know the answer, and I was betting it was you or Quick.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2006, 03:48:12 PM »
I suspected it would work, but not having one and not having done it, didn't want to commit to it. As Fred said, the .375 Win pressure would be fine, it's right there with the .35 Whelen but with a smaller case head, another of Fred's favorites!! ;D ;D ;D

Tim

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm#pressure



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Offline Kmrere42

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2006, 03:57:35 PM »
HI  All,



I think that the real reason for keeping the bore of the 38-55 so large is to prevent just this from happening.  Anyone can pull the bullet of current 38-55 winchester ammo and check its diameter.  With all the complaints one would think after all this time some changes would have taken place.  Not in this department though......




Paul
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Offline Fred M

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2006, 06:46:12 PM »
Depending on your 38-55 chamber you may not get the 375Win to load. You need radial clearance for the case to release the bullet.

A fired 375 Wi. is  0.401" at the case mouth
A factory  375 Win is 0.3955" at the case mouth that is 0.00275" radial clearance.
My handload is 0.377 with 225gr Hornady bullet at the case mouth 0.002" radial clearance.

You better check your chamber to make sure you have clearance for bullet release, or you could get into dangerous chamber pressure.
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Fred M.
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Offline OHHJIMMY

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2006, 10:59:18 AM »
Dadgummit, I knew this was gonna get complicated.
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Offline Fred M

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2006, 01:01:01 PM »
Measuring the inside of  a straight wall chamber is no big deal. Drive in a lead ball until it stops and tap it back out for measuring. Or take the barrel to a machinist and have him measure the end of the chamber with a spring loaded hole gage.

You got to have at least a .398" diameter at 2" depth to fire 375 Win Factory ammo.
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Fred M.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2006, 01:15:28 PM »
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 375 AMMO IN 38-55 HANDI?
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2006, 01:26:13 PM »
MarlinOwners now has a .38-55/.375 forum if you care to peek in on em for any additional info.

Tim

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/index.php
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