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Author Topic: 38-55 woes  (Read 776 times)

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Offline AtlLaw

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38-55 woes
« on: August 08, 2009, 05:32:34 AM »
Okay, let me give y'all some background.

You know my great shooting 45-120 barrel...  Well, it was snuggled into a bank vault tight fitting SB2 receiver.  Never being one to leave well enough alone, I figured I'd give that rec'r back to it's original 45-70 barrel and get a nice case colored receiver for the 120.  (Yes, I useta like my wimmins dressed up real purdy to!   ;D )

I finally ended up buying a whole 38-55 TC here on the classifieds, figuring I'd keep the action and put the wood on that old 45-70.  I would then sell the 38-55 barrel to recoup some of my expenses.  So far so good.  BUT the best laid plans of mice and men and all that...  ::)

I had already bought 50 pieces of 38-55 brass... but only because Midway had them on clearance.  I mean...  really!   you never know...  :-\

I sluged the bore and it came out an even .380.   Cast bullets only...  :( 

I was still debating the disposition of the barrel when I went to a local gunshop.  And there I found, hidden away, a used but like new set of RCBS 38-55 dies, very cheap!  I was done for and in the 38-55 business.   ::)

Worried about the large bore vs. tight chamber problem, I assembled a dummy round last night using a cast FNGC bullet sized .380.  No way it would chamber.  The round stopped a good 3/8ths of an inch short of seating to the rim.

I'm going to go back and reread what posts I can find on this issue, but I am not a happy camper!   :(  I hope it is as easy a fix as rereaming the chamber...
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Richard
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2009, 06:05:55 AM »
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Offline Lefty Dude

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2009, 06:18:33 AM »
Very common with the modern 38-55. There seems to be two sizes of 38-55 brass the original length and then the .375 Winchester length. Also some current Mfgr's use the .375 Winchester reamers for the 38-55 chambers. Starline Brass sells both lengths.

Lots of Cowboy Action Shooters use the 38-55 Handi for Long Range competition and have the fix for which you speak. There was a CAS Gun Smith in So. Cal, Old Scout who had the fix and would re-throat, ream Handi-barrels in 38-55. However he passed on recently.

Others here I am sure will post and help you. Most Handi's in 38-55 need help.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2009, 06:20:07 AM »
Morning guys!!

Rich, as always, Tim is quick and spot on with his answers. I had to do the same thing, easy job.
 
CW

BTW, check your PM's!!! ::) ::)
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Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2009, 06:28:07 AM »
Quote from: cwlongshot on August 08, 2009, 06:20:07 AM
BTW, check your PM's!!! ::) ::)

 ???  PM?   ???  whatsa PM?   ???  That something like a BM?   :P

OH!  OKAY!! I remember what day is now.  Speakin a days, don't I usually do that on Sundays?   :-\  It's just so hard remembering all this stuff at my age...  :(  Why just the other night Kathie reminded me of something else I've forgotten about...  :-[  Pm, right... get right on it... pm...

Added a few minutes laterWell gee wizz Bri!  That was only 5 days ago!   ::)  Matter of fact, I'll go down to the man cave right now and start on that...  ;)  More PM's coming, but don't hold your breath!  Sometimes I get distracted for a bit...  :-[ or weeks...  :P
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Richard
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Offline lonewolf5348

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2009, 07:20:21 AM »
starline brass will let me chamber up to .3815 cast bullet.I did try winchester at first  and the biggest was .379 to chamber on my 38-55.
I am lucky my slugs at .378
I shot .379 bullet but I favor .380 at a BHN of 12
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Offline TopperT

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2009, 08:41:19 AM »
Tim is (as usual) ;D; is 'spot' on!  Do the chamber to .400 and have a ball with cast lead.  I shoot only FFF and FF with .381 swaged heads with mine and simply love the 38-55.  The T.C. is smoooooooth and accurate, and classy look'in too!  I'm VERY partial to this rifle, I think you will be also.  Good luck!  Jim.
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Offline mauser98us

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2009, 05:06:46 PM »
I had the same issues. I fixed it with 375 Win  brass. Now she works fine. That is another option besides throating.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2009, 07:06:03 PM »
I'm gonna havta do the same thing to mine.  With .380's in Winchester brass, it will chamber but scrapes the neck enough to leave some shiny marks.  It closed ok so won't need much to be sure, think it could be polished with a tight patch and some Flitz?  Tried the same setup in my Marlin CB and it left no marks on the neck at all.  DP
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Offline tireman

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2009, 03:04:00 AM »
  That 38-55 was a real good shell until they came up with 30-30 just get one. Have fun with your 38-55.
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Offline rsl

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2009, 12:10:07 PM »
Starline brass, .380 Lazer Cast bullets and 27 gr. of 3031 works great in mine. :)
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Offline AtlLaw

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Re: 38-55 woes
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2009, 05:02:13 PM »
The member that sold the rifle to me sent some targets along with it that showed some pretty impressive groups.  He also used Starline brass but his cast bullets were sized .379.  He thinks the smaller dia. bullets and maybe thinner Starline brass is why he never had the problem I have.   :-\

Sounds reasonable to me, trying to push bullets through revolver throats has shown me what a difference a single .001 can make!    ;)

His groups also convinced me to try 27 gr. of 3031!  There's no doubt the barrel will shoot, I just got to tune it to MY preferences!  But that's part of the fun of owning a Handi!  :D
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Richard
Former Captain of Horse, keeper of the peace and interpreter of statute.  Currently a Gentleman of leisure.
Nemo me impune lacessit

                      
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