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Author Topic: Questions on the 38-55  (Read 971 times)

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Offline handirifle

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Questions on the 38-55
« on: February 11, 2007, 09:36:05 AM »
Well I'm thinking of setting up a 38-55, rather than the 45-70.  Number of reason for it.  I already have a bit of brass, dies for it and my 375 Winchester.  I have the 375 Win brass and bullets.  I know the bullets most likely wil not work, but no problem there.  I'm also aware of some of the issues with that particular caliber in the NEF as well.

I want to get back into the NEF but not really wanting the recoil of the 45-70.

Now my questions,
With the 1-18 twist, what is the heaviest bullet it will stabilize?

Anyone here load black powder for their 38-55?

I bid on a receiver, I'll see if I get it.  If I do, I'll send it in for a 38-55 barrel, but I see they do not come with sights.  Any suggestions for the front sight?  Should i go NEF or aftermarket?

Thinking of BC stocks set but might add a recoil pad if need be, most likely not.

How accurate have you guys been able to make your 38-55s?
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Offline myarmor

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2007, 03:37:15 AM »
I have no experiance with the 38-55 nor do I know much about it. But as I remember, and as you stated it is one of the most problematic barrels they make.
My best to you if you decide to go through with it, as you have good reasons for wanting one.
Why not a 45-70 and use reduced loads or BP loads?


-Aaron
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Offline eskimo36

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2007, 04:01:47 AM »
I really like my 38-55.  Nothing comes easy with this barrel as you work through bullet diameter and crimp to get a reliable, "chamberable" round. Once you get past that and find the perfect combination there is no gun I own that is more fun to shoot.  I load with .379 265 grain lead bullets and 9 grains of Trailboss with NO CRIMP and have no problems now.  Any amount of crimp prevents mine from chambering.  I do not use open sights due to my eyes but mine shoots an inch or less at 50 yards with a 2 3/4 power Redfield scope.  I just haven't shot on paper at 100 but have shot armadillos and possums at about a 100 yards. 
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2007, 05:55:55 AM »
I've shot mine with black but not enuff to give a good report on, The recoil is diffrent as is the sound and I like the smoke and smell. :)

It likes .380 dia bullets, @250gr I only shoot cast out of it, I am going to try heavier rounds this spring.

It has shot inside 1 1/4" @ 100yrds and will probably do better if I put more effort into it.

I really like the rifle but the chamber bothers me, I'm gonna fix that and then it'll probably get shot alot more.

Track of the Wolf has some really nice front blade sights And I like the williams FP sight I got from H&R on it but right now its wearing the globe it came with. 8)
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2007, 08:07:49 AM »
I did a search on 38-55 here on GB's site and found some good info on fixing the chambers.  They rent reamers here http://4-dproducts.com/ and do it by hand.  from what I read that clears up all the miss match issues.  From there it SHOULD be just like working up a load for any other barrel.

I've had a 45-70 and I do not currently have any load components, so I start here.
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Offline Prof. Fuller Bullspit

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2007, 11:44:25 AM »
I have a .38-55 Target Classic. I tried the Smith Enterprises sight on it but I didn't like the buckhorn type of blade. I used a Williams base and blade for a while. Now I have an old Krag rear sight on it. I had to modify the mounting holes on the Krag sight a little bit to make this work.

I often shoot black powder. A full case of Schutzen with a 245 grain lead slug sized .381. I had Old Scout ream the chamber because otherwise a bullet this large won't chamber. My barrel slugs at .381 by the way.

This is a good caliber, I wish the barrel was a little tighter and the chamber a little looser from the factory. But once you get the chamber reamed the gun works well.

I also fireform new brass to the chamber and then I dont' resize the brass. The Lee dies I have resize the brass far too much to work well in this gun.

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Offline Kmrere42

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2007, 12:16:47 PM »
Hi,

Speaking of sights,   Does anyone have drawings for a ladder type sight that I could use to create one.



Paul
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Offline Paul5388

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2007, 06:51:06 PM »
Does anyone know if using the shorter .375 Win brass helps on the throat/crimp situation?  It's 0.10" shorter than what .38-55 brass is supposed to be.
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2007, 08:47:53 PM »
Here is the best source of solution I've seen yet on the chamber issues.
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=50c90d8beb75900c64715610f1525c77&topic=101887.msg1098276154

That's what I plan on doing when I get mine.
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Offline Paul5388

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2007, 05:27:58 AM »
When I slugged the bore last night, I got .374" bore and .378" groove.  That may allow me to use a small enough bullet that everything is a non-issue concerning fit.  I think the problem has been in trying to use bullets over .380".
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Offline jwisecarver

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2007, 05:58:56 AM »
I have found a site that offers a 38-55 for the buffalo classic thru H&R for $100.oo and free shipping. Just seems to good to be true.

http://buffaloclassic.tripod.com/38-55_OFFER.pdf
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2007, 06:23:41 AM »
Good luck, that's been around a while, give H&R a call and see if it's still valid.

Tim

(866)776-9292
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Offline Capt. Augustus

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2007, 09:38:29 AM »
I sent a message to Lee Precision about their resizing die and here is there reply.  Their relp is first followed by the question.  I hope to have my barrel back soon from Old Scout.

 The 38-55 is actually a tapered case, even though it may appear to be straight walled.  This means that you can adjust the diameter to which the case mouth is resized with your sizing die.  Instead of adjusting the sizing die to touch the shellholder as per the instructions, start with the sizing die adjusted into the press so that it only resizes about 1/2 of the case.  Measure the case mouth I.D. (inside diameter).  Ideally you want the case mouth I.D. to be .002 to .003 under bullet diameter.  If the case mouth I.D. is smaller than this, back the die out one turn, and try resizing another case.  If the I.D. is larger, turn the die in one full turn and size the case again.  Once you get the case mouth I.D. where you want it, try rechambering the cartridge case in your rifle, just to be sure it will chamber freely before you make a bunch of ammo.

At 11:40 AM 2/12/2007, you wrote:

I am reloading .38-55 for a H&R Target Model.  The rifle has a normal chamber, but a large bore.  For accuracy I have to load a .380 diameter bullet.  Since your die resizes for a .375 bullet, the finished result looks a little lumpy to say the least.  What I am asking could you folks enlarge the neck of a resizing die for loading a larger bullet, say by about 3-4 thousands?  If you can what would be the charge?  Another alternative would be a neck resizer after the brass is once used.
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Offline Lone Star

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Re: Questions on the 38-55
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2007, 01:07:15 PM »
Quote
Does anyone know if using the shorter .375 Win brass helps on the throat/crimp situation?  It's 0.10" shorter than what .38-55 brass is supposed to be.
I doubt it will help, the .375 brass will likely make things worse.  My .375 case necks are thicker than my .38-55's.  Another option is to form cases out of .30-30 brass.  Load ~15-17 grains of Unique over a tight tissue wad and fire straight up - this forms the case with thin walls, just needs a trim to straighten up the mouth.  Cases are shorter than .38-55 cases but the necks are thinner with some brands of .30-30 brass.


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